To view the Hymns, Readings and Notices please refer to the Church News Sheet which can be found by clicking here.
Parish Communion Trinity 15 15 September 2024
A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION for the 84th Anniversary of the BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Celebrant and Preacher: Revd Charles Hadley
First Reading: Genesis 50: vv15-21
Gospel: Matthew 18L vv21-35
Opening Hymn A&M 630
during which Standards are presented
Father, Lord of all creation,
ground of being, life and love;
height and depth beyond description
only life in you can prove:
you are mortal life’s dependence:
thought, speech, sight are outs by grace;
yours is every hour’s existence,
sovereign Lord of time and space.
Jesus Christ, the Man for others,
we, your people, make our prayer:
help- us love – as sisters, brothers –
all whose burdens we can share.
Where your name binds us together
you, Lord Christ, will surely be;
where no selfishness can sever
there your love the world may see.
Holy Spirit, rushing, burning
wind and flame of Pentecost,
fire our hearts afresh with yearning
to regain what we have lost.
May your love unite our action,
never more to speak alone:
God, in us abolish faction,
God, through us your love make known.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Welcome & Notices the Revd Jacquie Peal
We come to this Church today to remember before God all who took part in the Battle of Britain in the autumn of 1940 – 84 years ago. We pray for all those who hold memories of a campaign which protected this Island from invasion. We give thanks for the bravery and service of the members of the Royal Air Force as well as those who supported them from the land, especially for those who gave of their time to protect the life and heritage of our homes and cities. We recall too the cost of the campaign, commending to God those whose lives were taken in service and innocence in the struggle for power and freedom. So, mindful of all that has been and commending our future into the hands of Almighty God, we pray:
We sit or kneel for the prayers of confession
Come, let us return to the Lord and say:
Lord our God, in our sin we have avoided your call. Our love for you is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. Have mercy on us; deliver us from judgement; bind up our wounds and revive us; in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The president declares God’s forgiveness:
May the God of love bring you back to himself, forgive you your sins, and assure you of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading read by Steve Davies
RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association)
‘The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’
Words: Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Recollection of the Fallen
Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping, those who have given their lives for the good of others.
Short silence
Lord, fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all to share with them in your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Poem read by Cadets of
2464 (Storrington) Sqn. Air Training Corps
High Flight
by John Gillespie Magee (09.06.1922 - 11.12.1941)
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and
swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Gradual Hymn AM 645
God is our strength and refuge
our present help in trouble;
and we therefore, will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts
is with us evermore!
There is a flowing river,
within God’s holy city;
God is in the midst of her –
she shall not be moved!
God’s help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence –
God the Lord of hosts
is with is evermore!
Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all-powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations –
God the Lord of hosts
is with us evermore!
Holy Gospel Matthew 18: 21-35
the Revd Jacquie Peal
Alleluia, alleluia. The word of the Lord endures for ever. The word of the Lord is the good news announced to you. Alleluia.
Introduction: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Conclusion: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon the Revd Jacquie Peal
Affirmation of Faith please stand
Let us declare our faith in God:
We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers St Luke’s Prayer Ministry
At the end of the prayers …
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Peace the Revd John Peal
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God. We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Offertory Hymn AM 581
A Collection will be taken during the hymn
for Cadets of 2464 (Storrington) Sqn. Air Training Corps
Lord of lords and King eternal,
down the years in wondrous ways
you have blessed our land and guided,
leading us through darkest days.
For your rich and faithful mercies,
Lord, accept our thankful praise.
Speak to us and every nation,
bid our jarring discords cease;
to the starving and the homeless
bid us bring a full release;
and on all this earth’s sore turmoil
breathe the healing of your peace.
Love that binds us all together
be upon the church outpoured;
shame our pride and quell our factions,
smite them with your Spirit’s sword;
till the world, our love beholding,
claims your power and calls you Lord.
Brace the wills of all your people
who in every land and race
know the secrets of your kingdom,
share the treasures of your grace;
till the summons of your Spirit
wakes new life in every place.
Saviour, by your mighty Passion
once you turned sheer loss to gain,
wresting in your risen glory
victory from your cross and pain;
now O Saviour, dead and risen,
in us triumph, live, and reign.
Preparation of the Table the Revd John Peal
Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ, our risen high priest; make yourself known in the breaking of bread. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Father, you made the world and love your creation. You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. His dying and rising have set us free from sin and death. And so we gladly thank you, with saints and angels praising you, and singing:
setting: Margaret Rizza
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and God of might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest; hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest; hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he, blessed is he, blessed is he who comes in the name, he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest, hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. (Sanctus Bell)
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them, and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. (Sanctus Bell)
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.
Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.
Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with St Mary and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:
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.
The Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
Agnus Dei setting: Margaret Rizza
Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us your peace, grant us your peace.
The ministers receive the sacrament.
Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
The choir and congregation receive the sacrament, or a blessing.
Organ music will be played during Communion
Post Communion Collect
Almighty God, you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant that we may love you with our whole heart and our neighbours as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, we have broken your bread. We have received your life. By the power of your Spirit keep us always in your love. Amen.
Final Hymn Standards are recovered
O Ruler of the earth and sky
be with our airmen when they fly;
and keep them in thy loving care
amid the perils of the air.
O let our cry come unto thee
for those who fly o’er land and sea.
Strong Son of Man, save those who fly
swift-winged across th’uncharted sky;
each anxious hour and lonely flight,
serene, unchallenged, day and night.
O’er land and ocean safely bear
all those in peril in the air.
O Holy Spirit, God’s own power
give peace in sudden danger’s hour:
bring calm of heart, and be thou near
to those who watch and those who fear.
To thee will rise the grateful prayer
of those who serve thee in the air.
O Trinity of love and grace,
true guide of all who fly through space,
in peace or war, mid friend or foe,
be with them whereso’er they go.
So shall our praise with heaven’s blend
and joyful hearts to thee ascend.
The Airmen’s Hymn anonymous
Tune Melita 354 NEH John Dykes (1823–76)
The Blessing the Revd Jacquie Peal
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Dismissal the Revd Jacquie Peal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
Organ Voluntary
RAF March Past
by Walford Davies and George Dyson
Organist: Ian Miles
If fine, there will be a procession into the Churchyard led by the Clergy.
At the graveside of Flt Lt C Raymond Davis DFC (Battle of Britain Pilot)
Minister (the Revd John Peal):
Let us remember Flt Lt Raymond Davis and
all others who lost their lives at the time of the Battle of Britain.
A wreath is laid at the grave.
The Exhortation spoken by Brig. Willie Shackell
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.
All repeat: We will remember them.
1 minute's silence
National Anthem
God save our gracious King,
long live our noble King,
God save the King.
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
God save the King.
The Blessing the Revd John Peal
Christ, who out of defeat brings victory, fill us with faith, hope and love; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
The procession then re-enters Church where coffee is available.
If wet or blustery, the wreath will be laid in the Memorial Corner underneath the monument to Capt. Francis Mond.