Remembrance Day 2026 Order Of Service
Service of Remembrance
Sunday 8 November 2026
Littleborough War Memorial, 10:55am
Honouring those who have made sacrifices in defence of their country
Order Of Service
Led by Rev Kirsten Rutherford
God is our refuge and strength: a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
We meet in the presence of God.
We commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may, together, live in freedom, justice and peace.
We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.
We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.
Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past
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 throne
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,
To 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,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.
Reading
James 3:17-18
Read by Uniformed Representative
The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
The Act of Remembrance
Exhortation (read by a veteran)
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 morning
We will remember them.
All: We will remember them.
The Last Post shall be sounded
Silence
Reveille
Kohima Epitaph
Read by a veteran
When you go home,
Tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow
We gave our today.
Laying of the Wreaths
Prayer of Commemoration
Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prayers
Led by Rev Kirsten Rutherford
Coventry Litany of Reconciliation followed by the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father which 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 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.
Hymn: Abide With Me
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Blessing
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to that which is good; render to no-one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord. Rejoice in the power of the Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
National Anthem
God save our gracious King,
Long live our noble King.
God save the King.
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On him be pleased to pour;
Long may he reign.
May he defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the King.
Closing Words
