Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
6 November 2011. Pentecost 26A. (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
As we gather in all our diversity…
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
In the mystery of life about us there is light.
Let the light we kindle go before us,
strong in hope,
wide in good will,
inviting the day to come. (Adapt.GK.Beach)
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“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.
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! SMurray
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
As the sea gathers its waters
for the next waves on the shore:
All So God’s people gather for loving.
As the notes of harmony congregate
for the sound of music:
All So God’s people cluster in community.
As the wind sweeps the air
into great clouds of beauty:
All So God’s people wonder at creation. (Adapt.DMcRae-McMahon/plpm)
Prayer
We pray:
Steadfast God, you visit us in our aloneness
but we express you best in our togetherness.
May our time together express
that quality of fellowship, which is a
true expression of your presentness. (Adapt.DSHarrington/owos)
Amen.
Hymn "Where the road runs out" 156 AA
Where the road runs out and the signposts end,
where we come to the edge of today,
be the God of Abraham for us,
send us out upon our way.
Refrain:
Lord, you were our beginning,
the faith that gave us birth.
We look to you, our ending,
our hope for heaven and earth.
When the coast is left and we journey on
to the rim of the sky and the sea,
be the sailor's friend, be the dolphin Christ,
lead us in to eternity.
Refrain:
When the clouds are low and the wind is strong,
when tomorrow's storm draws near,
be the spirit bird hovering overhead
who will take away our fear. CGibson
Refrain:
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
We are gathered together in this sacred place
to seek strength and courage for this, and the coming days.
So let this time of silence gently enfold us.
(Silence)
Here may the world's tumultuous demands fall away.
Here may troubled heart finds rest.
(Silence)
And here once more, may we commit ourselves
to the building of a nobler life, for all humankind.
(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:
“The life of all”
By Miriam Therese Winter. In Bread of tomorrow/137. (Based on Psalm 104)
God of power,
God of people,
You are the life of all
that lives,
energy
that fills the earth,
vitality
that brings to birth,
the impetus
toward making whole
whatever is bruised
or broken.
In you we grow
to know the truth
that sets all creation free.
You are the song
the whole earth sings,
the promise
liberation brings,
now and forever.
Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13 (Inclusive Text/Adapt)
When talking about the final coming in glory,’
Jesus spoke this parable to the disciples:
The kingdom of heaven will be like this…
Ten young women took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them
became drowsy and slept.
But at midnight there was a shout:
‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to met him.’
Then all those young women got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish said to the wise:
‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise replied:
'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers
and buy some for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came,
and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet;
and the door was shut.
Later the other young women came also, saying,
‘Master, master, open to us.’
But he replied: ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
CELEBRATING
A rainbow creed
The people stand
Brothers and sister in creation, we covenant this day
with you and with all creation yet to be:
Wm With every living creature and all that
contains and sustains you,
Mn With all that is on earth and with the earth itself,
Wm With all that lives in the waters and with the waters themselves,
Mn With all that flies in the skies and with the sky itself.
We establish this covenant that all our powers
will be used to prevent your destruction.
Wm We lament that it is our own kind
who threatens your and our survival.
We ask for your trust and as a symbol of our intention
we mark our covenant with you by the rainbow.
Mn This is a sign of the covenant between ourselves
and every living thing that is found on the earth. (wwf/lol
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 People stand, as they are able, to sing
"The Pen is Greater" (Tune: 'Gragareth', 8 8 8) 320 SLT
The pen is greater than the sword.
To wield a blade or write a word
we need the skill which hands accord.
A surgeon takes a knife to heal;
assassins do the same to kill.
Each acts according to their will.
I pick the cherries from a tree,
or break the branch and let it die.
For good or ill, my hands are free.
With fingers I can soothe a brow,
or make a fist and strike a blow,
kindness or cruelty bestow.
Then let us now this lesson see:
like life itself our hands can be
for evil used, or charity. (JAStorey)
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)
AFFIRMING
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
As we bring our offerings forward,
may our whole life move forward,
in good faith,
with good feelings,
and with a good belief about the future. (FMacnab/h)
People sit
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
As one heart is lifted
All May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
All May we share the pain it knows (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 O God, you love us like a good parent,
and are present in every aspect of our existence
May your nature become known and respected by all
May your joy, peace, wholeness and justice
be the reality for everyone
as we live by the Jesus Way
Give us all that we really need to live every day for you
And forgive us our failures as we forgive others for their failures
Keep us from doing those things which are not of you,
and cause us always to be centred on your love
For you are the true reality in this our now,
and in all our future.
In the Jesus Way we pray. Amen. DSorrill
SCATTERING
Hymn “Get on with it” (Tune: “Irish”, 86 86. 126 TiS)
Get on with it and go to those,
to those who need you most,
and bigger questions, they will wait,
you're needed at your post.
Get on with it, for death will wait,
you have a life to live.
Look all around to those in need,
you have so much to give.
Remain standing
Words of mission
The God we worship is never confined to this sacred place.
So go and travel with the God who is found
in ordinary and surprising places.
The candle is extinguished
You are wayfarers, following roads to the end of the earth,
pilgrims on your way to the end of the age.
All We are travellers on the road to freedom,
a community of grace,
with good news for all we meet.
Travel lightly, travel together, learn as you go:
you are disciples, the mission is urgent, the journey is long.
All We will take heart.
When the way is uncertain, shadows are sinister
and dangers threaten,
All we will not be afraid. For we are in God
and God is in us. (Adapt.Philippines/bot)
Blessing words
Now may the love of truth guide you,
the warmth of love hold you, and
the spirit of peace bless you,
this day and in the days to come. JMauldin
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) “Get on with it” (Tune: “Irish”, 86 86. 126 TiS)
Get on with it, look straight ahead,
the present beckons you;
for in this place and at this time
there's much for you to do.
Get on with it. Yes, go with God.
Yes, go to all the earth,
and in your living and your love
mark everybody's worth. APratt/ea
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:
Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and songs for all churches. 1993. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
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.
Harrington, D. S. 1980. Outstretched wings of the spirit. On being intelligently and devotedly religious. MA: Boston. UUA.
Hilton, D. (ed). 1991. Liturgy of life. An anthology. GtB: Birmingham. National Christian Education Council.
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. 2001. Prayers for life's particular moments. VIC: Thornbury. DesBooks.
Macnab, F. 1996. Hope: The deeper longings of the mind and heart. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
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.
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/>