Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday in November, generally the Sunday nearest to 11 November.
Since 1968, a Service for Remembrance Sunday has been commended for general use by the Archbishops of Canterbury, of York, and of Wales, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, and the Moderator of the Free Church Federal Council. This service was reissued in 1984 with modest updating of the language and a fresh choice of hymns. The 1984 text is set out below. 14
The proposed Lectionary (see Appendix) provides psalms and readings for the Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayer. These are appropriate both for the season and for those wishing to incorporate Remembrance Sunday themes into the main services. As a general rule these psalms and readings should not be altered. There is a further provision of psalms and readings which are suitable for special Services of Remembrance.
On occasions when local circumstances particularly require it, the Bishop may order that features of the special service, as well as the psalms and readings, be incorporated into the Holy Communion, or Morning or Evening Prayer, as follows.
| The Holy Communion | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | |
| Introduction | After section 2 | Section 1 | Section 24 |
| Penitence | Sections 4-8 or 23-28 | Sections 3-6 | Sections 26-29 |
| Intercession | Sections 20-21 | Section 23 | Section 46 |
| Commitment | Sections 51-52 | Section 23 | Section 46 |
| Remembrance | After section 2 or at sections 20-21 | Section 1 | Section 24 |
All stand while the minister reads
We are here to worship Almighty God, whose purposes are good; whose power sustains the world he has made; who loves us, though we have failed in his service; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; who by his Holy Spirit leads us in his way.
As we give thanks for his great works, we remember those who have lived and died in his service and in the service of others; we pray for all who suffer through war and are in need; we ask for his help and blessing that we may do his will, and that the whole world may acknowledge him as Lord and King.
The minister says
Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings
of the world;
its pride, its selfishness, its greed;
its evil divisions and hatreds.
Let us confess our share in what is wrong,
and our failure to seek and establish that peace
which God wills for his children.
After a short silence, all say
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned
in thought, word, and deed.
We have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
In your mercy
forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly with you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The minister stands and says
Almighty God, have mercy upon us,
pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Special intentions may be inserted at appropriate points.
The minister says
Let us pray for the peace of the world:
for statesmen and rulers, that they may have wisdom to
know and courage to do what is right ...
for all who work to improve international relationships, that they may find the true way to reconcile people of different race, colour, and creed ...
and for men and women the world over, that they may have justice and freedom, and live in security and peace ...
Here follows a short silence.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Most gracious God and Father,
in whose will is our peace:
turn our hearts and the hearts of all to yourself,
that by the power of your Spirit
the peace which is founded on righteousness
may be established throughout the whole world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war:
for the injured and the disabled,
for the mentally distressed,
and for those whose faith in God and man has been
weakened or destroyed ...
for the homeless and refugees,
for those who are hungry,
and for all who have lost their livelihood and security ...
for those who mourn their dead,
those who have lost husband or wife,
children or parents,
and especially for those who have no hope in Christ
to sustain them in their grief ...
Here follows a short silence.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
infinite in wisdom, love, and power:
have compassion on those for whom we pray;
and help us to use all suffering
in the cause of your kingdom;
through him who gave himself for us on the cross,
Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.
If there is a collection, it is taken during the hymn which follows.
10 All stand while the minister says
Let us remember before God,
and commend to his sure keeping
those who have died for their country in war;
those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who have lived and died
in the service of mankind.
Here follows The Silence.
Then the minister says
Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for all whom we remember this day;
fulfil in them the purpose of your love;
and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
11 The minister, or some other person appointed, says
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God
and our fellow men and women:
that we may help, encourage, and comfort others,
and support those working for the relief of the needy
and for the peace and welfare of the natlons.
All say together
Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves
to serve you and all mankind,
in the cause of peace,
for the relief of want and suffering,
and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom;
give us courage;
give us hope;
and keep us faithful
now and always. Amen.
Note on the use of the service and the observance of the Two Minutes Silence
This order has been prepared for use at any time on Remembrance Sunday, not necessarily when the Two Minutes Silence is observed. If it is used in the morning it can be so timed that the Act of Remembrance is reached at 11 a.m. without any alteration of the order. Alternatively, the Act of Remembrance may be taken out of the order and used first at 11 a.m. followed by the rest of the service. Where a brief observance is required, as at a War Memorial, the Act of Remembrance may be used, followed by the Act of Commitment, the Lord's Prayer, and the Blessing. If desired, the Act of Remembrance may take the form printed below.
All stand while the minister says
Let us remember before God,
and commend to his sure keeping:
those who have died for their country in war;
those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who have lived and died
in the service of mankind.
The list of those to be remembered by name may then be read.
Then may be said
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
And all repeat
We will remember them.
Here follows The Silence.
Then the Last Post and the Reveille may be sounded.
Then the minister says
Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
Hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for all whom we remember this day;
fulfil in them the purpose of your love;
and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM may be sung in the following form.
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.
Nor on this land alone–
But be God's mercies known
From shore to shore.
Lord, make the nations see
That men should brothers be,
And form one family
The wide world o'er.
THIS THANKSGIVING may be used.
We offer to almighty God our thanksgiving for the many blessings with which he has enriched our lives.
For the Queen and her family, and all who under her bear
the responsibility of government:
Thanks be to God.
For those who serve in the Armed Forces of the Crown on
sea and land and in the air:
Thanks be to God.
For doctors, nurses, chaplains, and all who minister to
those in need or distress:
Thanks be to God.
For the unity of our people within the Commonwealth:
Thanks be to God.
For the sacrifices made, especially in two world wars,
whereby our peace has been preserved:
Thanks be to God.
For the Royal British Legion:
Thanks be to God.
THIS BLESSING may be used.
God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth, and all mankind, peace and concord; and to us and all his servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, come down upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
14 Service for Remembrance Sunday, © SPCK 1968, 1984 for the compilers.