Remembrance Sunday 2024

All gather in silence

God is our refuge and strength;
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1

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.

A representative of the Chelmsford Explorer Scouts will recite the following lines from Laurence Binyon's Poem “For the fallen”:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

A representative of the Royal British Legion, Chelmsford Branch, will recite the following lines from Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the fallen”:

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.

Followed by:

• The Last Post
• Firing of the Maroons
• Two Minutes Silence
• Reveille

Prayer

Ever-living God we remember those
whom you have gathered
from the storm of war
into the peace of your presence;
may that same peace calm our fears,
bring justice to all peoples
and establish harmony among the nations,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Hymn

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

Under 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 our years 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.

Hear these words from the New Testament, read by the Mayor of Chelmsford

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they

persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12

Hear these words read by Sidra Naeem DL, Chelmsford Muslim Society

On Remembrance Sunday, we unite as one,
In the light of faith, beneath the shining sun,

In the tapestry of faith, diverse and wide,
We gather today, side by side.

To remember those who in wars did stand,
Soldiers from every creed, across the land.

From different paths, we come together,
In this shared moment, we endeavour.

Uniting in remembrance, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jew
For the lives that were given, in service, their sacrifice so true

Honouring heroes from every faith's grace,
Their legacy shines, leaving a lasting trace

In prayers whispered softly, we find our way,
To pay homage to those from yesterday,

In our hearts, their stories we share,
A call for peace, a prayer for care.

Let us weave together this tapestry bright,
With threads of love, woven in the light.
For in unity, we find strength and might,
As we remember the fallen, from day into night.

In the language of unity, let our voices ascend,
Remembering lives that will never end.

Interfaith harmony, a message we send,
On this Remembrance Sunday, together we blend

Of different faiths, yet with hearts the same,
In the quest for peace, we all lay claim.

For peace is a universal plea we share,
In our different customs, through every prayer
We pledge to build a world that's anew,
With respect, peace, harmony, love and virtue.

Prayers led by Rev'd David Cattle (Mayor’s Chaplain), Shweta Kaur (Sikhs of Chelmsford) Stan Keller (Chelmsford Jewish Community), and Smita Rajesh (Chelmsford Hindu Society)

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

for those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

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;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

for peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

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.

May God give peace

All: God give peace

for the work of the Royal British Legion, which for more than one hundred years has supported the Armed Forces’ community, in helping service personnel and their families who are in need, campaigning on their behalf, and honouring their service and sacrifice

May God give peace

All: God give peace

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will 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

All join together in the Lord’s Prayer:

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

The Mayor, on behalf of the Citizens of the City of Chelmsford, will place a wreath at the foot of the War Memorial, after which military and other representatives will place wreaths at the foot of the War Memorial. The Standard Bearers will then return to their contingent.

A representative of the Chelmsford Air Cadets will recite the Kohima Epitaph:

When you go home
tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow
we gave our today.

Hymn

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 question,
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.

The act of commitment

Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.

Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
All: We will

Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
All: We will  

Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
All: We will

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

God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save The King!

God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, the King,
the Commonwealth and all people,
unity, peace and concord,
and to us and all God’s servants,
life everlasting.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you all and remain with you always.

All: Amen

All members of the public, the Mayoral Party and Members of the Council should remain in their places.

The Parade will march off along Rainsford Road before making a U-turn in the road and returning to march past the War Memorial, where the Mayor will take the salute.