Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
25 January 2009. Epiphany 3B. (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
This day we shall let
the hills embrace us,
the trees comfort us,
and the sun enlighten our minds.
This day we shall let the sap rise within us
and dance the music of the Cosmos. (Adpat.WWallace/wb)
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"When the summer sun is shining" (Tune: 'Nettleton', 87 87D. 392 TiS) 66 SLT
When the summer sun is shining
over golden land and sea,
and the flowers in the hedge-row
welcome butterfly and bee,
then my open heart is glowing,
full of warmth for every one,
and I feel an inner beauty
which reflects the summer sun.
When the summer clouds of thunder
bring the long awaited rain,
and the thirsty soil is moistened
and the grass is green again;
then I long for summer sunshine,
but I know that clouds and tears
are a part of life's refreshment,
like the rainbow's hopes and fears.
In the cool of summer evening,
when the dancing insects play,
and in garden, street, and meadow
linger echoes of the day;
then my heart is full of yearning;
hopes and mem'ries flood the whole
of my being, reaching inwards
to the corners of my soul. SHKnight
Remain standing after hymn
Opening sentences
Among us the spirit of Creativity God
conceives new life
All And we feel the life within us.
In our history Jesus the Sage
makes gentle entry
All And we see the light before us.
Within our dreams the truth of our God is revealed
All We await the hope of the world.
Prayer
We pray:
As we gather, let us affirm the connection we have:
with each other, and
with that creative mystery we call God.
May we remain open to the unfolding of
all that can be celebrated,
all that can be learned,
all that can be done,
all that can be,
without diminishing the life of others.
Amen.
Hymn "For this great sunburnt land" (Tune: Nun Danket’, 106(i) TiS.). 18 HH
For this great sunburnt land
We join in celebration,
With all its native life,
The joy of God's creation:
Fresh lakes and tall blue gums
Who raise their voice on high,
Black swans that sweep with grace
Across the morning sky.
Now thank we, God, this day
For pioneers with vision,
Who found this heritage
A gift from God's deep passion.
O God of this wide land,
Grant us the faith to see,
You filled its soul with song,
A sacred mystery.
With this great sunburnt land
We join in celebration,
With roos and cockatoos
And mobs from ev'ry nation;
Custodians God chose
For bush and billabong,
We join with grateful voice
To sing this country strong. (NHabel)
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.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
Fellowship hour following worship.
CENTERING
Meditation
"Summer Meditation"
Inspired by Burton Carley's 'September Meditation'. Adapted by Rex A E Hunt
I do not know if the seasons remember their history
or if the days and nights by which we count time
remember their own passing.
I do not know if the oak tree remembers its planting
or if the eucalypt remembers its slow climb toward sun and stars.
I do not know if the cockatoo remembers
yesterday's mob gathering on 'the block',
or if the robin remembers the meaning of winter.
I do not know if the air remembers summer heat
or if the night remembers the moon.
I do not know if the earth remembers the flowers from last spring,
or if the water remembers a swimmer's splashing delight.
Perhaps that is the reason for our births: to be the memory for creation.
Perhaps this will be the only question we will have to answer:
'What can you tell me about summer?'
Silence
In this time of silence may we move
from concerns and busy-ness, to quietness...
(Silence)
God of life
God of seasons
God of wonders that will not cease...
Present with us now.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Reading from our biblical tradition
Gospel:
Mark 1:14-20 (Inclusive Text)
After John had been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee.
There Jesus proclaimed the good news from God, saying,
'The time has come and the reign of God is close at hand.
Repent, and believe the good news.'
Walking along by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon and Simon's brother Andrew
casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them,
'Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men and women.'
And at once they left their nets and followed.
Going a little further, Jesus saw James son of Zebedee and Jame's brother John;
they too were in their boat, mending their nets.
Jesus called them at once, and,
leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the workers,
they went after Jesus.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
CELEBRATING
Litany for Australia
In response to the word reflected on, and on this Australia Day weekend,
let us stand and share together a special litany.
The people stand as they are able
Come to us, Creating God,
as the One who walks the way of ordinary people.
All Come to us,
as the One who weeps over the city.
Come to us,
as the One who deeply understands
the paradox of life which rises from death.
All Come to us, in a language of grace
that we may approach you in vulnerable hope.
Give us new life
if the old has been destroyed in us.
All Give us openness
if we have closed our hearts to your future.
Give us courage, if we tread this land
in fear of bringing our gifts.
All Give us wisdom, when we forget to listen
to the learnings of our history.
Give us joy
when we see the breadth of your imagination
expressed in the differences between us.
All Differences of race and culture,
differences of history and journey,
differences in our experience of you.
Bind us together as those
who feel your love under our feet
in the warmth of this, our holy ground.
All Dance within our life, O Spirit of God,
that we may be transformed by your eternal passion
for making all things new. DMcRae-McMahon/bst
The peace
v1 Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
and let the winds of the heavens dance between you… Kahlil Gibran.
v2 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
“Our world is one world” (Tune: ‘Chernobyl’, 58 86 4) 134 SLT
Our world is one world
what touches one affects us all:
the seas that wash us round about,
the clouds that cover us,
the rains that fall.
Our world is one world
the thoughts we think affects us all:
the way we build our attitudes,
with love or hate, we make,
a bridge or wall.
Our world is one world
it’s ways of wealth affects us all:
the way we spend, the way we share,
who are the rich or poor,
who stand or fall.
Our world is one world
just like a ship that bears us all:
where fear and greed make many holes,
but where our hearts can hear,
a different call. (CTaylor)
AFFIRMING
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond,
shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as gifts are presented
We are grateful that these gifts enable us
to share in the lives of others.
May we be empowered by the Spirit of Life,
to share more deeply in both
the sorrows and joys of others.
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
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 appropriate
All God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you.
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offences,
just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power
to make our world whole.
Amen. (LWinkley/cw)
SCATTERING
Hymn "Warm is the word" (Tune: 11.10.11.10. Dactylic)
Warm is the word we shall speak to our neighbour,
offering the love that has come from the heart.
Bridges we're building to span gulfs of hatred;
now is the time we must make a new start.
Follies have threatened our task from the outset,
words have been shallow and actions misplaced.
Help us to listen with care to our neighbour,
then may our answers disarm by their grace.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Let us embrace the wonder of this week with expectation and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
By learning to trust nature, including our human nature
- our dreams and imaginations –
we can unleash the creativity that lies within
each human being Matthew Fox.
Blessing words
Take time to listen to the birds, the waves, the wind.
Take time to breathe in the air, the earth, the ocean.
Take time to be still, to be silent,
to allow God to fill you up
with deep peace and love. (ILawton/c3 web site)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) "Warm is the word" (Tune: 11.10.11.10. Dactylic)
Let us avow by our words and intentions
never to stultify love at its source,
but by our dialogue, here and hereafter,
always to value and never to force.
Then as we utter each fond acclamation,
joined as if sisters and brothers from birth,
let us continue to break down dissension,
working for peace and renewal on earth. APratt © Stainer & Bell Ltd
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:
Duncan, G. (ed). 2000. A world of blessing. Benedictions from every continent and many cultures. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Gibran, K. 1926/1969. The prophet. GtB: London. Heinemann.
Habel, Norman. 2004. Habel hymns 1. Songs to celebrate with creation. SA: Adelaide. Flinders Press.
Inclusive readings. Year B. 2005. 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.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. GtB: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com
Christ Community Church, Spring Lake. MI. <www.christ-community.net/>