To mark Remembrance Sunday in Swanage, residents are being encouraged to stand at their doorsteps just before 3 pm and listen out for the church bell at St Mary’s.
The bell will toll 12 times to mark the beginning of two minutes of silence to honour those who have lost their life in conflict.
Swanage traditionally observes a two minute silence at 3 pm on Remembrance Sunday, which is different from the rest of the country, which falls silent at 11 am.
Remembrance events are being scaled back
Annual remembrance events are being scaled back across the UK due to restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In London, the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph will not be open to the public and there will be no march past, as in previous years.
The Royal British Legion is encouraging people to stay at home and observe the national two minute silence at 11 am from their front door or window.
Poppy wreaths will be laid by individuals
In Swanage, poppy wreaths will be laid by individuals at the war memorial at different times over the weekend, with no formal ceremony.
There will be a small scaled back act of remembrance at 2.50 pm led by the rector of St Mary’s Church, the very reverend John Mann, and attended by Chairman of the Swanage British Legion, Steve Churchill, and Swanage Mayor, councillor Mike Bonfield to represent the community.
This can only happen if residents respect the request to stay at home.
Remembrance Sunday order of service
Sunday 8th November 2020 at 2.50 pm
Minister: We have come to worship God,
who is good and just and true.
He created and sustains the world;
and loves us, though we have failed him.
We remember all who have given their lives
in the struggle for justice and peace,
all who suffer in war and conflict,
and all who live in terror.
We ask for God’s guidance and blessing,
that we may do his will,
and that all peoples may acknowledge his kingship and reign.
Whoever dwells under the shelter of the Most High
and abides under the shadow of the Almighty,
Shall say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my stronghold,
my God, in whom I put my trust.’Psalm 91:1-2
Minister: Lord our God,
our sure stronghold,
hear the voice of our pleading
and deliver us from every evil.
Strengthen us as we strive for the poor and oppressed,
and establish your justice in all the earth.
Amen.
A reading from St John’s Gospel
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
(John 15:9-17)
Thanks be to God.
AN ACT OF PENITENCE
Minister: Let us confess to God
the sins and shortcomings of the world:
its pride, its selfishness, its greed;
its evil divisions and hatreds.
Let us confess our share in what is wrong
and our failure to seek and establish that peace
which God wills for all his children.
O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we shall 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.
All join in the Lord’s Prayer:
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.
THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Minister: Let us remember before God
and commend to his sure keeping
all who have died for their country in conflict;
those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who have lived and died in the service of humanity.
British Legion representative:
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.
THE LAST POST
THE TWO MINUTES SILENCE
THE REVEILLE
THE KOHIMA EPITAPH:
When you go home,
tell them of us and say:
For your tomorrow
we gave our today. Minister Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for all whom we remember this day;
fulfil in them the purpose of your love;
and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
AN ACT OF COMMITMENT
Minister: Let us pledge ourselves anew
to the service of God and humanity:
that we may help, encourage,
and comfort others,
and support those working for the relief of the needy
and for the peace and welfare of the nations.
THE BLESSING:
Minister: May God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people, peace and concord,
and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
