SUNDAY will see people in and around Swindon mark Remembrance Day.

One of the biggest events is at the Cenotaph in Swindon Town Centre.

The service there begins at 11am. Here is the full order of service for those going along.

Mayor’s Chaplain – Rev. Simon Stevenette

 

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 humanity.

 

THE EXHORTATION

Royal British Legion – Graham Jackson

 

 “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."

 

THE LAST POST

Trumpeter – Mr Francis Cowley

 

AT THE FIRST STRIKE OF 11.00 AM OF THE TOWN HALL CLOCK WE OBSERVE TWO MINUTE SILENCE

 

REVEILLE

Trumpeter – Mr Francis Cowley

 

THE KOHIMA EPITAPH

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Mr Wyldebore-Smith

 

“When you go home, tell them of us and say

For your tomorrow, we gave our today."

 

THE LAYING OF WREATHS

To the accompaniment of Swindon Brass

 

Bishop of Swindon – Rt. Rev. Dr. Lee Rayfield

 

As we remember that "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his compassion never fails: every morning they are renewed"

We join in the singing of the hymn: ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’

 

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,

Forgive our foolish ways;

Re-clothe us in our rightful mind, 

In purer lives thy service find,     

In deeper reverence, praise.

 

In simple trust like theirs, who heard

Beside the Syrian sea

The gracious calling of the Lord,  

Let us, like them, without a word     

Rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee,  

O calm of hills above,

Where Jesus knelt to share with thee  

The silence of eternity,

Interpreted by love!

Drop thy still dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,  

And let our ordered lives confess     

The beauty of thy peace.

 

Breathe through the heats of our desire  

Thy coolness and thy balm;

Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;  

Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,     

O still, small voice of calm!

 

Mayor’s Chaplain - Reverend Simon Stevenette

 

O God you made us in your image and sustain us by your presence. 

As we pray for the whole human family;

Take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;

Break down the walls that separate us;

Unite us in the bonds of love;

Work through our struggle and confusion, that in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your throne.

Lord in Your mercy

 

All:  Hear our prayer

 

Father of all peoples on the earth, we bring before you,

All who are suffering as a result of War.

We remember the bereaved,

We remember the injured, disabled and mentally distressed,

We remember those who have lost home and livelihood,

We remember families parted because of their refugee status or because a family member is serving in a war zone.

Lord in Your mercy

 

All:  Hear our prayer

 

May Almighty God have mercy upon us,

Deliver us from evil, and unite us in his love

All:  Amen

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Canon John Cunningham – Holy Rood Parish Priest

Revelation 21:  Verses 1 – 7

 

PRAYER

Methodist Circuit Superintendent - Reverend Mark Barrett

 

As we hope for the time when death and mourning are no more, we pray for peace on earth.  We give thanks for all those who have given their lives in the service of justice and freedom, we pray for the healing of all the nations on earth in the words of St. Francis of Assisi.

 

All:   Lord make us instruments of Thy Peace;

         Where there is hatred, let us sow love;

         Where there is injury, pardon;

         Where there is discord, union;

         Where there is doubt, faith;

         Where there is despair, hope;

         Where there is darkness, light;

         Where there is sadness, joy;

         For Thy mercy and for Thy truth’s sake.      Amen

 

As we dedicate ourselves to God’s service we pray together in

the words our Saviour taught us.

 

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,

For ever and ever.                                                                                                                                                                 Amen

 

 

Methodist Circuit Superintendent - Reverend Mark Barrett

 

We will now join in the singing of the hymn: "Abide with me"

 

            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.

 

            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!

 

            I need Thy presence every passing hour;

            What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

            Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

            Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

 

            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.

 

            Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes,

            Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;

            Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;

            In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

 

 

THE BLESSING

 

Bishop of Swindon - Rt. Rev. Dr. Lee Rayfield

 

                                    God grant to the living, grace;

                                    To the departed, rest,

                                    To all humankind, peace

                                    And to us and all his servants

                                    life everlasting.

                                    And the blessing of God, Father,

                                    Son and Holy Spirit, be upon you

                                    and remain with you always.

 

All:                              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!

 

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!