Trinity has been invited to join Kamloops United Church in worship today.
The order of service is set out below.
Prelude Wartime Remembrances Marg Waldon
Welcome and Acknowledgement
On trumpet is Daniel Mills, Executive Director of the Kamloops Symphony.
Whenever we gather in this space, we acknowledge that we are on the unceded lands of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. Unceded means this territory was never relinquished, and this acknowledgement reminds us all of our role in Reconciliation. Since 1996 Kamloops United Church has been a member of Affirm United and we are proud to be an LGBTQ2S Affirming community of faith, where all are welcomed as members and leaders regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. So, when we say all are welcome…it is with the assurance that all…means all.
Lighting the Christ Candle
We Bless One Another
Music For the Healing of the Nations VU678
Call to Worship
Loving God, on this Remembrance Day, we recognize the double-edged nature of our remembering.
We acknowledge the ultimate evil of war and our society’s part in adding to the violence of our world.
Yet we remember, with very real gratitude, those who sacrificed their health and their lives to resist evil.
They struggled as best they could on behalf of freedom and justice in the face of a terrible tyranny.
Be with us, O God in our remembering.
Strengthen us to resist evil and to work for peace with the same commitment and self-sacrifice as those whom we honor this day. Amen.
* The Act of Remembrance
They 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;
All: We will remember them.
Each day, a bugle was sounded in military camps to begin and end the day; in the evening this was called the “last post” and was also sounded for those who had died.
After the placing of the wreath, we will hear the bugle and have a minute’s silence to remember.
* The Laying of the Wreath Marcia Julian, Council Circle Chair
* Last Post, Silence and Rouse
We remember those killed, injured, displaced during the two world wars of the last century. We also remember the millions killed, injured, or displaced in other wars since then and going on right now. Our hearts weep with unfathomable pain for your human family. Bring peace, O God. Bring your peace among us again.
* Music O Canada VU524, v. 1, 2 (v. 2 below)
Almighty Love, by thy mysterious power, in wisdom guide,
With faith and freedom dower, be ours a nation ever more
That no oppression blights,
Where justice rules from shore to shore
From lakes to northern lights.
May love alone for wrong atone;
Lord of the lands, Make Canada thine own.
Lord of the lands, make Canada thine own.
God Communes
Scripture Reading Matthew 25:1-13 Alma Jean Inkster (Trinity)
Music All Who are Thirsty MV4
Contemporary Interpretation In the Meantime
Music O God, Our Help in Ages Past VU806, v.1-4
Announcements
Prayers of the People
Life-giving God,
where there is barrenness in our world, let there be birthing;
where there is winter,
let spring be promised;
where there are fields,
let poppies grow;
bring life, O God,
bring life back to this world.
Where memories imprison
and freedom is elusive;
where conflict roars
despite the promises of others; where terrorism entraps despite power and more power; where there is sacrifice,
let poppies grow.
Where war is not a memory,
but a dogged reality;
where bread is cheap,
but there is never enough;
and where bombs cost more,
and there is always money enough where there is injustice,
let poppies grow.
Where there is a silence that hides an apathy, where there is a silence that stops there,
where there is a silence
but a lack of will,
where there is only gesture, let poppies grow.
Life-giving God,
we pray for our world,
pray for it
in silence,
and with our living,
We pray for poppies to grow, where life has been taken, where trees are barren, where autumn has fallen.
And let us bring our own petitions before God:
Life-giving God, let there be living. Hear us.
So be it. Amen.
God Commissions
Music O Day of Peace VU682
Commission and Benediction
Sung Blessing Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow VU541
Postlude