Revd Rex A E Hunt
MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
24 August 2008. Pentecost 15A. (Green).
Acknowledgement of land
(An act towards reconciliation)
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 (NN) People and their stewardship
of this land throughout the ages.
(NN) 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 breaking of the morning…
In the breaking of the bread…
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit in silence
May the blessing of light be upon us:
the blessing of daylight
the blessing of sunlight
the blessing of Christ light. (Adapt. DAdam/og)
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"God called us" (Tune: ‘Duke Street’. 88 88. 439 TiS)
God, you have called us to this hour:
now two or three or many claim
the promised gift of living power.
as your church meets in Jesus' name.
Open our minds and set us free
from spite and hurt, that we may face
the dread responsibility
of your church, meeting in this place.
Encouraged by the risk you take
in trusting us to do your will,
we dare to offer, for your sake,
all this church gath'ring can fulfil. JWootton. © Stainer & Bell Ltd (Title and last line adapted by RAEHunt)
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
v1 In the name of Creativity God
who has shaped you in the divine image
and delights in the diversity of creation...
v2 In the name of Liberator God
who breaks the bonds of oppression...
v1 In the name of Love-maker God
who rejoices in true love wherever it is found,
All We are welcome in this place.
Prayer
We pray:
God of surprises,
startle us with truth we do not see,
amaze us with your power and grace,
beckon us, and lead us far above
restricted hope and narrow faith (Moira Rose-adapt/sco).
Amen.
Hymn “Great God of many names” (Tune: 66 84 + Choru: 444) 39 WNC
Great God of many names:
Jehovah, Allah, Lord,
Christ, Brahman, Spirit, Adonai;
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With pomp and pageantry
Beneath an onion dome,
Or in a bare and simple room,
we worship you.
Chorus:
In chapel, mosque or shrine
we wait to praise your name,
through icon, book or choir
we worship you.
Chorus:
With tabla or guitar,
or with a thousand lights,
through fasting, feasting, fellowship
we worship you.
Chorus:
With formal dress or free,
we meditate or dance,
through pesach, hajj or nam simran
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name or creed,
enlightenment or book,
we seek you through our pilgrimage
and worship you.
Chorus: Andrew Pratt
The people sit
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are worshipping at (NN) 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
Silence
Let us take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)
In these brief moments of silence and meditation may we find strength.
May our lives be rich in affection,
deep in understanding and
sympathy for each other.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
Silence
May the blessings of life be known to all.
(Silence) BHolmes/adapt
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
Two readings from our broad religious tradition shall now be read by (NN).
From the world around us:
“Like the wind”
By Bruce Prewer. Prayers encircling the world/66.
Like the wind swaying through mountain trees,
or surging through thickets of wattle,
so, God, is your presence with us;
your power thrusts through our lives.
You sweep away our petty worries
and shake us free from fears.
At your pressure we move and sway together,
as if we were of one mind.
Sometimes you are as strong as winter storms,
at others as soft as the rustling of ferns.
We are taught to bend and not be broken,
to be flexible without shifting ground.
You test the strength of our feet
and whatever proves shallow is uprooted.
On calm days we rest content,
glad to watch each other in stillness;
enjoying quietness because we know
you are still with us.
Gospel:
Matthew 16:13-20 (Inclusive text)
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked the disciples,
‘Who do people say that the Chosen One is?’
And they said,
‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah,
and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’
Jesus said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’
Simon Peter answered,
‘You are the Messiah, the Firstborn of the living God.’
And Jesus answered,
‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but the One in heaven who sent me.
‘And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the underworld will not prevail against it.
‘I will give you the keys to God's realm, and whatever you bind on earth
will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
Then Jesus sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone
that he was the Christ.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
An affirmation of faith
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand and share an affirmation of faith.
The people stand as they are able
From all corners of the world:
All God has called a pilgrim people.
From all walks and ways of life:
All God has called a pilgrim people.
Black and white, male and female
All We are signs of God's division.
Black and white, male and female
All We are signs of God's new creation
joined together by love.
So let us not journey alone with God.
All So let us not journey only with our friends.
Let us be a place and a people of welcome
All signs of God's all embracing love. (PCruchley-Jones/wb)
The peace
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
The peace of God is here... to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
Hymn of the Month
“We are not our own” (Tune: ‘Nexus’, 89 85) 317 SLT
We are not our own. Earth forms us,
human leaves on nature's growing vine,
fruit of many generations,
seeds of life divine.
We are not alone. Earth names us:
past and present, peoples near and far,
family and friends and strangers
show us who we are.
Therefore let us make thanksgiving,
and with justice, willing and aware,
give to earth, and all things living,
liturgies of care.
Let us be a house of welcome,
living stone upholding living stone,
gladly showing all our neighbours
we are not our own! (BWren)
CELEBRATING
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond,
shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as the gifts are presented
We give thanks for all we have and for all we are.
Let us accept the privilege of responding
to the generosity of these gifts
with lives lived for others.
People sit
With the children
Children gather on the conversation mat
Conversation
"Somewhere someone"
The kingdom of love is coming because:
All somewhere someone is kind when others are unkind,
somewhere someone shares with another in need,
somewhere someone refuses to hate, while others hate,
somewhere someone is patient - and waits in love,
somewhere someone returns good for evil,
somewhere someone serves another, in love,
somewhere someone is calm in a storm,
somewhere someone is loving everybody.
Is that someone you? (jke)
Reflections and prayers
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and concerns shared.
Listening response
In the light and beauty of day
All We give thanks in awe and wonder.
In the dark and stillness of night
All We dream of healing and hope (GVosper/wwg)
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle.
The Care candle is lit
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of God among us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.
Pastoral prayer
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 God - heart of the world:
revealed through every aspect of creation:
understood through our awareness.
May we honour the holiness of creation and act accordingly
so that your love is reflected
in the way we live.
May we always be thankful for the food we eat
and the friends we have.
May we forgive those who transgress against us
and be forgiven for our own.
In the freedom of love may we live as your heartbeat
and not be compromised by hesitation.
Through our freedom, may your justice
be seen and heard and experienced
forever and ever. Amen. SJ. Weinberg
SCATTERING
Hymn “God of unexplored tomorrows” (Tune: ‘Marching’, 87 87. 165 TiS) 27 (v1-2) FFS
God of unexplored tomorrows,
of today and yesterday,
God of rock and flowing river,
be our refuge, be our way.
Guardian rock above, before us,
strong foundation where we build,
landmark through the haze of doubting,
shelter where our fears are stilled.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Let us embrace the wonder of this week with expectation and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
Our time of celebration in this place is now coming to an end.
All For it is merely a resting place,
a place of transit, where we, together
with Creativity God, can pause
before taking to the road again.
Blessing words
Fall in love with living
Wrestling with the chaos and the pain
Within ourself and within the world.
Join the celebration of life,
Dancing with the angels and the clowns.
And may the God of peace and joy,
Who is continually making all things new,
Embrace you
As a partner
In the divine creating (JBoyce-Tillman/wb).
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) “God of unexplored tomorrows” (Tune: ‘Marching’, 87 87. 165 TiS) 27 (v3-4) FFS
Be the cleansing, quenching water,
irrigate, disturb and move,
stir us from our easy shallows,
current of refreshing love.
God of rock and flowing river
now and ever with us stand,
to transform our land of promise
into each one's promised land. BJones
The people sit after the hymn
'This week' at (NN)
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.
I recommend the use of.
LicenSing - Copyright cleared music for churches.
Some of the resources used in shaping this liturgy:
Adam, D. 1994. The open gate. Celtic prayers for growing spiritually. GtB: London. Triangle/SPCK.
Binkley, C. G.; J. M. McKeel. 2001. Jesus and his kingdom of equals. An international curriculum on the life and teaching of Jesus. CA: Santa Rosa. Polebridge Press.
Duncan, G. (ed). 2000. A world of blessing. Benedictions from every continent and many cultures. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Duncan, G. (ed). 1998. Seeing christ in others. An anthology for worship, mediation and mission. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Holmes, R. H. 1972. The Bob Holmes worship materials. Vol 1. NY: Little Falls. Self published.
Inclusive readings. Year A. 2004. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Pratt, A. 2002. Whatever name or creed. Hymns and songs. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Prayers encircling the world. An international anthology. 1998. GtB: London. SPCK.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com
Sherri Weinberg. St Paul's Presbyterian Church. NZ: Devonport.