Rememberance Sunday
Gospel (Mark 12:41-44, for the 32nd Sunday of the Year, cycle B)
For the younger group, The Saddest Day, The Lion’s First Bible p.436-4340.
Aim
To bring across the idea of sacrifice, and that the poppies are a symbol for us to remember the sacrifices others made.
Preparation
Prepare the room, have the poppy templates ready, and a piece of A2 for sticking the finished poppies.
Order
Invite the children in, and sit them down, have them greet each other
Welcome --- song
Light the candle, sign of the light of Jesus to welcome and guide us
Short talk about what a sacrifice is, and sacrifice out of love.
Say we’re going to listen to the story of Jesus’ sacrifice to us out of love for us, and that we’re going to hear about other people who have sacrificed their lives for us. Tell the adults maybe they can think of the people they would like to remember.
Gospel acclamation --- song
Read the Gospel story
Now read the message from the Cardinal, and introduce the poppy, and what it symbolises.
Pass out the poppy template to the children for them to colour, and ask the parents to help them put the names of anyone they want to remember.
Collect the poppies together and stick on a piece of A2 to make a wreath.
If there is time, read the shortened version of the poem.
Wrap up with a short prayer thanking God for the sacrifice of all the people, and asking God to help us remember they gave their lives for us.
Main Material
Message
from Cardinal
Cormac Murphy-O’Connor,
Archbishop of
“ We must never forget the sacrifice that so many men and women have made
to ensure our freedom and safeguard peace.
“ It is right for us to come together as a community to remember those who have
died in the service of their country, both in the World wars and in conflicts
since.
" We pray for those who have died and those who have served. We keep them and their families in our prayers."
Poppy
Click here for the templates in a word document
We can explain why is the Remembrance Sunday today and give the poppy to colour it and if they want, write the name in the front of it of someone they know and knew that had fighting or died for the Peace of the country or world.
Poem
PLEASE WEAR A POPPY
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"
"This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free -
That's why we wear a poppy, you see."
so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
Full Poem
PLEASE WEAR A POPPY
"Please
wear a poppy," the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady," said he, "may I have one?"
When she'd
pinned it on he turned to say,
"Why do we wear a poppy today?"
The
lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, "This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free -
That's why we wear a poppy, you see."
"I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man - as you will, too."
"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he'd seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I'll be back soon, Mom, so please don't cry."
"But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire."
"Till at last, at last, the war was won -
And that's why we wear a poppy son."
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, "Thanks, lady, I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son - did he come back all right?"
A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn't speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought - and thousands paid!
And
so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give!
by Don Crawford
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