As part of this service there is a series of seven short prayers for Remembrance, followed by two minutes silence. You are invited to light a candle at this point – or, if you wish, a candle/tealight for each of the seven prayers.
Opening responses (based on Micah 4.2-4)
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
that God may teach us God’s ways and we may walk in God’s paths.
Our God shall arbitrate for many peoples; between strong nations and far away,
and 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 any more.
They shall all sit under their own vines and fruit trees;
and no one shall make them afraid.
HYMN: STF 696 – For the healing of the nations
For the healing of the nations,
Lord, we pray with one accord;
For a just and equal sharing
Of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
Help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom
From despair your world release.
That, redeemed from war and hatred,
All may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
Fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living,
Let it from the earth be banned;
Pride of status, race, or schooling,
Dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
May we hallow life’s brief span.
You, Creator-God, have written
Your great name on humankind;
For our growing in your likeness
Bring the life of Christ to mind;
That by our response and service
Earth its destiny may find.
Fred Kaan (1929-2009)
Prayers:
Today many are gathering in somber thought and silence, aware of the costliness of human history.
We may be gathered in a church, at a cenotaph, or with thousands of others watching on TV.
We recognise that in the face of hostility between nations and neighbours, you have come to us in Jesus Christ, offering us the gift of peace, calling us to serve as peacemakers.
Let us pray:
In this time of worship, renew in us the hope that you will turn our swords into ploughshares,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit, lead the world you love away from the study of war
to the promise of peace with justice for all your peoples.
God of mercy, we confess that the world around us is in a mess.
Countries turn disputes over territory into acts of terror.
Old enemies stir up conflict within their tribes and nations.
The threat of violence keeps us all on edge.
Forgive us for not learning from past conflicts what will lead to peace with justice;
Forgive us when we harbour a desire to settle our own old scores and keep conflict alive.
Dona nobis pacem
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.’
And also with you. Amen.
Bible reading – Mark 12.38-44
As he taught, Jesus said, ‘Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the market-places, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.’
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few pence.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.’
Reflection
On Facebook, I am a member of a group called ‘Clergy Mummies’. I feel less and less relevant to that, given my youngest is 22, but nevertheless it is useful to hear the views of other female clergy from across the UK. Most in this group are Anglican. Comments are wide and varied, from personal prayers, hints as to how to survive Christmas, moans about our congregations (!!) and suggestions for church newsletters. What I most enjoy (in a not very edifying way) is the number of anglicans who ask what they should be wearing. “It’s All Souls Day – is that white or red?” (It might be neither – I didn’t pay attention…)[1] “I’ve been invited to the Bishop’s garden party. Do I wear alb and cassock?” (Again, I have no idea whether either are appropriate). There is great joy to be had in being non-conformist, and not having to dress up in flouncy attire. Even on a practical matter, my female Anglican colleagues have commented on how awful it is to be fully robed for Sunday service and have a hot flush.
But though I decry the Anglican robing, there is reason behind it all. The colours reflect the seasons of the church year and the attire has been built up over centuries to show a person’s position within the church (the purple of bishops, for example). On holiday this summer we went with my sister to Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. The latter had a coping chest, where copes are kept. A cope is an Anglican word for cloak… The chest was a large semicircle shape – you can imagine that the radius would be about 5 foot, to encompass a full cloak from shoulder to floor. In it were the finest robes the cathedral possessed, locked up, brought out only on special occasions. ‘Look at me,’ they say. ‘I’m important.’
The scribes were wearing robes as they wandered around the marketplace. These may not have been exceptionally grand robes, but they will have been robes of the temple, showing off their position, status and authority. Scribes were, originally, secular officials who could ‘cipher’ and had charge of legal documents in relation to financial and political matters. They were skilled in the art of writing, and often celebrated for their righteousness and wisdom. This gave them more and more prominence but, as you might expect, not all exercised their office faithfully. Here Jesus observes them, when they are wanting attention (who dresses in temple robes in order to go shopping in the market?); and when they are wanting recognition (seeking the best seats in the synagogues, namely the ‘seat of Moses’ – the place from which authoritative interpretations of the law were delivered); and when they are materialistic (desiring honour at banquets, or exploiting the widows). These men wanted the best for themselves, and wanted others to know about it.
The widow, however, puts two small copper coins into the treasury – objectively worth very little; in practice, all that she had.
The design of the treasury receptacles was such that there would be a great clatter as money went in. It would be obvious to everyone around if someone had given loads of money. (You can imagine the snooty noses and judgement on those who didn’t give what the authorities thought was due.) The rich noisily throw their coins into the temple treasury, whereas the widow’s coppers barely tinkle the side of the tin. Today’s reading doesn’t define the wealthy givers specifically as scribes, but no doubt the reason Mark put the two pieces of teaching adjacent to each other is it to imply that they were also wealthy and giving ostentatiously.
Look again, and look onwards. In just two verses’ time Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple. “Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Mark 13.2) Jesus has commended the widow who gave everything… to an institution that was destined for destruction. If I was to ask you now to give money to a church that I knew was about to be destroyed, I doubt you’d think much of my integrity.
So why does Jesus commend the widow? “She out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on’ (verse 44). This woman made a massive sacrifice in order to make her offering to the temple, to the service of God. Even though Jesus knew the temple was corrupt (look at those scribes!) and condemned, Jesus highlights the extravagant giving of the widow.
In Mark’s gospel, this is the last scene in Jesus’ public ministry before the passion narrative comes in force. Perhaps we are to also see a parallel in this: for Jesus, too, was about to give everything he had, ‘all that [he] had to live on’. Jesus was about to sacrifice his life for those who were corrupt and condemned – for the entirety of humanity.
The widow and Jesus gave their lives and livelihoods for the sake of those who do not deserve such a gift. ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5.8) We are not worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made. We are here because of the grace of God, the amazing gift of life that we have through Jesus’ death.
On a day when we remember those who gave their lives for us in war, let us not forget the sacrifices made for us, that we can live a life of freedom and comfort; nor the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, that we can have eternal life.
A John Wesley quote to reflect upon:
I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.
Hymn: STF 489 – All I once held dear
All I once held dear, built my life upon,
All this world reveres, and wars to own,
All i once through gain I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now, compared to this.
Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you.
There is no greater thing.
You’re my all, you’re the best,
You’re my joy, my righteousness,
And I love you, Lord.
Now my heart’s desire is to know you more,
To be found in you and known as yours.
Toe possess by faith what I could not earn,
All-surpassing gift of righteousness.
Oh, to know the power of your risen life,
And to know you in your sufferings.
To become like you in your death, my Lord,
So with you to live and never die.
Graham Kendrick (b.1950)
The Act of Remembrance
[A candle is / candles are lit]
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of those who gave their lives in conflict with bravery and with honour, in the service to their nation, to defeat the power of tyranny, defend justice and protect the vulnerable.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of those wounded in conflict, who came home bearing scars in body, mind and soul, and continue to bear the cost of their service for a lifetime.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of those who served in conflict zones while caring for the injured, praying with them, feeding them, reporting the truth from the front, facing danger themselves and witnessing horrors day by day.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful compassionate remembrance of those who have lost loved ones through war – spouses, parents, children, lovers, friends and neighbours – who had to carry on with broken hearts and lives reshaped forever.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of those civilians who lost their lives or their livelihoods, their homes and communities through conflict fought on their streets, in their fields, and over their heads.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of the land, sea and sky ripped apart in battle, scarred by weaponry, and of all the creatures, wild or tame, who became victims of human hubris.
We will remember.
We light this candle in grateful, compassionate remembrance of every act of courage and compassion in the contexts of war, taken by soldier or citizen, politician or peacemaker, trusting that goodness could prevail.
We will remember.
You are invited to hold two minutes silence.
In the Word was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1.4-5)
HYMN: STF 706 – Christ, be the light
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair,
Your world alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
Walls made of living stone.
Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts, that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Bernadette Farrell (b1957)
Prayers of intercession
Let us pray,
for all the situations across the world where there is still war and conflict,
that leaders may work together for justice and peace.
May God give peace
God give peace
for the United States of America, for newly elected President Donald Trump,
and for all who work under his regime.
May God give peace
God give peace
for our own government, that it may seek to govern with justice for all,
and with concern for the neediest in our country.
May God give peace
God give peace
For those we know and love,
particularly those who are sick, ill, struggling or bereaved.
May God give peace
God give peace
For ourselves, as we carry so many worries and cares about the world.
Help us never to lose sight of your presence with us, our comforter, help and guide.
May God give peace
God give peace
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven…
HYMN: STF 562 – O God, what offering shall I give?
O God, what offering shall I give
To you, the Lord of earth and skies?
My spirit, soul and flesh receive,
A holy, living sacrifice:
small as it is, ‘tis all my store;
More would you have, if I had more.
Now, O my God, you have my soul,
No longer mine, but yours I am;
O guard your own, possess it whole,
Cheer it with hope, with love inflame;
You have my spirit, there display
Your glory to the perfect day.
You have my flesh, your hallowed shine,
Devoted solely to your will;
Here let your light for ever shine,
This house still let your presence fill;
O source of life, live, dwell, and move
In me, till all my life be love!
Send down your likeness from above,
And let this my adorning be;
Clothe me with wisdom, patience, love,
With lowliness and purity,
Than gold and pearls more precious far,
And brighter than the morning star.
Lord, arm me with your Spirit’s might,
Since I am called by your great name;
In you let all my thoughts unite,
Of all my works be you the aim:
Your love attend me all my days,
And my sole business be your praise.
Joachim Lange (1670-1744), translated by John Wesley (1703-1791)
Blessing:
Peace to the nations, east and west,
Peace to the nations, north and south.
Peace to our neighbours, black and white,
Peace to our neighbours, young and old.
Peace to all women, peace to all men,
The peace of Christ above all peace.
Acknowledgements:
Prayers and liturgy taken from Wild Goose big book of liturgies and resources 3: Bread of hope (Wild Goose Publications, 2023); reflection includes direct words from Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 4 (Westminster John Knox Press, 2009); John Wesley quote: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1316030
[1] I’ve looked it up: it is red, or can be green. White is for All Saints Day.
