# Order of Service

The complete Remembrance Sunday order of service for Ashford, in full.

<section>

<h2 class="liturgy-heading-lede">Words of Welcome</h2>

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Douglas, Ashford Wide.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Welcome to the Ashford Remembrance Day service. I am delighted that you can be here with us at our town's place to remember, to join us in remembering those who have courageously served their country and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.</p>

</section>

<section>

## Bidding Prayer

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We meet in this special place and in the presence of God.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">To commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We come to pray for all who, in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We come to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.</p>

</section>

<section>

## Confession &amp; Absolution

<p class="liturgy-line">Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world; its pride, its selfishness, its greed; the evil divisions and hatreds.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Let us confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to seek and establish that peace which God wills for his children.</p>

<p class="font-bold text-red-700 text-left">(Observation of a short silence)</p>

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Father, we have sinned against heaven and against you, and are not worthy to be called your children.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We turn to you asking that you have mercy on us, and teach us to live rightly in love and peace with you and with all mankind.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Almighty God have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

</section>

<section>

## The Act of Remembrance

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">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.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and forever.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-rubric">Parade Up</p>

</section>

<section>

## The Exhortation

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Douglas, Ashford Wide.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old</p>
<p class="liturgy-line">Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.</p>
<p class="liturgy-line">At the going down of the sun, and in the morning</p>
<p class="liturgy-line">We will remember them.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>We will remember them</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-plain">The Last Post</p>
<p class="liturgy-plain">Silence</p>
<p class="liturgy-plain">Reveille</p>
<p class="liturgy-plain">Kohima Epitaph</p>

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Douglas, Ashford Wide.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">When you go home tell them of us and say,</p>
<p class="liturgy-line">for your tomorrow we gave our today.</p>

<p class="liturgy-rubric">At ease</p>

</section>

<section>

<p class="liturgy-plain">Bible Reading: Micah 6.6-8</p>

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">What can we bring to the Lord?</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Should we bring burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of young calves?</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">This is the Word of the Lord.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Thanks be to God</strong></p>

</section>

<section>

## Hymn: O God, our help in ages past

<div class="liturgy-hymn">
<p>
O God, our help in ages past,<br>
our hope for years to come,<br>
our shelter from the stormy blast,<br>
and our eternal home:
</p>
<p>
Under the shadow of thy throne,<br>
thy saints have dwelt secure;<br>
sufficient is thine arm alone,<br>
and our defense is sure.
</p>
<p>
Before the hills in order stood,<br>
or earth received her frame,<br>
from everlasting thou art God,<br>
to endless years the same.
</p>
<p>
O God, our help in ages past,<br>
our hope for years to come,<br>
be thou our guide while troubles last, and our eternal home!
</p>
</div>

</section>

<section>

## Intercessions

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We pray for all who have died or suffer as a result of conflict.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Those whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">For service men and women, for civilians,</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">For those held captive, each one remembered by and known to God.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">May God give peace</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>God give peace</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">We pray for peacemakers and peacekeepers; those who seek to keep this world secure and free;</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">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.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">May God give peace:</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>God give peace</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Finally, we pray for all members of the Armed Forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">May God give peace:</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>God give peace</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Trusting in the compassion of God, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All:</span></p>

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

</section>

<section>

## Act of Commitment

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">As we prepare to leave this place let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Will you strive for all that makes for peace?</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>We will</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>We will</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Will you work for a just future for all humanity?</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>We will</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love:</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">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.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-rubric">Parade Up</p>

</section>

<section>

## The National Anthem

<div class="liturgy-hymn">
<p>
God save our gracious King!<br>
Long live our noble King!<br>
God save the King!<br>
Send him victorious,<br>
Happy and glorious,<br>
Long to reign over us,<br>
God save the King.
</p>
</div>

<p class="liturgy-rubric">At ease</p>

</section>

<section>

## Wreath Laying &amp; The Blessing

<p class="liturgy-plain">Wreath Laying</p>
<p class="liturgy-plain">Musical Interlude performed by Staines and Lammas Brass Bands</p>
<p class="liturgy-plain">The Blessing</p>

<p class="liturgy-speaker">Minister</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">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.</p>

<p class="liturgy-line">And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among you all and remain with you always.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

<p class="liturgy-line">Go forth with hope and seek for peace in the service of God.</p>

<p class="liturgy-response"><span class="liturgy-response-label">All</span> <strong>Amen</strong></p>

</section>

<section>

## Dismissal Parade

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<p class="liturgy-plain">This order of service is based on that of the National Memorial Arboretum Service, our national focal point of Remembrance.</p>

</section>