The Uniting Church of St James
Curtin, ACT
Minister-in-Placement: Revd Rex A E Hunt, MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
20 April 2008. Easter 5A. (White).
10.30am. Contemporary liturgical worship.
Celebrating community: Sacrament of Holy Communion
Acknowledgement of land
(An act towards reconciliation by the Church of St James, Curtin.)
For thousands of years Indigenous people have walked
in this land, on their own country.
Their relationship with the land is at the centre of their lives.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal People and their stewardship
of this land throughout the ages.
St James is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Gathering music
Entry into worship
The gong is sounded three times
In the companionship,
in the silences,
in the spaces… there is God. (D McRae-McMahon/plpm-adapt)
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of this God.
Lighting of the community candle
The community candle is lit
Our light may seem small and flickering, but
it bears the flame to another and another,
just as the flame of love is passed
from person to person. Phillips Brooks/li-adapt
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"God's love gives freedom" (Tune: ‘Hymn of Joy’ 87 87D. 158TiS) 15 SNS
God is love. Our gospel story.
Told so we might comprehend;
Through Christ's life we see God's glory.
Not as despot, but as friend.
Seen as humble, seen as serving.
Not omnipotent, severe;
But as love to undeserving.
Not as distant, but so near.
God is love, we need not tremble.
God forgives and does not blame.
We, confessing, don't resemble
Those weighed down by guilt and shame.
Punishment for past wrong-doing,
In God's dealings, has no place.
Love in constant, keeps pursuing
Humankind of every race.
God is love and love gives freedom;
Freedom from all fear and guilt.
God is love and love gives welcome;
Broken lives can be rebuilt.
And this love grows even stronger
As disciples live this way.
For to love and serve one's neighbour
Is to do God's will each day. George Stuart
Remain standing
Opening sentences
Our suburbs reflect your face, O God.
All In wrinkles of kindness and hand touching hand.
Our suburbs sound with your voice, O God.
All In calls for new justice and laughter in the streets.
Our suburbs breathe with your life, O God.
All In green grass in bitumen, and new hope in the people. (DMcRae-McMahon/eoj-adapt)
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
Spirit of life and love, we have gathered in this sacred place, again.
May we create here a circle of love,
ever expanding, ever growing.
A place of wisdom.
A place of connection.
A place of hope.
Amen.
Hymn “Gather the Spirit” (Tune: ‘Gather the spirit’, 9 9 9 10/Refrain) 347 SLT
Gather the spirit, harvest the power.
Our sep'rate fires will kindle one flame.
Witness the mystery of this hour.
Our trials in this light appear all the same.
Refrain:
Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.
Gather the spirit of heart and mind.
Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.
Nurtured in love, and con-science refined,
with body and spirit united once more
Refrain:
Gather the spirit growing in all,
drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.
Winter to spring, and summer to fall,
the chorus of life resounding as one.
Refrain: Jim Scott
The people sit after the hymn
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are worshipping at St James for the first time
or who have returned after an absence.
Your presence both enriches us
and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following worship.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
CENTERING
Meditation
“The Web of Life”
By Robert T Weston. Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, Vol. 1 Ed. Kathleen Montgomery
There is a living web that runs through us
To all the universe
Linking us each with each and through all life
On to the distant stars.
Each knows a little corner of the world, and lives
As if this were his all.
We no more see the farther reaches of the threads
Than we see of the future, yet they’re there.
Touch but one thread, no matter which;
The thoughtful eye may trace to distant lands
Its firm continuing strand, yet lose its filaments as they reach out,
But find at last it coming back to him from whom it led.
We move as in a fog, aware of self
But only dimly conscious of the rest
As they are close to us in sight or feeling.
New objects loom up for a time, fade in and out;
Then, sometimes, as we look on unawares, the fog lifts
And then there’s the web in shimmering beauty,
Reaching past all horizons.
We catch our breath;
Stretch out our eager hands, and then
In comes the fog again, and we go on,
Feeling a little foolish, doubting what we had seen.
The hands were right. The web is real.
Our folly is that we so soon forget.
Silence
Come apart from the busyness of family and work,
and dwell in the presence of God
who is our source of being.
(Silence)
God calls us to renew ourselves and our life's purpose
as we gather with others who are searching.
Let us be in silence together.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Readings from our religious tradition
Some stories from our broad biblical tradition shall now be read. Our reader is (NN).
Early church (extra-biblical):
Gospel of Mary: 6-7 (Scholars version)
Peter said to Mary,
'Sister, we know that the Saviour loved you more than any other woman.
Tell us the words of the Saviour that you know, but which we haven't heard.'
Mary responded,
'I will report to you as much as I remember that you do not know.
And she began to speak these words to them.
She said:
'I saw the Lord in a vision and I said to him,
"Lord, I saw you today in a vision."
'He said to me,
"Congratulations to you for not wavering at seeing me.
For where the mind is, there is the treasure."
'I said to him,
"Lord, how does a person who sees a vision see it - with the soul or with the spirit?"
'The Saviour answered,
"The visionary does not see with the soul or with the spirit,
but with the mind which exists between these two - that is what sees the vision..."
Gospel:
John 14:1-7a. (Inclusive Text, adapted)
Jesus said to the disciples:
'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house, if there were not, I should have told you.
'I am now going to prepare a place for you and after I have gone to prepare you a place,
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am, there may you be too.
'You know the way to the place where I am going.'
Thomas said to him,
“We do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus said:
'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Nobody can come to the One who sent me except through me.
If you know me, you know the One who sent me.'
Doxology The people remain seated to sing
Praise God the giver and the gift, (Tune 100 TiS)
Hearts, minds and voices now uplift:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Breath of glad surprise,
freeing, uplifting, opening eyes,
Three in Oneness, Love communing,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Brian Wren
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A litany
The people stand as they are able
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and our concerns.
All We come together in hope.
We greet each other warmly with our voices and our smiles.
All We come together in peace.
We share our growth and our aspirations.
All We come together in wonder.
We share our losses and our disappointments.
All We come together in sorrow.
We share our concern and our compassion.
All We come together in love.
We sing and pray and listen.
We speak and read and dream.
We think and ponder and reflect.
We cry and laugh and reflect.
We mourn and celebrate and meditate.
We strive for justice and for mercy.
All We come together to worship God. (Adapted/Carol Meyer)
The peace
God makes peace within us. Let us claim it.
God makes peace between us. Let us share it.
Let us greet another as a sign of God's peace.
The peace of God is here... to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
CELEBRATING
Hymn of the Month
“God who sets us on a journey” (Tune: ‘Canvas’’) 32 FFS
God who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
lead us as you led your people
in the desert long ago;
journey inward, journey outward,
stir the spirit, stretch the mind,
love for God and self and neighbour
marks the way that Christ defined.
Exploration brings new insights,
changes, choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
mindful always of your grace;
should we stumble, lose our bearings,
find it hard to know what's right,
we regain our true direction
focused on the Jesus light.
End our longing for the old days,
grant the vision that we lack –
once we've started on this journey
there can be no turning back;
let us travel light, discarding
excess baggage from our past,
cherish only what's essential,
choosing treasure that will last.
When we set up camp and settle
to avoid love's risk and pain,
you disturb complacent comfort,
pull the tent pegs up again;
keep us travelling in the knowledge
you are always at our side;
give us courage for the journey,
Christ our goal and Christ our guide. Joy Dine
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and concerns shared.
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of God among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now.
The Care candle is lit
Prayers
Pastoral
Lord's Prayer
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All Most compassionate Life-giver,
may we honour and praise you:
may we work with you to establish
your new order of justice, peace and love.
Give us what we need for growth,
and help us, through forgiving others, to accept forgiveness.
Strengthen us in the time of testing,
that we may resist all evil.
For all the tenderness,
strength and love are yours, now and forever.
Amen. (W Wallace)
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Offerings
Our offerings for the work of ministry in this place and beyond,
and our gifts of bread and wine, shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as the gifts are presented
We have blessed abundantly and given opportunities to share.
So may we be enabled, who stand upon the shoulders
of those who have gone before,
to catch a vision of what can yet be.
All Through these gifts we invest in God’s realm
which is always here,
yet always coming.
People sit
The invitation
Jesus invited all to the feast of peace and new life.
Jesus risked everything in compassion.
Jesus promised to make himself known in the breaking of the bread.
Thanksgiving
God is the heart of life.
All And we are the heartbeat.
May our hearts be filled
with thanks and praise and songs of joy.
All We rejoice in the miracle of life
and delight in our participation. Sherri Weinberg
We give thanks and praise for all that is good in the world.
For the love we name Creativity God, and all that is.
For the person we name Jesus
and his message of peace, justice and inclusiveness
that is the realm of God.
For the renewing strength and freedom of the Spirit
always present on the breath of life.
All We give thanks for the love, peace,
justice, prosperity, strength and freedom,
and for the presentness of God in the midst of life.
The celebration
Jesus gathered with his friends to tell them of a re-imagined way of living and being.
A way that did not conform to the standards of the Roman Empire
or any other system of governance
that suppressed people until starvation
and deprivation resulted in death.
He knew that human nature was such
that despite good intentions it often betrayed itself...
Bread and wine
So in this tradition, let us break bread together.
We remember...
at the end of a journey, among friends, gathered round a table...
Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it:
Bread broken
'This bread is broken, as my body will be'.
And he handed it to his friends,
and invited them to eat:
'Remember all that I have been to you'.
We remember...
Jesus poured a cup of wine, offered thanks for it,
and gave it to his friends:
Cup filled
'This wine is poured out as my life will be.
As you drink give thanks for all I have given'.
Bread and wine raised together
Bread... the very stuff of life.
Wine... fruit of the vine.
May the spirit within us
All be a source of healing and consolation
May the spirit within us
All strengthen us when we feel weak,
warm us when we are cold-hearted,
bend us when we are stubborn,
move us when we are uncaring,
guide us in the way of love.
May the spirit within us
All shine in all we do.
Communion
By eating this bread and drinking this wine we become one in hope.
The bread and the wine will be served.
After communion
God of love, God of compassion,
may the celebration of the wonder
and the mystery of your presence,
strengthen and enable us
to be your body the church.
SCATTERING
Hymn “For the music of creation” 41 AA
For the music of creation,
for the song your Spirit sings,
for your sound's divine expression,
burst of joy in living things:
God, our God, the worlds composer,
hear us, echoes of your voice:
music is your art, your glory,
let the human heart rejoice!
Psalms and symphonies exalt you,
drum and trumpet, string and reed,
simple melodies acclaim you,
tunes that rise from deepest need,
hymns of longing and belonging,
carols from a cheerful throat,
lilt of lullaby and lovesong
catching heaven in a note.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Time has now come for us to leave this sacred place.
As we do, may we embrace the challenges of our lives and our world...
The community candle is extinguished
Go in peace.
Hold in your heart the certainty that the spirit of life is with you always.
All When our hearts are torn asunder or when we soar with sweet joy,
we are never alone, never apart,
from the spirit that resides within us
and cherishes us always.
Take comfort.
All Blessed be. Adapted/Enid A. Virago
Blessing words
Go in courage and celebration!
And may all the faces of the Holy God
be turned towards you in love,
the earth itself speak to you of its creativity,
and who we are, each and all,
be honoured in our authentic journeys.
All Amen. (D McRae-McMahon/ith)
Hymn (Cont) “For the music of creation” 41 AA
All the voices of the ages
in transcendent chorus meet,
worship lifting up the senses,
hands that praise and dancing feet;
over discord and division
music speaks your joy and peace,
harmony of earth and heaven,
song of God that cannot cease! Shirley Murray
The people sit after the hymn
'This week' at St James
Notices
Birthdays and anniversaries
Significant events
Journey candles
Music
Fellowship
Morning tea is now served.
You are invited to share in the moment of fellowship.
You are invited to keep this copy of the liturgy and take it home with you
to share with another member of your family, or with a friend.
The contemporary hymns used in this liturgy,
are reproduced with permission under license #A1197.
LicenSing - Copyright cleared music for churches.
Some of the resources used in shaping this liturgy:
Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and songs for all churches. 1993. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Butcher, J. B. (2002). An uncommon lectionary. A companion to common lectionaries. CA: Santa Rosa. Polebridge Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Inclusive readings. Year A. 2004. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. Scotland: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Johnson, D. A. 2003. The light invisible. MA: Brookline. Self published.
McRae-McMahon, D. 2001. Prayers for life's particular moments. VIC: Thornbury. DesBooks.
McRae-McMahon, D. 1993. Echoes of our journey. Liturgies of the people. VIC: Melbourne. JBCE.
Montgomery, K. (ed) 2001. Day of promise: Collected meditations, Vol. 1. MA: Boston. Skinner House.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
Stuart, G. 2006. Singing a new song. Traditional hymn tunes with new century lyrics. Second edition. NSW: Sydney. CPRT Sydney.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Sherri Weinberg. St Paul's Presbyterian Church. NZ: Devonport.
L Bruce Miller. Edmonton, Canada.
Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com