The Uniting Church of St James
Curtin, ACT
Minister-in-Placement: Revd Rex A E Hunt, MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
17 February 2008. Lent2A. (Purple).
10.30am. Contemporary liturgical worship.
Celebrating community: Sacrament of Holy Communion
Acknowledgement of land
(An act towards reconciliation by the Church of St James, Curtin.)
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 Ngunnawal People and their stewardship
of this land throughout the ages.
St James 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 gather here
to celebrate life's beauty and find healing for its pain,
to wonder at the mystery that gave us birth,
and to listen for the wisdom that guides us
in the quietness of this moment. Gary Kowalski
Let us then 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
“God of dawn” (Tune: ‘Abbot’s Leigh, 87 87D, 153 TiS)
God of dawn, each day’s renewal
brings the world into your light.
As your sun defeats the shadows,
drives away the darkest night:
we would greet this new beginning
as your call to start again,
lead us on with hope and courage,
make your will and purpose plain.
Christ, you walked the world as we do,
knew its human pain and loss.
As your love broke through the barriers
by your death upon the cross;
we still speak your gospel message,
though two thousand years have gone.
Help us now translate its meaning
in this present world of wrong.
Holy Spirit, inspiration,
light and truth and root of prayer,
as your challenge moves us forward
taking us we know not where:
we will follow your direction,
though the way may not be clear.
Shape us, change, recreate us,
so the future holds no fear.
Praise to God, who spoke creation,
giving life to time and space.
Praise to Christ, whose living presence
showed the world your human face.
Praise the Spirit, daily witness
to you ever-loving way.
Take us now and reawake us,
challenge us to use this day. Marjorie Dobson/mcm
Remain standing
Opening sentences
Life is a journey with others;
we travel as a people, on a winding road.
All We share our lives, our experiences, our hopes, our fears.
With joy and hope we welcome other travellers
to share our lives.
All We learn from each other.
We laugh and cry with each other.
We are home with each other.
And together we celebrate God's presentness
All as we are refreshed and made ready
for re-creation in our lives and our communities.
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
In this season of Lent, may we become more aware
of the presentness of Holy God:
in each other,
in music,
as we give and receive gifts of love.
Grant, that we may all live that others
can see this presentness alive in our actions.
Amen.
Hymn “Love will be our Lenten calling” (Tune: ‘Picardy’, 87 87 87) 684 TiS
The people sit after the hymn
Welcome
In your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are worshipping at St James 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 take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)
In these brief moments of silence and meditation may we find strength.
May our lives be rich in affection,
deep in understanding and sympathy for each other.
May the blessings of life be known to all. Bob Holmes/adapted
(Silence)
Music of reflection
EXPLORING
Reading from our biblical tradition
A reading from our biblical tradition shall be read by (NN).
Gospel:
John 3:1-11a. (NRSV)
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A litany for Lent
The people stand as they are able
Sustainer and giver of life,
may all people be freed from the temptations of power,
from the urge to control rather than enable.
All Come, Spirit, liberate us from the forces of domination.
Loving Empowerer, may we
challenge the abuse of authority wherever it is to be found,
including in ourselves.
All Come, Spirit, give us strength not to walk by on the other side.
Still Small Voice,
may we learn to listen to each other,
and may those in authority understand the strength
that comes from true consultation.
All Come, Spirit of Understanding, deepen our insights.
Loving Creativity,
may we affirm ourselves and others,
understanding that we are all unique,
and have voices that need to be heard.
All Come, Creator of Diversity, and help us see the value of difference.
Silence
Inclusive and Compassionate God,
may we recognise and challenge discrimination
based on gender, race, age, sexual orientation,
clericalism and other excuses for exclusion.
All Come, Spirit of Equality, and imbue us
with the values of interconnectedness with all created nature,
human and non-human. (Adapt. D McEwan/ml)
The peace
This is a house of God. A place of peace.
A place where we befriend one another.
Let us greet another as a sign of God's peace
and of our shared friendship.
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
“Gather the Spirit” (Tune: ‘Gather the spirit’, 9 9 9 10/Refrain) 347 SLT
Gather the spirit, harvest the power.
Our sep'rate fires will kindle one flame.
Witness the mystery of this hour.
Our trials in this light appear all the same.
Refrain:
Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.
Gather the spirit of heart and mind.
Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.
Nurtured in love, and con-science refined,
with body and spirit united once more
Refrain:
Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again.
Gather the spirit growing in all,
drawn by the moon and fed by the sun.
Winter to spring, and summer to fall,
the chorus of life resounding as one.
Refrain:
Gather in peace, gather in thanks.
Gather in sympathy now and then.
Gather in hope, compassion and strength.
Gather to celebrate once again. Jim Scott
CELEBRATING
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and concerns shared.
In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presentness of God among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now.
The Care candle is lit
And let us recommit ourselves to the inclusive ways of Jesus.
Prayers
Pastoral
Lord's Prayer
You are invited to pray the Lord's Prayer in your original language, as that is appropriate
All Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name
your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
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? (jke)
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Offering
Our offerings for the work of ministry in this place and beyond,
and our gifts of bread and wine, shall now be received.
Presentation The people stand as they are able, for the presentation of gifts
As we bring our offerings and gifts forward,
may our whole lives move forward,
in good faith,
with good feelings,
and with a good belief about the future.
May all that we give today, be blessed.
And all that we receive enrichment of our life and the lives of others.
People sit
Thanksgiving
Gracious God, we praise you and give you thanks.
All It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In time beyond our dreaming
you hovered over the water
revealing yourself in fire and storm and precious law.
You created humanity in your likeness,
and placed us on this earth,
with its minerals and waters,
flowers and fruits,
living creatures of grace and beauty!
You showed Noah a rainbow;
you gave strength to Moses to free his people,
and taught Miriam to sing;
you gave courage to Esther and loyalty to Ruth.
We praise you, O God.
All We praise you, O God.
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 offer our praise and thanks:
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 the tradition…
At the end of a journey, among friends, gathered round a table...
Long ago, 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.
In the breaking of the bread
and the sharing of the wine,
may we know God’s 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 Jesus taught,
knowing that our lives are forever changed
by this and every breaking of bread.
Bread and wine served in continuous line
After communion
Life affirming God,
bless this table-gathering of your people.
May the feast shared together,
strengthen us in our witness to the world.
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Tree of life” (Tune: Thomas, 87.8.77) 307 GA
Light of life beyond conceiving,
Mighty Spirit of our Lord;
Give new strength to our believing,
Give us faith to live your word.
Give us faith to live your word.
From the dawning of creation,
You have loved us as your own;
Stay with us through all temptation,
Make us turn to you alone.
Make us turn to you alone.
We remember truth once spoken,
Love passed on through act and word,
Ev’ry person lost and broken
Wears the body of our Lord.
Wears the body of our Lord.
Remain standing
Words of mission
Time has now come for us to leave this sacred place.
As we do, may we embrace the challenges
of our lives and our world...
The community candle is extinguished
Worship need not cease.
All It can echo in our lives,
in our words,
in our deeds,
in our moods,
in our dreams.
Carry worship with you wherever you may go.
Be a blessing in your going out and your coming in. Gordon B. McKeeman
Blessing words
May God the heart of Life, be deep within us.
Jesus as the Christ be present in our history.
And Holy and Empowering Spirit
inspire our search for truth, compassion and peace.
All Amen!
Hymn (Cont) “Tree of life” (Tune: Thomas, 87.8.77) 307 GA
Give us eyes to see you clearly,
Make us children of your light;
Give us hearts to live more nearly
As your gospel shining bright.
As your gospel shining bright.
God of all our fear and sorrow,
God who lives beyond our death;
Hold us close through each tomorrow,
Love as near as every breath.
Love as near as every breath. Marty Haugen
The people sit after the hymn
'This week' at St James
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.
The contemporary hymns used in this liturgy,
are reproduced with permission under license #A1197.
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.
Dobson, M. 2004. Multi-coloured maze. Drama, hymns, prayers and poems for worship and everyday living. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell.
Gather Australia. 1995. Vic: Ashburton. NLMC Publications.
Holmes, R. H. 1972. The Bob Holmes worship materials. Vol 1. NY: Little Falls. Self published.
Holy Bible. NRSV. 1989. Ten: Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. Scotland: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
McEwan, D. et al. (ed). 2001. Making liturgy. Creating rituals for worship and life. Gt. Britain: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Morely, J. 1992. All desires known. Expanded edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Morwood, M. 2003. Praying a new story. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Seaburg, C. (ed). 1993. The communion book. MA: Boston. UUMA.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. 1988. VIC: Melbourne. Uniting Church Press.
Withrow, L. 1995. Seasons of prayer. Resources for worship. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.