Held at War Memorial Park, conducted by The Venerable Barry Dugmore, Archdeacon, Diocese of Coventry.
Printable leaflet version of the order of service for Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade
All wreath layers are requested to assemble in positions indicated by the Wreath Marshal, in charge of arrangements at the War Memorial Park.
Order or service
10.30am
Solemn music will be played by the City of Coventry Brass Band.
10.45am: Arrival of the Parade
Led by David Fellows, Chairman of the Royal Naval Association and the 13th City of Coventry Scout band.
Assisted by Parade Marshal, SSM John Convery and Standard Bearer Marshal, Mr James Ramsey.
10.54am
The Archdeacon gives an introduction to the service and the two minutes' silence.
The Archdeacon continues:
As we commit ourselves to work for peace on earth and reconciliation among the nations, let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping: those who have died for their country in war: those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure: and all who have lived and died in the service of humankind.
Exhortation recited by ex-serviceman Mr Jim Ramsey
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
11am
Last post
Two minutes' silence
Reveille
The Hymn - St. Anne
Please join in the singing of the hymn which is led by The Coventry Philharmonic Choir
1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our Shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Beneath the shadow of Thy Throne,
Thy Saints have dwelt secure,
Sufficient is Thine Arm alone,
And our defence is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in Thy sight,
Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
5. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
be Thou our guard whilst troubles last
And our eternal home.
Issac Watts (1674-1748) Psalm 90
Reading of Matthew 5:1-12 by Pastor Eniiwaju Etomi, Senior Pastor, Holy Ghost Zone, Parish of Hillfields
- When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
- Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
- 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
- ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
- ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
- ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
- ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
- ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
- Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12
Prayers led by The Very Reverend Canon Father Thomas Farrell, Roman Catholic Dean of Coventry
At the end of each petition, the minister says:
Lord in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude with this prayer, followed by the Lord’s Prayer:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
infinite in wisdom, love, and power:
have compassion on those for whom we pray;
and help us to use all suffering
in the cause of your kingdom
through him who gave himself
for us on the cross
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
All: Amen.
Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom in the words our Saviour taught us.
All: 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.
Laying of wreaths
Assisted by Wreath Marshal, ex-serviceman Mr Jim Ramsey and the Lord Mayor’s Cadets.
The Civic Wreath will be laid by the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi, followed by the laying of other wreaths.
During the wreath laying the hymn ‘O Valiant Hearts’ is sung.
The hymn - "O Valiant Hearts"
Please join in the singing of the hymn which is led by members of The Coventry Philharmonic Choir
1. O Valiant hearts, who to your glory came,
Through dust of conflict and through battle-flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.
2. Splendid you passed, the great surrender made,
Into the light that nevermore shall fade,
Deep your contentment in that blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet-call of God.
3. Long years ago, as earth lay dark and still,
Rose a loud cry upon a lonely hill,
While in the frailty of our human clay,
Christ, our Redeemer, passed the self-same way.
4. These were his servants, in His steps they trod,
Following through death the martyred Son of God
Victor He rose; victorious too shall rise
They who have drunk His cup of sacrifice.
5. O risen Lord, O Shepherd of our dead,
Whose cross has brought them and whose staff has led
In glorious hope their proud and sorrowing land
Commits her children to Thy gracious hand.
Words by Sir John S. Arkwright (Reproduced by permission of Novello & Co. Ltd.)
Solemn music continues during the rest of the wreath laying.
Prayers of Commemoration offered by The Archdeacon
Let us commemorate the faithful departed.
Eternal rest give to them, O Lord
All: and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace
All: and rise in glory. Amen.
Let us pray
Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ
we cannot be parted,
either by death or life;
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for all whom we remember this day;
fulfil in them the purpose of your love;
and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Act of Commitment
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.
Will you strive for all that makes for peace?
All: We will.
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?
All: We will.
Will you work for a just future for all humanity?
All: We will.
Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us
that have not yet been cast out by love:
may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people,
and live lives of justice, courage and mercy;
through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer.
All: We will.
The blessing given by The Archdeacon.
KOHIMA recited by ex-serviceman Mr Jim Ramsey.
When you go home, tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.
The National Anthem (1st verse only)
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.
After the service, all those attending are requested to stand fast to allow the departure of the civic party and clergy who will proceed to the saluting base area inside the park near the main entrance. The parade will then re-assemble and march past the saluting base, where the salute will be taken by the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry, Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi, supported by the clergy and other distinguished visitors.
The Lord Mayor and staff extend their most grateful thanks to all who have contributed in any way to this Service and Parade.
There will be a further Service at the Civilian Monument in the Garden of Remembrance at London Road Cemetery at 3pm today.