Armed forces day 2024 order of service
The parade and service
Armed Forces Day is on Saturday 29 June 2024 at 11am
Argents Mead, Hinckley
Service led by Reverend Ian Hill of St Mary’s Church
Keyboard: Peter Harris
Bugler: Jeff Holder and Jamie Hunt
Parade enters the Mead from Castle Street
Welcome and opening prayer
By the Reverend Ian Hill, Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Hinckley.
We gather on this Armed Forces Day, to celebrate and give thanks for the millions of citizens who have served our country in times of war and peace, those who have been an inspiration to us and those who have given so much with no thought of reward.
Eighty years after D-Day, we continue to benefit from the bravery and dedicated service of our armed forces in the two world wars, in conflicts since, and through all that they do to support peace in our nation.
Our armed forces, whether involved in conflict or not, have always served our country. Today, we honour that service and celebrate the contribution our armed forces have made and continue to make to our well-being as a country.
We thank God for their dedication to service and for their willingness to do whatever is required from them for the benefit of our nation, and we pray today for all those who have served and all those who continue to serve in our armed forces.
Remembering that in all this God is our help, we sing O God our help in ages past.
Opening hymn, during which the standards are presented
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under 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.
Bible reading, by the Mayor, Councillor Robin Webber-Jones
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [Ephesians 6: 10-17]
Address and prayers, by the Reverend Ian Hill, Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Hinckley
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son is the Prince of Peace, on this day of commemoration we celebrate those who have served our nation in our armed forces. We thank you for their service, we thank you for their sacrifices and we thank you for their commitment to ensuring peace for our nation. We pray for all our veterans and for their families, and especially for those still carrying wounds or scars, whether physical or emotional, from their time in the armed forces.
Lord Jesus Christ who walked about amongst us and knows what it is like to be human in a place where there is conflict, we pray for all those who are currently serving in our armed forces. We thank you for calling them to serve our nation and for their willingness to go where they are sent and to do what is asked from them. We pray for your continued protection and blessing upon them and their families
Holy Spirit who guides and inspires us into paths of righteousness, we pray that leaders across the world would listen and respond to your guidance so that conflict and tensions might be defused peacefully. God of peace, we pray that you would give wisdom to all in authority so that they might only use force when peace cannot otherwise be brought. We pray for the peace of the world, and we commit ourselves to the pursuit of peace.
Address and prayers, by the Reverend Gareth Hutchinson
Heavenly Father, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; and give them courage to face the perils that beset them; and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love; in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray, your almighty arm to strengthen and protect our service men and women.
Support them in times of conflict, and in their rest and training, keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Almighty God, in you alone we find safety and peace. We commend to your gracious keeping all the men and women who serve in the Navy, the Army, or the Air Force, who face danger and put their lives at risk so that others might live in safety.
Defend them day by day by your heavenly power; and help them to know that they can never pass beyond the reach of your care.
Keep alive in them and in us your vision of that peace which alone we must seek and serve; Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 for0give 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.
Hymn, during which the standards are collected
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.
Last post
One minute’s silence
Reveille
When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.
The 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
God give to you and to those you love, in this world and the next, his comfort and his peace; his light and his joy; and the blessing of God Almighty the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Other information
A wide range of Military vehicles will be in Argents Mead from 10am to 2pm, these are generously bought to you by a range of volunteers and from the Charnwood Military Vehicle Trust
Photos and video may be taken at our events
By taking part in an event, you grant the event organisers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity, or other purposes, to help achieve the groups aims. This might include (but not limited to) the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform an event organiser.
Armed Forces support:
Older veterans' coffee morning
Anyone who has served in the British Armed Forces including National Service is welcome to the Older Veterans Coffee Morning at The Green Rooms - Masonic Hall, St Mary’s Road, Hinckley LE10 1EQ
Time: 10am to 12 noon on the second Wednesday of each month.
Veterans aged 50 plus and their families/carers are welcome to come and share refreshments and good company.
For more information contact Cultural Services: Cultural Services contact form, or ring 01455 255856.
Start a conversation
Without support from others, serving officers and ex-service personnel with mental health problems can lose what they care about most. It’s a time when you need your friends, family, and colleagues more than ever. So, if you notice someone you care about is acting differently, STEP IN! Advice and support (startaconversation.co.uk)
Last updated: 10/06/2024 16:12
