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Remebrance Sunday
Started by paulrobertson on 7 November 2008 - 9:53pm
| 7 November 2008 - 9:53pm | |
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Kind of a tricky service this. We'll have folk coming who come only for remebrance day. And while I think it's really important to remember the sacrifices that so many people gave in defending our country, how do you do that while keeping the primary focus on God in worship? Other than not turning up looking scruffy (as I confess I might otherwise do on occasion) and wearing my poppy, any useful song suggestions/band suggestions? Paul PS Did you know that the Scottish and English poppies are different? Only found that out this week. I have a friend who now won't wear his English poppy in Glasgow, just in case... |
we always sing 'abide with me' which im not saying you should but its an idea.
i vow to thee my country is a good one also and blessed be your name.
do you do a minutes silence?
the hardest part of the service for me is keeping my 3 yr old from running riot when its supposed to be a quiet reflective service!
Hi Paul,
Another one used quite often is "Lord for the Years"
I think its just a case of finding songs that will reveal God in the midst of suffering first and then turn the focus to the glory of God.
Everlasting God may be good as well.
Didn't know that about the poppies!
I'm not leading, so won't be picking songs, but it got me wondering what I would choose.
We do (I think) have a minute's silence and will have similar challenges will small children.
The song we're doing post-silence is "God, our help in ages past"
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
Yes - that's a tricky one. I wonder if you could do something around communion, which in itself is an act of remembrance - linking the idea of laying down one's life with Christ's work on the cross. Maybe looking for songs about sacrifice. I don't know, I'm just typing as I think. It's a very thought provoking thread.
I'd also be interested in people's view on making Remembrance more of an all-age event. Any ways of making it real and relevant to families with young children. In our village, Remembrance Sunday tends to be very traditional (nothing wrong with that) but families usually stay away, worried that their child will be the one who ruins the silence.
It does seem - particularly for Parish Churches in small communities - that there are a number of important points throughout the year (for us it's the annual Christingle service) when people come to church out of a sense of duty, because it's the "done thing". Wouldn't it be brilliant if they left saying, "Wow - I didn't know church could be like that. Maybe I'll come more often!"
Sorry Paul - no answers, only more questions....
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