This morning our 10am parish eucharist included our act of Remembrance for those who gave their lives in the two world wars and conflicts since.

The church was full, with some in uniform and others wearing medals given as a result of service. In his sermon Father Chris spoke of the value of silence, how in our busy noisy world it is often lost, and as we value the 2 minutes silence for the dead  we should consider seeking out some silence in our busy lives as there we may more easily communicate with the Father.

The choir sang 'My Soul, there is a country' by CHH Parry as the anthem. The Children joined us at the distribution of the host and afterwards showed us the poppies they had made and told us of their meaning. 

There then followed the act of Remembrance, including a sounding of the  last post, two minutes of silence, and the names from our war memorial were read out  by Michael Allistone. We then left the church and walked down to the war memorial in silence for the laying of wreaths, followed by prayers and a blessing. The Sunday School children added their poppies to the memorial. This was a moving occasion with a strong feeling of community about it.

A reading from the book of the prohet Malachi

See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, 

when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; 

the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, 

so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 

But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, 

with healing in its wings. 

A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians

We command you, beloved, 

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

to keep away from believers who are living in idleness 

and not according to the tradition that they received from us.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; 

we were not idle when we were with you, 

and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; 

but with toil and labour we worked night and day, 

so that we might not burden any of you. 

This was not because we do not have that right, 

but in order to give you an example to imitate. 

For even when we were with you, 

we gave you this command: 

Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, 

mere busybodies, not doing any work. 

Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ 

to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 

Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to  Luke