The ALIVE value for this week is we value trust and truth. While reflecting on this, we are focusing on the Remembrance Events taking place this week in honour of armed forces members who have served and died in the line of duty.

Image from www.freepik.com

Watch this video together, which tells the story of Tom, a sailor from the Royal Navy 63rd Division.

Please be aware that this video does contain a couple scenes that some may find emotional.

Why do you think we remember those who served, died and fought for us?

We remember them because of their sacrifice and for the cause they fought for. We honour those who served in war and died in sacrifice for us. Over 1 million British Military Personnel died in WW1 and WW2 – that’s without counting civilian deaths too. Those military personnel fought because they believed in protecting freedom, for their country, for others and for future generations. We wear poppies as a sign of this remembrance, as the poppy flourished in fields despite the chaos and destruction around them. This was a sign of hope for many people.

Even more, the Poppy is not only a symbol of remembrance but also for the hope of a peaceful future. A hope of a peaceful future echoes what we read in the bible. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. He says ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9). Jesus is emphasising that we can’t just say we believe in peace, but we have to do something about it. We must be peace makers. Where can you make peace in your life? In your community? In your world?

I encourage you to always hold onto the truth that we are called to make peace in this world, and we have the power to maintain peaceful communities.

Do you think there is much peace in our world currently?

I want us to finish this Weekly Worship by taking a moment to focus on the conflicts we currently see in our world. We are all painfully aware of the growing humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes in Israel and Palestine, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

We cannot turn a blind-eye to what is happening in our world, and we must pray for those who are affected. The following is a prayer written by a father in Gaza.

“We pray that love and peace will prevail in our country, and I ask for a prayer for God's protection over my family and our home, that the war will end quickly, and that the Lord will meet all needs, especially at this time, and that we be can be the light in the middle of this total darkness and reflect the light and love of Christ in Gaza.”

Let’s pray with this father:

God, we ask that love and peace will prevail where there is war and that all violence and injustice will quickly end. We also pray for your protection of all families, all homes and all who are caught in this conflict. We ask that you will meet all the needs of those who are suffering. We ask that the hope you bring, which is light in our world, shines through the total darkness and all can see the love of Christ in their lives.

We pray this in your name,

Amen.