Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au OR rexae74@gmail.com
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A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
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7 October 2018. Pentecost 20B. (Green).
Animals/Pets Sunday
Celebrating Community in the Tradition of the Meal
Worth Pondering
“Only an axe is required to expose forest soils to erosion
and begin the all to rapid process of creating new wastelands”
John B. Cobb, Jr.
Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(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 of the (NN) Nation, past, present, emerging,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.
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(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Rich and Striking Visuals
“The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer and deeper
and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.” (Henry N. Wieman)
Artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video
Gathering Music
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
This day we shall let the hills embrace us,
the trees comfort us,
and the sun enlighten our minds.
This day we shall let the sap rise within us
and dance the music of the Cosmos. (Adpat. William L Wallace/wb).
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
Note: (i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns, called Hymn of the Month, can be found HERE
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns that cover major international events or themes can be found HERE They include these categories: 1. Bush (Brush) Fire, 2. Tsunami, Storms/Cyclones, 3. Earthquakes, 4. War/Remembrance, 5. Caregiving, 6. God as Mother, 7. Human Trafficking, 8. Disabled, 9. Migration/Refugees, 10. Terrorist Attacks, 11. Science/Cosmology
(iii) Specific resources on Terrorism HERE
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Hymn/Song The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Morning Has Broken” (Tune: ‘Bunessan’, 55.54D) 156 TiS
Morning has broken
like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning,
praise for them, springing
fresh from the word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung from completeness
where his feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight;
mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play.
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s recreation
of the new day.
OR
“Sing of a Sacred Circle” (Tune: ‘Sacred circle', 75.65) 23 TMT
Sing of a sacred circle
round the sky and earth,
binding plants and creatures,
linking death and birth.
Sing of that ring of mystery,
changed by fearsome greed;
pawned for Judas silver,
sold for idols' needs.
See how a people's loving
greens the Mammon ring;
hear the people's sharing,
help creation sing.
Sing of the Gospel ring-time;
love embracing earth;
vibrant sphere of our living,
circle death and birth. (William L Wallace)
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening Sentences
Like wind swaying through the trees on the Brindabellas
or surging through thickets of wattle,
All so, is God's presentness with us.
We rejoice in this presence
All Creative Spirit,
Life-giving Spirit,
Nurturing Spirit.
Act of Awareness
Gathered here, we sense the Sacred in this place.
May we be awakened again to
the mysteries that humble us,
the realities that orient us,
the beauty that informs us,
the fellowship that sustains us,
and the creativity that heightens and deepens our living,
that we may give ourselves in honesty and openness
to the larger life before us. (Adapt/Clarke Wells)
OR
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.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song "Human Touch Can Light The Flame" (Tune: ‘Dunedin’, 88.88) 307 SLT
The human touch can light the flame
which gives a brightness to the day,
the spirit uses mortal flame,
life's vehicle for work and play.
The lover's kiss, the friends embrace,
the clasp of hands to show we care,
the light of welcome on the face
are treasured moments all can share.
May all who come within our reach
be kindled by our inner glow,
not just in spirit's words we preach,
in human touch love's faith we show. John Storey
OR
“A Mirage, Nothing More” (Tune: ‘From Strength to Strength’, 66.86D)
A mirage, nothing more,
that’s how God often seems,
for even though we keep the faith,
is God a God of dreams?
We pray by night and day,
but answers seem remote,
and then detractors laugh at us,
make fun of us and gloat.
We’ve done our very best,
at least that’s what we thought,
and yet you’ve left us, lost, bereft,
without the God we sought.
Then when we need you most,
when every hope has gone,
we hear the whisper of a voice,
you bid us carry on.
In each and every one
you make your presence real,
the dream takes on reality,
your love provides the seal.
Your faithfulness is true,
we find you in our friends,
and when we join our hands through grace,
we know love never ends. © Andrew Pratt 13/8/2011
The people sit
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering 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 he Gathering.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
CENTERING
Reflection
“Love all Creation”
By Dostoyevsky, Brothers Karamazov
Love all Creation.
The whole and every grain of sand in it.
Love every leaf, and every ray of light.
Love the plants.
Love the animals. Love everything.
If you love everything
you will perceive the Divine Mystery in all things.
Once you perceive it
you will comprehend it better every day.
And you will come, at last, to love the whole world
with an all embracing love.
Centering Silence
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Now away from the busyness of life
and in the silence of this place...
Let us centre our minds and our hearts.
We are one with the universe.
We are one with the sun and the stars.
We are one with the earth.
We are one with the One who is mystery…
(Silence)
Music of Reflection
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the Religious Traditions
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• "The Women of Jerusalem Weep for Jesus”
By Alison Norris. Celebrating Women/25
Daughters of Jerusalem,
sisters once summoned to watch over the sleep of
lovers,
how often have you wept for men,
yet stayed dry-eyed and silent
in your own pain?
Can you know blessing in fertility
when the axe is laid to the root of the green world?
Can you know joy in childbirth
when you are bearing down,
bearing your children into calamity?
Can you know grace in giving suck
when they are taking the children's food
and selling it for the dogs of war?
Daughters of Jerusalem,
sisters once summoned to watch over the sleep of
lovers,
weep not now for me,
weep for yourselves and for your children.
• Mark 10:2-16 (Inclusive Text)
Some Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
'Is it against the law for a man to divorce his wife?'
They were testing Jesus, who answered them,
‘What did Moses command you?'
'Moses allowed us' they said 'to draw up a writ of dismissal and so to divorce.'
Then Jesus said to them,
'It was because you were so unteachable that Moses
wrote this commandment for you.
But from the beginning of creation
God made them male and female.
‘This is why a man must leave father and mother,
and the two become one body.
They are no longer two, therefore, but one body.
‘So then, what God has united, no one must divide.'
Back in the house the disciples questioned Jesus again
about this, who said to them.
'The man who divorces his wife and marries another
is guilty of adultery against her.
And if a woman divorces her husband
and marries another she is guilty of adultery too.'
People were bringing little children for Jesus to touch them.
The disciples turned them away, but Jesus, seeing this, was indignant and said to them,
'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the realm of God belongs.
‘I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome
the realm of God like a little child will never enter it.'
Then Jesus put his arms round them, laid his hands on them
and gave them his blessing.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
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 are awakened from a week of work and worry
to a morning of fresh beginnings and new horizons.
All For this day of rest we give thanks and praise.
We are awakened from a night of tossing and turning
to a day of surprises and sanctuary.
All For this day of peace we give thanks and praise.
We are awakened from the mundane and ordinary
by an invitation for search and celebration.
All For this time of celebration we give thanks and praise.
This is the day that we are given.
Le Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Ri This is a day like no other!
All For senses awakened we give thanks and praise.
Blessed be! (George L Stewart/Adapt/www.uusf.org)
Sharing 'The Peace’
God makes peace within us. Let us claim it.
God makes peace between us. Let us share it. (nwi)
Let us greet another as a sign of God's 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.
If holding a Pets Service… (Optional)
CELEBRATION AND BLESSING OF ANIMALS/PETS
Remembering
Every part of this earth is sacred.
All Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore,
every mist in the dark woods, every clearing,
and every humming insect is holy.
We are part of the earth and it is part of us.
All The perfumed flowers are our sisters;
the deer, the horse, the dingo - these are our brothers.
The rocky crests, the juices in the paddocks, the body heat of the pony,
humans - all belong to the same family.
All This we know: the earth does not belong to humans;
humans belong to the earth.
This we know: all things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All What are humans without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone, humans would die
from a great loneliness of spirit.
All For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to humans.
All things are connected.
(Adapted from statements of Chief Sealth, better known as Chief Seattle, from a speech delivered in 1854.)
v1 Today we are surrounded by the animals we love.
We remember with gratitude the pets, protectors, and animal companions
who have blessed our lives.
We give thanks for our childhood pets, who taught us to love and to cry.
We give thanks for our children's pets,
who help us to teach them responsibility and relationship,
and we give thanks for the pets who brighten our days and comfort our nights.
v2 Today we are surrounded by the animals we love.
We acknowledge that many animals contribute to our lives.
We give thanks for all those animals who help us:
working animals who guard us and find our lost and guide the blind,
the animals who provide us food and clothing,
who tote our burdens and entertain us with their antics,
and for animals who give their lives to help us learn.
v1 But we also remember that many animals suffer.
We remember that some animals are hunted or deserted or tortured or hungry.
We remember that nature can be cruel and that people can be mean.
(Silence)
So today we bless these animals…
Animals we love.
Animals who are the companions of our lives.
We pledge to care for them tenderly and faithfully,
and to remember that we are not alone on the earth. (Adapt/Christine Robinson)
Circle of Blessing
Beginning with the back rows, please bring your companion animals to the front of the Gathering space, forming a circle.
After the Blessing, walk in a circle around the Gathering space before returning to your seat
[Pet’s name], may the Spirit of Life be with you and your human friends.
May you have a long life and a happy home.
Amen! Shalom! Salaam! Peace!
Thanksgiving
When all have returned to their seats
v1 Abundant Earth, mother of all that is natural,
mother of all that is human, for everything you freely give us,
All We express our gratitude and dedicate ourselves
to being faithful stewards of your abundance.
v2 For the air we breathe, and for all creatures of the air,
All We give thanks, and pledge ourselves to preserve your purity.
v1 For the water we drink, and in which we bathe and swim,
and for all creatures of the oceans, lakes, rivers, and creeks,
All We give thanks, and commit ourselves to keeping you clean and pure.
v2 For the soil we walk upon, for all life rooted in the soil,
for cultivated trees, bush trees, food plants,
flowers, grasses, and growing things of all kinds,
All We express our gratitude and pledge ourselves to your preservation.
v1 For all the animals of the earth, for all creatures great and small,
All We give thanks and pledge our loving protection.
v2 For all the great earth gives us, for all that graces and blesses our lives,
All Let our words and our works express our gratitude and praise. (Bruce A. Bode)
Hymn/Song The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Spirit of Springtime” (Tune: ‘Verdure’) 59 FFS
Spirit if springtime in creation’s garden,
tingling the senses,
tickling the earth,
sap that is rising where the seed was sleeping,
push for a new world
coming to birth!
Heard in the song that sweeps from bush to ocean,
seen in the sunlight,
felt in the blood,
surge of delight at every greening, growing,
God in the promise,
blossom from bud.
Fresh as the rain that washes clean our vision,
keen as the wind on
Pentecost day,
bright as the Spirit in the life of Jesus,
bold as the mindset
thinking his way.
Springtime of hope from out of winter’s clutches,
warm us to witness
woo us to see
beauty will break through rotted leaves and ashes,
joy will erupt, and
life will leap free! (Shirley Erena Murray)
The people sit
In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
May our thoughts be filled with transformation,
All May our words reflect the yearnings of our hearts.
And may the spirit that binds within us as we gather
All Hallow each and every passing moment
we know here together. (Adapt.Gretta Vosper/ab).
And so we take this flame and light our special care candle…
The Care Candle is lit
For ourselves, for those named or remembered, and in solidarity with those
who have not the freedom to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation.
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of the sacred among us,
and to see new possibilities of the now.
The 'Abba’ Prayer: (Optional)
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Abba/Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as appropriate
All O God, you love us like a good parent,
and are present in every aspect of our existence
May your nature become known and respected by all
May your joy, peace, wholeness and justice
be the reality for everyone
as we live by the Jesus Way
Give us all that we really need to live every day for you
And forgive us our failures as we forgive others for their failures
Keep us from doing those things which are not of you,
and cause us always to be centred on your love
For you are the true reality in this our now,
and in all our future.
In the Jesus Way we pray. (DSorril)
CELEBRATING
Conversation with the Children
Children gather on the conversation mat
Conversation:
"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? (Binkley & McKeel/jke)
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL
Offerings
Presentation
We are grateful for our life
and the courage we are given to live it.
Let our gratitude for life be expressed in our generosity.
Let our faith be expressed in good causes.
Let our belief in the future find full expression
in our daily attitude of mind. (Adapt.Francis Macnab/fwb)
Centering Words
The
earth has gone the round of seasons:
from
the vibrant green of spring's new life
to
the lush richness of warm summer,
to
the brilliant fulfillment of riotous autumn,
to
the generosity and self-giving of winter.
Now we stand again, touched by the promise of new life in the spring.
Discernment
As
we celebrate the renewal of life and hope,
we
also celebrate the presentness
of
the Spirit of Life and Hope and Creativity,
everywhere
around and within us.
Silence
No
matter who you are, or where you are
on
life's journey, you are welcome
at
this table with it's symbols of God's Creative Presence.
All In company with all
who seek nourishment at this table,
we
come to celebrate community, and to share
these
life-giving symbols. (Jerry Stinson/adapted)
Thanksgiving
It
is right and our joy to give thanks
world-gazing,
hope-cheering God, our cherisher.
We
celebrate the changing mood of nature:
for
sunshine and showers of a spring day,
for
the nesting and cheerfulness of birds,
and
the flowers of bush and garden...
wattle,
heath, and bottle brush.
We
give thanks, O Holy God.
All We give thanks.
We
who hold all such good things in trust,
in
the company of each other,
and
in company with people throughout the world
declare
as generations before us have declared:
All Holy, holy, holy,
hope-breathing 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.
And
we celebrate our knowledge of Jesus the Companion,
who
taught all to care for the
birds of the air,
and
the grass of the paddock;
living
expressions of the Spirit of Life in our midst.
We
remember that night among friends,
reclined
at table... Jesus again shared a meal with his friends.
Through
grain and grape, bread and wine,
and
in fellowship together,
Jesus
spoke of his enduring love for each of them.
So
we take this bread and this wine
mindful
of the Spirit at work in our lives.
Thus
making our living a source of renewal and hope.
All Amen.
Breaking
of Bread/Pouring of Wine
Bread
is broken
We
break this bread in celebration of the great truth
that
on this tiny planet, hurtling through cold, empty space,
death
is made the servant of life,
and
out of death, life is forever resurrected.
Wine
poured out
This
cup with its fruit of the vine,
is
a celebration that things are not always as they seem:
that
out of faithfulness and steadfastness,
out
of suffering and sorrow,
may
come unsought blessings.
Communion
To
eat and drink together reminds us
of
the deeper aspects of human fellowship,
for
from time immemorial
the
sharing of bread and wine has been
the
most universal of all symbols of community.
Bread
and Wine served
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song The people stand, as they are able, to sing
“Take Off Your Shoes” (Tune: ‘Take off Your Shoes’) 651(v1-2) TiS
Refrain:
Take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground;
take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground.
Well, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof
from the waters beneath to the heav’ens above,
so take, take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on my holy ground,
you’re standing on my holy ground.
On the eighth day of creation, well, the Lord looked around
at the power stations, freeways and the junk on the ground,
the factories with their waste-dumps and their chimneys so high,
you couldn't see the sun for all the smog in the sky.
Well, kids, you really filled the earth and then you subdued it,
but there's nothing in my book that says you've got to pollute it.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…
You've heated up my rivers with industrial mills,
you're killing off my oceans with your wastes and your spills,
you're fishing like there'll always be an endless supply,
and fighting one another for what's left to divide.
You didn't want advice when I first gave you dominion,
but maybe now it's time to get a second opinion.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…
OR
"Great Lover Calling Us To Share" (Tune: 'Galilee', 88.88)
Great Lover, calling us to share
your joy in all created things
from atom-dance to eagles' wings,
we come and go, to praise and care.
Though sure of resurrection-grace,
we ache for all earth's troubled lands
and hold the planet in our hands,
a fragile, unprotected place.
Your questing Spirit longs to gain
no simple fishing-ground for souls,
but as life's story onward rolls,
world more joyful and humane.
Remain standing
Parting Words
Let us take on this week’s life
with renewed hope and imagination…
The Community Candle is extinguished
With faith to face our challenges,
With love that casts out fear,
With hope to trust tomorrow,
All We accept this day as the gift it is:
a reason for rejoicing. Gary Kowalski
Words of Blessing
And now may the blessings of life
be upon us, and upon this congregation.
May the memories we gather here give us hope for the future.
May the love that we share
bring strength and joy to our hearts,
and the peace of this community be with us
until we meet again.
All Amen! May it be so!
Hymn/Song (Cont). “Take Off Your Shoes” (Tune: ‘Take off Your Shoes’) 651(v3) TiS
Refrain:
Take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground;
take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on holy ground.
Well, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof
from the waters beneath to the heav’ens above,
so take, take, take off your shoes,
you're standing on my holy ground,
you’re standing on my holy ground.
Your scientific minds - make sure you use them with care:
you're breaking down my ozone layer up in the air,
your fertilizer's turning mighty rivers bright green.
some folks are getting fatter while so many grow lean.
I told you to be fruitful and you sure multiplied,
but the rich took all the land and never learned to divide.
So,
Take, take off your shoes…
OR
"Great Lover Calling Us To Share" (Tune: 'Galilee', 88.88)
As midwives who assist at birth,
we give our uttermost, yet grieve
lest folly, greed or hate should leave
a spoiled, aborted, barren earth.
Self-giving Lover, since you dare
to join us in our history,
embracing all our destiny,
we'll come and go with praise and care. (Brian Wren)
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 this time 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
Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate
Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
Binkley, C. G. & J. M. McKeel. Jesus and his Kingdom of Equals. An International Curriculum on the Life and Teaching of Jesus. Santa Rosa. Polebridge Press, 2001.
Duncan, G. (ed). A World of Blessing. Benedictions from Every Continent and Many Cultures. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2000.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Fox, M. One River, Many Wells. Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths. New York. Tarcher/Penguin Publishing, 2004.
Inclusive Readings. Year B. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2005.
Iona Community. Iona Abbey Worship Book. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
Macnab, F. A Fine Wind Is Blowing: Psalms of the Bible in Words that Blow you Away. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2006.
Seaburg, C. (ed). The Communion Book. Boston. UUMA, 1993.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
Stinson, J. “The Encounter of Progressive Christian Theology with the Language of Prayer and Ritual on Sunday Morning”. Westar Institute/Liturgy & LiteracySeminar. March 2006.
The St Hilda Community. The New Women Included. A Book of Services and Prayers. London. SPCK, 1996.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious, 1999.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
(TMT) Wallace, W. L. The Mystery Telling. Hymns and Songs for the New Millennium. Kingston. Selah Publishing, 2001.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women.
New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Withrow, L.
Seasons of Prayer.
Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web Sites/Other:
Wells, Sorril. UUA Worship Web. Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Andrew Pratt. "A Mirage, Nothing More". Hymns and Words blog site. UK. <http://hymnsandbooks.blogspot.com/> Direct from the author
Brian Wren. “Great Lover…” Web site: hymns.uk.com