Revd Rex A E Hunt
MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
31 August 2008. Pentecost 16A. (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
May our lives and our world be reawakened,
as together we come alive to the
wonder and surprise of this day
So 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
Let us rejoice in the company of this gathered people.
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“We look in wonder” (Tune: ‘Lasst uns erfreuen’, 88 88+. 3 AHB) 5 SNS
When we, in wonder, look beyond;
And with the cosmos feel a bond;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, sleep and dream;
Imagine virtue is supreme;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, look around;
Entranced with every sight and sound;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, catch a smile;
Ponder on thoughts that are worthwhile;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, look below;
Watch tiny ants run to and fro;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, greet the dawn,
Enchanted as each day is born;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, meet the night;
Then rest in God 'till morning light;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, look about;
Know God is here. We wish to shout
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! GStuart
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
Among us, Creativity God conceives new life
All And we feel the life within us.
In our history this nurturing makes gentle entry
All And we see the light before us.
Within our universe this energy is revealed
All We await the hope of the world.
Prayer
We pray:
Come into this place.
Come in bringing all of who you are.
Know that you are not alone.
There is strength and caring support for all here.
Enter into this safe house of celebration. Adapt/C S. Owen-Towle
Amen.
Hymn "Song of faith" (Tune: Abbeyfield, 87 87 87 87) 57 FFS
Song of faith that sings forever
through God's people, ages long,
Word that holds the world together
when our hearts take up the song,
always, always somewhere sounding,
though the source we do not see,
counterpoint to all despairing
it is hope that sets the key.
Song of faith in exultation,
rising through the vaults of prayer,
tune of simple celebration
offered up in open air,
song in chapel and cathedral,
descant to our daily tone,
song from sickbed or in prison:
faith must often sing alone.
And when life would overwhelm us,
when there seems no song to sing,
hear the constant voice of courage
out of fear and suffering:
all who've loved and trusted Jesus,
all who lift us to be strong,
endless, endless are the voices
of the faith that makes the song. SMurray
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
In this quiet hour may our spirits be renewed.
In this gathering of old and new friends
may we be ready to extend ourselves to those in need,
and with trust to receive the hand that is offered.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
Silence
In this time of celebration,
may our minds be open to new truth,
and our hearts be receptive to love,
as we give thanks for this life we are blessed to share. GKowalski
(Silence)
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:
"Be with those who explore"
By Michael Leunig. Seeing Christ in others/10.
God be with those who explore in the cause of understanding;
whose search takes them
far from what is familiar and comfortable
and leads them into danger or terrifying loneliness.
Let us try to understand their sometimes strange or difficult ways;
their confronting or unusual language;
the uncommon life of their emotions,
for they have been affected and shaped and changed
by their struggle at the frontiers of a wild darkness,
just as we may be affected, shaped and changed
by the insights they bring back to us.
Bless them with strength and peace.
Gospel:
Matthew 16:21-27 (Inclusive text)
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering
at the hands of the elders
and chief priests
and scribes,
and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
And Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, saying,
'God forbid it! This must never happen to you.'
But he turned and said to Peter,
'Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me;
for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.'
Then Jesus told his disciples,
If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
'For those who want to save their life will lose it,
and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
'For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?
Or what will they give in return for their life?
'For the Promised One is to come with angels
in the glory of the Most High,
and will repay everyone for what has been done.
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
We believe in God, creativity in life,
All from whose heart flows forth healing
enough for the pain of the world and our pain.
We believe in Jesus called the Christ,
All who saw into the souls, minds and bodies of people like us
and reached out in healing touch,
gathering in the wounded ones
in love beyond the commonplace.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who breathes
All warmth into the cold places,
touches with living fire the deathliness in our life
and remembers with grief, all the hurts
which we dare not name. (Adapt-DMcRae-McMahon/bst)
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
Let the world be changed,
Let the rules be changed,
Let there be a place for everyone.
Bring God’s realm near,
Let all be welcome here,
And may there be for all a just share. (GHewitt/ea)
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 "A touching place" (Tune: ‘Dream Angus’ irregular) 677 (v1-2) TiS
Remain standing
Words of mission
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.
So go and travel with the God
who is found in ordinary and surprising places.
The candle is extinguished
Walk with us as we move out from our security.
Motivate us to take risks like Jesus.
Reassure and recommit us to a life of service
All With no strings attached, where we
will live for justice and peace. (Adapt. GDuncan/ea)
Blessing words
May this God bless us, embrace us, and send us forth
renewed,
refreshed,
revitalised.
May we live each day in the name of Love,
and include all in the circle of Love,
and treat all with a spirit of Love. (MTWinter/wpws)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) "A touching place" (Tune: ‘Dream Angus’ irregular) 677 (v3-4) TiS
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:
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). 2005. Entertaining angels. A worship anthology on sharing Christ’s hospitality. 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.
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.
McRae-McMahon, D. 1996. The glory of blood, sweat and tears. Liturgies for living and dying. VIC: Melbourne. JBCE.
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.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Winter, Miriam T. 1987. Women prayer. Women song. Resources for ritual. CT: Hartford. Meyer Stone Books.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Sherri Weinberg. St Paul's Presbyterian Church. NZ: Devonport.