Join us on Sunday 8th November
10am for a short all-age service at St Stephen's Church, Prenton Lane
10.45am for the Acts of Remembrance at Prenton War Memorial: Located at the corner or Prenton Lane & Osmaston Road
NB. In the event of an emergency of any kind, please follow the instructions of the service leader and the directions of the event stewards. If you have any concerns relating to public safety at this event, either dial 999, or if not an emergency, contact 0151 608 1808. Thank you.
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Please join in with the hymn, Lord's Prayer, and National Anthem, and any responses in Bold Italics.
Gathering & Welcome
Revd. Matt Graham, St Stephen’s Church Prenton
Bible Reading, from Psalm 91
Read by a representative of Prenton uniformed groups
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
I will say of the LORD:
“He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Opening Prayer
HYMN: I vow to thee my country
I vow to thee, my country,
all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect,
the service of my love:
The love that asks no question,
the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar
the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters,
the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted
the final sacrifice.
And there's another country,
I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her,
most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies,
we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart,
her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently
her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness
and all her paths are peace.
Bible Reading, Psalm 91v5-8
Ready by Prenton Methodist Church
'You will not fear the terror of night
nor the arrow that flies by day
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side
ten thousand at your right hand
but it will not come near you.'
Address
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Introduced by Dr. Nicolas Jedynakiewicz D.L., The Merseyside Lieutenancy
Let us remember with gratitude those who, in the cause of peace and the service of others, died for their country in times of war.
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.
All: We will remember them
The Last Post
2 minutes Silence
The Reveille
When you go home, tell them of us and say, 'For your tomorrow we gave our today'.
Let us Pray
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before You all those men and women
who have died in active service
fighting for freedom, defending peace
and upholding justice: in the two Great Wars,
and in many struggles and conflicts since.
As we honour their courage, help us to value our freedom.
As we cherish their memory and sacrifice,
help us to honour Your Son, and His costly sacrifice.
Grant us grace to put our faith in You and in Your future.
for You are the source of all life and hope, now and forever. Amen
THE LAYING OF WREATHS
Wreaths are laid in the following order:
The Sovereign's Wreath laid on behalf of His Majesty the King by Dr. Nicolas Jedynakiewicz D.L., Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, followed by representatives of the Wirral Council; Merseyside Police; Cadet forces; uniformed organisations; local churches & members of the public.
PRAYERS
Led by Andrew William, St Stephen's Church & NHS worker
Please join in the response:
May God give peace,
All: God give peace
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Act of Confession & Commitment
Let us confess together the part that greed, anger and selfishness in our own hearts, plays in fuelling conflict, pain and resentment:
Forgive us all the ways we put ourselves before others. Amen
Let us pledge ourselves afresh to truth and justice; to God and putting others first before ourselves; to peace, and to the help and aid of any in need:
Will you strive for all that makes for peace? We will
Will you seek the good of others? We will
Will you work for the relief of any in need? We will
The National Anthem
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King,
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King!
Final Prayer & Blessing
Lord, strengthen our hearts, hands, and minds, to work together for peace; and to seek your kingdom above all things; that your will may be done, and your Kingdom come, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen
The blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you, and remain with you always. Amen
Thank you for joining us
You are warmly invited to join us for refreshments in St Stephen's Church, immediately following this short service.
With thanks to all who have contributed and made this service possible, especially our trumpeter, Ella, Yr.10 Wirral Grammar School for Girls, and our sound operator.
If any of the themes or thoughts shared today have raised questions for you, please do get in touch or sign up here to find out more about St Stephen's. We'd love to hear from you and we always want to help people discover the difference knowing Jesus makes, like these free discussion groups.