Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
28 December 2008. Christmas 1B. (White).
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
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit
May this flame remind us of the light of wisdom.
May the warmth of its glow remind us
of the warmth of God's everlasting love (Adapt.VMarshall).
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“God the weaver” (Tune: ‘Picardy’, 87 87 87. 497 TiS)
God the weaver, making patterns,
spinning threads throughout our days -
Joy and sadness interwoven,
strands of sorrow, strands of praise.
Help us to discern your weaving
in the multi-coloured maze.
Teach us, Lord, to trust your guidance
when the pattern is not clear,
and to feel your strength and comfort
when life's fabric's torn by fear.
Help us sense that in the dark times
Lightening love is always near.
When we see the pattern changing
and a new direction starts,
let us know your love unbroken
winds through life in all its parts
by the threads of love and friendship
closely woven in our hearts.
Though we never see the picture
with your sense of space and time,
help us, Lord, to take our places
in our faith's continuing line,
as all lives are interwoven
in your final grand design. © MDobson/mm
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
Spirit of life, bring to us beauty.
All The beauty of coloured wild flowers and ripened fruit.
Bring to us strength.
All The strength of torrents of rainfilled rivers
and the quiet strength of a gum tree’s roots,
pushing deep into the ground for nourishment.
Bring to us pleasure.
All The pleasures of maple syrup on pancakes
and the wind grabbing a kite and taking it high.
Bring to us wisdom.
All The knowledge that new life springs up without help.
In spite of everything we do or do not do.
Spirit of life, come to us that all the
energy and power of the seasons of the year
will make us tall and smiling and expectant.
Prayer
We pray:
Spinner, weaver of our lives, your loom is love.
May we who are gathered here be empowered by that love
to weave new patterns of truth and justice into a web of life
that is strong, beautiful, and everlasting. (Adapt.BWells)
Amen.
The people sit
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Your presence both enriches us, and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following worship.
CENTERING
Recognising the sacred
As we gather together for the last time in 2008,
let us also recognise that we do so
in the presentness of God-with-us.
People face the North
v1 We turn to face the direction north
the season of summer and the element of water, for a blessing.
v2 The gift of the north is love, for it speaks of great endurance.
The Spirit of Love teaches us the power of strength in adversity.
All Spirit of Love teach us the gentle power
of strength in adversity.
Silence
People turn right and face the East
v1 We turn to face east, the direction of the rising sun,
the season of spring and the element of air, for a blessing.
v2 The gift of the east is truth, for it speaks of the breath of new life on earth.
The Spirit of Truth teaches us to see clearly.
All Spirit of Truth teach us to see
new possibilities more clearly.
Silence
People turn right and face the South
v1 We turn to the south, the direction of winter and the element of earth, for a blessing.
v2 The gift of the south is mystery,
for it speaks of the unknown, the unseen.
The Spirit of Mystery teaches us to be silent and to listen.
All Spirit of Mystery we ask you to teach us
the gift of silence, and to listen.
Silence
The people turn right and face West
v1 We turn to the west the place of the setting sun, the season of autumn
and the element of fire, for a blessing.
v2 The gift of the west is beauty,
for it speaks of peace and serenity.
The Spirit of Beauty - above us, beside us, beneath us -
surrounds us at all times.
All Spirit of Beauty you surround us at all times,
at our beginnings and at our endings (Adapt.MTWinter/wpws)
In this end of year season...
Bless us with a sharpened awareness of your presence.
All Bless us with your capacity to see you in everything...
Bless us with a desire to praise in song and poetry.
All Bless us with your capacity to see you in everything...
Bless us with deep compassion.
All Bless us with your capacity to see you in everything...
Bless our preparations for this gathering here today.
All Bless us with your capacity to see you in everything... (Adapt.MAbbott/soc)
Amen.
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
A reflection and a story from our broad religious tradition.
From the world around us:
“Each birth a revolution”
By Sitar Situmorang. Liturgy of life/102.
Each birth is a revolution
whether it happened a thousand years ago
or takes place today,
with each birth the world becomes new.
Some are born in a cottage, some in a field,
but wherever a child is born,
in its eyes the world is reflected,
in its cries - Christ is present.
Christ the son of man
was born to renew the world
like every child in the mother's womb
is granted by the Lord at its time.
Gospel:
Luke 2: 22-40 (NRSV)
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses,
Jesus’ parents brought him up to Jerusalem to present him,
as it is written in the law of the Lord,
“Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”,
and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law,
“a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;
this man was righteous and devout,
looking forward to the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for him what was customary under the law,
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And the child’s father and mother were amazed
at what was being said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary,
“This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be opposed
so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed,
and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
then as a widow to the age of eighty-four.
She never left the temple but worshiped there
with fasting and prayer night and day.
At that moment she came, and began to praise God
and to speak about the child to all
who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When the parents had finished everything required by the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favour of God was upon him.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
CELEBRATING
Litany for the past year
Let us remember and celebrate the past year.
First candle is lit
We light this candle remembering the children
who were baptised this past year into our two congregations.
All This light beams so that all young people may be able
to grow up receiving affection and protection.
Silence
Second candle is lit
We light this second candle remembering all those
who have experienced grief and loss in our congregations:
the death of a loved one,
the ending of a significant relationship,
the loss of employment.
All This light beams for their continuing comfort and support.
Silence
Third candle is lit
We light this third candle remembering all those who
have shared in ministry in our respective places:
Ministers, lay preachers, organists and singers,
those who offered pastoral care
or reminded us of our wider community,
those who visited hospitals, nursing homes,
cooked meals or offered transport.
All This light beams with the compassion
of the Christ One in our midst.
Silence
Fourth candle is lit
We light this fourth candle remembering all those who
have visited our congregations in recent times
and decided to call our places, 'home'.
All This light beams in order that we continue
to explore and enjoy everything we have received, as a gift.
Silence
Fifth candle is lit
We light this fifth candle mindful of those who
have called us to risk the way of Jesus:
to create inclusive and safe,
open and honest communities for all.
All This light beams as a symbol of hope
in the midst of both challenge and comfort.
Silence
Sixth candle is lit
We light this sixth candle having each and everyone of us in mind,
bearing each other in strengths and weaknesses,
anxieties and hopes.
All This light beams on the pathways we have welcomed
and where we didn't want to go.
It will continue to shine for each and every one of us
on the new pathways we will tread.
(Silence)
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 “You are born in us again” (Tune: ‘Dunstan’) 52 COC
You are born in us again
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
to melt away the icicles of vanity and pride;
you come to blow the very doors of loving open wide.
Like the warmth of the summer wind you come,
like the warmth of the summer wind you come.
You are born in us again
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
You come to quench the thirsty and to freshen up the land;
you come to clean away the dust that settled in our hand.
Like the scent of the summer rain you come,
like the scent of the summer rain you come.
You are born in us again
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
to give light to the places that have never seen the Son;
you come now to embrace us, you’re the holy, holy one.
Like the light of the summer sun you come,
like the light of the summer sun you come. MWilson
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond, shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as gifts are presented
May these our offerings reflect confidence and inclusiveness.
And may the programs and concerns
we undertake in the coming year,
build up the congregation among us,
and the church far beyond us.
People sit
AFFIRMING
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 your original language, as appropriate
All Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name
your kingdom come your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
SCATTERING
Hymn “Playful God” (Tune: ‘Joyful God’. 77 87) 75 (v1-3) RP
Playful God, you laugh and dance
at every indication
that we have caught a glimpse, a glance
of magic in creation.
Tearful God, you weep and mourn,
you share our desolation;
in every doubt, in pain and grief,
we need your consolation.
Joyful God, we praise your name
in every situation.
Your love will even live through death,
you promise resurrection.
Remain standing
Words of mission
The presentness of God reaches beyond this place...
The candle is extinguished
Our time in this sacred place may have ended,
but our connection to each other
and our respective communities remain.
All Together may we walk the path of justice,
speak words of love, live the selfless deed,
tread gently upon the earth,
and fill the world with compassion KHuff.
Blessing words
May the God who dances in creation,
who embraces us with human love,
who shakes our lives like thunder,
bless us and drive us out with power
to fill the world with her justice.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) “Playful God” (Tune: ‘Joyful God’. 77 87) 75 (v4) RP
Mighty God, creative heart
and source of our elation,
accept our praise, our lives, our all,
our ceaseless adoration. APratt
The people sit after the hymn
Music
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:
Abbott, M. 2001. Sparks of the cosmos. Rituals for seasonal use. SA: Unley. MediaCom Education.
Carol our christmas. A book of New Zealand carols. 1996. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Dobson, M. 2004. Multi-coloured maze. Drama, hymns, prayers and poems for worship and everyday living. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell.
Hilton, D. (ed). 1991. Liturgy of life. An anthology. GtB: Birmingham. National Christian Education Council.
Holy Bible. NRSV. 1989. Ten: Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Pratt, A. 2006. Reclaiming praise. Hymns from a spiritual journey. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
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/>