WESTON-SUPER-MARE
TOWN COUNCIL
Weston-super-Mare
Armed Forces Day
A Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving For
40th Anniversary of the Falkland Islands Conflict
Saturday 25 June 2022
Beach Lawns
Weston-super-Mare
Falklands Remembrance 2022
1
WELCOME
by Reverend (Wing Commander) Keith Berry-Davies,
Chaplain to the Royal Air Force Association, Weston-super-Mare
We are gathered here today to remember in the presence of God, on this 40th Anniversary, the end of the hostilities in the Falkland Islands and to give thanks for those men and women who gave their lives in the Falklands in 1982.
Holding in mind those who suffered and died, we pray for those still scarred by the conflict, and for all who grieve for those they love. We earnestly ask God for peace and reconciliation wherever in the world there is violence and bloodshed. And we pledge ourselves to work and pray that justice with peace may prevail throughout the world.
The Reading
Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1 — 9
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
4 For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
2
Let us Pray
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we
cherish. 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.
THE PRAYER OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC MEDAL ASSOCIATION
Almighty God, maker of the earth and sky and sea, we give thanks for
the freedom in which we enjoy the beauty of the created world;
and we remember with gratitude and humility those of our number
who paid that freedom’s price. May not only our memories,
but our commitment to and through our association, further the cause
of justice, freedom and peace in our country and in the world.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Amen.
FOR THE PEACE OF THE WORLD
Almighty God, whose righteousness will govern all things, and controls the destinies of men, teach the nations of the world the things that belong in thy peace – that they may find their freedom in obedience in thy laws, and their unity in the brotherhood of thy kingdom. Amen
Gathering our prayers together, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.
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
3
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen
THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
The Chaplain will say
“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”.
4
LAST POST
TWO MINUTE SILENCE
REVEILLE
KOHIMA EPITAPH
The Chaplain will say:
“When you go home, tell them of us and say For your tomorrow, we gave our today”.
THE BLESSING
God give to you and to those you love, in this world and the next,
his comfort and his peace; his light and his joy;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
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.
Order of Service 2022
1
WELCOME
by Reverend (Wing Commander) Keith Berry-Davies,
Chaplain to the Royal Air Force Association, Weston-super-Mare
We are gathered here today to remember in the presence of God this Armed Forces Day and to pray that we have such devotion to duty that neither the loving kindness of God nor the heroism of those who fought and who is still fighting may not have been in vain.
HYMN
Colours and Standards to be presented, during singing of this 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 peace.
2
INTRODUCTION
God our Father, we give thanks for the example of dedication, loyalty and fortitude given by members of the Armed Forces. We remember all service personnel who have died fighting the evils of war and terrorism, and those who mourn their parting. We remember those whose physical and mental wounds cause pain and the loss of hopes, dreams and expectations. We pray for the work of the ex-service caring organisations represented here this afternoon.
READING
Isaiah Chapter 40 verses 21-end
Comfort for God’s People
THE PRAYERS
PRAYERS FOR THE QUEEN
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the reign of your servant Elizabeth our Queen,
and for the example of loving and faithful service which she has shown among us.
Help us to follow her example of dedication and to commit our lives to you and to one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we give you thanks for your servant Elizabeth our Queen.
May she ever be provided with all she may need for her ministry among us,
strengthened to meet every demand which her office may make,
and in all things nourished by your word and example, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, world without end. Amen.
FOR THE ARMED FORCES
O Lord our God, we commend to thy gracious care and keeping the men and women of the Armed Forces. We beseech thee to protect them from every danger, give them a loyal, courageous and disciplined spirit; instil in them the love of justice and liberty, and grant that they may be called to serve only for the maintenance of order and peace in the world. Amen.
3
WIDOWS ASSOCIATION PRAYER
Read by Mrs Jackie Naysmith
We will recall
Our yearly tribute placing
The hopes and dreams that slowly had to fade
We will go on
The lonely future facing
Knowing too well the sacrifice you made.
We will forget
The loneliness and worry
The pain of parting and the tears we shed
Forget as well
The aching and the longing
Keeping our memories of the times we shared.
We will remember
Head held high with pride
We will keep vigil
With our men who died.
FOR THE PEACE OF THE WORLD
Almighty God, whose righteousness will govern all things, and controls the destinies of men, teach the nations of the world the things that belong in thy peace – that they may find their freedom in obedience in thy laws, and their unity in the brotherhood of thy kingdom. Amen
Gathering our prayers together, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.
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
4
HYMN
During this hymn Colours and Standards are returned to the Bearers.
Eternal Father, strong to save
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep
O hear us when we cry to thee
for those in peril on the sea.
O Christ, the Universal Lord,
who suffered death by nails and sword,
from all assault of deadly foe
sustain thy soldiers where they go;
and evermore hold in thy hand
all those in peril on the land.
O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace
Who fills with strength the human race;
Inspire mankind to know the right,
Guide all who dare the eagle’s flight;
And underneath thy wings of care
Guard all from peril in the air.
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in dangers hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Praise from the air, the land and sea
5
ACT OF COMMITMENT
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service. By saying together the Soldiers Prayer.
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest:
To give, and not to count the cost; To fight, and not to heed the wounds;
To toil, and not to seek for rest; To labour, and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do Thy will.
BLESSING
The Peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and the Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you and all those you love, this day and for evermore. Amen.
THE SUNSET CEREMONY
NATIONAL ANTHEM
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.
Dignitaries will retire to the Dias and Standards will march past.