Remembrance Day 2011

Words from Psalm 76

In Judah God is known;
God's name is great in Israel.
God's tent is in Salem,
the dwelling place of God in Zion.
There God broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords,
the weapons of war.

O Lord our God, we have gathered this day
to offer our prayers and petitions
for those who have perished as a result of conflict
and the strife of war.
We pray for those who have given of themselves willingly,
those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We pray for those who have been victimized,
innocent casualties of hatred and terror.
We pray for those who continue to place themselves in harm's way
in order that peace and harmony might be achieved.

Hear us, O Lord, as we make our appeal in their memory;
Bless, O Lord our God,
those who have fought and valiantly died that we might enjoy liberty and freedom.
May their sacrifice not be in vain.
Amen.

HYMN: O God, our help in ages past

An Affirmation of Faith


I trust in God, who is love,
and who has given the earth to all people.

I trust in Christ, who heals us and frees us
from all forms of oppression.

I trust in God's Spirit, who works in us
and through all who turn towards truth.

I trust in the community of faith,
which is called to be at the service of all people.

I trust in God's presence to transform,

fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth
where justice and peace will flourish.

We commit ourselves to following Christ,
to one another as brothers and sisters,
and to the work of God in the world,
through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Bible readings: Micah 4: 1-5, Matthew 10: 34-39

HYMN: God! As with silent hearts

Sermon

HYMN: Christ is alive!

Invitation to Communion

This table is God's invitation to share gifts of peace.
There is bread, and there is wine -
symbols of God's provision to meet human need.

We share together in this sacred meal, meeting one another in the name of Christ,
and welcoming one another as sister and brother in the faith.
So let us prepare to meet around God's table.

The peace of Christ be with you all,
and also with you.

The Lord is here!
God's Spirit is with us.

Blessed are you, gracious God,
Creator of light,
Giver of all life,
Source of love.
 From stardust you formed us in your image
and filled us with your breath.
Through all our living you are our guide and companion.

You call us to live in peace with all people,
and to bring healing and wholeness, justice and compassion
where they are needed.

Thank you for Jesus, your Chosen One,
who offered bread and wine for the journey.
He lived and loved in shared humanity,
reaching out to victims of the world's brokenness.

Now we do what Jesus did the night before he died.
He took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread,
and gave it to his friends and said, "Take, eat, remember me."

Later he took the cup, gave you thanks,
and said, "Take, drink, remember me."

By this bread and cup, we remember Jesus
and share in the mystery of your being,
your love and your purpose.

Send your Spirit on these gifts, food and drink for the journey.
Bless our journeying together, that we all may walk
in confidence and trust all our days.

God of courage and compassion,
there is no pain that does not echo in your heart.
So we remember today those who have given their lives in the struggle for peace.

We honour those who seek peace by non-violent means rather than through more destruction.
O God, giver of peace, hear our prayer.
We remember the scars, physical and emotional, left upon those
who have directly experienced the violence of human against human.
O God, giver of peace, hear our prayer.
We remember people everywhere who struggle for freedom and dignity.
Remind us again, O God, of your call to love you, each other and ourselves.
O God, giver of peace, hear our prayer.

We pray in the name of Jesus
who gave us the words we now say together:

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,
and deliver us from evil;
for the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever,
Amen.

Sharing the Bread and Cup

The bread that we break and the cup for which we give thanks
are our sharing in the life of Christ.

The gifts of God for the people of God
as we travel together towards the heart of God.

Come, for all is now ready.

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The Sharing of the Bread & Wine for the journey
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Prayer after Communion

For the bread we have eaten,
for the wine we have tasted,
for the life we have received,
we thank you, God.
In deep gratitude for this moment,
this meal, our friends around us,
we give ourselves afresh to you.
Enable us to grow in love and understanding
that our lives henceforth may reveal
your love and justice to all around us.
Amen.

Hymn: For the healing of the nations

Benediction

Beloved, remember the life and love you have been imbued with from your Creator.
Remember the loss and tragedy that has come before and remains present today.
But go forth, remembering the hope of peace,
and the reality of love that has the power to transform us all and the world around us.

And may God's blessing be upon you,
rest with you,
and shine from you,
now and always.
Amen

An older person says:
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.

A younger person may reply:
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning,
we will remember them.

All affirm: We will remember them.


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