Revd Rex A E Hunt
MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
22 March 2009. Lent 4B. (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 worship
The gong is sounded three times
We have come from our own places to this special sacred place.
This is a place where we know
we can share community and be blessed.
So 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
“Love now ascending” (Tune: ‘Nicaea’, 11 12 12 10. 132 TiS)
Holy, holy, holy, love now ascending
Early in the morning our song shall rise to you.
Holy, holy, holy, joy that has no ending
Giving, forgiving, breathing life anew.
Holy, holy, holy, love without a limit
Care that binds creation in sacred unity,
Holy, holy, holy, birthing every minute,
Christ, Love's revealer, sets our spirits free.
Holy, holy, holy, infinite compassion,
Makes a place for every soul in God's eternal reign,
Holy, holy, holy, truth beyond religion,
Love that endures should nothing else remain.
Holy, holy, holy, raise your voice in singing,
Join the cosmic chorus in praise of Love divine,
Holy, holy, holy, God beyond all naming,
Echoes our song in harmony sublime. (JBurklo web site)
Remain standing
Opening sentences
This time is for us.
We step inside the sacred circle.
Wn We see our lives as part of the
continually astonishing mystery of life.
Mn We know our lives are always lived connected
with other people, wider communities,
the eternal humanity.
This time is for us
All To come closer to Creativity God.
Prayer
We pray:
In this season of Lent, may we become more aware of the presence of God.
May we see this presence in each other,
hear it in the music, and experience it,
as we give and receive gifts of love.
Amen.
Hymn “Our life has its seasons” (Tune: Kotuku.) 113 AA
Our life has its seasons,
and God has the reasons
why spring follows winter,
and new leaves grow,
for there's a connection
with our resurrection
that flowers will bud
after frost and snow
So there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There's a time to be planting,
a time to be plucking,
a time to be laughing,
a time to weep,
a time to be building,
a time to be breaking,
a time to be waking,
a time to sleep,
But there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There's a time to be hurting,
a time to be healing,
a time to be saving,
a time to spend,
a time to be grieving,
a time to be dancing,
a time for beginning,
a time to end,
But there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on. SMurray.
The 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 now take a moment to settle into
the silence of this sacred place.
(Silence)
Let us listen to the depths of being…
our busyness calling for quietness,
our emptiness calling for renewed strength,
our sadness calling for some consolation,
our joy calling for some celebration.
May we touch again that strength and wisdom
that helps us to know again the helping resources
that are given to us. (Adapt/FMacnab/fwb)
(Silence)
EXPLORING
Readings from our religious tradition
Two readings from our broad religious tradition shall now be read.
The first is the fourth 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:
"Homecoming" (Based on Psalm 126)
By Bruce Prewer. More Australian psalms/138.
When the Lord gave us liberty, it was a dream come true.
Laughter filled our mouths,
our tongues sang for joy.
Others could not help but exclaim:
'God is at work in them!'
Certainly God is at work in us, and we celebrate it!
Like outback rivers after rain,
flood us, Lord, with life.
May we who have sown many tears
now reap the songs of joy.
Those who leave home weaping,
carrying the seeds of sadness,
will return home laughing,
with a harvest of happiness!
Gospel:
John 3:16-21 (Scholars Version/Inclusive Text)
This is how God loved the world: God sent the Beloved One,
so everyone who believes may not be lost
but have real life.
After all, God sent the Beloved One
so that the world might be rescued through the one sent.
Those who believe are not condemned.
But those who refuse to believe is condemned already,
because they have refused to believe
in the name of the Holy One sent by God.
On these grounds is sentence pronounced:
that though the light has come into the world,
some have shown they prefer darkness to the light.
Their actions were evil, weren't they?
And indeed, everybody who does wrong
hates the light and avoids it, otherwise
their actions would be exposed.
But those who live by the truth come out into the light,
so that it may be plainly seen:
their deeds belong to God.
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A ‘Beatitudes’ litany
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share a special Lenten ‘beatitudes’ litany.
The people stand as they are able
Blessed are the poor
All not the penniless, but those
whose heart is free.
Blessed are those who mourn
All not those who whimper, but those
who raise their voices.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice
All not those who whine, but those
who struggle.
Blessed are the merciful
All not those who forget, but those
who forgive.
Blessed are the pure in heart
All not those who act like angels, but those
whose life is transparent.
Blessed are the peace-makers
All not those who shun conflict, but those
who face it squarely.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice
All not because they suffer, but
because they love. (Jacob, Santiago Chile/lol)
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.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
Hymn of the Month
“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)
Can be sung separately as a chant, or the verses can be rearranged according to the actual season
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond,
shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as gifts are presented
In a world so full of what is wonderful,
ever changing, ever surprising us with life’s
power and beauty, may we accept with gratitude,
all that gladdens us, and with fortitude
all that brings us grief.
Let us be learning always,
from all that we see and do, and
from all that happens to us. (Adapt.APDavies/lth)
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
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 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, 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)
SCATTERING
Hymn “When there is no star ” (Tune: ‘Ode to joy’, 87 87D, 152 TiS) 134(v1-3) BL
When there is not star to guide you
and you cannot wait for day
and your ancient maps provide you
only hints to find the way,
keep within each other’s calling,
mark each time you make a turn,
shout for help if you are falling,
tell each other all you learn.
Be alert to shifts in weather;
if it turns to cold and frost
huddle closely all together,
check if any have been lost.
Listen for a river flowing,
feel for damper moving air,
trace from where the wind is blowing,
move on bravely but with care.
If you think you have discovered
with your lantern in the dark
some clear path the dark has covered
let the others bring their light.
Test your single lone perception
in their gathered shining beams,
what you saw may be projection
fed by shadows, fears and dreams.
Words of mission
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.
So go and travel with the God who is found
in ordinary and surprising places.
The candle is extinguished
Those who dodge growing pains
will never arrive at their full spiritual height.
As you prepare to leave this special place,
pray that you may have the courage
to stretch once more
towards the goals set by the Man of Nazareth.
All There is no shame in failing.
But there is in not trying. (BPrewer 2006).
Blessing words
Fall in love with living
wrestling with the chaos and the pain
within yourself and within the world.
Join the celebration of life, dancing with
the angels and the clowns.
And may the God of peace and joy,
who is continually making all things new,
embrace you as a partner
In the divine creating (JBoyce-Tillman/wb).
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont). “When there is no star” (Tune: ‘Ode to joy’, 87 87D, 152 TiS) 134 (v4) BL
You may sometimes trip and stumble
on a hidden root or stone
but remember as you grumble
that you do not fall alone.
And in risking dark expanses
never marked on map or chart
you will find that faith advances
through the landscape of your heart. © TTroeger
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:
Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and songs for all churches. 1993. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
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.
Davies, A. P. 1956. The language of the heart. A book of prayers. Washington, DC. All Soul’s Church.
Duncan, G. (ed). 2000. A world of blessing. Benedictions from every continent and many cultures. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Funk, R. W; R. W. Hoover. 1993. The five gospels. The search for the authentic words of Jesus. NY: New York. MacMillan Press.
Hilton, D. (ed). 1991. Liturgy of life. An anthology. GtB: Birmingham. National Christian Education Council.
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.
Macnab, F. 2006. A fine wind is blowing: Psalms of the bible in words that blow you away. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Mitchell, R. C; G. A. Ricciuti. 1992. Birthings and blessings. Liberating worship services for the inclusive church. NY: New York. Crossroads.
Prewer, B. D. 1996. More Australian psalms. 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.
Troeger, T. 1994. Borrowed light. Hymn texts, prayers, and poems. NY: New York. Oxford University Press.
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/>
Bruce Prewer Web Site. VIC: Bendigo.
Jim Burko. Open church web site.