This Sunday, 4 May, we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which falls on Thursday 8 May. There is a service of Holy Communion according to the Book of Common Prayer at 8am in St Mary the Virgin, Horne. There are no other services in the Benefice churches today.

This week’s online service is led by the Revd Charles Sargent.
To follow today’s online service, click on the arrow here and find the words below.

Greeting and Introduction
Heaviness may endure for a night:
But joy comes in the morning.

God has been our refuge and our strength:
A present help in time of trouble.

Dear friends, we have come together on this day to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, when the sounds of war fell silent on this continent.

We come together conscious of our need for God’s forgiveness for the sin and the desire to dominate others that leads to conflict between people, and war between nations.

And as we remember the many soldiers, sailors, and airmen who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, so we also come in thanksgiving for the years of peace that the nations of Europe have enjoyed since the Second World War. We gather joyfully today, as those who gathered on that first Victory Day, glad of each other’s company, and grateful for the laughter and love that follows times of sadness and loss. But above all things, let us pray that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, as we join our voices together and say:

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.

Talk
by Revd Charles Sargent

An Act of Commitment
Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: 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.

Lord God our Father,
we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind,
in the cause of peace,
for the relief of want and suffering,
and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your Spirit;
give us wisdom;
give us courage;
give us hope;
and keep us faithful now and always.
Amen.

The Blessing
God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest;
to the Church, the King, the Commonwealth,
and all people, peace and concord;
and to us and all his servants, life everlasting;
and the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
come down upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Hymn
O God our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

Beneath the shadow of thy wings
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame.
from everlasting thou art God,
through endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time like an ever-rolling stream
will bear us all away;
we fade and vanish, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Tune: St Anne, William Croft (1678-1727)

Organist: Peter Nye.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000), material from which is included in this service,
is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.
CCLI Streaming Licence™ 1942313
CCLI PRS for Music Church Licence 1545501