For our service of remembrance Keith Harrison welcomed Rev. Helen Kirk, District Chair. Our organist was Rod Smith. After our first hymn, Crown him with many crowns, in prayer Helen recognised the presence of God, our desire for peace and forgiveness. Keith led a responsive reading of Psalm 103 praising our loving God.
Helen called to mind the things we remember at this time of year – Guy Fawkes, All Saints, Armistice Day when, rather than glorifying war, we remember the sacrifices made for our freedom. All those who died were precious to God, the one who is constant and gives us hope. We sang Be still for the presence of the Lord before observing two minutes’ silence. Then the children moved out for their own teaching.
Jill Harrison read from Mark 12, the great command to love God with all our might and our neighbours as ourselves. Helen reflected that we are the body of Christ. In contrast to worldly self-promotion we must follow his example looking beyond ourselves to the needs of others. Jill then read from 1 Corinthians 11, the Lord’s supper. Remembering Jesus’ life and sacrifice for us we are changed. We become that body by the way we live and the world becomes a better place. We prayed for our leaders, peace among nations, those in need known to us.
Our worship concluded with the hymn For the healing of the nations and we shared the Grace.