Order of service 9th of November, “So much waste?”
Welcome
Welcome & Introduction
Today we gather in gratitude and remembrance. This year marks eighty years since the end of the Second World War — eighty years since the world emerged from darkness and dared to hope again for peace.
We come to give thanks for those who served, for those who sacrificed their youth, their safety, and their lives, so that others might know freedom.
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Hymn When it’s all been said and done
Reflection: “80 Years On”
We remember the courage of men and women, the endurance of those on the home front, and the faith of those who trusted in God through uncertain days.
We also remember the families who mourned, the communities rebuilt from ruin, and the generations who carried the wounds of war — seen and unseen.
All:
We will remember them.
The Act of Remembrance
In a few moments, we will join the nation in a two-minute silence at 11:00 a.m., to honour the memory of all who gave their lives in conflict, and to pray for peace in our world today.
11:00 a.m. — The Two Minutes’ Silence
Let us remember before God those who gave their lives for our freedom, and all who have lived and died in the service of others.
Two minutes of silence observed.
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
“For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
The Prayer for Peace
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
(Matthew 5:9)
Eighty years on, we give thanks for the peace we have known, for the freedom we enjoy, and for the faithfulness of God through every generation.
All:
Lord, make us instruments of Your peace.
As we remember the past, may we live today as people of hope — choosing forgiveness over hatred, service over selfishness, and peace over fear.
We pray for all who still suffer the effects of war, and for all who work for reconciliation among the nations.
May the God of peace Himself grant us peace, now and always.
Blessing
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And may His kingdom of peace reign in our hearts and in our world.
All:
Amen.
Hymn Servant King
Birthday – Claire
Hymn Cynthia
Reading Luke 15: 11 – 32
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Though “So much waste?”
Hymn Here is love as vast as the ocean collection taken by Marguerite and Anne
Prayers of thanks – Marguerite
1 Corinthians 11: 23 – 27
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – Steve
Hymn King of Kings
Lord’s Supper
We are about to share the Lord’s Supper. This simple meal reminds us of the night Jesus ate with His disciples before He was betrayed and went to the cross. We do this because Jesus told us to remember Him in this way whenever we gather.
This meal is for those who love the Lord and want to love Him more. You don’t have to be perfect – come with a thankful heart.
As you take the bread, remember Jesus gave His body for you on the cross because He loves you. Find strength and hope in that love.
As you take the cup, remember His blood was poured out to bring forgiveness and a new covenant – a grace-filled relationship with God, based on faith and inner transformation, not rituals. Through Him we have direct access to God and the promise of eternal life.
Before you come forward, take a moment to thank God for all Jesus has done for you.
When you’re ready, please come, take the bread and wine from Andrew and Claire return to your seat, giving thanks for Jesus and His love.
Lord’s prayer – Jonathan
Share the peace
Hymn In Christ alone
Blessing
“May the Lord bless you
and keep you;
may the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
may the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
Grace – Jonathan