The Greeting and Introduction
Heaviness may endure for a night:
All But joy comes in the morning.
God has been our refuge and our strength:
All A present help in time of trouble.
Dear friends, we have come together on this day to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe, when the sounds of war fell silent on this continent. We come together conscious of our need for God’s forgiveness for the sin and the desire to dominate others that leads to conflict between people, and war between nations. And as we remember the many soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, so we also come in thanksgiving for the years of peace that the nations of Europe have enjoyed since the Second World War. We gather joyfully today, as those who gathered on that first Victory day, glad of each other’s company, and grateful for the laughter and love that follows times of sadness and loss. But above all things, let us pray that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, as we join our voices together and say:
All Our Father…
Hymn Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; To His feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like me his praise should sing? Praise him, praise him! Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for His grace and favour To our fathers in distress. Praise Him still the same for ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless. Praise him, praise him! Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows. In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Praise him, praise him! Widely as his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him; Ye behold him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before him, Dwellers all in time and space. Praise him, praise him! Praise with us the God of grace.
Old Testament Reading: Micah 4.1–4
Psalm 85. 9-14
The Lord speaks peace to his people.
All The Lord speaks peace to his people.
I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear hi,
and his glory will dwell in our land.
All The Lord speaks peace to his people.
Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.
All The Lord speaks peace to his people.
The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall march in his steps.
All The Lord speaks peace to his people.
New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 5. 16–21
Your salvation is near to those who fear you,
All that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
All that glory may dwell in our land.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness
go before you.
All Your salvation is near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land.
Prayers
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may continue to give us peace as we commemorate the 75th anniversary
of Victory in Europe in the Second World War:
for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by, and known to, God;
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss.
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return.
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
For civilian women, children and men
Whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
Calling to mind in penitence
The anger and hatreds of humanity
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
For peacemakers and peace keepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free.
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership,
political, military and religious;
asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve
in the search for reconciliation and peace;
Jesus says, Peace I leave you
All My peace I give you.
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we shall never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.
As we honour the past,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever.
All Amen.
A prayer for the Sovereign:
Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
bless our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth,
and all who are in authority under her;
that they may order all things in wisdom and equity,
righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All Amen.
The National Anthem
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 for 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.
All Amen.
The Collect for Peace
Almighty God,
from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed:
kindle in the hearts of all people the true love of peace;
and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth;
that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward,
till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
Hymn
Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mother’s arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours to-day.
O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessèd peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.
All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The One eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.
The Blessing
May God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest;
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, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be with you now and remain with you always.
All Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.
All In the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.