Remembrance Sunday – The Second Sunday before Advent

…for we shall never forget…..

Prayers, music and readings accompany this written service, Remembrance Sunday, the Second Sunday before Advent.

Opening Prayer

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.

Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed
to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

Prayer for Remembrance

Father of all, remember your holy promise,
and look with love on all your people, living and departed.
On this day we especially ask that you would hold forever
all who have suffered during war, those who returned scarred by warfare,
those who waited anxiously at home,
and those who returned wounded, and disillusioned;
those who mourned, and those communities that were diminished and suffered loss.
Remember too those who acted with kindly compassion,
those who bravely risked their own lives for their comrades,
and those who in the aftermath of war, worked tirelessly for a more peaceful world.
And as you remember them, remember us, O Lord;
grant us peace in our time and a longing for the day when people of every language, race, and nation will be brought into the unity of Christ’s kingdom.
This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

NEH 417 – O God our help in ages past
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjdmLstpNGE

The Intercessions

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 to live in security and peace.

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 men 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 disabled, for the mentally distressed, and for those whose faith in God and in man has been weakened or destroyed.
For the homeless and refugees, for those who are hungry, and for all those 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.

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.

Final Hymn

NEH 413 – Now thank we all our God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s99dNPKYtHk

A Prayer for World Peace

O God of the nations,
as we look to that day when you will gather people
from north and south, east and west,
into the unity of your peaceable Kingdom,
guide with your just and gentle wisdom all who take counsel
for the nations of the world,
that all your people may spend their days in security, freedom, and peace,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Christ our King make you faithful and strong to do his will, that you may reign with him in glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.