Weoley Hill URC
Remembrance Sunday, 9th November 2025
Worship led by Annette Sampson
Theme: Peace-making is hard work !
Welcome by the Elder on duty : Christine Marlow
An Introduction to worship
A Prayer: A Call to worship
Come, meet with our living Lord
The God of the saints of old and the present day .
Come, meet with our living Lord
The God of those here today and those gone before us.
Come, meet with our living Lord
Who died and rose again for us all.
Come, meet with our living Lord
Who keeps us safe as a mother hen does with her chicks, under her wings.
Come, meet with our living Lord
As we remember the past, the present and the future
In the Love of Christ . Amen
Hymn : R &S no 712 All people that on earth do dwell…
A prayer of Adoration:
In war and peace, good Parent God,
we seek to know you.
We worship and adore you.
In good times and bad, good Parent God,
we seek to know you.
We worship and adore you.
In times of need and times of plenty, good Parent God,
we seek to know you.
We worship and adore you.
In times of health and times of dis-ease, good Parent God,
we seek to know you.
We worship and adore you. Amen
A Sharing together :
What does Remembrance Sunday mean to you?
Are you old enough to remember the Second World War?
Did you or have you family or friends in the forces or working in any capacity within the defence of this or another country?
Hymn : R & S no 705 Oh God our help in ages past
The Time of Remembrance
Two Minutes Silence
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 affirm: We will remember them.
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. Amen
The Kohima Epitaph
When you go home tell them of us and say:
'For your tomorrow, we gave our today'.
The Hymn For all the saints who've shown your love (see below )
For all the saints who've shown your love
in how they live and where they move,
for mindful women, caring men,
accept our gratitude again.
For all the saints who loved your name,
whose faith increased the Saviour's fame,
who sang your songs and share your word,
accept our gratitude, good Lord.
For all the saints who named your will,
and showed the kingdom coming still
through selfless protest, prayer, and praise,
accept the gratitude we raise.
Bless all whose will or name or love
reflects the grace of heaven above.
Though unacclaimed by earthly powers,
your life through theirs has hallowed ours.
Authors: John Bell and Graham Maule
Tune Name: O WALY WALY ( Singing the Faith : number : 746 )
Reading: Matthew chapter 5, verses 1 -12
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Reflection :” Peace is hard work”
A prayer of Lament:
We lament our own fear which makes us shut ears and eyes to others.
We lament our own self-preservation which turns us inward towards our own needs
We lament our instinctive behaviour of lashing out in anger or frustration
We lament our weariness of the world, and when we lose our sense of hope in you or in each other.
We lament the times we fail to see you in other people; when they become ‘the other’ and not part with us of all humanity.
Lord forgive us.
Silent prayer
And the Lord in his mercy replied . Your sins are forgiven ! Go in Peace.
Amen
The Hymn : When peace, like a river, attends all my way,
When peace, like a river, attends all my way,
when sorrows like sea-billows roll,
whatever my path, you have taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’
‘It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.’
Though Satan may buffet, though trials may come,
let this calm assurance control:
that Christ knows my need and my helplessness here
and has shed his own blood for my soul.
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’
‘It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.’
The joy, O the joy of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to his cross and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’
‘It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.’
For me it is Christ, it is Christ now to live!
Though death’s waters over me roll,
no fear shall be mine, for in death as in life
you will whisper your peace to my soul.
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’
‘It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.’
Horatio Gates Spafford (1828 -88)
[Tune: Ville Du Havre ]
Intercessory Prayers :
Leader : Merciful and Caring God
ALL: Hear us
The Lord’s Prayer
Final Hymn : R&S no. 521 Forth in Thy name O Lord, I go
A Prayer :
Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: May we accept the hope and good news you have placed in the hearts of all people,
May we seek to live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer. Amen
[Churches together in Britain and Ireland ]
The Grace said to one another .