This was delivered at Howard Cemetery in Elma on Monday, 28 May 2012 as part of the town's Memorial Day observance.
In the Name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Psalm 124
If it had not been the LORD
who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
if it had not
been the LORD who was on our side
when people rose up against
us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their
anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us
away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us
would have gone
the raging waters.
Blessed be the
LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
We
have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the
snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
Our help is in the
name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the
beginning,
is now, and will be
forever. Amen.
On this day, we gather in this place to honor the
blessed memory of those who have died in service to our great nation
and to the ideals for which we stand. We stand in this place of rest,
reminded of the fragility of life, of the end of us all. The graves
of those who have gone before us remind us that we too shall some day
join them in the earth, where we shall rest until our Lord returns on
the Last Day to call His own to Himself in heaven.
On this day, we gather in this place to remember the
sacrifices made by all those men and women who fought and died to
save us from the terror that flies by night and the foe that crouches
by day. We remember with thanksgiving those who have shown the
ultimate love of their fellow man by laying down their lives for
their friends and loved ones, even for their enemies.
On this day, we gather in this place to teach future
generations about the sacrifices that our soldiers have made to
preserve our way of life and our freedoms. We impart to our future
the lessons of our past, that we may go forward into a more bright
future.
Let
us pray:
Lord
God, O Lord of Hosts, You have sustained our nation in the past, and
continue to bless us. We recall how so many have given their lives
for the cause of freedom. Men and women continue to sacrifice and
serve in the Armed Forces.
We
remember with thanksgiving the millions of Americans who have given,
and still give so generously of their life and labor in times of
conflict. We ask you to bless those left behind, those bereft by
death, those family and loved ones separated by time and space from
our soldiers and servicemen.
Gracious
Lord, we give thanks for all whom You have called to be chaplains for
our Armed Services. Give them strength, patience, and wisdom to deal
graciously with those in the midst of war, to give those in such
danger and need the blessings of Your Word and the forgiveness of
sins through Jesus Christ.
O
Lord of Hosts, commander of all the forces of heaven and earth, we
ask that you would bless and defend all our military personnel and
all who stand in harm's way for us. Bless, direct, and defend them
from all harm and danger of body or soul. Bring us swiftly to the day
when all warfare and violence shall cease and Your people shall live
together with You forever; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
Let
us pray:
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 and the power and the glory
forever
and ever. Amen.
May your help
ever be in the Name of the Lord, who governs heaven and earth.
May you ever
be strengthened in the hope of the resurrection to come.
The Lord bless
you and keep you;
The Lord make
His face to shine upon you;
The Lord lift
up His countenance upon you
and give you
peace. Amen.
