The Order of Service for the War Memorial and the Remembrance Service in the Church are below.
War Memorial Order of Service
The ministers will process to the memorial at approximately 10:55am.
Introduction
“God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.”
We meet in the presence of God.
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.”
Reading
First hear these words from the New Testament.
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.”
Exhortation
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.
Last Post
Two minutes silence
Revellie
Kohima Epitaph
When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.
Prayer
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us 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.
All Amen.
The Lords Prayer
All 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.
Laying of Wreaths
Blessing
God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord, and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Ministers return to the Church and the Standards follow.
Remembrance Sunday Service
Please note there will be a retiring collection for the Royal British Legion.
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.
Hymn: I vow to thee my country (579)
All 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.
During the singing of the hymn standards will be received.
Almighty God, 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; through Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
Reading 1: John 15: 9 - 17
The reading is taken from John Chapter 15
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Reading 2: A letter sent to Ann by her Dad
Reading 3: War graves in our Graveyard and information
In our churchyard there are 7 graves of men who died as a result of World War 1. 6 graves have memorials erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. All Commonwealth war graves wherever they are in the world are the same size and shape and made from Portland stone.
The stones usually have the man’s name, date of death and the regiment he belonged to. It might also have a personal message from his family.
Those remembered in war graves in our churchyard are:
Gunner Harry Rixon died 15th October 1915 aged 24 years
Private Steven Sharp died 3rd December 1914 aged 19 years
Private Stanley Lydford-Prior died 1st November 1916 aged 18 years
Sapper Leonard Todd died 16th December 1917 aged 36 years
Private Henry Wharton died 23 October 1918 aged 18 years
Lance Corporal Thomas Glew died 5 January 1919
Bombadier Robert Sargeant died 28 February 1915 aged 23 years
Private Victor Sargeant died 2 November 1918 aged 31 buried in France
Hymn: I'll Remember
All As we gather to celebrate,
Bittersweet victory from fate,
Now together all should reflect;
Their hope for a better day.
I’ll remember their sacrifice,
I’ll remember the freedom won,
I’ll remember and not forget;
Their hope for a better day.
(Chorus)
I’ll remember, like the wind through the trees,
I’ll remember, like the stars that I see,
I’ll remember, like the haunting blue sea;
Their hope for a better day.
I’ll remember, as the sun makes its play,
I’ll remember, at the close of the day,
I’ll remember, for eternity;
Their hope for a better day.
Sermon
Thanksgiving
We offer to Almighty God our thanksgiving for the many blessings with which he has enriched our lives.
For the King and his family, and all who under her bear the responsibility of government:
All Thanks be to God.
For those who serve in the Armed Forces of the
Crown on sea and land, and in the air:
All Thanks be to God.
For doctors, nurses, chaplains
and all who minister to those in need or distress:
All Thanks be to God.
For the unity of our people within the Commonwealth:
All Thanks be to God.
For the sacrifices made, especially in two world wars,
whereby our peace has been preserved:
All Thanks be to God.
For the Royal British Legion:
All Thanks be to God.
Reading: For what shall we pray?
What shall we pray for those who died
those on whose death our lives relied?
Silenced by war but not denied,
God give them peace.
What shall we pray for those who mourn
friendships and love, their fruit unborn?
Though years have passed, hearts still are torn;
God give them peace.
What shall we pray for those who live
tied to the past they can’t forgive.
haunted by terrors they relive?
God give them peace.
What shall we pray for those who know
nothing of war, and cannot show
grief or regret for friend or foe?
God give them peace.
What shall we pray for those who fear
war, in some guise, may reappear
looking attractive and sincere?
God give them peace.
God give us peace and, more than this,
show us the path where justice is;
and let us never be remiss
working for peace.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour taught us
All 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.
Reading: “Eighty Years of Freedom’s Flame”
In fields of green and skies once red,
Brave hearts stood where angels tread.
With rifles clenched and spirits high,
They fought for peace beneath the sky.
Young Jack was just a lad of war,
A Royal Marine, just 19 or more.
He landed strong on Normandy sands,
With duty firm and gun in hand.
The beaches stretched — five names now known:
Sword, Juno, Gold, and far had grown
To Utah, Omaha — brave and wide,
Where thousands fell, yet turned the tide.
Through fire and steel they made their stand,
Each inch of France, hard-won by hand.
They pushed ahead through hedge and lane,
Through fear, through loss, through grit and rain.
Back home, a lad with curious eyes
Played near those shores and wondered why—
Why pillbox walls and bunkers lay,
Like shadows of a darker day.
He listened close to Grandad’s tales,
Of whispered codes and hidden trails,
Of minds that worked in secret ways,
To guide the fight through darkest days.
And in his heart, a flame was lit,
To follow where the brave men sit.
He joined the Corps, proud, strong, and free—
To serve like those who stormed the sea.
May 8th — the bells of freedom rang,
And London’s skies with voices sang.
The King stood proud, the crowds were wide,
And hope came roaring like the tide.
The Queen, then young, danced in the crowd,
A conga line, alive and loud.
While Joyce recalled with smiling grace
The joy that lit each hopeful face.
Yet not all cheers rang close to home—
Some raised their glass where poppies roam.
In Italy, and distant skies,
The word of peace brought tears to eyes.
Now eighty years have passed in time,
Yet still we feel that steady line—
From those who fell, to those who stand,
With steady hearts and open hand.
So here we are with flags held high,
Beneath a still and thankful sky.
We speak their names, both old and new,
And say: “We will remember you.”
For every cry and silent prayer,
For brothers lost, still standing there,
For freedom’s cost and war’s cruel price,
For those who paid with sacrifice—
We thank you all, both near and far,
Each soldier, sailor, son, and star.
The past still walks beside our way,
On this, the 80th VE Day.
Act of Commitment
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and all people; 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 nations.
All Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all people,
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.
Hymn: And did those feet in ancient time (576)
All And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
among these dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.
The standards are collected from the Sanctuary.
The standard bearers form up in front of the church and turn around.
The Minister then pronounces the Blessing
Blessing
God grant to the living grace,
the departed rest,
the Church, the King,
the Commonwealth and all the world,
peace and concord;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All Amen
The Congregation remains standing for the National Anthem.
All 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.
Thy choicest gifts in store
On him be pleased to pour,
Long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
Standard bearers and Ministers leave