Scenic Sunday: Anzac Day

http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

In church today, we celebrated Day with a special guest service at 10:30am. We had children reading their interviews with someone they knew who were in the war.Our service includes a panel discussion with members from our church who served or who had family members serve in the past and present wars. We watched a video interview with one of our members J. who was involved in breaking the codes of the German Enigma machines during World War II.

I am privileged to know J personally and work closely with her at our ESOL class. She let me take a photo of the badge she got 3 years ago. I respect her wish for privacy for not wanting me post her photo. She is a most elegant and beautiful woman.

We sang with pride our National Anthem.

Maori Lyrics
E Ihowa Atua,
O nga iwi matou ra
Ata whakarongona;
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai;
Kia tau to atawhai;
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa

English Lyrics

God of nations! at Thy feet
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our Free Land.
Guard Pacific's triple star,
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand

Men of ev'ry creed and race
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our Free Land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our Free Land.
Lord of battles in thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our Free Land.
From dishonour and from shame
Guard our country's spotless name
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our Free Land.
Guide her in the nations' van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy Glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.