Preparing for worship – if possible, beginning at 10am

You’ll need a table, set with a piece of bread and a glass of wine or juice.

A cross.

A candle, lit on the table.

If you have a poppy or two, it would be good to include them today.

Though in our separate homes, we are gathered in the presence of God on this day of remembrance, to honour the sacrifice of those who defended our freedom, and to commit ourselves afresh to work for reconciliation between peoples and nations, that all may live in freedom, justice and peace.

HYMN (said, or sung to “Trumpet Tune”)

This earth belongs to God

the world, it’s wealth and all its people;

he formed the waters wide

and fashioned every sea and shore.

Who may go up the hill of the Lord

and stand in the place of holiness?

Only the one whose heart is pure,

whose hands and lips are clean.

2 Lift high your heads, you gates,

rise up you everlasting doors,

as here now the King of Glory,

enters into full command.

Who is this King, the King of Glory,

where is the throne he comes to claim?

Christ is the King, the Lord of Glory,

fresh from his victory.

3 Lift high your heads, you gates

and fling wide open the ancient doors,

for here comes the King of Glory

taking universal power.

Who is the King, this King of Glory,

what is the power by which he reigns?

Christ is the King, his cross his Glory

and by love he reigns.

4 All Glory be to God the Father,

Son and Holy Spirit;

from ages past it was, is now

and evermore shall be!

“Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Though each in our homes, we are together with all our sisters and brothers in the faith,

as we worship and give thanks. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Come Holy Spirt, fill the hearts of your faithful people,

And kindle in each of us the fire of your love.

Move, O Breath of God, over the waters of our confusion and fear,

Bringing life, renewing hope,

And turning our darkness into light.

As we wait in stillness, Come, Holy Spirit.

As we hear your word, Come, Holy Spirit.

As we long to be made new, Come, Holy Spirit.

We say the Song of New Creation

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving and be glad in him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God and a great king above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth and the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have moulded the dry land.

Come, let us worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

For he is our God; we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

“Eye has not seen, nor has the human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”

After a moment of quiet reflection, we confess our sins to God with this prayer;

Lord of love, you raise the dead to new life in the Spirit:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord of compassion, you bring pardon and peace to the broken in heart:

Christ, have mercy.

Lord of life, you make one by your Spirit all that is torn and divided:

Lord, have mercy.

THE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Blessed are you, sovereign God, eternal Father; daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth, bringing strength in our weakness, hope in our despair, life in the midst of death. By that same power that raised Jesus from death, you forgive us our sins, you form us into the likeness of Christ and you fill us afresh with your grace, that we may be witnesses to your immeasurable love and the fullness of life that Jesus came to bring. Amen.

We say the Gloria, in the traditional words, or sing it in the Peruvian Gloria version below

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Or sing Glory to God, glory to God, glory to the Father.

To him be glory forever, Alleluia, amen (x3)

Glory to God, glory to God, Son of the Father.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to the Spirit.

THE COLLECT and the two readings for today are printed on the pewsheet

The first scripture reading. 1 Thessalonians 4.13-end

At the end, there may be a short period of silence followed by this response:

For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HYMN (said or sung)

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fiery cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through;
strong Deliverer, be thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
bear me through the swelling current,
land me safe on Canaan’s side;
songs of praises, I will ever give to thee.

THE GOSPEL John 15.9-17

Alleluia! Jesus said, “Though in the world you will have tribulation

Rejoice, for I have overcome the world.” Alleluia!

The Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end for the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

REFLECTION (on the website, attached to the email or, if printed, at the end)

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son,

who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit,

who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God;

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war and conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

Lest we forget; Lord, hear us

O Lord, the giver of life, we remember all those who have died in the service of their country and for the cause of freedom and peace, in two world wars and in more recent conflicts, from this community, this nation and every nation; those whose memory we hold and treasure in our hearts, and those whose names are known to you alone; may they rest in peace and rise in glory.