A Service dedicated to the memory of
those who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain
10 July – 31 October 1940
APPROACH TO WORSHIP
Chaplain: On this day of remembrance, we welcome you to this service of dedication and reflection. Before the Heavenly Throne of grace, we gather to honour those who have died to defend and preserve our precious freedoms.
All: O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you; for in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength. – Isaiah 26:3; 30:15
INVITATION TO WORSHIP
Chaplain: Lord, open our lips,
All: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Chaplain: O God, make speed to save us.
All: O Lord, make speed to save us.
All: Glory to the Father, and the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
OPENING HYMN: O Canada
OPENING PRAYER:
Chaplain: Let us pray
All: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Chaplain: Gracious God, we have gathered on this Battle of Britain Sunday to give thanks once more for the liberty which that Battle preserved for us and the world. We remember with gratitude the dedication and heroism of members of the Canadian, British and Allied Air Forces. We remember their successors; our colleagues now engaged in many parts of the world and pray that you would watch over them. We pray for our Air Force, that its power and skill may always be used to safeguard justice and peace through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Chaplain: Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son. Give us the grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that all people may know the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn: ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ (p. 288 Voices United)
INVITATION TO CONFESSION
Chaplain: Dear friends in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy, healing the sick and forgiving the sinful. May God who enlightens every heart, help us to confess our sins and trust in a gracious mercy.
A brief silence may be observed
All: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Holy Name. Amen
Absolution
Chaplain: Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Micah 4:1-5
RESPONSIVE PSALM: Psalm 23 (pg. 749 of VU)
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Ephesians 6: 10-18 (pg. 1137)
THE GOSPEL HYMN: ‘Oh Love How Deep’ v. 1-5 (pg. 348 VU)
THE GOSPEL: John 15:12-17 (pg. 1046)
THE SERMON
Sermon précis
“There is a time in the life of a free nation, and in the fabric of the society which enables and empowers liberty and justice, when we are called upon to fight and resist evil powers seeking to crush the life of its citizenry, and seeking to quench the very fire of freedom which enlivens us. The Battle of Britain is a memorial, indeed a celebration, of the willingness of a few to lay down their lives in the service of the many”
OUR CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The Apostles’ Creed:
All: I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting. Amen
Air Force Hymn: “O Thou within Whose Sure Control” to the tune of Eternal Father, Strong to Save (VU 639)
O Thou within Whose sure control
The surging planets onward roll,
Whose everlasting arms embrace
People of every clime and race,
Hear Thou, O Lord, a nations prayer
For those Thy children of the air!
Thou at the impulse of Whose will
A troubled Galilee grew still
Thy chart and compass shall provide
Deliverance from storm and tide
Hear Thou, O Lord, a nations prayer
For those Thy rangers of the air!
Across the ocean, dread and deep,
Above the forest’s lonely sweep,
Or when through serried clouds they rise
And hidden are from mortal eyes;
Hear Thou, O Lord, a nations prayer
For Thy crusaders of the air!
Uphold their shining argosies
Upon the vast ethereal seas;
Encompass Thou their valiant wings
In all their brave adventuring;
Hear Thou, O Lord, a nation’s prayer
For these Thy children of the air!
DOXOLOGY
(As the offering is brought forward the congregation sings)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him, all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly host,
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Chaplain: Let us pray to Lord, saying, “Lord hear our prayer.”
Chaplain: Let us pray for the peace of the world: The Lord grant that we may live together in justice and faith.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: Let us pray for this country and especially for Queen Elizabeth, The Governor General, The Prime Minister, and all in authority: the Lord help them to serve this people according to God’s holy will.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: Let us pray for the men and women of the Canadian Forces, especially those currently deployed and their families: the Lord grant them peace, safety and grace to further the cause of justice and peace in our world.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: Let us pray for the children and young people: the Lord guide their growth and development.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: Let us pray for the sick for those who asked for our prayers (name those who God has placed on your heart either silently or aloud): the Lord deliver them and keep them in his love.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: We remember the prophets, apostles, martyrs, and all who have borne witness to the gospel: the Lord direct our lives in the same spirit of service and sacrifice.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Chaplain: Gathering our prayers and petitions let us join in the prayer that Our Lord taught us saying
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 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, forever and ever. Amen.
SENDING FORTH
BENEDICTION
GOD grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the Church, and all humankind, peace and freedom, and to us in this uncertain world, eternal life; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: ‘Abide With Me’ (436 VU)
Chaplain: Let us go forth rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God.
*Complied from resources provided by Padre Sue Beare, Padre Robert Granholm and Padre Gordon Mintz.