Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
8 February 2009. Epiphany 5B. (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
The presence of Creativity God fills this place of gathering.
The whole earth is full of God's glory.
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of this God.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Santo, santo” (Tune: ‘Santo santo’) 723 TiS
Santo, santo, santo.
Mi co razon te a do ra!
Mi co ra zon te sabe de cir:
Santo eres Senor.
Holy, holy, holy,
My heart, my heart adores you!
My heart knows how to say to you:
Holy are you, Lord.
Remain standing after hymn
Opening sentences
To worship is to stand in awe under a heaven of stars,
before a flower, a leaf in sunlight, or a grain of sand.
All To worship is to sing with the singing beauty of the earth.
To pause, to be silent... and receptive (JTrapp/adapt)
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.
Amen. (Adapt.BWells/slt)
Hymn "Human touch can light the flame" (Tune: ‘Dunedin’, 88 88. 387 TiS) 307 SLT
The human touch can light the flame
which gives a brightness to the day,
the spirit uses mortal flame,
life's vehicle for work and play.
The lover's kiss, the friends embrace,
the clasp of hands to show we care,
the light of welcome on the face
are treasured moments all can share.
May all who come within our reach
be kindled by our inner glow,
not just in spirit's words we preach,
in human touch love's faith we show. JStorey
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
Silence
Now, in shared quietness, we shall listen to the wisdom
of our inner hearts and minds as we join in this time
of silence and meditation.
Let us give thanks for our personal journeys…
sometimes long and hard journey;
Let us seek forgiveness for times when our fears
have outweighed our love;
Let us be mindful of the greed which so often rules us;
Let us remember, in silence and wonder.
Silence
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Readings from our biblical tradition
Two readings from our biblical tradition shall now be read.
The first is from one of the authentic letters of Paul.
The second is from one of the early Jesus Movement communities
Our reader is (NN).
A letter to an early church community:
i Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23 (Inclusive Text)
I do not boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty which has been laid on me;
I should be punished if I did not preach it!
If I had chosen this work myself, I might have been paid for it,
but as I have not, it is a responsibility which has been put into my hands.
Do you know what my reward is?
It is this: in my preaching, to be able to offer the good news free,
and not insist on the rights which the gospel gives me.
So though I am not a slave to anyone
I have made myself the slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could...
For the weak I made myself weak.
I made myself all things to all people in order to save some at any cost;
for the sake of the gospel, to have a share in its blessing.
Gospel:
Mark 1:29-39 (Inclusive Text)
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went with James and John straight to the house of Simon and Andrew.
Now Simon’s mother-in-law had gone to bed with fever,
and they told Jesus about her straightaway.
Jesus went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up.
And the fever left and she began to minister to them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to Jesus all who were sick and those
who were possessed with devils.
The whole town came crowding round the door,
and Jesus cured many who were suffering
from diseases of one kind or another.
Jesus also cast out many devils, but would not allow them to speak,
because they knew who Jesus was.
In the morning, long before dawn, Jesus got up and left the house,
and went out to a lonely place and prayed there.
Simon and the others set out in search of Jesus,
and when they found him, they said, 'Everybody is looking for you.'
Jesus answered,
'Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring towns, so that I can preach there too,
because that is why I came.'
And Jesus went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
CELEBRATING
Epiphany litany
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand and share together an Epiphany litany.
The people stand as they are able
v1 There is a song in the air
v2 There is a star in the heavens
v3 There is a lowly stable
All There is a child to meet.
v1 Let us bring our gifts
v2 Let us honour this child
v3 Let us follow the light coming from where he sleeps
All Let us seek blessings for our journey
through the wilderness.
v1 May we be held in the palm of God’s hand
v2 May we keep the light before us
v3 May we know the gift that the Christ Child gives to us
All May we know the love of the Messiah in our journeying! (Unknown)
The peace
v1 When imagination is allowed to move to deep places,
the sacred is revealed. Thomas Moore
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 here that we might have life and have it more abundantly,
so that we might share it with others (JCMorgan)
These gifts and our lives enable us
to be a generous people.
People sit
Conversation with the children
"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 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 "God's love gives freedom" (Tune: ‘Hymn of Joy’ 87 87D, 158 TiS) 15 SNS
God is love. Our gospel story.
Told so we might comprehend;
Through Christ's life we see God's glory.
Not as despot, but as friend.
Seen as humble, seen as serving.
Not omnipotent, severe;
But as love to undeserving.
Not as distant, but so near.
God is love, we need not tremble.
God forgives and does not blame.
We, confessing, don't resemble
Those weighed down by guilt and shame.
Punishment for past wrong-doing,
In God's dealings, has no place.
Love in constant, keeps pursuing
Humankind of every race.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Let us take on this week’s life with renewed hope and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
As we leave this place of worship and celebration:
may we remember that each day
offers more things than we can do.
All May we do what needs to be done,
postpone what does not,
and be at peace with what we can be and do.
Therefore, may we learn to separate that which matters most
All and that which matters least of all.
Blessing words
The peace of this ancient earth to you...
of the high blue heavens which embrace it,
and the winds which blow freely over it.
The peace of splintered light sparkling on gum leaves,
and gentle rain falling on parched earth.
The peace of star-jewelled skies and full-orbed moons,
of breathless dawns and splendid dying suns.
And the peace of the God of Peace to you. (EHowie/grpe)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) "God's love gives freedom" (Tune: ‘Hymn of Joy’ 87 87D, 158 TiS) 15 SNS
God is love and love gives freedom;
Freedom from all fear and guilt.
God is love and love gives welcome;
Broken lives can be rebuilt.
And this love grows even stronger
As disciples live this way.
For to love and serve one's neighbour
Is to do God's will each day. GStuart
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.
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.
Liebelt, P; N. Nicholls. (ed). 1996. Gentle rain on parched earth. Worship resources for rural situations. 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.
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/>