Service 10 May 2020

Readings, Prayers and Hymns for V.E. Day.

This weekend we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe, when the sounds of war fell silent on this continent.

As we remember the many soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, so we also give thanks for the years of peace that the nations of Europe have enjoyed since the Second World War. We must be joyful, as those who gathered on that first Victory day, glad of each other’s company, even though we are separated, and grateful for the laughter and love that follows times of sadness and loss.

 

Let us pray that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, as we say together:

All:       Our Father, who art in heaven,

            Hallowed by thy name;

            Thy kingdom come;

            Thy will be done;

            On earth as it is in heaven.

            Give us this day our daily bread.

            And forgive us our trespasses,

            As we forgive those who trespass against us.

            And lead us not into temptation;

            But deliver us from evil.

            For thine is the kingdom,

            The power and the glory,

            For ever and ever.

            Amen.

 

Hymn:

Praise my soul, the King of heaven;

to His feet thy tribute bring;

ransomed, healed restored, forgiven,

who like thee His praise should sing?

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise the everlasting King.

 

Reading: Micah 4: 1-4

 

In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say:

“Come, let us go up the mountain of the Lord; to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”

For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between the strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees; and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

 

Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Hymn:

Now thank we all our God,

with hearts, and hands, and voices;

who wondrous things hath done,

in whom His world rejoices;

Who, from our mothers’ arms,

hath blest us on our way

with countless gifts of love.

and still is ours today.

 

A Reflection.

You may have heard of the suggestion to make bunting to put in your windows for V.E. Day, you may have even participated? The idea was to make the bunting and then decorate it with either a member of the armed forces from WW2, or someone from your family that took part, or a dove of peace, or your message of thanks. I have made some paper bunting. I used lots of different coloured paper, so it would have a rainbow effect, and on the back of each flag I wrote some prayers.

You see I was reminded of Jesus’ words, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’

The prayers included giving thanks, prayers for peace, prayers for those in the services, prayers for those that were lost, prayers for our current situation, prayers for those that work so hard to keep us safe, and prayers for us.

I asked God to pour down his Holy Spirit on us, so the fruits of the Spirit might grow in abundance in each of us. The gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are so needed in our world. We need those gifts, and we know in our hearts that we flourish when we ‘abide in the vine.’

The bunting reminds me of the vine, and the vine gives us hope. We are held together by Jesus, even when we are separated, and he appoints us;

‘I am giving you these commands so you may love one another.

As St. Paul says, ‘we are ambassadors for Christ.’

 Let us listen to Jesus’ words, ‘You did not choose me but I chose you.’ Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

                

              The olive tree                                                                             The fig tree

                                   

                      

       The vine                                                                                             The bunting

 

Prayers

Let us come together now in a time of prayer, silently praying for others, remembering, giving thanks, and bringing before the Lord all those things that are in our hearts.

This is a suggested prayer and an act of commitment you may wish to use:

 

Most holy God and Father,

hear our prayers for all who strive for peace

and all who fight for justice.

Help us, who today remember the cost of war,

to work for a better tomorrow;

and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict,

bring us all, in the end, to the peace of your presence;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

An Act of Commitment

Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and the peace and welfare of the nations.

All:       Lord God our Father,

            We pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind,

            In the cause of peace,

            For the relief of want and suffering,

            And for the praise of your name.

            Guide us by your Spirit;

            give us wisdom;

            give us courage;

            give us hope;

            and keep us faithful now and always.

            Amen.

 

O Lord our God,

As we remember, teach us the ways of peace.

As we treasure memories, teach us to hope.

As we give thanks for the sacrifices of the past,

Help us to make your future in this world,

Until your kingdom come.

 

The National Anthem.

 

The Grace.

 

Hymn:

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,

pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou are mighty;

hold me with Thy powerful hand;

Bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore.

©Church of England Common Worship – Times & Seasons

Mission Praise