Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
11 March 2012. Lent 3B. (Purple).
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 the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
It is God, in the dawning
In the renewal,
In the arrival,
In the new day.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Lighting of the Candle
The community candle is lit
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
In the 18th century John Morison wrote a hymn based on the Hebrew Scriptures of Hosea.
As we sing this traditional Lenten hymn we do so
honouring our past, even as we affirm
we have moved on in our religious journey and thinking.
"Come, Let Us To The Lord…" (Tune: Kilmarnock 86 86) 577(v1, 4-6) TiS
xxx
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
We gather in community
to rest from our labours,
to greet our neighbours,
All and to open our being to insight and intuition
of that greater reality of which we are a part.
May we find in our time together, inspiration and renewal.
May we touch the holy in each other
and be touched by the graciousness of life.
All And may we find here a calm peacefulness
that will carry us through the days ahead. PH.L'Herrou
Prayer of Awareness
We pray:
Loving God may your presence comfort us,
and also confront us, with the responsibility
of making your spirit of love
flesh in our actions. (SDuncan/adapt)
Amen.
Hymn “Noble, Yet Mystical Ground…” (Tune: ‘Was Lebet’ 11 10 11 10D) 115 WNC
Noble, yet mystical, ground of creation,
star-fire and sun shower, and darkness and dreams;
all that through senses draws forth adoration,
God, we would worship, the love that redeems.
Human, yet awesome, the Christ, our relation,
offers a spirit: we learn to forgive.
Conquering our will this divine annexation
offers a way for us simply to live.
Spirit of living gives hope for our dying,
something transcending this life and its frame,
onward and upward in faith we are flying,
goal of existence, your love is our aim. (APratt)
The people sit
OR
“Chant for the Seasons” (Tune: ‘Praha’, Irreg.) 73 SLT
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us. (Repeat)
Sweet the angling sun,
sweet upon the air
the smell of blue mist rising.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Glorious the trees,
glorious the sight
of rust leaves, falling.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us. (Repeat)
Grey the windy storms,
cold upon our cheeks
the wet rain glistens, glistens.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
leaping is the fire,
golden in the glass
the cider glows like amber.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us. (Repeat)
Sharp the smell of loam,
bursting in our eyes
the turrets of the tulip.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Greening is the grass,
soft upon our brows
the sunlight warm caresses.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (Repeat)
Gliding are the hawks,
hovering above
the hot and yellow hillside.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us.
crickets in the night,
chirping in our ears
the sound of moon-lit music.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (MLBelletini)
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
Let us open ourselves to the sacred silence of this place.
(Silence)
May the strength of silence support our courage to endure,
and open to us creative channels of the spirit. (BHolmes/bhwm)
(Silence)
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad Religious Tradition
Two readings from our broad religious tradition shall now be read.
The first is the third in a series we are hearing during Lent,
written by retired Uniting Church minister, Bruce Prewer.
The other is from the storyteller/theologian John, who's audience
was one of the later Jesus Movement communities.
Our reader is (NN).
In an Australian accent:
"The ways of God"
By Bruce Prewer. Australian Psalms/26.
The Southern Cross signals God's glory;
the Milky Way gleams with holy handiwork.
Every new day tells a divine story;
at night-time God's skills are displayed.
All nations and tongues can understand this language,
the message which saturates our planet.
Look at the merry old sun in his robes of light;
he smiles like a bridegroom on his wedding day.
Keen as an athlete at the Olympics,
he strides from Sydney to Perth.
Then he sprints the other half of the circuit,
missing no nation with his warmth.
How complete are the ways of God,
constantly renewing our humanity,
God is a dependable counsellor,
with wisdom for those who have open minds,
and purposes that are most beautiful,
making our heart leap with joy.
The commandments are clear,
bringing a new light to our eyes.
The respect God arouses is healthy,
extending forever.
Divine assessment is fair,
completely to be trusted.
The Word is more valuable than a fortune,
more precious than reserves of gold.
It is sweeter than the finest confectionery,
more natural than the honey of mallee blossom.
It keeps your servants alert and sensitive;
living by it brings us incomparable gain.
Gospel:
John 2:13-20 (Inclusive Text)
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
and in the Temple found people selling cattle and sheep,
and pigeons, and the money changers
seated at their counters there.
Making a whip out of some cord, Jesus drove them all out of the Temple,
cattle and sheep as well,
scattered the money changers' coins,
knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers,
'Take all of this out of here and stop turning
God’s house into a market!”
Then the disciples remembered the words of scripture:
Zeal for your house will devour me.
The Temple authorities intervened and said:
'What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?'
Jesus answered:
'Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.'
The authorities replied,
'It has taken 46 years to build this sanctuary:
are you going to raise it up in three days?'
Optional Gospel reading
Gospel:
Mark
2:13-22 (Inclusive Text)
Now John's
disciples and the Pharisees were fasting;
and
people came and said to Jesus,
“Why
do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but
your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus
said to them,
“The
wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is
with them, can they?
As long as
they have the bridegroom with
them, they cannot fast.
“The
days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and
then they will fast on that day.
“No
one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak;
otherwise,
the patch pulls away from it,
the
new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
“And
no one puts new wine into old wineskins;
otherwise,
the wine will burst the skins, and
the wine is lost, and so are the skins;
but
one puts new wine into fresh wineskins”.
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share together a celebration of faith.
The people stand as they are able
God is with us. This we celebrate.
For we have seen the signs of grace
in every place,
in every generation.
All The beauty of the creation,
in all its pristine wonder,
is not the only dwelling place of Creativity.
This, our God, is born again in cities
as well as country stables.
All Is found in holy places and the supermarket,
sits with us in coffee shops,
and by the one who hopefully sings a song
on the streets of this day.
The spirit dances on concrete
All and holds in comfort those
who walk with briefcase or shopping bag.
The God who is more than we can ever name or know
All is beside us in every work place and
every hidden home of our body, mind and soul. (Adapt. DMcRae-McMahon/ith)
The people sit
The Peace
This is a house of God. A place of peace.
A place where we befriend one another. (Adapt.RMitchell/bb)
Let us greet one another as a sign of God's presence and peace.
The peace of God is here... to stay. (Iona)
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
Hymn of the Month
Can be sung separately as a chant, or the verses can be rearranged according to the actual season
Conversation with the Children
xxx
"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:
Holy God, as you have touched us
All May we now touch others
with your love in us. (Adapt.KGalloway/cw)
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 prayers:
The 'Abba' Prayer
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as appropriate
All God, who cares for us,
The wonder of whose presence fills us with awe.
Let kindness, justice and love shine in our world.
Let your secrets be known here as they are in heaven.
Give us the food and the hope we need for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing
as we forgive the wrongs done to us.
Protect us from pride and from despair
and from the fear and hate which can swallow us up.
In you is truth, meaning, glory and power,
while worlds come and go.
Amen. (MFurlong/nwi)
CELEBRATING
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond,
and our gifts of bread and wine, shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as gifts are presented
Your blessing God, on the places and people
who know our need for creativity,
and nurture our tentative efforts into
full-bodied, undulating, elongating,
syncopating, blooming, blessed beauty. (YMorland/bob)
People sit
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Thanksgiving
In time beyond our dreaming, Creativity God hovered over the water,
and was revealed in fire and storm and precious law.
Likewise, humanity in this creative likeness evolved on the earth,
along with earth’s minerals and waters, flowers and fruits,
living creatures of grace and beauty!
All We offer this our thanks and praise.
In the 40 days of Lent,
we remember the love made manifest in the
birth, life, and
death of Jesus of Nazareth.
In his healing acts and radical teachings
we recall the words he spoke
to call forth love, care and respect
for one another.
We are grateful for this assurance of
love amidst human betrayal,
care amidst hatred,
respect amidst oppression.
And so, with Elizabeth who prophesied your birth,
Martha who confessed you as the Christ,
and James and John who sought to follow in your way,
we join with the whole universe:
All Holy, holy, holy, vulnerable God,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
All Hosanna in the highest.
Bread and wine
We remember at the end of a journey,
among friends, gathered round a table...
Long ago, our tradition says, Jesus took bread,
and after offering a blessing, broke it:
v2 'This bread is broken, as my body will be'.
He handed it to his friends,
and invited them to eat:
v2 'Remember all that I have been to you'.
Long ago, Jesus poured a cup of wine,
and after offering a blessing, gave it to his friends,
v2 'This wine is poured out, as my life will be.
As you drink give thanks for all I have given'.
Bread... the very stuff of life, in which is gathered up
warm sun, rich Australian earth, gentle rain,
human labour and knowledge and skill.
Wine... fruit of the vine,
nurtured, tended, harvested,
and pressed out for us to drink.
And in the breaking of the bread
and the sharing of the wine,
may we know your continuing Presence.
All Heal us. Renew us.
Make us whole, fit for loving and caring in the world.
Alleluia. Amen.
Communion
Let us share this bread and wine as our tradition teaches us,
knowing that our lives are forever changed
by this and every breaking of bread.
Bread and wine/juice served in continuous line
After communion
In gratitude, in deep gratitude for this moment,
this meal,
these people,
we give thanks for all that has been
and all we are for each other.
SCATTERING
Hymn “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.
Words of mission
Let us embrace the wonder of this week
with expectation and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
From all the world that we have seen,
All From all the life that we have known
We here acclaim all that has been,
All And name tomorrow for our own. (KPatton/sscl)
Blessing words
In the starshine and sunshine of God may you be warmed and welcomed.
In the stories and laughter of Jesus may you be called and challenged.
In the fire and breath of the Holy Spirit may you be awakened and kept from harm. (RBurgess/bob)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont). “Our world is one world” (Tune: ‘Chernobyl’, 58 86 4) 134 SLT
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)
The people sit
'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.
Burgess, R. 2001. A book of blessings. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Holmes, R. H. 1972. The Bob Holmes worship materials. Vol 1. NY: Little Falls. Self published.
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.
Jones, Robert V. 2005. “Liturgy: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper”. In private circulation from the author. L & L Seminar.
Lee, B. J. (ed). 1987. Alternative futures for worship. Vol 3. The eucharist. MIN: Collegeville. The Liturgical press.
McRae-McMahon, D. 2001. In this hour. Liturgies for pausing. VIC: Thornbury. DesBooks.
Mitchell, R. C; G. A. Ricciuti. 1992. Birthings and blessings. Liberating worship services for the inclusive church. NY: New York. Crossroads.
Patton, K. 1967. Services and songs for the celebration of life. MA: Boston. Beacon Press.
Pratt, A. 2002. Whatever name or creed. Hymns and songs. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Prewer, B. D. 2000. Australian psalms. Revised and expanded. SA: Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. GtB: London. SPCK.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. 1988. VIC: Melbourne. Uniting Church Press.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. GtB: London. SPCK.
Withrow, L. 1995. Seasons of prayer. Resources for worship. G.B: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>