Here is our Act of Remembrance held at Barlborough Memorial Garden on Friday 8th May 2020, the words of the service are provided below:
SERVICE FOR VE DAY IN BARLBOROUGH
Heaviness may endure for a night:
But joy comes in the morning.
God has been our refuge and our strength:
A present help in time of trouble.
Dear friends, on this day we commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe, when the sounds of war fell silent on this continent.
As we remember today we are 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 and women 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 celebrate 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 the prayer that Jesus taught us:
All Our Father…
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.
Ephesians 2:13-22
Address
Many parallels have been drawn between our current circumstances and the second world war. As we spend VE day at home this year, we are inspired by our memories of those who lived through the second world war, we share with each other funny stories, we remember how the hardship of losing loved ones, of rationing, of spending time in uncomfortable shelters happened to people just like us and happened to people all around the world. Let us use this celebration of peace being brought to Europe to look forward with hope, to remember that this difficult time will come to an end, knowing that the sun always rises, that the light of Christ shines in the darkness and the darkness can never overcome it.
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.
10.58am – Last Post
11am – 2 minutes silence
Reveille
The Kohima Epitaph
When you go home tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow
we gave our today.
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.
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. Amen.
The Blessing
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,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
come down upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
The National Anthem
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