Ashton-under-Lyne Remembrance Day Service

Sunday 12th November 20179.45am

The Service will be led at The Parish Church, St. Michael & All Angels

and at The War Memorial by Reverand Jules MambuOrganist: Mr John Miles

Accompanied by the Ashton-under-Lyne Brass Band

Order of service

We welcome you to the Remembrance Sunday Service at Ashton Parish Church. We gather to-gether to pay our respects, to give thanks and to offer our prayers for those who gave their lives in the Call of Duty. To remember our Friends, Fellow Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. You will re-member your own experiences. Some of you remember lost fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters. All will remember the tragedy of loved ones lost in the wars. Today let us give tribute to the courage and bravery of those men and women, of this town and the nation and commonwealth, who served and died; Let us honour the memory of those who willingly put their lives at risk in the fight for freedom and justice, and against domineering forces of evil and oppression. As we commit them to God’s continuous mercy, let us commit ourselves to God’s continuous struggle against all that is corrupt and evil which began and continues in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us make sure, by our own lives today, those who died for freedom and justice did not die in vain, and that their gift to us remains precious in our sight as we respectfully and lovingly remember them.

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ORDER OF SERVICE At the West Door Minister God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth Minister The Lord be with You. All And also with You.

Minister O Lord open our Lips All And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Minister Let us worship the Lord. All All praise to his name. INTRODUCTION We are here to worship Almighty God, whose purposes are good, whose power sustains the world he has made; who loves us even though we have failed in his service; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; and who by his Holy Spirit leads us in his way. As we give thanks for his great works, we remember those who have lived and died in his ser-vice and the service of others, we give thanks for the examples of courage and fortitude given to us by so many men and women who have endured war, we pray for all who suffer through war and are in need, especially those who, having survived conflict, still bear its marks in mind or body, and for all who have been bereaved through war, we ask for God’s help and blessing that we may do his will, and that the whole world may acknowledge him as Lord and King.

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

2. Beneath the shadow of thy throne, thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defence is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame, from everlasting, thou art God, to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages, in thy sight, are like an evening gone; short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream, will bears us all away; we fade and vanish, as a dream dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; be thou our guide while troubles last, and our eternal home.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN (During which the Procession moves to the Sanctuary where the Standards will be received)

ALL SIT

FIRST READING Micah 4:1-5 (To be read by The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Joyce Bowerman)

In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

This is the word of the Lord

All Thanks be to God

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SECOND READING John 17: 1-7(To be read by Angela Rayner MP)

Jesus Prays to be Glorified.

After Jesus said this he looked toward Heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

This is the word of the Lord

All Thanks be to God

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven who like me his praise should sing. Praise him! Praise him! Praise the everlasting King!

2. Praise him for his grace and favour to our fathers in distress. Praise him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless. Praise him! Praise him! Glorious in his faithfulness!

3. Father like he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows. In his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Praise him! Praise him! Widely as his mercy flows!

4. Angels, help us to adore him; ye behold him face to face. Sun and moon, bow down before him dwellers all in time and space. Praise him! Praise him! Praise with us the God of grace!

HYMN

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PRAYERS CONFESSION Minister Let us confess to God the sins and shortcomings of the world, its pride, its

selfishness, its greed, its evil divisions and hatred. Let us confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to seek and establish that peace, which God wills for his children.

After a short silence

All We confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy, forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be, that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you our God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minister Almighty God have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and keep us in life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

INTERCESSIONSMinister Let us pray for the peace of the world: for leaders and rulers, that they may

have wisdom to know and courage to do what is right. For all who work to improve international relationships, that they may find the true way to reconcile people of different nations, colours and creeds and for men and women the world over, that they may have justice and freedom and live in security and peace.

Here follows a short silence Minister Lord, in your mercy All Hear our prayer Minister Most gracious God and Father, in whose will is our peace. Turn our hearts

and the hearts of all to yourself that by the power of your Holy Spirit the peace which is founded on righteousness may be established throughout the whole world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here follows a short silence Minister Lord, in your mercy All Hear our prayer

Minister Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of war: for the injured, the

disabled, for the mentally distressed, and for those whose faith in God and in humankind has been weakened or destroyed. For the homeless and refugees for those who are hungry and for all who have lost their livelihood and security, for those who mourn their dead, those who have lost husband or wife, children or parents and especially for those who have

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no hope in Christ to sustain them in their grief. Let us give thanks for all who offer care through the work of statutory and voluntary bodies, and let us pray that they may have wisdom, vision and compassion in all that they do.

Here follows a short silence

Minister Lord, in your mercy All Hear our prayer Minister Almighty God, our heavenly Father, infinite in wisdom, love, and power:

Have compassion on those for whom we pray; and help us to use all suffering in the cause of your kingdom; through him who gave himself for us on the cross, Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.

5. Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us- self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne, past put behind us, for the future take us: Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.

SERMON: The Reverend Jules Mambu

1. Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,

urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided: Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.

2. Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us, speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze, teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us: Lord of the word, receive your people’spraise

3. Lord, for our land in this our generation, spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care: for young and old, for commonwealth and nation, Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

4. Lord, for our world where we disown and doubt you, loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain, hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you: Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign

HYMN(A collection will be taken during this hymn)

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1. Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us O’er this world’s tempestuous se Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us For we have no help but thee; Yet possessing every blessing If our God our Father be.

2. Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us: All our weakness thou dost know; Thou didst tread this earth before us, Thou didst feel its keenest woe; Lone and dreary, faint and weary, Through the desert thou didst go.

3. Spirit of our God, descending, Fill our hearts with heavenly joy, Love with every passion blending, Pleasure that can never cloy: Thus provided, pardoned, guided, Nothing can our peace destroy.

HYMN

ACT OF REMEMBERANCEPlease stand

Minister Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping: those who

have died for their country in war; those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure; and all who have lived and died in the service of the world.

Minister Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,

either by death or life: Hear our prayers and thanksgiving for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ACT OF COMMITMENT

Minister Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our neighbour: 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 nation.

All Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves. To serve you and all the world 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.

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THELORD’SPRAYERAll 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

HYMN (During which Standards will be collected)

1. Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord Andwherethere’sdoubt,truefaithinyou.

Refrain

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love with all my soul.

2. Make me a channel of your peace Wherethere’sdespairinlife,letmebringhope Where there is darkness, only light Andwherethere’ssadness,everjoy.

Refrain

3. Make me a channel of your peace It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. In giving to all that we receive. Andindyingthatwe’reborntoeternallife.

NATIONAL ANTHEM 1. 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.

2. Thy choicest gifts in store On her be pleased to pour, Long may she reign. May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen.

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5. Hold Thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav’n’s morning breaks, andearth’svainshadowsflee In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; when other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O, abide with me.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see O thou who changest not abide with me.

3. I need thy presence every passing hour; what but thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who, like thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine Lord, abide with me.

4. I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE WAR MEMORIAL Those placing wreaths assemble behind the Civic Mayor

HYMN

READING St. John’s Gospel Chapter 15: 9-13

Jesus said to his disciples, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. This I command you, to love one another.‟

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PRAYER Minister Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping those

who have died for their country in war. Those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure. And all who have lived and died in the service of humankind.

THE LAST POST

A Member of the Royal British Legion: They shall not grow 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,e will remember them

All We will remember them

SILENT TRIBUTE

THE REVEILLEThe Kohima Epitaph

The Royal British Legion: When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.

Minister Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,

either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgiving for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen.

Wreaths are placed.

5. Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me. And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be.

1. The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green: he leadeth me The quiet waters by. 2. My soul he doth restore again: And me to walk doth make, Within the paths of righteousness E’en for his own name’s sake.

3. Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill: For thou art with me; and thy rod And staff me comfort still. 4. My table thou hast furnished In presence of my foes; My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows

HYMN

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ACT OF COMMITMENT

All Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves, to serve you and all the world 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.

THE LORDS PRAYER All 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 forgiveusourtrespasses’asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.Andlead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

BLESSING

Minister May God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the Church, the Queen, 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 among you and remain with you always.

All Amen.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The parade will reassemble within the confines of the Remembrance Gardens. Please take this service sheet away with you.

Any suggestions for its improvement will be gladly appreciated and can be forwarded to

the Team Vicar at the Parish Church

1. 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.

2. Thy choicest gifts in store On her be pleased to pour, Long may she reign. May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen.