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The Jennifer Trust
Service of Remembrance
and Thanksgiving |
Held at The Collegiate Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity
in Stratford upon Avon on 17th June 2000. |
Order of Service
The Reverend Peter Halliday welcomed the congregation
Hymn Oh God Our Help in Ages Past
Bidding Prayer "Dear friends, welcome to Stratford Parish Church as we meet in the presence of God to remember those who have been taken from us, to seek consolation in our grief, to give thanks for their lives and to look forward to the future with hope.
We give thanks to God for the love we learnt through knowing those we now remember and today we recall that love with deep affection in this act of worship.
It is our gratitude for love which can leave us with feelings of deep sorrow following untimely death. Today we seek from our faith in God the consolation of his eternallove, and, reflecting on a life cut short, recall how the three short years of our Lord's working life were sufficient to transform the world.
In that same faith we shall pray for the renewal of our own lives and commend our loved ones to God's infinite love and mercy. We pray that they may rest, not just in peace after such cruel illness, but also in the light, joy, vibrancy and music which we knew in them and which we pray will be ours in the hereafter.
These prayers, emotions and thoughts we bring together in the words our Saviour taught us, saying"
The Lords Prayer
We Remember
Reading Matthew 19:13-15 Mike McDonagh
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Played on the guitar by Mark Hamilton
Reading 'The Gift' by Joe Lawley Anita Macaulay
Song Phoebe's Iceberg
Performed on CD by Kristina Olson & Peter Grayling
The Remembrance
"We now name our children who have died before God."
The names of 197 children and friends were read by
Clive Barnacle, Laurie Brown, Lou Everard and Craig Hamilton
Members of the congregation went up to the chancel to light candles in memory of those we have lost while the Organist played "Bright Eyes" by Mike Batt followed by one minute's silence.
Poem 'You Bereaved' by Helen Keller Heather Brown
Hymn "Fleetingly known, yet ever remembered"
to the tune "Morning has Broken".
Rededication of the Book of Remembrance
Offering the Book "In this book of Remembrance are inscribed the names of our children who have died. They will always be remembered and are forever in our hearts. We ask you to dedicate it to the glory of God and in the memory of those we love." Dan Everard
Prayer of Dedication "O Lord our God, bless this book and the names it holds dear for us. Grant that, as it furthers our rememberanc of the faithful departed and assists the healing of our grief, so we may come to a deeper understanding of our membership of the whole communion of saints, knit together by the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" The Revd Peter Halliday
Poem 'A Child Loaned' read by Louise Bale
We Look to the Future
Hymn "There's a Friend for Little Children"
A.Midlane.
Address A Story with a Happy Ending by The Reverend Richard Booth
Prayers
"God our Father, in darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, Amen"
"Almighty God, help us to let go into your keeping those whom we love so much yet see no longer. Comfort us in our grief, give us thankful hearts for the time they were with us. And give us grace to use our experience in the love and service of others, Amen"
"Lord of all hopefulness, lead us into the future in hope;
Lord of all eagerness, make us fervent in the service of others;
Lord of all kindliness, help us to reach out in love to others;
Lord of all gentleness, surround us and all whom we love,
both living and departed, with your presence and your peace. Amen"
Poem Emma Left Us - June 17th, 1978 written and read by Dulcie Matthews - a grandparent.
Reading Waterbugs and Dragonflies by Doris Stickney Daniel Brice
Hymn Lord of All Hopefulness, Lord of All Joy
Reading Revelation 21:3,4 The Revd Peter Halliday
"Let us dedicate ourselves afresh this day to the love of God, and to the care of one another in our need."
"Lord, make us instruments of your peace
Where there is hatred let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
for your mercy and your truth's sake.
Amen"
The Blessing
"God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love,
defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
be among you and remain with you always. Amen"
Afterword read by Keith Douglas
In the rising of the sun and in its going down
We remember them . . .
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
We remember them . . .
In the opening of buds and in the warmth of summer
We remember them . . .
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn
We remember them . . .
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© JTSMA, 2000