God is our refuge and our strength.
An ever-present help in times of trouble.
We meet this year online, with the world battling a different kind of foe.
We meet to remember that with thanksgiving, sorrow and honour,
those who have given their lives in war, to pray for all who mourn,
and who continue to suffer the consequences of conflict.
And to commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith,
for reconciliation between all peoples,
that we may live together in freedom, justice and peace.
Almighty God, before whom the nations rise and pass away.
We acknowledge that you are the source
of all that is good and true, and right and loving.
We remember this morning, the courage, devotion to duty
and the self-sacrifice of those in our Armed Forces.
The toil, endurance and suffering of those who are not in uniform,
the support of those who were wounded in the fight,
those who fell in battle or are buried at sea,
or in some corner of a foreign field.
And especially those whom we have known and loved,
whose place is forever in our hearts.
In glad thanksgiving, we will remember them.
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes;
cease to do evil, learn to do good;
seek justice, rescue the oppressed;
defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
Here ends the reading.
♪ We will remember them
♪ At the going down of the sun and in the morning
♪ We will remember them
♪ They shall not grow 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
A reading from the Gospel according to St Matthew.
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.
Here ends the reading.
One hundred and two years ago, no sooner had all become quiet on the Western front,
than the world face a new scourge of disease, what became known as Spanish Flu.
Fifty million people died world-wide.
Today, we are, of course, in the midst of another pandemic.
Many of us, especially in the Western world, have become quite used to
technical and medical fixes for just about every disease.
But this year that confidence has been shaken.
Solutions are hoped for, but have yet to materialise.
Life has become fragile for all of us.
Not just for those who voluntarily put their lives on the line,
such as those who serve in our Armed Forces.
So, perhaps that verse from Psalm 46 has an extra poignancy for us this year,
acting as a prompt for reflection.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
So, as we honour those who have fallen in war,
may we also lift our eyes above the torment of this troubled world,
and in comforting those who mourn, let us also pledge ourselves to be merciful,
to be pure in heart, and to be peacemakers in a troubled world.
Please now join me in Lord's Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
Amen.
And we move now to our act of Remembrance.
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.
[Voices off screen] We will remember them.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you His peace.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you,
and remain with you always, Amen.