Revd Rex A E Hunt
MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
14 May 2003. Easter 4B. (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 Ngunnawal 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
Entry into worship
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Gathering hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Praise to God, the world’s creator" (Tune: 'Abbot's Leigh', 87 87D. 153 TiS)
Praise to God, the world’s creator,
Source of life and growth and breath,
Cradling in her arms her children,
Holding them from birth to death.
In our bodies, in our living,
Strength and truth of all we do,
God is present, working with us,
Making us creators too.
Praise to God our saving Wisdom,
Meeting us with love and grace,
Helping us to grow in wholeness,
Giving freedom, room, and space.
In our hurting, in our risking,
In the thoughts we dare not name,
God is present, growing with us,
Healing us from sin and shame.
Praise to God, the Spirit in us,
Prompting hidden depths of prayer,
Firing us to long for justice,
Reaching out with tender care.
In our searching, in our loving,
In our struggles to be free,
God is present, living in us,
Pointing us to what shall be. (Jan Berry/cw)
Remain standing
Lighting of community candle
Candle is lit
Opening sentences
v1 We live at mystery's edge
watching for a startling luminescence or a word to guide us.
All In fragile occurrence the Holy One presents oneself and we must pause...
Daily, there are glimmers, reflections of a seamless mercy
revealed in common intricacies.
All These circles of grace spill out around us
and announce that we are part of this mystery. Keri Wehlander/sosob
v2 Out of waiting comes birth, from the East comes the sunrise
(First bowl of flowers)
v3 Out of the seed comes new life
(Second bowl of flowers)
v4 Out of winter comes the spring
(Third bowl of flowers)
v5 Out of sleep comes the awakening
(Fourth bowl of flowers) (Margie Abbott/soc)
Prayer
We pray:
Living God, we offer thanks and praise
for the vitality of your presence in our midst,
and for this opportunity to come together
to celebrate our common hope.
Be the creativity that sustains us
in these changing and challenging times.
Amen.
Hymn "Dear Mother God" (Tune: ‘Intercessor’ 11 10 11 10, 587 TiS)
Dear Mother God, your wings are warm around us,
We are enfolded in your love and care,
Safe in the dark, your heartbeat's pulse surround us,
You call to us, for you are always there.
You call to us, for we are in your image.
We wait on you, the nest is cold and bare -
High overhead your wing beats call us onward,
Filled with your power, we ride the empty air.
Let not our freedom scorn the needs of others -
We climb the clouds until our strong heart sings -
May we enfold our sisters and our brothers,
Till all are strong, till all have eagles' wings. (JWootton/cw)
The people sit after the hymn
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.
Reflection
“Valiant women”
A compilation by Miriam Therese Winter and others
v1 Throughout history and at present,
there have been and are many valiant women,
generous, gifted, who have given of themselves
for the benefit of others
with little or no recompense.
v2 I picked a rose this morning...
Strong in colour,
with dew resting gently on its petals.
It’s fragrance filled my spirit.
As I picked it,
it’s thorns scratched my hand,
and blood mixed with the dew.
And I was reminded of life, and all that comes with it.
A rose is placed on the table near the candle
v1 Today we celebrate, honour and mourn
the role and place of women in this world.
The strength and colour of women,
the fragrance and wholeness of women,
the damaged and bleeding women,
the relationships between women and men,
the life of women and men we know and don’t know.
We come to God, who created women as well as men.
Silence
Music of celebration
EXPLORING
Readings from our religious tradition
Let us now continue to listen to some of the after Easter stories.
In the Book of Proverbs there is a well known text about women.
Now while women want to be affirmed
not simply in terms of what they achieve,
it is important to recall from time to time that woman are achievers,
that they can do and will do well,
that doing well is also a tradition for women.
And the second continues to be a story from John,
who's audience was one of the later Jesus Movement communities.
Hebrew scriptures:
Proverbs 31:10-31 (adapted and paraphrased)
Who shall find a valiant woman?
Look! We are all around you...
unheralded,
invisible,
some say non-existent,
but we know otherwise.
She is in the work rooms of industry and on every functioning enterprise.
Broadminded, her global perspective is a source of nurture for her.
She rises early, before the dawn,
to prepare food for her family
and organise the tasks of the day...
contributing,
setting standards,
changing the course of history.
She considers her options, then makes her move,
investing the experience she already has
or even profits previously earned.
She works diligently, taking pride in her inner resources and strengths.
When her gifts are encouraged and their value affirmed,
she will work well into the night,
entering wholeheartedly into even the menial tasks...
She opens her heart to the needy,
she is generous with the poor,
yet she does not neglect her family’s needs
nor priorities of her own...
She often speaks with wisdom, and she teaches in a kindly way...
Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
'Many women succeed or do outstanding things, but you surpass them all...'
Gospel:
John 15:1-8 (Inclusive Text)
Jesus said to the disciples:
"I am the true vine.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit is cut away,
and every branch that does bear fruit
is pruned to make it bear even more.
"You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
"Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
"As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
"I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remain in me with me in them, bear fruit in plenty;
for cut off from me you can do nothing.
"Whoever do not remain in me
are like branches that have been thrown away- they wither;
these branches are collected and thrown on to the fire, and they are burnt.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
you may ask what you will and you shall get it.
"It is to the glory of God, who sent me, that you should bear much fruit,
and then you will be my disciples."
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
Litany from International Women’s Day
The people stand as they are able
We enter into faith in God,
All Female and male alike, for we are all together in Jesus Christ.
Yet more than this, as we prepare to welcome Jesus,
in the way that we welcome the gift of roses to our door,
Jesus is already preparing to welcome us,
as he welcomed the Samaritan women at the well.
All We are welcomed, female and male alike,
for we are all together in Jesus Christ.
In the entire world;
in its creation, width and breadth is God’s grace,
ready to be celebrated.
In shouting and praising, even
when we struggle with our gender,
when injustice is around,
when we least want or expect it,
God’s grace is with us.
All Female and male alike, God’s grace encompasses us all.
Christ arrives at the right moment
to challenge injustice,
to challenge the treatment of women in our community,
to challenge our structures and actions
All Yet in our weakness, whether male or female, Christ still died.
While we question, and do not understand all that is God.
While we question the actions of our community,
and the treatment of those we love,
Christ struggles with us, in the power of God.
All Bring us to a time, when as women and as men,
we celebrate the warmth of God together.
Where we are aware of our weakness and strengths,
as we honour and praise the fullness of God.
The people si
Hymn of the month
"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
CELEBRATING
The offering
Let us now present our offerings.
The presentation The people stand as the offerings are brought forward
We pray:
Spirit of God, among the streets of business and in places of healing and learning:
All Renew the face of the earth.
Among the budding orchards and in the grassless paddocks:
All Renew the face of the earth.
Among the tired and broken families:
All Renew the face of the earth.
Among these people and with these gifts:
All Renew the face of the earth.
Amen.
Offerings placed on table. People sit.
Care candle
Joys and concerns
The Care candle is lit
Prayers
Pastoral
Lord's Prayer
You are invited to pray this contemporary prayer in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer,
and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All Loving God,
within and around us, we revere you.
We seek to live life as you would want us to do:
with love and respect for all people
and all things in the universe.
May we find each day sufficient for our needs.
And find forgiveness when we do wrong,
just as we forgive those who do wrong to us.
In times of trouble, may we centre our lives in you.
For your being is love, which comes
with strength and with beauty.
Throughout eternity. Amen. Margaret Rolfe.
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)
SCATTERING
Hymn “A prophet woman” (Tune: 'Megerran', 87 87D) 696 (v1-2) TiS
Litany in praise of valiant women
Many remarkable achievements are absent
from the annals of history because they were done by women.
And the conclusion is drawn that nothing was done by women
because nothing is recorded there!
So let us now praise valiant women recalling to life
representatives of all those unsung heroines who lives are living testimony
that God is God in all.
All We praise valiant women whose lives give hope to us all.
Eve,
the first woman,
mother of all the living,
soul of the human race.
All We praise valiant women
Sarah,
heart of the covenant,
mother of nations,
who conceived laughter in her old age
All We praise valiant women
Rebecca,
woman of ingenuity,
achieving her own purposes
in a patriarchal world
All We praise valiant women
Rachel,
who waited seven years, seven days,
waited for love,
waited for life
All We praise valiant women
Nefertiti,
Queen, co-ruler of Egypt,
who, with her husband,
introduced into Egypt the revolutionary notion
of worshipping only one God
All We praise valiant women
Huldah,
prophet in Israel
whose judgement shaped the canon
that contains God’s holy word
All We praise valiant women
Mary,
mother of Jesus the Christ,
a woman, one of us
All We praise valiant women
Elizabeth,
who proved
one is never too old
to have her dream come true
All We praise valiant women
Anna,
prophet at prayer in the Temple
when Jesus was offered to God,
who from that moment preached Jesus,
proclaiming salvation to all
All We praise valiant women
Proba,
4th-century theologian,
whose interpretation of tradition
was systematically ignored
All We praise valiant women
Bridget,
patron saint of Ireland,
who founded a monastic centre of learning
for women in the 5th-century
All We praise valiant women
Trotula,
11th-century physician
considered the mother of gynaecology,
whose book on woman’s diseases
was a valuable reference for centuries after her death
All We praise valiant women
Julian of Norwich,
14th-century, England,
whose mystical experiences
are revelations of divine love
All We praise valiant women
Florence Nightingale,
who raised the menial role of nurse
to the level of a profession in 19th-century England
All We praise valiant women
Caroline Chisholm,
who was responsible for providing a caring home
for young immigrant women
cast adrift in 19th-century Sydney
All We praise valiant women
May Gibbs,
created a complete and fascinating
fantasy world for children
with her stories about gum nuts and the Australian bush
All We praise valiant women
Indira Gandhi,
prime minister of India,
who was elected twice to that position
and assassinated while in office
All We praise valiant women
Corazon Aquina,
her refusal to yield to dictatorship
and her courage in the face of overwhelming odds
is a model for all women
All We praise valiant women
All women of accomplishment
who achieved despite the odds,
in science, the arts, religion,
health, education, economics,
athletics, the home and in the socio-political fields
All We praise valiant women
Who shall find a valiant woman?
Wm Look! We are all around you.
Inspired by this witness of our sisters in faith,
let us now go forth encouraged to give of our best efforts,
knowing that the grace of God
is power unto good. (Miriam T Winter/wpws-adapted)
Blessing words
I set the keeping of Christ about you.
I send the guarding of God with you
to possess you,
to protect you,
to accompany you on all your paths,
through trouble,
through danger,
through loss.
And I set the dancing of the Spirit around you,
each day, each night,
each night, each day. (Kate McIlhagga/ghs)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) “A prophet woman” (Tune: 'Megerran', 87 87D) 696 (v3-4) TiS
The people sit after the hymn
'This week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and anniversaries
Significant events
Journey candles
Recessional 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:
Abbott, M. 2001. Sparks of the cosmos. Rituals for seasonal use. SA: Unley. MediaCom Education.
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). 2001. Shine on, star of bethlehem. A worship resource for advent, christmas and epiphany. Gt. Britain: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
In spirit and in truth. A worship book. 1991. Switzerland: Geneva. World Council of Churches. Seventh Assembly.
Inclusive readings. Year B. 2005. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
McIlhagga, K. 2004. The green heart of the snowdrop. Gt. Britain: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Mitchell, R. C.; G. A. Ricciuti. 1992. Birthings and blessings. Liberating worship services for the inclusive church. NY: New York. Crossroads.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Winter, Miriam T. 1987. Women prayer. Women song. Resources for ritual. CT: Hartford. Meyer Stone Books.