LINCOLN CATHEDRAL

A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE

Sunday 8th November, 2020 10.45 am

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THE INTRODUCTION

The organ plays Elegy by Thalben-Ball during which the bishop, cathedral clergy and choir enter. The Dean says

We meet in the presence of God. We commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.

We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain

continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.

We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.

We will confess to God our own share in the continuing causes of conflict; we shall hear God’s word and commit ourselves again to his service; and so we pray:

All Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; and bring us all with them

to the safety of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

Dean We bring our prayers to Almighty God, whose purposes are good; whose power sustains the world he has made; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; who by his Holy Spirit leads us in his way; who loves us, though we have failed in his service.

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Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world: its pride, its selfishness, its greed; its evil divisions and hatreds, and let us confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to seek and establish that peace which God wills for all his children.

Silence is kept. All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, We have sinned against you and against our neighbour, in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may serve you in newness of

life; to the glory of your name. Amen. Bishop Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen.

The Word of God

Sit FIRST READING Micah 4:1-5

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The choir sing

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

Beneath the shadow of thy throne, thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defence is sure. Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting thou art God, to endless years the same. A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. Time like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home.

I. Watts (1674-1748) I.

SECOND READING Matthew 5:1- 12

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Stand The Act of Remembrance

The choir sing the following hymn during which the wreath-bearer moves to stand before the altar. I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: the love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test, that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; the love that never falters, the love that pays the price the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice. And there's another country I've heard of long ago, most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know; we may not count her armies, we may not see her King her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering; and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase, and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice (1859 - 1918) THE LAST POST THE TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE After the silence the following is said: 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. All We will remember them. THE KOHIMA EPITAPH When you go home, tell them of us and say: for your tomorrow, we gave our today.

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REVEILLE THE LAYING OF A WREATH The Acting Bishop of Lincoln lays a wreath at the altar. Subdean Almighty and eternal God, Lord of the universe and maker of all that is: we praise and thank you for all those who denied themselves

and laid down their lives for their friends. Grant to those who are remembered here in our hearts and in our books of remembrance that their names may be written in your book of life; and to us who remember them give grace to walk in the same way of love and faith, that we may come at the last with them to that eternal kingdom where you live and reign in the perfect unity of love, one God, now and for ever.

All Amen. Sit The Choir sing the anthem: For the Fallen by Douglas Guest Words from a 1914 poem by Lawrence Binyon

The Prayers

Subdean Rejoicing in the peace which comes from above, let us pray to God our Father, whose mercy is

everlasting. Let us pray for the peace of the whole world: for Elizabeth our Queen, for statesmen and rulers of every nation, for wisdom to know and courage to do what is right; for all who work to improve international relations, that they may find the way to true reconciliation.

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Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. Subdean Let us pray for true reverence for human life; for the gifts of love and comradeship, for all who search for justice; and for men and women the world over, that they may live in security, freedom and peace. Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. Subdean Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war: for the injured and disabled, for all victims of tyranny and oppression; for the mentally distressed, and for those whose faith in God or humanity has been weakened or destroyed. Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. Subdean Let us pray for the homeless and refugees, for those who are hungry, for the work of international relief agencies, and for the coming of the Kingdom of peace and justice in our midst. Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. Subdean Let us pray for all who have died, especially those whose names are inscribed upon our War Memorial and Memory Book, for those who have died in armed conflict since, for all who mourn their dead and for those who have no faith to sustain them.

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Lord, in your mercy All hear our prayer. Subdean Father, infinite in wisdom, love and power, have compassion on those for whom we pray, and turn the hearts of people everywhere to work for the peace which is founded on your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. All Amen. All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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. Sit ANTHEM The choir sings the anthem: Greater Love hath no man, by Ireland

SERMON The Right Reverend Dr David Court, Acting Bishop of Lincoln.

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Stand. ACT OF COMMITMENT Dean Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.

Will you strive for all that makes for peace? All We will. Dean Will you seek to heal the wounds of war? All We will. Dean Will you work for a just future for all humanity? All We will. Dean Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer. All Amen. THE BLESSING Bishop Our help is in the name of the Lord All who has made heaven and earth.

Bishop Blessed be the name of the Lord All now and for ever Amen.

Bishop God grant to the living, grace, to the departed, rest, to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people unity, peace and concord, and to us and all his servants, life everlasting; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. All Amen.

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THE NATIONAL ANTHEM – sung by the choir God save our gracious Queen, long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen. Send her victorious, happy and glorious, long to reign over us. God save the Queen. Thy choicest gifts in store on her be pleased to pour, long may she reign. May she defend our laws, and ever give us cause to sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen!

Anonymous Music: National Anthem

Nimrod by Elgar

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And Death Shall Have No Dominion

They shall have stars at elbow and foot;

Though they go mad they shall be sane,

Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;

Though lovers be lost love shall not;

And death shall have no dominion.

Dylan Thomas

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Acknowledgements

Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is included

in this order of service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2006.

An Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday, material from which is also included, is copyright © CTBI 2005.eproduction of the hymns falls within the provisions of either CCL 901658 or Calamus Licence 1455.