On November 14, 2010 the Church of the Nazarene, East Lincolnshire, took part in the Remembrance Sunday wreath laying service in Skegness. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Nazarene Church by Peter Newsome our Lay Leader. This was the second year that the Nazarene Church has taken part in the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Skegness.

Our Minister, Ian actually took part in the parade through the town in his capacity as the pastor of the Church and as Chaplain to the Skegness and District Burma Star Association.

Many of our Nazarene fellowship attended the service at the War Memorial outside St Matthew's Church. Nazarene member, Bill Reed, was there in his capacity as President of the Skegness Branch of the Royal Naval Association and laid a wreath on behalf of the 'Senior Service'. Following this ceremony we returned to the County Hotel for our Sunday meeting, during which we held our own Act of Remembrance.

During this Act of Remembrance we were reminded of the role the Royal British Legion play in keeping alive the memories of those who gave their lives or were injured during two world wars and the help it, and many other ex-service organisation, give to the many millions of ex service men and women and their families.

The Rev'd Ian Banks in his introduction said:

This weekend our thoughts and prayers are focused on the great sacrifice of those who died during two great world wars in the defence of their country; people who died in the service of others. There only a few people alive today who survived the Great War of 1914-18, over 80 years ago; people who witnessed the horror of trench warfare. Many have survived the second world war; a war which for their children and grandchildren is simply the subject of history lessons.

Sadly wars have not ceased, indeed there are many theatres of war in our world today, and I suppose the most prominent of thRemembrance Table in the County Hotelose is in Afghanistan, although we are still living in the aftermath of the war in Iraq.

And so we dare not allow ourselves to become complacent; we cannot allow ourselves to forget the sacrifice made by ordinary men and women, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, young and old.

We are gathered here today to remember, but this weekend is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the work done by the Royal British Legion, and many other ex-service organisations, which helps keep those memories alive and which helps many millions of ex-service men and women and their families.

Each year the nation expresses its unequivocal support for The Royal British Legion's charity work through the Poppy Appeal. The 2010 Poppy Appeal is once again emphasising the need to help the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives. Just last week on November 9th, Prince Harry attended the opening of The Royal British Legion Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance, the first Field of Remembrance dedicated to those who have been killed in Afghanistan.

The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 to support the veterans of the Great War. But since then, Britain has been involved in many other wars and fields of Service, creating a continuous supply of Service men and women, and their families, who need assistance. The British Legion is recognised as the Nation's custodians of Remembrance but it's principal task is welfare work. The welfare work of the Legion continues to expand and diversify as the welfare needs of the population evolve. The current number of potential beneficiaries for their Poppy Support services is estimated at 9.5 million.

The mission of The Royal British Legion is to reach out to the 500,000 who they believe are in the greatest need. Last year the Legion introduced new services and extended the reach of existing ones. They spent over £1.2 million a week on welfare work and as a result, were able to help around 100,000 people. People like Gunner Mark Stonelake who features in the 2010 Poppy Appeal campaign.

Earlier this morning some of us attended the parade and act of remembrance at the War Memorial here in Skegness where wreaths of poppies were laid and individual crosses containing poppies were placed, all as an act of Remembrance and thanksgiving.

I want to link the civic ceremony with our service here through a poem which is part of an anthology compiled by the Boston and North Cambridgeshire Branch of the Burma Star Association, and written by Don Crawford. The Poem is called 'Why 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 carefree feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun.
"Lady," he said, "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 died, 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 seemed to be with us such a little while.
When war broke out he went away;
I still remember his face that day,
When he smiled at me and said, 'Goodbye,
I'll soon be back, Mum, 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'd see it in my dreams at night).
With the tanks and the guns, and the cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and the bullets, and the bombs and fire."

'Til at last, at last, the war was won -
So 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 alright?'

A tear rolled down the faded cheek;
She shook her head, but did not speak.
I slunk away feeling sick with shame
And if you'd be me you'd have done the same,
For our thanks, in giving, are oft delayed,
Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid

And so when you see a poppy worn
Try to think of the burden borne
By those, who gave their very all
when asked to respond to their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
So wear a Poppy; Remember, and Give!

As we meditated on the words of that poem, we listened to some music:
The song Great British Hero sung by The Soldiers on there latest album, Letter's Home

Rev'd Ian Banks then gave the following address based on readings from Micah chapter 4: verses 1 - 3 and John chapter 3: verses 16 -21:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The message of the Good News comes into stark focus in this single verse. Do you realise that God did this in Christ - because you're worth it.

I have chosen those words as our theme for today. A day when we not only remember the great sacrifice made by Jesus, but also the great sacrifice made by countless ordinary men and women over the centuries, and even in living memory, by giving their lives for you and me - because you're worth it.

I'm sure you've all seen the TV advertisement for a famous brand of cosmetics launched some 6 years ago which uses the same slogan. The beautiful actress or model of the day, lavishes the latest expensive wonder product upon herself and justifies this thought the words: "treat yourself - because you're worth it".

As Christians we come at life from a different angle. When we realise what God has done in Christ - because you're worth it - we realise the cost and we want to respond by making personal sacrifices for God's sake.

Those sacrifices manifest themselves in many different ways and may include not giving in to the temptations and diversions of the secular world around us; maybe giving up time in what are busy lives to dedicate ourselves to God and his people, and his work.

Some feel called to go out into the world and seek to turn the tables wherever they see poverty, injustice, cruelty, or war.

Today is Remembrance Sunday and we especially remember those who have died in battle. Who gave their lives - because you're worth it.

There is an old West County hymn which was written for children and associated with the feast of St George; it's called, When a knight won his spurs in the stories of old. In it the Christian life is a call to adventure; a battle against the forces that enthral people such as greed, covetousness, pride, anger, apathy, and lust - (bit rich for a kid's song!!! - but such words are not actually used).

The message is that such things corrupt humans and destroy lives causing hope to crumble. But Jesus the King, calls us to rise up in a life and death struggle against these enemy forces. I don't know if anyone remembers this song from their youth. It's very short so let's hear it now (sing along).

The final verse goes like this:
Let faith be my shield and let joy be my steed
'Gainst the dragons of anger, the ogres of greed;
And let me set free with the sword of my youth,
From the castle of darkness, the power of the truth.

But life is no storyland or computer game battle. It isn't Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. Although it is on an epic scale. Life is reality and when we really engage with it, hurt and cost will result. It calls for persistent commitment and involves sacrifice.

The only certainty is God.

This week Diane and I watched a TV dramatisation about Rudyard Kipling's relationship with his son John (called Jack). It was based on a poem written by Kipling called, My Boy Jack. The film was extremely moving and at times we just had to look away from the screen.

Kipling for all his fame and love of children, has been criticised for his overt patriotism. But like so much criticism today it's taken out of context.

Kipling himself had a really difficult childhood and wanted only the very best for his own son. But Jacks' teenage years coincided with the build up to the first world war. Kipling got his son a commission in the Irish Guards, despite Jack's short-sightedness, because he thought this was what his son wanted, and he believed passionately that it was the right thing to do for his country.

Jack actually finished his short training as a great leader and encourager of his men, despite being only 17 years old, and was posted to Belgium just days before his 18th birthday. He was killed in action the day after his 18th birthday, although it was a long time before his family had confirmation of his death.

Life is no storyland or computer game battle. It's reality. Interestingly enough it was Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) who played the young Jack Kipling.

I think the reality is summed up in a letter I came across on the Internet recently. It is dated December 1917 and is obviously written by a Pastor to one of his members who is fighting in the 1st World War. I will read it to you in full:

My Dear brother

On behalf of our congregation, I send you warm and affectionate greetings and the assurance that you are not forgotten. Every time we meet for worship we remember all our soldiers & sailors, and at our weekly prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings the names of all belonging to us, who are actually in the Land of War, or with ships on the sea, are read over before the special prayers of intercession. We can say literally, therefore, we remember you in our prayers.

We are now in the fourth winter of the war. That is in some respects a saddening & disappointing fact. We know that your discomforts and dangers are great and we realise you are facing and enduring them for our sake, for the sake of our own beloved country, and for the freedom of the world.

We are proud of your courage & devotion and we pray that the highest motives may be kept strong and steadfast in your breast.

The issues that underlie this war are momentous. This is not a war made between nations, it is a war between ideals. Nothing less than the principles which are to mould the future history the world are at stake. You are fighting, not only in defence of our Empire, you are fighting to ensure that liberty and justice and not brute force, shall guide the destinies of nations. There can be no doubt that ultimately you will win.

Endurance is the great test. Fight on fearlessly and endure - you are doing a greater thing than you know. The cost is bitter, but your reward will be great.

We commend you to the keeping of God our Father, praying that he will grant you the sense of his protecting care and help you to commit yourself, body, soul and spirit to Him. Believe me.

Your sincere friend,

Andrew Campbell.

There is no record of who this letter was written to or indeed whether or not he returned from war. There is no record that the addressee returned a letter.

Those going into active service today are all offered the opportunity to write a letter to families in case they don't come back.

This has been put into song and is again featured on the latest album to be released by the group of soldiers who are called simply, The Soldiers. This track is called Letters Home, from which the album takes its name.

Play - Letters Home

We read in John's gospel, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life'.

Here God sets the pattern of true love; the basis for all love relationships - when you love someone dearly you are willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice.

God paid dearly with the life of his Son; the highest price he could pay.

Jesus accepted our punishment; paid the price of our sins and then offered a us the new life that he had bought for us - because you're worth it.

When we share the Good News with others, our love must be like Jesus'. Willingly giving up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God's love.

Christ our King calls us to engage in battle, and not against physical enemies. Injustices abound, in wealth distribution, access to medical care or affordable housing, and many groups in society are marginalised. Financial institutions encourage us to get into debt on a massive scale. The media often distort the truth, misleading public opinion. Advertisements promote greed, lust, materialism, unhelpful self-awareness.

Life is no storyland or computer game battle - It's reality.

To believe in Jesus is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in him; that he alone can save us. Believing is to put Christ in charge of our plans and eternal destiny.

My dear friends, war is barbaric; it is a tragic waste of human lives. But as we struggle to make sense of war and death on a tragic scale which is of human making, eternal peace for all is God's promise. We must hold fast to our faith that ultimately justice will come to those forces that destroy the hopes and dreams, life health and joy of God's children.

God doesn't promise that we shall be vindicated or rewarded in this life. Instead of worrying about that we must get on with the task and rise to the challenge of tough love. It is only by standing firm that we shall win the life God intends, not just for ourselves, but for everyone. For like our Lord Jesus Christ, those who gave their lives - because you're worth it - cannot be allowed to have died in vain. Amen