8th. November. 2020 Remembrance Sunday Service.
Remembrance Sunday
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude: I vow to thee my country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFO_sjmYFk
Let us worship God
Lord, for the years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkTrFQLy6js
The Collect for today
Almighty God, keep us mindful of all your benefits and heedful of our high calling, that we may yield ourselves in new obedience to your holy will, and live henceforth as those who are not their own, but are bought with a price. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Behold the mountain of the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77y2p2jfgUw
Call to Prayer
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.
Let us worship our God of justice and peace and pray for God’s reign on earth.
Prayers of adoration and confession
God our Father, you are the carer of our souls and the source of eternal life in Jesus Christ Today when we commemorate and commend to you those who lived and died in the service of others we are happy to remember that your purpose for us is only good. You gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world, and that you lead us by his Holy Spirit into the way of righteousness and peace. Your desire is to fold both heaven and earth in a single peace. We want that peace, but confess that it is often easier for us to keep alive the passions and pride that lead to hatred conflict and war, and ask your forgiveness when we allow strong feelings to rob us of the peace that you offer in Jesus Christ. Forgive us and set us free from every sin and make us more determined to live in the way of eternal life, that is in the way of goodness and love in Jesus Christ. God of wisdom, we seek insight and understanding from your Word read and proclaimed today. Move in us by your Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive your message in the scriptures and respond in faithfulness. Amen.
Jesus teaches us by his death and resurrection the meaning of reconciliation and forgiveness. Teach us to forgive one another. Heal every division and take away our fears, renew our faith in your unchanging purposes of love, of goodwill and peace on earth. Through Jesus Christ in whom we pray.
The Lord’s Prayer (in the words most familiar to you)
Eternal Father, strong to save
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjcSpCSUjdk
The Readings
Isaiah 25:1-9
Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
2 You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will honour you;
cities of ruthless nations will revere you.
4 You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
5 and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.
6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine –
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death for ever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
‘Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’ Amen.
Revelation 22:1-5
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Amen. This is the Word of the Lord, to Him be all glory and praise.
Invitation to the Offering
The gifts of God that we enjoy come to us through the work of many hands and the commitment of many lives over many centuries. We give our gifts to honour God and all God’s saints, praying that we, too, may be a blessing to those who come after us.
Offering Prayer
Generous God, we give you thanks for your steadfast love which has inspired so many lives to give generously, too. Bless the gifts we bring and bless our lives so that our discipleship will also be marked by generosity of heart and hands that witnesses to your love in Christ’s name. Amen
Make me a channel of your peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8eorCEMIK4
Sermon
The hymn, shall we gather at the river has been in my mind for the past couple of weeks. We played it before the service last Sunday. It was written by Robert Lowry the pastor of Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. The imagery is inspired by John’s vision of the river of life flowing from the throne of God in Revelation 22:1-5
This image has its roots in a passage in the book of Ezekiel (Chapter 47) in which a trickle of water rises under the altar of the restored Temple in Jerusalem, flows through the city and eastward into the desert becoming a vast life-giving river. Most ancient civilisations flourished along broad riverbanks, such as the Nile the Euphrates and Tigris as well as the Amazon! Jerusalem is unique in that it sits on a hill and is reliant on small deep springs for water. The principal river of Israel, the Jordan, is relatively small and many miles away. The idea of a great source of living i.e. running water was tied closely to faith in Judaism, its source could only be God.
John sees the heavenly template of this, the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God, restoring life to the barren desert and nourishing the tree of life which appears to be a double tree on either side of the river, continually producing a different fruit for food each month and the leaves of the tree shall be for the healing of the nations.
It is interesting that the word for “nations” in verse in Strong’s Concordance is described as “household, clan or group” and the word for “healing” and refers to domestic healing or healing of a household. Nations are comprised cities which are made of generations of families. This can then refer not just to nations as we understand them, but to the groups, clans, families, political entities in all their diversity. This is an image of the restoration of humanity despite its diversity.
The life of Christ in us restores us and anoints us to bring the Bread and Water of Life to starving broken individuals, families, cities and nations of people bound and held captive in darkness. The vegetation or leaves that grow from our intimacy and abiding in Christ the Tree of Life grow powerful fruit and leaves that allow our lives to be conduits for reviving and healing to the individuals, families, cities and ultimately nations. In essence, it is only as we recover our humanity in God that such healing will take place.
In our day in which division and strife are surging and violence seems to be just under the surface in many places, and selfishness and ego are on the rise whether through extreme political beliefs, or people putting their own comfort or welfare before others during the pandemic, the world is becoming more dangerous daily and hurt and pain are increasing. Where will it lead? More actual wars of violence, which today we are deploring and remembering the cost to so many because of the arrogance or greed of the few. What can we do?
Yesterday I came across a meditation which might help us to answer that question.
Dwelling with Me, desiring only My Will and to do My work, My Spirit cannot fail to pass through the channel of your life into the lives of others.
Many think it is humility to say they do little and are of little value to My world. To think that is pride.
What if the pipe were to say, “I do so little, I wish I could be more use?” The reply would be “It is not you, but the water that passes through you, that saves and blesses. All you have to do is to see there is nothing to block the way so that the water cannot flow through.” The only block there can be in your channel is self. Keep that out and know that My Spirit is flowing through. Therefore, all must be the better for coming in contact with you because you are channels. See this, and you will think it natural to know they are being helped, not by you, but by My Spirit flowing through you as a channel.
The water of the River of Life needs a channel in this world. A life which is surrendered to God, seeing him on the throne, worshipping him, seeing him in the face of Jesus Christ, setting self aside and allowing the Spirit of God to do His work in the world can accomplish much. As families and groups are healed, so the nations will be healed. As Christ heals you and me, so also grace will flow to our families, our community our nation and the world. In the temple of God each stone must be pure and sound if the whole is to be strong. In the body of Christ, you and I have a place and a purpose and that is to lay aside self and be channels of the love and grace of God. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
God of each life and all lives,
in every generation you have been present with your people:
in times of poverty and prosperity,
in times of sorrow and joy,
in times of health and pandemic,
in times of war and peace.
Today, we remember your gracious care in times of crisis,
and give thanks for the courage and sacrifice of the women, men and families
of the armed forces who have worked for peace, justice and protection in so many different times and places. Support those who have finished their time of service and still face challenges in civilian life.
God of mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of promise and peace, we thank you for the places where conflicts have ended, peace has been restored and where citizens can enjoy secure freedoms and human rights.
Where people are oppressed and dissent restricted, encourage those who witness and work for justice to be established.
God of mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of wholeness and hope, we thank you for those called to serve others in their home communities, wherever they call home. Especially we give thanks for those in our communities working hard in the face of COVID-19. May they know your protection and show your love in all they do.
God of mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of commitment and courage, we thank you for the many organizations in our nation working to bring hope to people facing social exclusion, discrimination, or exploitation. Inspire leaders in our communities to provide access to the support they need to thrive. May all your beloved children enjoy the life you desire for them.
God of mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of Christ in community, we thank you for the dedication of those who serve in the church. May your church always be a place of hope, healing and welcome. Guide our congregation and denomination through these challenging days so that those who turn to us will find us faithful.
God of mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Eternal God, your promises endure from generation to generation. Knowing your steadfast love, we trust you to answer our prayers according to your generous mercy and infinite wisdom, offering ourselves in service through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us remember the kindness of God, and his favour to us in our time of need.
The Tryst
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.
The Last Post
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDS3TxtGaQ0
Silence for two minutes.
Reveille
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_peXjzFQ2_c
In memory of those who died may we be better men and women, and in gratitude to God may we live as those who are not their own, but who are bought with a price.
We lay our broken world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5FfEavPM4
God save the Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsz1G6NmLus
Benediction
God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, peace; to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people, peace and concord; and to us and all his servants, life everlasting.
And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen
May God’s blessing surround you each day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU
Postlude: I have a dream a man once said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHx2uWjECW4
Hymns
Here are some hymn suggestions to check on YouTube if you wish to sing along. Some may not be as familiar as their titles suggest and the ones marked “listen” do not have the lyrics on the screen:
I vow to thee my country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFO_sjmYFk
Lord, for the years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkTrFQLy6js
Behold the mountain of the Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77y2p2jfgUw
Eternal Father, strong to save
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjcSpCSUjdk
Make me a channel of your peace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8eorCEMIK4
For the healing of the nations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i19LgSpPxmo
We lay our broken world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5FfEavPM4
God save the Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsz1G6NmLus
May God’s blessing surround you each day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3O_N49GiU
I have a dream a man once said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHx2uWjECW4
For Children
Wow! In the past few years, we’ve seen many natural disasters in our world, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and fires. One thing that we hear over and over again these days is that it’s especially important for us to be prepared in case of an emergency.
In some schools around the world they have disaster drills. Sometimes it is a fire drill. They ring the school bell three times. All of the students line up and march outside the school building to a safe place. When they are sure it is safe, they ring the bell two times, and the students return to their classrooms. If there is a tornado drill, they ring the bell four times. The students line up and march to a safe room in the centre of the building where they would “duck and cover.” The teachers always carry flashlights in case the lights go out. When it is safe, they ring the bell two times. Then the students return to their classrooms.
It’s important to be prepared when something unexpected happens. In these school, it is important for all of the students and teachers to know the warning signal, where to go, and the signal that told them it is safe to return to their classrooms. In a tornado drill, the teachers have to make sure there are batteries in the flashlights and the flashlight are working properly. Being prepared can mean the difference between safe or sorry…so be prepared.
Jesus once told a story to teach us the importance of being prepared. In Jesus’ story, ten bridesmaids took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Jesus said that five of them were foolish because they had their lamps, but they didn’t bring any extra oil to put in their lamps. When it was time to go out and meet the bridegroom, they were out of oil. The other five were wise and well-prepared. They had brought plenty of oil for their lamps. When it was time to go out and meet the bridegroom, they were ready.
In this story, the bridegroom is Jesus and you and I are the bridesmaids. One day we’re going to meet Jesus and we must be prepared because we don’t know exactly when He’s coming. The great news is what we do to prepare is pretty simple. We must invite Jesus to come into our hearts. When we do that, we are ready.
Dear Jesus, we know one day we’ll get to meet you face to face. Help us get ready for that wonderful day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Here is a chorus Give me oil in my lamp keep me burning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t8zA1N6mCY
Intimations
Please remember to indicate to Joan More if you wish to attend worship in Inverkeithing. Owing to Government regulations, numbers will be restricted to fewer than fifty persons and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis each week. Please call Joan 01383 414515 on Friday to indicate that you wish to attend. Please do not come without first ensuring your place each week as we do not wish to turn anyone away on the day.