RESOURCES FOR REMEMBRANCE FROM ... - Church of Scotland

1 RESOURCES FOR REMEMBRANCE FROM SERVICE CHAPLAINS. The following pages contain material used by some of our Service Chaplains. These are offered to our civilian colleagues as a resource as we prepare to celebrate the Season of REMEMBRANCE . Also recommended is Padre Brian Elliott's book They shall grow not old: RESOURCES for REMEMBRANCE , Memorial and Commemorative Services'. (Canterbury Press, Norwich, 2006). REMEMBRANCE Quotes Here dead lie we because we did not choose To live and shame the land from which we sprung. Life, to be sure is nothing much to lose: But young men think it is, and we were young.

2 A E Houseman Where do all the women who have watched so carefully over the lives of their beloved ones get the heroism to send them to face the cannon? Ka Kollwitz War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone has lost. Karl Kraus Those who dare to interpret God's will must never claim Him as an asset for one nation or group rather than another. War springs from the love and loyalty which should be offered to God being applied to some God substitute, one of the most dangerous being nationalism.

3 Robert Runcie To delight in war is a merit in the soldier, a dangerous quality in the captain, and a positive crime in the statesman. George Sentayana Some Suggested Readings for REMEMBRANCE Psalm 46. Psalm 90:1-17. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. Micah 4:1-5. Matthew 5: 1-16. John 15: 1-17. 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58. Ephesians 6: 10-18, 23-24. An Order of Service for REMEMBRANCE Sunday Introduction Chaplain Hymn: O God, our Help . Readings: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8; Micah 4: 1-5 Reader Prayer The Act of REMEMBRANCE The Ode They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

4 At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. All: We will remember them. The Last Post Silence (The Reveille). Laying of Wreaths Prayer Chaplain Intimations Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty . Prayer Bible Reading: John 15: 5-17 Reader Sermon Hymn: Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son . Prayers Chaplain Hymn: And did those feet in ancient time . Act of Commitment Chaplain Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men, that we may be peacemakers in our homes, in our community, in our country and in our world. All: Lord God, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all mankind in the cause of peace and for the relief of want and suffering.

5 Give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us always faithful. Amen. The Lord's Prayer: The National Anthem . The Benediction Chaplain An Act of REMEMBRANCE In Memory Reader 1. Remember Ypres, Gallipoli, the Somme, Mons and Verdun. Remember the Western Desert, El Alamein, the Normandy beaches . Remember Coventry, Dresden, Hiroshima and the Burma Road. Remember Korea, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, East Timor, Afghanistan and the Gulf. Remember the courage, the comradeship, the ingenuity, the spirit of working together for a common cause, the planning together for a better world that would come with peace.

6 Remember the call to arms, the patriotic songs, the partings which were such sweet sorrow. The sound of the drum, the skirl of the pipe, the prayer that God would be on our side. Remember the carnage; the colossal horror of war. Remember the widows of sixty years and more, the old men and women who never knew their fathers. Remember the love that was lost, the wisdom wasted, the minds that are still pained by memories. Remember the families bereft by recent wars and conflict. Remember this day the children who will die while nation fights nation. Remember the One who asked us to remember them.

7 Father, remember us; and forgive us our sins against you and our fellow man. The Act of REMEMBRANCE Padre Let us remember before God 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. The Ode Reader 2. 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 Silence In Flanders Fields Reader 3. In Flanders fields, the poppies grow Take up your quarrel with the foe.

8 Between the crosses, row on row, to you from failing hands we throw that mark our places; and in the sky the torch; be yours to hold it high. the larks, still bravely singing, fly If ye break faith with us who die scarce heard amongst the guns below. we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields. We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie Dr John McCrae, 1914/1915. in Flanders fields. Prayers Padre Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day.

9 Fulfil in us, as in them, the purpose of your love; and bring us all to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Pour out your peace into the hearts of all, that all races and peoples may learn to live as members of one family in obedience to your law, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. An Act of REMEMBRANCE for 11th November WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP. CALL TO REMEMBRANCE . At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the guns fell silent on the Western Front, to bring to an end the First World War.

10 Our nation and commonwealth has recalled that moment through our Armistice and REMEMBRANCE events down the decades, decades during which the men and women of our armed services have continued to pay the ultimate sacrifice. And so 91 years later, we stand here today to remember lives sacrificed in the service of our Country, and those traumatised and injured in conflict. May we have such a devotion to justice and freedom that the heroism of all who fought, and still fight, may continue to be remembered in a nation of service and in a world of peace.. FREEDOM'. It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us the freedom of the press.