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CIVIC SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE - 2005 Order

An Order on a card or single sheet of A4 - may be edited.

This might just as usefully be labelled "Outdoor Service"

2005Remembrance2colsans.rtf

BOOKLET OF RESOURCES

A Booklet containing the 2005 and 1968 Orders as distributed within the Royal Army Chaplains Department.

The internally distributed hard copy booklet has a pull out section containing the ready to use sheets above.
The PDF file prints the pages in booklet order.

RAChDRemBook.pdf

This RTF file contains the same information as the above PDF but may be edited or used for cut and paste.
The pages print consecutively.

RAChDRemResourcesRTF.rtf

O VALIANT HEARTS

O Valiant Hearts is a hymn loved by many veterans, though probably not by many clergy.

The music is hard to find. Look here:

OValiantHeartsWithMusicWORD97

If you cannot read the WORD97 file you have to download this RTF file,

but it is very large because it converts the music to a bitmap.

OValiantHeartsWithMusicRTF

ETERNAL FATHER

Here is a version of "The Naval Hymn" for all three Services

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, the Universal Lord,
who suffered death by nails and sword,
from all assault of deadly foe
sustain thy soldiers where they go;
and evermore hold in thy hand
all those in peril on the land.

O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace
Who fills with strength the human race;
Inspire mankind to know the right,
Guide all who dare the eagle's flight;
And underneath thy wings of care
Guard all from peril in the air.

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Praise from the air, the land and sea.

This Order of Service has been prepared by a group representing the churches and convened through Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, working in partnership with the Royal British Legion and the Joint Liturgical Group. It is commended on behalf of the Churches by the presidents of CTBI and replaces the service which has been in use since 1968.

The service is an act of Christian worship. In most communities, however, it will be appropriate for honoured guests representing other religious faiths and systems of belief to be invited. They will decide for themselves in which parts of the service they can with integrity join; planners will need to be careful not to make assumptions. The promise to work for peace, which forms an important element towards the end of the service, is deliberately not cast in religious language, to make it easier for people of other faiths and belief systems to be able to share in it.

The service as presented provides the entire order for a brief public Service of Remembrance. It will last about twenty minutes. It can, however, also be used as part of a longer service: either an ecumenical occasion or the regular Sunday service of a local congregation. When a sermon or homily is required, it would follow the New Testament reading(s). If the service is leading into a celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Communion, the transition would normally take place after the Act of Commitment from this service and into the other at the Peace or Offertory. Hymns and additional readings can be added at appropriate places.

Bear in mind the practicalities. If microphones are limited, consider how many people might speak without losing continuity and how the microphone is to pass from one to another. If wreaths and tokens are to be laid, think through the logistics of where and how, in order to maintain dignity without drawing out the ceremony for too long. When producing a printed order of service, it is helpful to include a reminder to people to turn off their mobile phones, and a suggestion that, as they gather, they wait in silence, so that those wishing to pray or reflect may do so. If the range of people to be present, and any organizations they represent, is known, it is also helpful for this to be noted.

If the service is scheduled to allow the two-minute silence to be observed at 11am, pay particular attention to the timing. The “Gathering” element of the service, if not rushed, is likely to take around four minutes. It is therefore wise to schedule the service to begin at 10.55. If that is not possible, it is better to omit most of the “Gathering” material than to miss the start of the silence at 11am.

I lift up my eyes to the hills –
from whence will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121.1-2

This I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning.
Lamentations 3.21-23

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew
their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40.31

What does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6.8

Local custom will determine whether standards are to
be brought and presented. If so, this should happen
before any words are spoken.

If several sentences are used, they may be interspersed with silence or music.
The amount of material used will need to take account of the time available.
If used in full, the “Gathering” section takes roughly four minutes.

We commit ourselves to work
in penitence and faith
for reconciliation between the nations,
that all people may, together,
live in freedom, justice and peace.

We pray for all
who in bereavement, disability and pain
continue to suffer the consequences of
fighting and terror.

We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow
those whose lives,
in world wars and conflicts past and present,
have been given and taken away.

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.

Ever-living God
we remember those whom you have gathered
from the storm of war into the peace of your presence;
may that same peace
calm our fears,
bring justice to all peoples
and establish harmony among the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Note from Labarum:
this following prayer is printed in the appendix in the CTBI Booklet.

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 following hymn, or another that
similarly expresses hope in God and
trust for the future, may be sung:

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;

Beneath the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all our years away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to
you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27

The wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
mercy and good fruits, without a trace of
partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of
righteousness is sown in peace for those
who make peace.
James 3:17-18

This is the message we have heard from
him and proclaim to you, that God is light
and in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up
the mountain, and after he sat down his
disciples came to him. Then he began to
speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will
be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit
the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will
receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will
see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will
be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you
and persecute you and utter all kinds of
evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is
great in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:1-12

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of
conflict, and ask that God may give us
peace:

for the service men and women who have
died in the violence of war, each one
remembered by and known to God;

for those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief and the
sadness of our loss;

for all members of the armed forces who
are in danger this day, remembering
family, friends and all who pray for their
safe return;

for civilian women, children and men
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
calling to mind in penitence the anger and
hatreds of humanity;

for peace-makers and peace-keepers, who
seek to keep this world secure and free;

for all who bear the burden and privilege
of leadership, political, military and
religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and
resolve in the search for reconciliation and
peace.

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
Amen..

Note from Labarum:
this following form of intercession is printed in the appendix in the CTBI Booklet.

We pray for the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of freedom, justice and truth.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who serve in the armed forces of the Crown,
that they may have discipline and discernment, courage and compassion.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for our enemies, and those who wish us harm,
that you may turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

We pray for the wounded and the captive, the grieving and the homeless,
that in all their trials they may know your love and support.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Most Holy God and Father,
hear our prayers for all who strive for peace,
and all who yearn for justice.
Help us, who today remember the cost of war,
to work for a better tomorrow;
and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict,
bring us all, in the end,
to the peace of your presence;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass
against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen

Representative and other members of the
public come forward to lay wreaths, light
candles or offer other symbols of
remembrance and hope, such as single
flowers or crosses.

Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
We will

Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
We will

Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
We will

Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in
us that have not yet been cast out by love:
May we accept the hope you have placed
in the hearts of all people,
And live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer.
Amen

Note from Labarum:
this following prayer is printed in the appendix in the CTBI Booklet.

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.

The National Anthem(s) are sung

The following blessing is used:

God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth
[or to the Church, the State]
and all people,
unity, peace and concord,
and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all
and remain with you always.
Amen

A NOTE ON MUSIC

MUSIC RESOURCES FOR REMEMBRANCE-TIDE

Hymns

These hymns (listed alphabetically by first line) may be found in major hymnbooks such as Common Praise, New English Hymnal Hymns and Psalms, Rejoice and Sing, Church Hymnary Fourth Edition, and the various collections published by Mayhew.

A mighty wind invades the world
Almighty Father, who for us thy Son didst give
Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side
Christ is the world’s true light
Eternal Father, strong to save
For the healing of the nations
God is our strength and refuge
God of freedom, God of justice
God with humanity made one
Great is thy faithfulness
Here from all nations
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
In a world where people walk in darkness
In Christ there is no east or west
It is God who holds the nations
Jesus Christ is waiting
Jesus, Lord, we look to thee
Judge eternal, throned in splendour
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
Lord, for the years
Lord, save thy world; in bitter need
Now thank we all our God
O God of earth and altar
O God, our help in ages past
Peace, perfect peace
Pray for the Church, afflicted and oppressed
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
Pray that Jerusalem may have peace and prosperity
Son of God, eternal Saviour
The kingdom of God is justice and joy
The right hand of God
Through the night of doubt and sorrow
Thy kingdom come, O God
To thee, O God, we fly
We pray for peace
We turn to you, O God of every nation
Will you come and follow me

From: Timothy Dudley Smith: A House of Praise

(OUP/Hope Publishing 2003)

Behold, a broken world, we pray
Eternal God, before whose face we stand (* specially written for
Remembrance-tide)
Remember, Lord, the world you made

From: Common Ground: A Song Book for all the Churches

(St Andrew Press, 1998)

What shall we pray for those who have died
We lay our broken world in sorrow at your feet

SONGS

Kum ba yah, my Lord
Lead us from death to life
Let there be love shared among us
Let there be peace on earth
Make me a channel of your peace
O Lord, the clouds are gathering
Shalom, my friends

Da pacem, Domine
Christ of compassion (In te confido)
Dona nobis pacem
Dona nobis pacem, Domine
In God alone
Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom
O Lord, hear my prayer

The RSCM has published a list of suitable choral anthems and organ music in Sunday by Sunday 25 (June 2003); see also Sunday by Sunday 33 (June, 2005). Details available from the RSCM website: www.rscm.com/sundaybysunday.

Copies of the Remembrance Service in this form may be ordered from CTBI publications as below.

Beyond Our Tears – resources for times of remembrance
ISBN 0 85169 286 9 £7.95 128pp (P)
Published by CTBI, available from bookshops and:

CTBI publications
4 John Wesley Road
Werrington
Peterborough PE4 6ZP

Telephone: 01733 325002
Fax: 01733 384180

Web ordering: www.ctbi.org.uk/publications

Postage and packing charges apply – please see the website for details.

Church of England Liturgical Commission: Common Worship: Times and Seasons & Common Worship: Festivals ISBN 1 00 000 581 X £15 (published by Church House Publishing) available from bookshops

Church of Scotland: Book of Common Order ISBN 0 715206 84 2 £20 (published by St Andrew Press) available from bookshops.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Bastille Court
2 Paris Garden
London SE1 8ND
info@ctbi.org.uk
www.ctbi.org.uk

ISBN 0 85169 329 6
Published 2005 by CTBI

A catalogue record of this publication is available from the British Library It is expected that this service will be widely used across the UK in a variety of formats. For this reason, this publication is not subject to copyright. Further copies are available from our website and our distributor: CTBI Publications, 4 John Wesley Road. Werrington. Peterborough PE4 6ZP

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

A new Order of Service published in 2005 by
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
on behalf of the Joint Liturgical Group and the Royal British Legion.

is also available from the CTBI website as an Adobe Acrobat PDF (Portable Document Format) file and Microsoft Word document.

Please note that free versions do not include: introduction, notes for organizers, Presidents' comments nor additional resources.

The above files download from the CTBI Site

RAChDRemResourcesRTF.rtf is on this site, contains both the 2005 and 1968 services, and is easier to cut and paste from.

The pull out section referred to in this booklet contains most of the other files on this page.

Full version of the 2005 service can be purchased from:

CTBI publications
4 John Wesley Road
Werrington
Peterborough PE4 6ZP

Telephone: 01733 325002
Fax: 01733 384180
sales@mph.org.uk

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.

An Order for Remembrance Sunday

1 THE INTRODUCTION

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.

2 HYMN

3 LESSON

4 HYMN

5 ACT OF PENITENCE

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.

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.

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.

6 INTERCESSION

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 ...

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.

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 ...

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.

7 HYMN

8 SERMON

9 HYMN

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

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.

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.

ACT OF COMMITMENT

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.

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.

12 THE LORD'S PRAYER

13 NATIONAL ANTHEM

14 BLESSING

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.

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE (Alternative Form)

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.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS

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.

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 sacrifices made, especially in two world wars, whereby our peace has been preserved:
Thanks be to God.

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.

The Service of Remembrance usually begins with the Act of Remembrance because of the need to time the start of the silence accurately at 11a.m.. Free from this constraint the liturgy has a better shape with the Act of Remembrance and Act of Commitment after the Service of the Word as a climax and conclusion. The Veterans Service published on this page is an example of that approach.

When tied to the 11 a.m. deadline, it is best to go straight into the silence after a brief introduction which can be accurately managed. The Civic (Outdoor) Service published here follows the order as published in 2005 by CTBI. That service starts with few Old Testament verses that may be used as padding to get the time exactly right. The Military (Indoor) Service starts with a hymn during which Colours and Standards may be presented. An organist or Band Director should be able to advise the clergy exactly how long the hymn will take, but err on the generous side for extra padding may still be used. The Sentences from the 2005 Order may serve, Psalm 91 may be recited and halted at any verse, or these sentences below, which all use the word "Remember", may be used.

All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
Psalm 22:27

Remember how short my time is:
for what vanity you have created all mortals!
Psalms 89:47

The righteous will never be moved;
they will be remembered for ever.
Psalm 112:6

Do not rejoice over anyone’s death;
remember that we must all die.
Ecclesiasticus 8:7

Remember the commandments,
and do not be angry with your neighbour;
remember the covenant of the Most High,
and overlook faults.
Ecclesiasticus 28:7

Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,
and your kindness from of old,
for you rescue those who wait for you
and save them from the hand of their enemies.
Ecclesiasticus 51:8

Remember how Jesus told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners,
and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.
Luke24:6-7

Isaiah 2:1-5
In days to come
   the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
   and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
   Many peoples shall come and say,
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
   to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
   and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
   and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
   and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
   neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
   come, let us walk
   in the light of the Lord!

Micah 4:1-5
In days to come
   the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
   and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it,
    and many nations shall come and say:
‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
   to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
   and that we may walk in his paths.’
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
   and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
   and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
   and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
   neither shall they learn war any more;
but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees,
   and no one shall make them afraid;
   for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.
For all the peoples walk,
   each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God
   for ever and ever.

Wisdom 3:1-8
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them for ever.

Matt 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;
and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 15: 9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Romans 8: 31-39
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 6: 10-17
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

2 Thessalonians 2: 13-17
But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

Hebrews 13.1-3,14-16
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

James 3.13-18.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

1 John 3.14-18.
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this: that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.