A SERVICE OF CELEBRATION on the 75th anniversary of VICTORY IN EUROPE DAY Friday 8 May 2020 11.00am Welcome to this online service from Southwell Minster We are pleased to be joined by many from across Southwell, the city and county for this service of thanksgiving to mark Victory in Europe 75 years ago. While plans for street parties, community picnics, 1940s music and dancing, and church services have all had to go on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic, the spirit of celebration will continue in different ways over this bank holiday weekend. Today we pause to reflect on the sacrifice made by the Second World War generation, and although limited by ‘lockdown’ we gather together in spirit to pray for the peace and healing of the world. Please do join in at home with the congregational elements of the service in bold. This service is led by The Very Nicola Sullivan, Dean of Southwell. The address is given by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, The Rt Revd Paul Williams. Music is sung by a number of Choristers of the Cathedral Choir. The organ is played by Paul Provost, Rector Chori. Donations in support of the mission and ministry of the Cathedral are very welcome: for more details, go to https://www.southwellminster.org/theme/donate/. Thank you for your support. Today we are also participating in the Big Picnic for Hope, a joint initiative by cathe- drals across the country to honour heroes past and present. At the heart of this event is a reflection that around the country many people will not be as fortunate at this time with many struggling to put food on the table, so please also consider giving to the Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of foodbanks and provides emergency food and support to people locked in poverty. Acknowledgements Material from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, copyright © 2000- 2008 the Archbishops' Council. The words and music of copyright hymns are reproduced under CCL/MRL 40423 and/or ONE LICENSE no 729484-A (all rights reserved). Scriptural quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America (used by permission; all rights reserved). This compilation is copyright © The Chapter of Southwell Cathedral. ii ORDER OF SERVICE LAST POST Two minutes’ silence is kept. REVEILLE We hear the sound of the bells of Southwell Minster. The Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, Dean of Southwell, says: Heaviness may endure for a night: But joy comes in the morning. God has been our refuge and our strength: A present help in time of trouble. The Dean introduces the service and says: Dear friends, we have come together on this day to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe, when the sounds of war fell silent on this continent. We come together conscious of our need for God’s forgiveness for the sin and the desire to dominate others that leads to conflict between people, and war between nations. And as we remember the many soldiers, sailors and airmen – including those from across this diocese – who gave their lives restraining evil and opposing tyranny, so we also come in thanksgiving for the years of peace that the nations of Europe have enjoyed since the Second World War. We gather joyfully today, as those who gathered on that first Victory day, glad of each other’s company, and grateful for the laughter and love that follows times of sadness and loss. But above all things, let us pray that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, as we join our voices together and say: 1 THE LORD’S PRAYER 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. HYMN Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven; To his feet thy tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me his praise should sing? Praise him! Praise him! Praise the everlasting King. 2 Praise him for his grace and favour To our fathers in distress; Praise him still the same for ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless. Praise him! Praise him! Glorious in his faithfulness. Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows; In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes. Praise him! Praise him! Widely as his mercy flows. Angels, help us to adore him; Ye behold him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before him; Dwellers all in time and space. Praise him! Praise him! Praise with us the God of grace. Words: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) Tune: PRAISE, MY SOUL NEH 436 after Psalm 103 John Goss (1800-80) MEMORIES OF V.E. DAY by Janette Barrett, in conversation with Mike Kirton of the Southwell and District Local History Society 3 A MESSAGE from Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire READING read by the Lord-Lieutenant Zechariah 8: 3-8 Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. READING ‘Five Long Years in Enemy Hands’ read by Will Hatcher of Southwell Scout Group This was first published in the parish magazine of St Mary’s, Lowdham, shortly after V.E. Day. Five long years in enemy hands; Long, weary years away from heart and home. What thoughts were yours in Norway and the Eastern Reich? May we, too, when wandering in lands of bondage Learn patience such as yours, And so deserve a homecoming as glorious, When we arrive in our Land of Promise. 4 ANTHEM Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the Lord fainteth not neither is weary. Even the youths shall faint and the young men shall fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint. Words: Isaiah 40: 28a, 28c, 30-31 Music: Claire Liddell ADDRESS given by the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, The Rt Revd Paul Williams HYMN Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way, Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided, Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today. Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us, Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze, Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us, Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise. Lord, for our land, in this our generation, Spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care; For young and old, for commonwealth and nation, Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer. 5 Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him, Loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain; Hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him, Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign. Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us, Self on the cross and Christ upon the throne; Past put behind us, for the future take us, Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone. Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926) Tune: LORD OF THE YEARS CP 81 Michael Baughen (b. 1930) arr. David Iliff (b. 1939) PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION led by The Revd Tom Gillum, Vicar of St Mary the Virgin in the Lace Market, Nottingham ACT OF COMMITMENT Dean Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women: that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations. Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all humankind, in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering, and for the praise of your name. Guide us by your Spirit; give us wisdom; give us courage; give us hope; and keep us faithful now and always. Amen. 6 O Lord our God, as we remember, teach us the ways of peace. As we treasure memories, teach us to hope. As we give thanks for the sacrifices of the past, help us to make your future in this world, until your kingdom come.