Elements of Prayer Service

Presider: School Teacher/Select Students

Title: Remembrance Prayer Service
Liturgical Season: Ordinary Time
Intended Audience: Elementary School Students and Staff
Context: Prayer Service on November 11 to honour those who serve and have served our
country

Structure:

1. Introductory Rite
 Procession of flags, and any students, faculty, veterans, or guests dressed in
uniform (Cadets, Girl Guides, Brownies, Sparks, Armed Forces).
 Good morning/afternoon everyone. Welcome to our Remembrance Day prayer
service. We are gathered here today to remember those brave individuals who
served for our country, those who are still serving for our country, those who have
died and those who have been wounded for our country in the name of war. Please
join us by singing our opening song: Children of the Light.
 Have song displayed on front via overhead or projector for student to sing
along.

Opening prayer
 Let us begin by showing the sign of our faith. In the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
 God, our Father, today on November 11th, 2016, we honour those who have
sacrificed their lives for peace and our freedom. We gather here today to give thanks
and pray for those who have fought for our country, and those who continue to fight
for our country in the armed forces. We pray that we will continue to be
peacemakers in our own lives, and be brave just as the soldiers that have fought for
peace were. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
 Adopted from: Remembrance Day Liturgy prepared by L. Chudy, 2010.

2. Scripture
 (Student Reader): Colossians 3:12-15
 A reading from a letter from Paul to the Colossians:
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone
has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds
everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;
and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. All: Thanks be to God.
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  Properly introduced: Yes Properly concluded: Yes
 Suitable pause for reflection: Yes
 Appropriate response: Yes

2. Other Readings, Litanies, Rituals

 Psalm
(Student Readers) Isaiah 26:12; 54:10; 9:6 (paraphrased) Have student
response posted on overhead
Response: Jesus, you teach us peace.
Jesus, you teach us peace. You treat us the way we deserve.
Response: Jesus, you teach us peace.
Wide is your rule in a peace that will never end.
Response: Jesus, you teach us peace.
You will never leave us. Your peace will never be shaken.
Response: Jesus, you teach us peace.
Adopted from Wreath of Remembrance from Toronto Catholic District School Board
 Gospel: Matthew 5:1-11
The Lord be with you All: And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy gospel of according to Matthew:
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his
disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kids of evil
against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in
heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The Gospel of the Lord All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
 Petitions after Offerings (Have Response Posted on Overhead)
Let us pray…
The response to each petition is: Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have served in our armed forces in hopes of peace, we pray… Lord, hear
our prayer.
For those who have suffered through war and continue to suffer, we pray… Lord, hear
our prayer.
For those who are forced to leave their countries due to war, we pray… Lord, hear our
prayer.
For those who have been injured from their service in the war, we pray… Lord, hear our
prayer.
For all the veterans, survivors, and those affected by the war, we pray… Lord, hear our
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 prayer.
For the peacekeepers that aim to bring peace to the world, we pray… Lord, hear our
prayer.
For those who have lost a loved one because to war, we pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
Adopted from: Prayer Service for Remembrance Day from Renfrew County Catholic
District School Board, 2011.
 Let us take a moment to remember all those who have fought for our country and
those who are still fighting for our country. Let us pray using the words Jesus gave
us. Our Father… (Have posted on overhead)

 Supports Scripture: Yes

 Audience appropriate: Yes

4. Symbols (postures, objects, gestures, other actions)

 Offerings: Brought up by two students in each class.
 Today we are bringing up as our offerings wreaths created by each class as a symbol
of honour and thanks for the soldiers and veterans.
Adopted from Wreath of Remembrance from Toronto Catholic District School Board.
 Moment of Silence (2 Minutes)
Let us pause for a moment to remember the fallen soldiers who have served in our
armed forces to help bring the world peace and freedom.
 Play: The Last Post

 Supports Scripture: Yes

 Audience appropriate: Yes
 Focal point: Yes

5. Music (instrumental, lyrical)

 Supports Scripture: Yes

 Audience appropriate: Yes
 As part of: Opening Rite: Yes- Children of the Light
Reflective Time: Yes- Last Post
Concluding Rite: Yes- Highway of Heroes

6. Concluding Rite
 Closing Prayer
 God, our Father, we trust our prayers for the soldiers and veterans will receive your
mercy, and that you protect all those who are currently fighting for peace, and those
who are currently suffering due to war. We ask that you grant us the bravery and
love needed to become peacemakers in our own lives. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. All: Amen.
Please join in and reflect as we play our closing song: The Trews- Highway of Heroes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrkgV5bl7kQ
Have song displayed on front via overhead or projector for students to sing
along.
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  Classes will exit class by class, after the closing song has finished
 Adopted from: Prayer Service for Remembrance Day from Renfrew County Catholic
District School Board, 2011.
 Remembrance Day Liturgy prepared by L. Chudy, 2010.
 Wreath of Remembrance from Toronto Catholic District School Board.

General Considerations:

1. Were participants appropriately engaged?

Although I was not able to have this prayer service tested in a school setting, I think that
had it been used, students would have been appropriately engaged. The songs chosen for
this prayer service are ones that students thoroughly enjoy, and students would respond to
the readings and prayers as they are posted on the overhead for everyone to access.

2. Did the order of service provide just what was essential to engage the
participants?
Yes, I believe the order of service would provide just what was essential to engage the
participants.

3. Was a complete presider’s version made available?

Yes, a complete presider’s version was made available and has been submitted.

4. Should my colleagues be able to duplicate this prayer service with what they have
been given?
Yes, with use of this document, as well as the presider’s version submitted, I think it is very
straight forward, and colleagues should be able to duplicate.

5. Was the language: inclusive; age appropriate

Yes, I believe that the language used was both inclusive, and age appropriate.

6. What understanding of the Paschal Mystery was conveyed?

The Paschal Mystery of peace was conveyed in this prayer service. The Scripture readings,
prayers, songs, and symbols all support the idea that Jesus wants to live a peaceful life, and
to try and maintain peace in the world.

7. Other comments:
I believe this prayer service is one that fits with the Remembrance Day theme. Although it
may be longer than 10-15 minutes, I think that the elements included are essential, and
help to make the students truly pay their respects to those that have fought and continue to
fight for our freedom.

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Lyrics for Songs:

Children of The Light

We are children, children of the Light

We are shining in the darkness of the night
Hope for this world, joy throughout the land.
Touch the hearts of everyone, take everybody’s hand.

Come and gather round the flame, share the light in his name
We the children of the light
As the wind blows where it will, spread the news to everyone
There’s still plenty of time, for we have just begun.

Join the song of all the earth, we’ve a dream a dream to share
And a promise of re-birth
Let the earth feel the warmth of his love here in our hearts
We’ve still many a dream and promises to keep

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3LFyXg-P1w

Highway Of Heroes

The day I shipped out

They numbered a dozen
Upon my return
Were a hundred or so
From the coast and from the prairies
I bet they keep coming
Add one more name from Ontario

And carry me home down The Highway of Heroes

People above with their flags flying low
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes
True Patriot Love
There was never more

I served with distinction

No visions of glory
I served without question
Or personal gain
Seek no justification
It's not part of my story
And it offers no comfort to the ones who remain

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Just carry me home down The Highway of Heroes
People above with their flags flying low
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes
True Patriot Love
There was never more

I took up my vocation
I was called by my nation
Without hesitation
My answer I gave
Now I am not wondering
The things that I might have been
I'm no consolation
To the forgotten brave

So carry me home down The Highway of Heroes

People above with their flags flying low
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes
True Patriot Love
There was never more

Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes

People I love with their heads held low
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes

True Patriot Love

There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more
There was never more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHzUFhE0K28

Resources
 Overhead
 Speaker
 Class wreaths
 Microphone
 Songs on CD, or through YouTube
 Overheads of prayers, responses, lyrics

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Tip Sheet

Introductory Rite
 Be sure that you clearly and appropriately indicate the purpose of the prayer service
 Do not make the introduction too long, or students will loose focus and become less
engaged
 Make sure all classes and students are settled down before beginning the prayer
service; this is a time of worship, so student’s should not be talking or being silly
with friends during this time
Scripture
 Ensure that your scriptures you have chosen support the theme of the prayer service
 Ask experienced teachers for their input in what scripture they think should be
included, or scripture they have found meaningful to the students in the past
 Post the scripture or response to scripture on the overhead so that all can
participate
Other Readings
 To get students engaged, have student readers, or post responses on the overhead so
that all students are able to actively participate in the prayer service
 Hold practices with student readers to ensure they have the correct pronunciation,
enunciation, and have a clear, loud voice to ensure that everyone at the prayer
service is able to hear and understand them
 Where possible, try to include visual representation to accompany your readings,
whether it is pictures, symbols, tableaux, videos, etc.
Symbols
 When using symbols, ensure they are appropriate to the Lenten season, as well as
the theme of the prayer service.
 Keep your symbols all in one focal area; putting symbols all around the space will
have students focusing on that, rather than they prayer service itself
 When possible, try to have students from each class create a symbol that can be
presented in the prayer service as an offering or addition
Music
 Have the lyrics posted for songs you wish the students to join in on, even if it is a
song that students should know.
 If it is a song you want students to reflect upon, or a music video with a strong
message, ensure students know that your intention is to have the students watch the
video, or reflect on the song
 Try to include both songs from the church, as well as current songs that represent
the theme appropriately
Concluding Rite
 When concluding the prayer service, ensure to repeat and reiterate the purpose of
the prayer service
 Include a song in the conclusion that drives home the message of the prayer service
 Keep the conclusion brief, and relatable to the students to ensure you do not lose
their interest at the end