Order of Service / Remembrance Sunday / November 10, 2024

 *Gathering Hymn He Came Singing Love (#359VU|vs. 1,3,4)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: From east and west, north and south, we gather on this day of remembrance to give thanks and praise.

All: We come to be inspired by the Word of God and honour the sacrifices of those who have committed themselves to service before self.

One: In times of peace, in times of conflict, and in times of uncertainty,

All: We remember that we are not alone.

One: We are the people of God, connected across time and space, from generation to generation.

All: We are united by the love of the One who said: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

One: As we gather to remember, let us sing and pray.

All: Let us worship God together!

*United Church of Canada, Remembrance Sunday 2021.

Opening Prayer

*Opening Hymn O God, Our Help In Ages Past (#806 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Gracious God, on this Remembrance Sunday, we acknowledge the double-edged nature of our remembering. We confess the ultimate evil of war and our part and society’s part in the violence of our world. And yet, with very real gratitude, we remember those who sacrificed health and life for freedom from this evil. Stir us, O God, to hear your word this Remembrance Sunday. Strengthen us to work at the unfinished task of proclaiming your peace in the midst of our violent world. (a time of silent reflection )Amen.

*United Church of Canada, On This Day of remembrance

Words of Assurance

One: Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life,

All: Hear our prayers for all this day, and help us to live in love and service. Amen.

* United Church of Canada, Remembrance Sunday 2019.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

*A Time of Remembrance

*Hymn: O Canada (#524 VU)

*In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

 

*Words of Remembrance

One: They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

All: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

One: At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

All: We will remember them.

 

*Last Post

*Minute of Silence

*Rouse

*Words of Remembrance

One: Eternal rest grant unto them, O God, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

All: May the souls of the righteous, through your great mercy, rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

Micah 4:1-5 Peace comes on the day of the Lord.

Psalm 127 (VU 851) Unless God builds the house

Mark 12:41-44 The widow offers two small copper coins.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn God! As With Silent Hearts (#527 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#542 VU, We Give You But Your Own)

We give you but your own, whate’er the gift may be;

all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Just as the poppies of Flanders’ fields display life and beauty, may you, O God, bless what we offer back to you from our abundance. In that blessing, O Christ, may what we scatter abroad in your name become sources of new life and of beauty for an aching world, rooted in your peace, which passes all understanding. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar, Gathering Pentecost 2, 2021. Page 34.

Prayers of the People & Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (#684 VU)

*Commissioning

One: Let us go trusting in God’s never-ending care.

All: Let us go seeking to be God’s people.

One: Let us go enfolded in praise and prayer.

All: Let us go to be people of peace, justice, and right relationships.

One: The grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

*Adapted fromBeth W Johnston.Gathering Pentecost 2 2021, page 34.

*Commissioning Song Peace be with You(#215 MV)

Peace be with you, peace forever, peace be with you my friends.

Till we meet again, may God be with you. Peace, peace, peace.

 

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