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ANZAC Day Worship Resource Content ANZAC Day Worship Resource Content Preface …3 Introduction …4 Service of Remembrance …5 Gathering …6 Word ...13 Remembrance …17 Sending …24 General Prayers …26 Hymn Suggestions …30 Public Services …33 Images Front Page 3rd Light Horse Chap Merrington 1915 Gallipoli Page 3 3rd Light Horse Burial ANZAC Day 1917 Cairo Page 5 1st Light Horse Funeral at Cairo Presbyterian Cemetary 1914-15 Page 6 CoE RC and Presb. Chaplains bury four British soldiers 1915 Page 13 Church parade at Ryrie's Post 1915 Gallipoli Page 17 3rd Light Horse Chap Merrington 1915 Gallipoli Page 25 Grave of an Australian Soldier 1915 Gallipoli Page 27 Soldiers on Gallipoli listening to sermon 1915 Page 31 Chaplain writing field card Greece, Date Unknown Page 34 Brockton WA WW! Memorial after ANZAC Day Service !2 Preface This resource has been compiled by Uniting Church in Australia ministers who are current- ly in placement as Chaplains in the Australian Defence Force. Some of them have seen deployments in places of war and served for many years while others are new to this min- istry who care for sailors, soldiers and airmen and women in the ADF and their families. These traditional and interactive prayers have been provided for congregations that will be remembering Australians throughout the centenary year of World War 1 and in particular the landings at Gallipoli. The prayers in this resource have been broken up in light of the four fold structure of wor- ship, as found in Uniting in Worship 2: Gathering, Word, Remembrance, and Sending. There is a fifth section which has been compiled from prayers used by Chaplains in public services, such as ANZAC Days and Remembrance Days. Of particular note, it is usual to include bugle calls as part of a liturgy of remembrance. For military people, the bugle calls signify two important times during the day. The ‘Last Post’ is the last bugle call of the working day signifying that the night piquets have been posted and the soldiers may now rest. It concludes on a rising note as a symbol of hope for the following day. The ‘Rouse’ is the first call of the day and within the context of worship sym- bolises the trumpet call which heralds the resurrection. All the photographs within this resource have been gathered from the Australian War Memorial website and are all available in the Public Domain. There is a short description for each photo where it was available. Through this resource, it is our hope, to help people to ponder the sacrifice of those who gave their lives so that we can live in peace and to do this through the example of Christ. Rev. Sue Page and Rev. Matthew Stuart !3 Introduction History of ANZAC Day When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to cap- ture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate ob- jective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and en- dured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gal- lipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. It was marked by a wide variety of cere- monies and services in Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. In London over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets. During the 1920s Anzac Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. In the years since WWII, the commemoration of ANZAC Day has included those who fought in all theatres of war throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national remembrance, which takes two forms. Commemorative services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing – across the nation. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet to take part in marches through the major cities and in many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are more formal and are held at war memorials around the country. In these ways, Anzac Day is a time when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war. Adapted From Australian War Memorial website awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac For the church, it is an important opportunity to reflect on the notion of sacrifice, the ultimate ex- ample of which we have in Christ, and to pray for peace in our world. In commemorating ANZAC Day in the church, we do not seek to glorify war, but to give thanks for those who have laid down their lives for us, and to come alongside and pray for those who bear the costs of war, both physi- cally and emotionally. !4 Service of Remembrance Gathering 1. Call to Worship 2. Prayer of Invocation 3. Prayer of Confession 4. Song/Hymn Word 5. Bible Readings 6. Reflection/Proclamation of the Word 7. Creed 8. Song/Hymn Remembrance 9. The Peace 10.Prayer of Remembrance 11. The Ode 12.The Last Post 13.1 Minute Silence 14.Reading of the Honour Roll 15.Rouse 16.The Lord’s Prayer 17.Song/Hymn Sending 18.Prayer 19.Words of Mission 20.Blessing 21.Benediction 22.Song/Hymn !5 Gathering Call to Worship 1 Today, we recall those who, in the tragedy of war gave their lives for Australia and those who died for the freedom of all people. We remember those who found rest on the ridges of Gal- lipoli; those who rest in the cemeteries of the great wars; those who rest in the haze of desert and jungle; those who rest in the depths of the seas. We remember those who have fallen in the defence of peace, on land, in the air and on the sea. We remember each man, woman and child who has died so that the light of freedom, justice and humanity may continue to shine. Today, as we remember, we ask God that our praise may be worthy of their sacrifice. Call to Worship 2 We remember that the young and old responded to the call to serve; to serve in the hot and the cold, to serve in the wet and the dry. To serve in foreign lands a long time ago for justice and peace. We remember the One, Holy Trinity, who calls us now to service, witness and worship Commander of all creation, it is your voice that speaks light out of darkness, and that strengthens the young and the old on battlefields, on the water and in the air. Strengthen us now, in these times of uncertainty and confusion, that we may sing your praises. Amen. !6 Call to Worship 3 In memory of those who offered their lives for generations they'd never know. May we offer our praise to the One who is made known. Call to Worship 4 With many names, we gather. From many places, we gather. We remember those who in their differences, gathered from around Australia 100 years ago, in answering the call to serve, they were made one. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are made one in our gathering - through water, with bread and wine. or Through water we are made one, in the name of Jesus Christ. We gather with bread and wine, And in prayer and praise. !7 Interactive Call to Worship Collect pictures of men who served at the landing of Gallipoli, with the person’s details. As congregation members arrive give them a picture, asking them to reflect on their own journey to church and to think about what that person’s journey may have been that led them to Gallipoli. 1553, Private James Charles Martin (1901-1915) !8 Prayer of Invocation 1 God of love, our hearts are full of memories as we gather today. Memories of friends and comrades who served under arms in the great wars. We come remembering those who fell in battle and those who offered their bodies, minds, hearts and spirit in fighting for a better world. Lord of love, we ask that you would grace us with your presence, help us in our pain, hear our prayers and look upon our thoughts this day. Bless us, and bless those who gave the best of themselves for others: we ask this in Jesus name. Amen. Prayer of Invocation 2 We seek your presence, Almighty God, as we come together in this time of remembrance. Help us not to hide our sorrow and our pain from you. Let our actions embrace your divine values, and be open to your careful examination, inspired by the sacrifice of calvary and the men of ANZAC legend. Enfold us afresh in the love and healing of the Holy Spirit, may the promise of eternal life inspire us anew.
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