Opening Verse of Scripture
I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. Genesis Chapter 9:15
Collect Prayer for the Day — Before we read we pray
Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Common Worship
God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that the earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen. Common Worship Shorter Collect.
Eternal God, in whose perfect realm no sword is drawn but the sword of justice, and no strength known but the strength of love: guide and inspire all who seek your kingdom, that peoples and nations may find their security in the love which casts out fear; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
First Bible Reading Micah Chapter 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. NRSV
Second Reading Romans Chapter 8:31- end
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. NRSV
Gospel Reading John Chapter 15 Verses 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. NRSV
New Testament Readings
Revelation Chapter 21
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. NRSV
1 Corinthians Chapter 15:50 - end
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. NRSV
Post Communion Prayer
God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom and restored the broken to wholeness of life: look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your healing power make whole both people and nations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Commentary
Each year at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, our country observes a Two Minute Silence. Armistice Day on 11 November marks the end of the First World War and is a day to remember and honour those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. This silence is held in our churches on Remembrance Sunday because we wish to honour and remember those who fought not only in World Wars, but the more than 12,000 British Servicemen and women killed or injured since 1945. The war which was meant to end all wars has not done so. When evil forces are at work in the world there are times when war can be a justifiable as a last resort to stop such atrocities. So we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country in the pursuit of freedom, justice and peace. We also inevitably remember those we love and from whom we are parted.
Jesus was quite clear in his teachings that he had conquered death and it should no longer hold power. Jesus gave real hope with his promise of a kingdom which was yet to come. Jesus spoke in pictures about a time when there would be feasting and laughter. The time to come would be different, the hungry would be filled and those who had been downtrodden would be freed.
This gives us hope as we entrust to God those who have died.
However, in his teachings Jesus also made clear that real change must start to take place now in the hearts and minds of his followers. We therefore use this service to remind ourselves of our part in seeking to bring about the desperate need for change. So for Christians this Remembrance Sunday is more than an act of remembrance it is a promise that we will do our best to serve Christ by serving others in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering. By his Holy Spirit may he give us wisdom, courage, and hope and keep us faithful now and always. Amen.
Meditation
It is worth reflecting that the sacrifices made by brave troops in the face of tyranny have been shared across nations and faith communities. For example in World War 1 no less than a third of troops were from places such as Africa, India and Jamaica, they were muslim, sikh and others. The brave tales of men like Govind Singh who was awarded the Victoria Cross have sadly not been celebrated as they deserve. However the importance of so many colonial troops during the Great War is beyond doubt. Likewise in the Battle of Britain the Polish 303 Squadron was the most successful Fighter Command unit in the Battle. A story told brilliantly in the recent film ‘Hurricane’.
Today we remember and give thanks for all of those who so bravely gave of themselves for the welfare of others. We do so mindful that people from across the world, representing so many different religions stood by Britain during our hour of need. Their sacrifice undoubtedly of such significance has rarely been appreciated and must never be forgotten.
Christ be with you, Christ before you, Christ behind you,
Christ in us, Christ beneath us, Christ above us,
Christ on your right, Christ on your left,
Christ where we lie, Christ where we sit, Christ where we arise,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of you,
Christ in every eye that sees us,
Christ in every ear that hears you.
Salvation is of the Lord, Salvation is of the Christ,
May your salvation, O Lord, be ever with us.
Go in peace to serve the Lord and all you meet.
And the blessing of the Three in One God keep you in eternal life. Amen.
When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.
I believe in the sun,
even when it does not shine.
I believe in love,
even when I cannot feel it.
I believe in God,
even when he is silent.
Prayer scratched on the wall of a prison cell in Cologne during the Second World War
Hymns
God who weeps when we are weeping (Tune: Austria)
National Anthem
As the deer pants
I vow to thee (Tune: Thaxted)
God is love (Tune: Abbot’s Leigh)
O Father on your Love we call (Tune: Melita)
Blest are the pure in heart
All my hope on God is founded
Judge eternal, throned in splendour
God, our help in ages past
Beauty for brokenness
(God save our gracious queen)
Thy kingdom come, O God
For the healing of the nations
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead
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 thy love; and bring us all, with them, to thine eternal joy; though Christ our Lord.
Amen
Be to us, O Lord, the affection of our hearts, the closest of our companions, our everlasting love, our enduring happiness and the fulfilment of all our desires. Through your Spirit, create in us holy fire and purity of life, that loving you above all things and our neighbours ardently, we may come at last to the glories of your everlasting kingdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471
O Almighty God, grant we beseech thee, that we, who here do honour to the memory of those who have died in the service of their country and of the crown, may be so inspired by the spirit of their love and fortitude that, forgetting all selfish and unworthy motives, we may live only to thy glory and to the service of mankind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of wisdom and truth, we pray for the leaders of the nations, for wisdom and courage in those who stand firm against terrorism; for patience and persistence in all who work to secure freedom, justice and peace on earth.
God of mercy, we pray for peoples and nations bleeding still from the unhealed wounds of their history. Deliver them from violence and vengeance; nurture in them the ancient wisdom of respect and mutual understanding
God of time and eternity, you travel with us through deep waters yet never abandon us in the storm. We live still in darkened days yet never without your healing light. Renew our confidence, rekindle our hope, deepen our faith, guide us in truth and give us peace in our day.
Merciful Father of all, in darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, in death and in life, help us to trust your love, to serve your purpose and to praise your name for ever.
God of unending mercy, we pray with those who cry: For women and men who are battered in body or spirit, for children who sleep the fitful sleep of grief, for all who are imprisoned by walls or worries, for all who wonder if they can ever live again, for the least, the lost and the last, and for the dead.
Christ, have mercy on those who cry;
Christ have mercy on us when we turn away from the cries of others.
Give us the strength of compassion, that we may never shield our eyes and hearts from pain, but seek to heal and bless.
Bless us with courage and arm us with hope, that we may lessen the suffering of our world.
Hear this our common prayer and those of our hearts which we offer now. (Paul Sheppy)
A prayer for those who mourn O God our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble, we seek your comfort and your blessing for those who mourn the death of those they love, for all whose lives are torn apart by violence, for all the suffering people of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord
A prayer for the leaders of the nations
O God our heavenly father, whose love sets no boundaries and whose strength is in service; grant to the leaders of the nations wisdom courage and insight at this time of darkness and fear. Give to all who exercise authority a determination to defend the principles of freedom, love and tolerance strength to protect and safeguard the innocent and clarity of vision to guide the world into the paths of justice and peace. This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
A prayer for those who suffer
Father, we remember how your Son, during the time of his ministry on earth, had great compassion for those who suffered. We bring to you those who still suffer as the result of war. Hear our prayer, Father, for those who live with the pain and scars of bodily injury; for those whose minds are shattered by the horrors which they witnessed or endured; for those who have been bereaved; for those who do not believe in you or trust their fellow men. Grant to them peace of mind and heart, and relief from all their suffering,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer for peace
O Prince of peace, Bring your peace into our disorded world. Come now to live in our hearts. Bring your order into our chaos. Hasten the day when you will come again, and all men will acknowledge your sovereign rule. In your name we ask this. Amen.
For our nation
Grant, O Lord, that our people may devote themselves unselfishly to the common good, giving much and taking little. Grant that we may love your Word and seek to obey your commandments, so that justice and peace, unity and concord, may reign in our land. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For ourselves
O God our Father, help us to realise that all striving after justice must begin with ourselves, and not with others. Make us to be those who work for peace and seek always to express your love in the world. Help us to encourage the spirit of reconciliation, by being those who forgive, rather than those who try to establish their rights. We ask this in the name of the One who forgave those who persecuted him, even Jesus Christ
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;
May God give peace God give peace
For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss;
May God give peace God give peace
For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return;
May God give peace God give peace
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;
May God give peace God give peace
For peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free;
May God give peace God give peace
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.
May God give peace God give peace
