WE GATHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE
Welcome and Gathering
Prelude: Come Healing By Leonard Cohen
O, gather up the brokenness, Bring it to me now. The fragrance of those promises, You never dared to vow.
The splinters that you carry, The cross you left behind. Come, healing of the body, Come healing of the mind.
And let the heavens hear it, The penitential hymn. Come, healing of the spirit, Come, healing of the limb.
Behold the gates of mercy, In arbitrary space. And none of us deserving, Of cruelty or the grace.
O, solitude of longing, Where love has been confined. Come healing of the body, Come healing of the mind.
O, see the darkness yielding,
That tore the light apart. Come healing of the reason. Come, healing of the heart.
O, troubledness concealing, An undivided love. The heart beneath is teaching, To the broken heart above.
And let the heavens falter, Let the earth proclaim: Come, healing of the altar, Come, healing of the name.
O, longing of the branches To lift the little bud. O, longing of the arteries To purify the blood.
And let the heavens hear it, The penitential hymn. Come, healing of the spirit, Come healing of the limb.
O let the heavens hear it, The penitential hymn. Come, healing of the spirit, Come, healing of the limb.
Acknowledgment
Act of Remembrance
As we remember in silence before God those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, let us commend their souls anew to God’s eternal mercy and compassion, and let us pray that God would grant us grace to serve faithfully until our life’s end, to the honor and glory of God’s Holy Name.
Poem: A Fallen Soldier
His stature was unbowed even as his body strained beneath the gravity of the years, even as his legs faltered and refused to carry him.
Bravery is not enough in the end, nor is loyalty. A man needs someone to care about, someone to live beyond his appointed years and remember him.
It is the living who give testimony to the fallen— who say he was the friend or the father I needed when life cast its shadows over my dreams.
We mortals cannot know the day or the hour when a soul shall gradually fold itself up like the last tent on an abandoned battlefield.
The sun must finally set upon this life; then comes a night of holy rest, the glow of dawn upon the hills, and a bugle sounding forth a glorious new day.
Words (c) 2008, 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson
written for and delivered at the funeral of
Retired US Army Colonel A. Topp by the author
Roll Call of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
*One minute of silence
The National Anthem:
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
The Veterans’ Prayer: (Together)
O Almighty God, the great Ruler and Architect of the Universe, we offer thanks for the life and health given us to carry the Torch this far, and ask Your Divine help for the future. We desire Your presence with us this day and may Your Guiding Light penetrate the hearts of all assembled here. We pray to You at this time to comfort the sick, heal the wounded and give them patience under their suffering and a happy issue out of their afflictions. Cherish the parents, those who have lost their partners, children who have lost their parents because they made the supreme sacrifice in the conflicts that have been fought. Give them strength to overcome their great loss. Be near them in their solitude and give us all the will to hold the Torch still high, to be an inspiration to the entire world that the peace of God which passes all understanding may be with us now and through Eternity. Amen.
Opening Hymn: For the Healing of the Nations CP576
For the healing of the nations, God, we pray with one accord; for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords; To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us, Father, into freedom; from despair your world release, that, redeemed from war and hatred, all may come and go in peace. Show us how through care and goodness fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned; pride of status, race, or schooling, dogmas that obscure your plan. In our common quest for justice may we hallow life's brief span.
You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind; for our growing in your likeness, bring the life of Christ to mind; that by our response and service earth its destiny may find.
Responsory and Candle lighting
I light this candle for the men, women, and children who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God. (1st candle is lit)
Lord, let there be peace.
I light this candle for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends, and all who pray for their safe return. (2nd candle is lit)
Lord, let there be peace.
I light this candle for all who bear the burden of leadership-political, military, and religious- asking for the gift of wisdom in the search for reconciliation and peace. (3rd candle is lit)
Lord, let there be peace.
I light this candle so that everyone throughout the world may know freedom and peace as we do here in Canada. (4th candle is lit)
Lord, let there be peace.
I light this candle for peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free. (5th candle is lit)
Lord, let there be peace.
I light this candle so that we all may be instruments of peace- in our homes and in our communities- caring, loving, and sharing. (6th candle is lit)
Praise and thanks be to God!
Prayer for Remembrance Day (Together)
Loving God, on this Remembrance Day we recognize the double-edged nature of our remembering. We acknowledge the ultimate evil of war and our society’s part in adding to the violence of our world. Yet we remember, with very real gratitude, those who sacrificed their health and their lives to resist evil. They struggled as best they could on behalf of freedom and justice in the face of a terrible tyranny. Be with us, O God, in our remembering. Strengthen us to resist evil and to work for peace with the same commitment and self-sacrifice as those whom we honour this day. Amen.
Collect for Remembrance Sunday (Together)
O God, we come to worship you today remembering your call to let justice flow down like waters. We know you rejoice in your children who are peacemakers of the world. We also know how your invitation to be a holy people requires us to fight injustice in the world. In our Remembrance Service today, we pray that we will hear the wisdom of those who have sought peace and those who paid so dearly for what we have. May Jesus Christ be our model and our teacher in this journey of remembering. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
A Reading from the prophet Micah (4:1-4)
In 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 to 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 strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all 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.
Hear what the Spirit is Saying to the Church. R Thanks be to God
Canticle 2: Song of Peace
There shall all the nations flow;
Many peoples shall come and say
“Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may teach us his ways
That we may walk in his paths.”
For the law shall go out from Zion,
From Jerusalem the word of the Lord.
He shall judge between the nations
And decide for many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into ploughshares.
Their spears into pruning knives.
Nation shall not lift sword against nation.
They shall never train for war again.
O people of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews 10:32-11:1
But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet ‘in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’ But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hear what the Spirit is Saying to the Church. R Thanks be to God
Gradual Hymn: O Day of Peace CP 573
O day of peace that dimly shines through all our hopes and prayers and dreams, guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes.
May swords of hate fall from our hands, our hearts from envy find release, till by God's grace our waring world shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, nor shall the fierce devour the small; as beasts and cattle calmly graze, a little child did shall lead them all.
Then enemies shall learn to love, all creatures find their true accord; the hope of peace shall be fulfilled, for all the earth shall know the Lord.
The Gospel:
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St John 15:9-17
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
The Gospel of Christ R: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
A Remembrance Affirmation
We believe God made this world;
God loves this world.
God lives in this world.
We believe God holds it and cradles it in loving hands.
Holding its pain, caring for every memory of every person in conflict.
We believe violence breaks God’s heart;
bullets tear through God’s realm;
and war opposes God’s love.
But we believe that love lives longer than hatred;
hope burns away at despair;
God calls to us from the violence,
and we can work in love for a better world. So be it. Amen
Offertory Hymn: Peace for the Children MV149
Peace for the children, peace, peace. Peace for the children we pray. Following the path of One of peace, We work for healing, we work for peace; Peace for the children today.
Peace for the women, peace, peace. Peace for the women we pray. Following the path of One of peace, We work for healing, we work for peace; Peace for the women today.
Peace for the men, peace, peace. Peace for the men we pray. Following the path of One of peace, We work for healing, we work for peace; Peace for the men today.
Peace for the nations, peace, peace. Peace for the nations we pray. Following the path of One of peace, We work for healing, we work for peace; Peace for the nations today.
Peace for our planet, peace, peace. Peace for our planet we pray. Following the path of One of peace, We work for healing, we work for peace; Peace for our planet today.
Prayer over the Offering: (Together)
With these gifts, O God, we commit ourselves again to tending the light of Christ with our words and deeds of compassion and justice. Anoint us and these gifts with patience and wisdom to do your will. Amen.
The Prayers of the People:
With all our heart and all our mind, let us pray to God. For peace from on high and for our salvation, let us pray ...
Eternal God, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of the nations, that they may seek peace and serve
justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of all, let us pray ...
God of justice, hear our prayer.
For those we treat as enemies, that God will bless them and deliver
both them and us from all prejudice and hatred, let us pray ...
Righteous God, hear our prayer.
For the poor and all who suffer, that their needs may be served
by resources now spent to serve the needs of a wealthy and wasteful society, let us pray ...
God of tender care, hear our prayer.
For the rich and powerful, that God may turn their hearts from the pursuit of power and make them servants of God’s gracious purpose, let us pray ...
God of wisdom, hear our prayer.
For all who profit from the production of arms, that we may learn to beat our swords into plowshares and stop our plunge toward destruction, let us pray ...
God of peace, hear our prayer.
For our children and all who come after us, that they may inherit a world that will treat our fragile earth, your creation, as a precious gift to be preserved and cared for, let us pray ...
Creator God, hear our prayer.
For ourselves, that we may be forgiven for not always following in the
way of Christ, let us pray ...
Merciful God, hear our prayer.
For the holy Church of God, that its leaders and people may speak the
truth with courage and proclaim the good news of reconciliation in
Christ, let us pray ...
Gracious God, hear our prayer.
Ever loving God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitudes of your mercies look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help. We remember especially today those who are sick and those who mourn. For you are gracious, O loving God, and to you we give glory to God our Creator, to our Redeemer Jesus Christ, and to
the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray, 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 and forgive us our sins. As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Commissioning & Benediction:
At the beginning of our worship, we lit candles for the victims of war,
for the hope of rebuilding broken relationships, for God’s presence with
us, and for peace. Let us now light another candle for the light of Christ
shining in our hearts, shining all around the world.
(The Paschal candle is lit)
As we leave, let us remember the tragedy of war.
As we remember, let us rebuild a world of peace.
As we rebuild, let us live in the light of Christ, our Guide and Saviour.
As we live in Christ’s light, let us celebrate God’s love and constant
presence.
Let us go with the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.
Closing Hymn: Let Streams of Living Justice CP575
Let streams of living justice flow down upon the earth; give freedom's light to captives, let all the poor have worth. The hungry's hands are pleading, the workers claim their rights, the mourners long for laughter, the blinded seek for sight. Make liberty a beacon, strike down the iron power; abolish ancient vengeance: proclaim your people's hour.
For healing of the nations, for peace that will not end, for love that makes us lovers, God grant us grace to mend. Weave our varied gifts together; knit our lives as they are spun; on your loom of time enroll us till our thread of life is run. O great Weaver of our fabric, bind church and world in one; dye our texture with your radiance, light our colors with your sun.
Your city's built to music; we are the stones you seek; your harmony is language; we are the words you speak. Our faith we find in service, our hope in others' dreams, our love in hand of neighbor; our homeland brightly gleams. Inscribe our hearts with justice; your way--the path untried; your truth--the heart of stranger; your life--the Crucicfied.
The Blessing
The Dismissal: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia
Post Lude: And Everyone Neath Their Vine CP 595
And every one 'neath their vine and fig tree Shall live in peace and unafraid. And every one 'neath their vine and fig tree Shall live in peace and unafraid.
Nations and ploughshares turn their swords,
and they shall study war no more.
Nations and ploughshares turn their swords,
and they shall study war no more.