COMBINED LAYING UP& DEDICATION SERVICE

SARK BRANCHTHE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

STANDARDSSunday 17th March 2019

St. Peter’s ChurchSark

Service led by Reverend Karen Le Mouton

Words of Welcome

HYMN: Onward Christian Soldiers (Receiving of Standards)

1. Onward Christian soldiers Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. Christ, the royal Master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See, His banners go!

Chorus Onward, Christian soldiers! Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; On, then, Christian soldiers, On to victory. Hell’s foundations quiver At the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, Loud your anthems raise.

Chorus

3. Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God: Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod; We are not divided, All one Body we: One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.

Chorus

4. Onward, then, ye people; Join our happy throng. Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song: Glory, laud and honour Unto Christ, the King; This through countless ages Men and angels sing.

ChorusText: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

Music: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

GOD save our gracious Queen,Long live our noble Queen,God save the Queen!Send her victorious,Happy and glorious,Long to reign over us;God save the Queen.

Laying up of Old Standard

Chairman, Sark Branch Royal British Legion - Lt. Col. Reg Guille MBEI commit this Sacred Standard of The Sark Branch of The Royal British Legion to you as Minister in pastoral charge of the Parish of Sark, for safe keeping in this Holy Church for evermore.

Reverend Karen Le MoutonI accept the charge.

Standard laid on alter

Reverend Karen Le MoutonBRETHREN, we are met together in the presence (and House) of God to take part in the hallowing and dedication of the Standard of the Sark Branch of The Royal British Legion established in this place; and to witness thereby to the noble ideals and great purposes, inspired by Almighty God, which animate the members of the Legion - such purposes being the succour of those of our brethren who are still serving in our military forces and those who have served and who have fallen out by the way of life, the care of the widows, orphans and other dependants of those who served, the fostering of brotherly love and comradeship amongst all its members, the remembrance of the ideals for which we served, and of our fellow citizens who have laid down their lives for us: and also the preservation of true loyalty and devotion to our Queen and country at all times, and in all places. To this end I call upon the members of the Legion and the whole congregation here present, to offer humble prayer to Almighty God, that He will bless this Standard now to be dedicated to His Glory, and that He will inspire the members of the Legion to carry out with a single heart and devoted purpose the high aims for which they are joined in fellowship.

Minister - Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

All - Who hath made heaven and earth.

Minister - The Lord be with you.

All - And with thy spirit.

HYMN: JerusalemAnd did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green? And was the Holy Lamb of God On England’s pleasant pastures seen? And did the countenance divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! Oh clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land.

Text: William Blake, 1757-1827 Music: Sir Hubert Parry, 1848-1918

The Lord’s Prayer

OUR Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil, For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

O Lord God of our fathers, Who didst lead his people through countless sufferings, keep us, we beseech Thee, ever mindful of Thy mercy; pour Thy blessing upon the peoples over whom Thy servant Queen Elizabeth, our Sovereign Lady the Queen, is ruler; unite us in the bond of brotherhood and in the service of our country; that the offering of our life’s work may be acceptable to Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All - Amen.

GRANT, we pray Thee, O Almighty God. That all we who here do honour to the memory of our brethren’s loyal sacrifice, may be filled with the spirit of their love and courage, and, forgetting all selfish and unworthy aims, may live together to the Glory of Thy Name, and in the service of our fellow-men; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All - Amen

Dedication of New Standard

Then shall the officiating Minister unfurl the Standard, lay her hands upon it and say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do dedicate and set apart this Standard that it may be a sign of our duty towards our Queen and Country in the sight of God and a symbol of the service The Royal British Legion is called upon to render.

We yield Thee hearty thanks most merciful Father, that Thou has put it into the hearts of these Thy Servants to join together in the fellowship of The Royal British Legion in this place and to desire to carry out its aims and purposes; Let Thy Fatherly hand ever be over them, let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them, and so guide their meetings that they may set forth Thy Glory, and help forward all the great works to which they have given themselves so that by their witness and their labours the spirit of love and comradeship among those who have served may be advanced in this place, and loyalty and devotion to Queen and country may be established here on a sure foundation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All - Amen.

Standard laid on alter

HYMN: I vow to thee, my country (New Standard returned)I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Text: Sir Cecil Spring Rice, 1859-1918 Music: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934

HYMN: Amazing Grace (Collection)1. Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)

That sav’d a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

2. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears reliev’d; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believ’d!

3. Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

4. The Lord has promis’d good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

5. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call’d me here below, Will be forever mine.

Text: John Newton, 1725–1807 Music: William Walker, 1809-1875

The AddressChairman, Sark Branch Royal British Legion - Lt. Col. Reg Guille MBE

The Last Post

The ExhortationChairman, Sark Branch Royal British Legion - Lt. Col. Reginald Guille MBE

“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 morningWe will remember them.”

All - “We will remember them.”

The Silence

Reveille

Minister - May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

All - And rise in Glory.

HYMN - Anthem for Peace words sung to the tune of “Le Bon Marin”1. Put peace into each other’s hands,

And like a treasure, hold it. Protect it like a candle flame, With tenderness enfold it Put peace into our hands, Dear Lord for evermore.

2. Put peace into each other’s hands With loving expectation. Be gentle in your words and ways

In touch with God’s creation: Put peace into our hands, Dear Lord for evermore.

3. Put Peace into each other’s hands Like bread we break for sharing Look people warmly in the eye, Our life is meant for caring Put peace into our hands, Dear Lord for evermore.

The Blessing

ExitMarch: "The British Legion"