Order of Service - Banstead

Act of Remembrance at Banstead War Memorial

Sunday 9 November 2025.

 

When the Parade has been brought to attention the presiding minister shall say:

 

God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.

(Psalm 46.1)

 

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

(Micah 6.8)

 

We meet here at Banstead’s Memorial to the members of the British Armed Forces who died in wars, to worship Almighty God, whose purposes are good; whose power sustains the world he has made; who loves us, though we have failed in his service; who gave Jesus Christ for the life of the world; who by his Holy Spirit leads us in his way.

As we give thanks for his great works, we remember those who have lived and died in his service and in the service of our nation and the wider world, both service personnel and civilians; we pray for all who have suffered and continue to suffer through war; and we ask for his blessing of peace.

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 those whose memory we treasure; and all who have lived and died in the service of Humanity; and especially as people of Banstead we commemorate those who have died from the homes of this place.

 

The Last Post

Two minutes silence

Reveille

 

The Exhortation

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: We will remember them.

(Laurence Binyon)

 

Minister:

Ever-living God we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence;

may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

Wreaths are laid at the War Memorial

 

Hymn - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,

pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but thou art mighty;

hold me with thy pow’rful hand:

bread of heaven, bread of heaven,

feed me now and evermore,

feed me now and evermore.

 

Open now the crystal fountain,

whence the healing stream doth flow;

let the fiery cloudy pillar

lead me all my journey through;

strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,

Be though still my strength and shield,

be though still my strength and shield.

 

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

bid my anxious fears subside;

death of death, and hell’s destruction,

land me safe on Canaan’s side;

songs of praises, songs of praises,

I will ever give to thee,

I will ever give to thee.  

(William Williams (1717-1791))

 

Reading

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

(John 14:27)

 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they    will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

(Matthew 5: 1-12)

 

Prayers

Prayer is led:

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God;

May God give peace

All: God give peace

 

for those who love them in death as in life, offering

the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss;

May God give peace

All: God give peace      

 

for all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return;

May God give peace

All: God give peace     

 

for civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,

calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity;

May God give peace

All: God give peace  

 

for peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free;

May God give peace

All: God give peace                            

 

for all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace. 

May God give peace

All: God give peace

 

O God of truth and justice,

we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,

and those whose names we will never know

Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm.

As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever.

All: Amen

 

The Lord’s Prayer

(All join in)

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.

 

Hymn - Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time

walk upon England’s mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

on England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the countenance divine

shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

among those dark satanic mills?

 

Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!

Bring me my spear! O clouds unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,

nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,

till we have built Jerusalem

in England’s green and pleasant land.

(William Blake (1757-1827))

 

Act of Commitment

Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.

Will you strive for all that makes for peace?

All: We will

Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?

All: We will

Will you work for a just future for all humanity?

All: We will        

Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love:

May we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people,

And live lives of justice, courage and mercy;

through Jesus Christ our risen Redeemer. 

All: Amen.

 

Kohima Epitaph

When you go home

Tell them of us and say,

For your tomorrow

We gave our today.

 

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!

Thy choicest gifts in store

On him be pleased to pour,

Long may he reign.

May he defend our laws,

And ever give us cause,

To sing with heart and voice,

God save the King.

 

Blessing

God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth and all people, unity, peace and concord,

and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting;

and the blessing of God Almighty, Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you all and remain with you always.

All: Amen

 

All Saints PCC holds copyright permission for hymns here printed.