Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
17 January 2010. Epiphany 2C. (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) 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 celebration
The gong is sounded three times
Each new day is a gift.
Each new phase of life brings generous possibilities.
Each new question brings learning and growth (FMacnab/h).
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Lighting of candle
A candle is lit
Hymn The people stand, as they are able to sing
“Great God of many names” (Tune: 66 84 + Choru: 444) 39 (v1-3) WNC
Great God of many names:
Jehovah, Allah, Lord,
Christ, Brahman, Spirit, Adonai;
We worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With pomp and pageantry
Beneath an onion dome,
Or in a bare and simple room,
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
In chapel, mosque or shrine
we wait to praise your name,
through icon, book or choir
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
Remain standing
Opening sentences
Let us acknowledge the
awesome mystery embodied in every person.
All Through us God comes to unique and personal expression.
Let us give thanks
for the abundance of life on this earth.
All Through it we and all people may be nourished.
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
God of surprises,
startle us with truth we do not see,
amaze us with your power and grace,
beckon us, and lead us far above
restricted hope and narrow faith (MRose-adapt/sco).
Amen.
Hymn “Great God of many names” (Tune: 66 84 + Choru: 444) 39 (v4-6) WNC
With tabla or guitar,
or with a thousand lights,
through fasting, feasting, fellowship
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With formal dress or free,
we meditate or dance,
through pesach, hajj or nam simran
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
Whatever name or creed,
enlightenment or book,
we seek you through our pilgrimage
and worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you. APratt
The people sit after the hymn
Welcome
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.
CENTERING
Meditation
"Seeds"
By Thom M. Shuman.
it's the
word of confidence
to a 9-year-old
which one day leads to
the winning goal
in a World Cup match;
it's the
extra practice sessions
after school,
going over word after word,
which bolsters
a young girl
at the Spelling Bee Nationals;
it's the gentle touch
of a mother
in the terror of
a midnight thunderstorm
which leads a child
into nursing;
in a world
which idolizes
success, greatness,
biggie-sized achievements,
remind us
of those mustard seeds
planted deep within us
by so many over the years,
which help to shape us
into the people
you mean us to be,
Tender God. © 2006 Thom M. Shuman
Centering silence
Let us again take a moment to settle into the silence.
God of life
God of peace
God of wonders that will not cease...
Present with us now.
(Silence)
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Reading from our biblical tradition
A story from our biblical tradition shall now be read.
Gospel:
John 2:1-11 (Inclusive Text)
There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee.
The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and the disciples
had also been invited.
When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding
was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him,
‘They have no wine'.
Jesus said,
‘Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.'
His mother said to the servants,
'Do whatever he tells you.'
There were six stone water jars standing there,
meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews:
each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants,
'Fill the jars with water,'
and they filled them to the brim.
'Draw some out now,' Jesus told them,
'and take it to the steward.'
They did this; the steward tasted the water,
and it had turned into wine.
Having no idea where it came from - only the servants
who had drawn the water knew - the steward
called the bridegroom and said,
'People generally serve the best wine first,
and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink;
but you have kept the best till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus;
it was given at Cana in Galilee.
Jesus let his glory be seen, and the disciples believed in him.
Silence for personal reflection
CELEBRATING
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
We celebrate our God
All who is not afraid of our minds
with all their questions,
and all their doubting searchings
for the truth.
We celebrate our God
All who knows and loves our deepest hearts,
whose compassion is always greater than ours
so that the measure of our kindness
is always less than that of God.
We celebrate our God
All who engages with our souls,
linking us with the mystery of the universe,
the endlessness of eternity,
yet is as close to us in our beings
as a parent with a child. © DMcRae-McMahon/plpm
The peace
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
The peace of God is here… to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
All are invited to greet a neighbour
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"The majesty of mountains" 139 AA
The majesty of mountains,
the sovereignty of skies,
the regal rock that arch above
where veils of vapour rise,
are gifts of God, the Lord of love,
the worshipful, the wise.
The running of the river,
the surging of the sea,
the grass that grows high on the hill,
the flower and fruiting tree,
our Saviour sends us, by whose will
all creatures came to be.
The Glory of the Godhead,
the Spirit and the Son,
the Father, faithful down the days:
to them, the Three-in-One,
while life shall last, be perfect praise
and highest honour done! MPerry
The people sit
The offering Offerings are presented
Let us bring our offerings, sybmols of ourselves and our world,
to this table.
The presentation The people stand as the gifts are brought forward
God of splendour,
your goodness sustains us,
and your graciousness gives us hope.
Use us and this money to further the way
of love, hope, and justice in the world.
Reflections and prayers
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and our concerns.
Joys and concerns shared
Listening response
In this abundant blessing
All We share the joy.
In this, our time of need
All May love abound. (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 that is appropriate.
All Loving Presence, luminous in all creation,
hallowed be your name.
Thy kin-dom come.
May we reflect on earth
the yielding perfection of the heavens.
Help us to receive an illumed measure from the earth this day.
Forgive us when we trespass against others,
human and other than human,
as we forgive others who trespass against us.
Keep us on the path of wisdom
when we are tempted to take the selfish path.
May it be your rule we follow,
your power we exercise,
and your radiance that allures.
May this be the truth that guides our lives,
the ground from which our future will grow,
until we meet again. (BSanguin/dddc)
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Amazing Love” (Sung to 'Amazing Grace') Verses 1-4
Amazing love that Jesus told,
Two thousand years ago,
A story new, a story old,
A love we all can know.
He spoke to crowds in Palestine,
He speaks to us today,
He tells us all of love divine,
To us he shows the way.
The realm of God is one of love,
Of justice and of peace.
It’s not about a realm above -
Through love this world release.
What we want done to us, can be
The rule by which we live;
To follow it will make us free
To share, to love, to give.
Words of mission
Let us embrace the wonder of this week
with expectation and imagination...
The candle is extinguished
Be assured that God’s presence goes with us.
All We face the world
with renewed faith and hope;
God’s word abides with us.
Let your hearts burn within you
as you dare to trust.
All God’s love is real and alive in us.
Live in gratitude each and every day;
All We will love sincerely and live confidently.
Blessing words
Go boldly into the future
which has been claimed by God.
Know that the God who holds all things will be there,
that Christ who calls us friend will walk beside us,
and the Spirit who makes all things new
will mark our way with light and hope.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) “Amazing Love” (Sung to 'Amazing Grace') Verses 5-7
The story comes to challenge us,
It’s not the easy road,
For us to love, as Jesus loved,
To bear another’s load.
The realm of God is here with us
When love and peace we share,
Although we fail, we know God’s grace,
It’s love that helps us there.
Amazing love that Jesus told,
Two thousand years ago,
A story new, a story old,
A love for all to know. MRolfe
The people sit after the hymn, then prepare to leave
Recessional music
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). 1998. Seeing christ in others. An anthology for worship, mediation and mission. GtB: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Inclusive readings. Year C. 2006. QLD: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
McRae-McMahon, D. 2001. Prayers for life's particular moments. VIC: Thornbury. DesBooks.
Macnab, F. 1996. Hope: The deeper longings of the mind and heart. 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.
Pratt, A. 2002. Whatever name or creed. Hymns and songs. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Sanguin, B. 2007. Darwin, divinity, and the dance of the cosmos. An ecological Christianity. Canada: Kelowna. CopperHouse.
Web sites:
Thom M Shuman. [w-rcl] Liturgy web site.