Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
8 November 2009. Pentecost 23B. (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 the celebration
The gong is sounded three times
As we gather together on this spring day
may we recognise and affirm:
the pieces of possibility,
the bits of good, we bring,
allowing our individual gifts
to weave a patchwork of peace.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Lighting of the community candle
The candle is lit
Hymn The people stand, as they are able, to sing
"Spirit of God, creation's force" (Tune 245 TiS Fulda, 88 88)
Spirit of God, creation's force,
and power of evolution's course,
gave breath of life to humankind
and then inspired inventive mind.
Spirit of history's linked events
has shown repeated evidence
of hidden influence, working through
all our world leaders try to do.
Spirit of prophet's utterance
proclaimed in needy circumstance
a word of God, through human voice
with challenge to courageous choice.
Spirit of power and truth and grace,
renews today the human race,
bestowing gifts, producing fruits,
promoting godly attributes.
Spirit, possess and fill us whole,
fill every heart and mind and soul,
infuse our being with your power
that we may serve this present hour.
Remain standing RFirth/adapted. (c) Stainer & Bell Ltd
Opening sentences
We live at mystery's edge
watching for a startling luminescence
or a word to guide us.
All In fragile occurrence the Holy One is present,
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. KWehlander
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
We have come together in this quiet space
to reflect upon our lives,
to pray for ourselves and others, and
to deepen our understanding we have for each other.
May we embrace this time together.
Amen.
Hymn “Let my spirit always sing” (Tune: 'Rebekah') 41 FFS
Let my spirit always sing,
though my heart be wintering,
though the season of despair
give no sign that you are there,
God to whom my days belong,
let there always be a song.
Though my body be confined,
let your word engage my mind,
let the inner eye discern
how much more there is to learn,
see a world becoming whole
through the window of the soul.
Let your wisdom grace my years,
choose my words and chase my fears,
give me wit to welcome change,
to accept, and not estrange,
let my joy be full and deep
in the knowledge that I keep.
Let my spirit always sing,
to your Spirit answering,
through the silence, through the pain
know my hope is not in vain,
like a feather on your breath
trust your love, through life and death. 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
Reflection
"A Springtime prayer"
By George A Tyger
O' power of springtime,
Spirit of green grasses
and warm breezes;
Goddess of creativity
of birth
of life renewed
You sing all about us at this time.
The birds call your sacred name.
Buds burst forth with your vestment.
The sun reaches higher into the sky
shining the light of this new day
through the windows of your cathedral,
this world.
O power of springtime
forgive us our speediness
and our racing before your
eternal grace
that we do not see the myriad
miracle world we share.
Open our eyes with your warmth
and our hearts with your beauty
slow our minds with awe and wonder.
Dear Spirit of green grasses
and warm breezes;
let us find here
in these moment of quiet
the grace of your breath
as we breathe into our bodies
the spirit of spring.
Silence
At this time, let us be embraced
by the silence of this sacred place.
(Silence)
We know so well our own needs.
We know that we, ourselves need
understanding, affection and recognition.
May we this day, increase our resolve
to give more generously of ourselves,
to risk more of ourselves, and
where necessary, stand ready to forgive and begin anew.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
Two readings from our broad religious tradition
shall now be read by (NN).
The world around us:
"Spirit of life"
By Barbara Hamilton-Holway
Spirit of life, in us and around us,
here is our chance, once again,
to live like we wish the world would live.
May we find within ourselves
the courage to be who we are.
May we know when it is time to listen
and when it is time to speak.
May we trust ourselves to be the ones to find
the words that need to be said
or to do what needs to be done.
May we trust one another
and know there are many ways to go through life.
May we know that
though we cannot change some of what life gives to us,
we can choose how we deal with what we are given.
We are coming into our power,
and together we can make possible justice and love.
We are all connected;
we depend upon one another
more than we know.
We are one body.
So be it. Blessed be.
Gospel:
Mark 12:38-44 (Inclusive Text)
In teaching Jesus said,
'Beware of those scribes who like to walk about in long robes, and to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares,
to take the front seats in the synagogues
and the places of honour at banquets;
these are the ones who swallow the property of widows,
while making a show of lengthy prayers.
'The more severe will be the sentence they receive.'
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people
putting money into the treasury,
and many of the rich put in a great deal.
A poor widow came and put in two small coins,
the equivalent of a penny.
Then Jesus called the disciples and said to them,
'I tell you solemnly, this poor widow has put more in
than all who have contributed to the treasury;
for they have all put in money they had over,
but she from the little she had has put in
everything she possessed,
all she had to live on.'
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 of all living, we have seen your presence
in the rhythm and surprises of our years.
All You have accompanied us through all that is past.
So we give thanks.
We recognise your closeness in this day.
All You challenge and encourage us
in each act and decision.
So we offer our praise.
Now we look to you in the promises which stretch before us.
All You meet us with hope and call us to freedom
to live as your new people.
So we commit ourselves again,
to live as commited people of faith. MDurber.Adapted/sco
The peace
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
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 The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Christ is our peace” (Tune: ‘Suantrai’) 16 AA
Christ is our peace, Christ is our health,
he the true Word, his the true wealth –
gifts to be shared by the simple and poor:
peace in your land, peace at your door.
Peace in your mouth, peace in the hands
open to truth, to love's demands;
those who would go with Christ also must bleed -
bright is the flower, burst is the seed.
Who work for peace find the true wealth,
who heal the hurt find their own health
peace will flow on through the hearts that believe:
this may we know, thus may we live (SMurray).
The people sit
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place
and beyond, shall now be received.
Presentation People stand, as they are able, as the gifts are presented
We have been blessed abundantly
and given opportunities to share.
All May we who stand upon the shoulders
of those who have gone before, be enabled
to catch a vision of what can yet be.
The 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
As one heart is lifted
All May we share its celebration
As one heart is burdened
All May we share the pain it knows (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, 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 The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Nothing is lost…” (Tune: ‘Greenlane’) 50 FFS
Nothing is lost on the breath of God,
nothing is lost for ever;
God's breath is love, and that love will remain,
holding the world for ever.
No feather too light, no hair too fine,
no flower too brief in its glory;
no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air,
but is counted and told in God's story.
Nothing is lost to the eyes of God,
nothing is lost for ever;
God sees with love and that love will remain,
holding the world for ever.
No journey too far, no distance too great,
no valley of darkness too blinding;
no creature too humble, no child too small
for God to be seeking, and finding.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Let us embrace the wonder of this week
with expectation and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
For the blessings we each bestow on one another
with our energy, compassion, and prayer,
we give thanks.
All For the blessings we become to others in need,
we give thanks and remember
that we are not alone. (Adapt.DTaylor/fal)
Blessing words
As the kookaburra gently settles on the tree,
receive the gift of peace.
As the flame rises with light and warmth,
receive the gift of life.
As the wind moves and dances round the earth,
receive the gracious gift of the Spirit. (Adapt.DStewart/wb)
All Amen!
Hymn (Cont). “Nothing is lost…” (Tune: ‘Greenlane’) 50 FFS
Nothing is lost to the heart of God,
nothing is lost for ever;
God's heart is love, and that love will remain,
holding the world for ever.
No impulse of love, no office of care,
no moment of life in its fulness;
no beginning too late, no ending too soon,
but is gathered and known in God's goodness. (CGibson)
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). 2000. A world of blessing. Benedictions from every continent and many cultures. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Duncan, G. (ed). 1998. Seeing christ in others. An anthology for worship, mediation and mission. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
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.
Pickett, H & E. (ed). 2005. For all that is our life. A meditation anthology. MA: Boston. Skinner House Books.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. GtB: London. SPCK.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com