A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING & REDEDICATION
The church family was so welcoming to the officers, cadets, civilian instructors and family members of 1301 (Fleetwood) Squadron, Air Training Corps who gathered at Agnew Road for the 71st Anniversary of the Battle of Britian. They attended by kind permission of the Squadron’s Commanding Officer. The service was led by the Squadron chaplain, Tom Birch, and the organist was John Gibson. Those taking part included: Sandra Birch, W/O Steve Brown, Cadet First Class Kennedy, Ann Shadbolt and David Wilkinson. The standards were carried by Leading Cadet Nicholson and Cadet Corporal Steen.
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING AND REDEDICATION ON THE 71st ANNIVERSARY OF THE
BATTLE OF BRITAIN
- The Call to Worship
AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY PROPHECY
(Translated from Luna Habitabilis by Thomas Gray (1716-71))
The time will come when thou shalt lift thine eyes
to watch a long drawn battle in the skies.
While aged peasants, too amazed for words,
stare at the flying fleets of wondrous birds.
Britain, so long mistress of the sea,
where winds and waves caress her sovereignty
her ancient triumphs yet on high shall bear,
and reign, the sovereign of the conquered air.
- Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation (Tune: Lobe den Herren. Music: Later form of melody in Stralsund Gesangbuch as given in The Chorale Book for England. Words: Joachim Neander translated by Catherine Winkworth and others based on Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 150; etc.)
- Prayers of Invocation, Confession and Absolution
- ‘High Flight’ by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee
HIGH FLIGHT
by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, 412 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, born 1922, killed in action December 11th 1941, aged 19.
“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
you have not dreamed of, wheeled and soared and swung
high in the sun-lit silence.
Hovering there I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air,
up, up the long delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
where never lark, nor eagle flew,
and while,
with silent lifting mind I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctify of space,
I’ve put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”
- Hymn: God is love: let heaven adore him (Tune: Blaenwern. Music: WP Rowlands. Words: Timothy Rees.)
- First Reading: Micah, Chapter 4, Verses 1 to 4
- Hymn: Praise the Lord, you heavens, adore him (Tune: Austria. Music: Croatian folk melody adapted by Franz Joseph Haydn. Words: vv 1, 2 from Foundling Hospital Collection based on Psalm 148: 1-6, 14; v 3 Edward Oslet.)
- Second Reading: Philippians, Chapter 2, Verses 1 to 11
- A WORD IN SEASON
- Hymn: Lord, give us strength for our venture (Tune: Dambusters’ March. Music: Eric Coates arranged by John Barnard. Words: The Revd Tony Taylor, lately 1301 (Fleetwood) Squadron Chaplain, based on 2 Corinthians 8:11 and Isaiah 40:31 plus core values of integrity, excellence and service.)
- Prayers of thanksgiving, intercession and the Lord’s Prayer
- Hymn: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (Tune: Cwmn Rhondda. Music: John Hughes. Words: v1 translated by Peter Williams, vv 2-3 translated by William Williams or John Williams.)
- Act of Commemoration and Rededication
We remember before God those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Flt.Sgt Joseph BARRY, RAF
Sgt FM BRENNAN, RAFVR
Sgt NR DRAKE, RAFVR
Sub.Lt Harry GARBUTT, RNVR
WO H HARRIS, RAFVR
Sgt William, John HART, RAFVR
LAC RO JOLLY, RAF
FO Edward LAMBERT, RAF
Sgt John Russell LUXTON, RAF
Sgt RW McMILLAN, RAFVR
Midshipman Kenneth Robert Osborn NEUSCHILD, RNVR
FO Ivor REID, RAF
(Post War casualty ex-Battle of Britain Pilot)
Sgt Albert STATHER, RAF
Sgt Pilot WA SZOTT, Polish Airforce
WO L TRZEBIATOWSKI, Polish Airforce
2ndLt Thomas WRIGHT, RAF (World War I)
- The Blessing