ANZAC DAY

A Memorial Church

St Augustine’s is a War Memorial Church, (one of the first to be built in Queensland). It is fitting that we commemorate ANZAC Day with a service in the church itself. The service is at 10:00 am every ANZAC Day. All are welcome to attend this service during which the names of those who have lost their lives are read out and there is an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a family member or friend.

Lest We Forget

Dear Friends,

The phrase “lest we forget” has become a call to remember our servicemen and servicewomen, and that is very appropriate.

However, we should remember too, when Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem ‘Recessional’ he was saying ‘lest we forget God’. This was first published in ‘The Times’ on July 17 1897.

Kipling was concerned about the boasting and imperialism that was sweeping England.

Here are five verses of the original poem. Every verse has a statement on excessive self-confidence and a call to remember the ‘Lord God of Hosts’.

Where did Kipling get his phrase from? In Deuteronomy 6:12 Moses warns the people, “lest we forget the Lord”. We may remember this as the familiar words are spoken in Anzac services, that God is remembered in these words.

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine —
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard;
For frantic boast and foolish word—
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!