Merchant Navy Day Plymouth

3rd September 2021

A celebration and Act of Remembrance for those serving in, or have served in the Merchant Navy or Fishing Fleets of the United Kingdom.

Programme and Order of Service

1055   The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mrs Terri Beer and her Consort Mr Colin Beer welcomed by Capt. Colin Brown MNM.

1100    Standards march on.

1103    Welcome and Introduction by Rev Joe Dent.

1106    Presentation of a montage of photographs related to the     construction of the Plymouth Merchant Navy Monument by Mrs Chris Rankin MBE, MNM to the Lord Mayor.

1108    Address by the Lord Mayor.

1115    The Service of Remembrance and celebration of the work and sacrifice of the seafarers of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets.

1130    The laying of wreaths by representatives of Merchant Navy and Fisheries related organisations.

1135    One minutes silence after which personal tributes may be laid.

Order of Service

Led by the Reverend Joe Dent,

Chaplain to the Merchant Navy Association, Plymouth Branch.

A Reading from the Scriptures

Sarah Dorsett, Mission Area Officer, The Fishermen’s Mission, will read

Psalm 107: 23 – 32

Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer – All

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.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory.

For ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn – Eternal Father

Eternal Father strong to save,

Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,

Who bid’st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep.

O hear us when we cry to Thee

For those in peril on the sea.

Lord stand beside all those who sail

Our merchant ships in storm and gale;

In peace and war their watch they keep

On every sea, on Thy vast deep.

Be with them Lord, by night and day

For Merchant Mariners we pray.

O Trinity of love and power,

Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe,

Protect them whereso’er they go:

And ever let there rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

The Exhortation – said by Lt Cdr Chris Spencer RNR, RD, MNA

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

All – We will remember them.

The National Anthem – All

God save our gracious Queen!

Long live our noble Queen!

God save the Queen!

Send her victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us,

God save the Queen.

The Blessing

Wreaths will be laid by representatives of the following organisations:

 City of Plymouth

 Merchant Navy Association (Plymouth Branch)

 Fishermen’s Mission

 Plymouth Trawler Agents

 South West Company of Mariners

Watch Ashore

 Seafarer’s Charity

HMS Ganges

Plymouth and District Ex-Services Associations

 Conway Club

 RFA Association

Ex-Shell Cadets