Revd Rex A E Hunt
MSc(Hons), GradDipCommMgt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
27 July 2008. Pentecost 11A. (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 worship
The gong is sounded three times
Come into the joy of your divinity,
that the body-mind-spirit may be of one accord
in the fullness of life and of faith.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit in silence
May this flame remind us of the light of wisdom.
May the warmth of its glow remind us
of the warmth of God's empowering love (Adapt. Vernon Marshall).
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“God who sets us on a journey” (Tune: ‘Canvas’) 32 FFS
God who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
lead us as you led your people
in the desert long ago;
journey inward, journey outward,
stir the spirit, stretch the mind,
love for God and self and neighbour
marks the way that Christ defined.
Exploration brings new insights,
changes, choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
mindful always of your grace;
should we stumble, lose our bearings,
find it hard to know what's right,
we regain our true direction
focused on the Jesus light.
End our longing for the old days,
grant the vision that we lack –
once we've started on this journey
there can be no turning back;
let us travel light, discarding
excess baggage from our past,
cherish only what's essential,
choosing treasure that will last.
When we set up camp and settle
to avoid love's risk and pain,
you disturb complacent comfort,
pull the tent pegs up again;
keep us travelling in the knowledge
you are always at our side;
give us courage for the journey,
Christ our goal and Christ our guide. Joy Dine
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
Life rises in our midst
All Sometimes hard-won life.
It surprises us when it blossoms forth at unexpected times
All And in unexpected places.
It comes with power stronger than death
All Life born of faithfulness
Life born of courage
Life born of God D McRae-McMahon/plpm
Prayer
We pray:
Though Winter covers our earth and cold frost stunts much growth,
yet the hope of Spring is awakening us.
For we all are the saplings God has
planted, watered and nurtured.
We and all creation are God’s handiwork,
a design of beauty.
Amen.
Hymn “Touch the earth, reach the sky” (Tune: ‘Touch the earth’, 6 7 9 8) 301 SLT
Touch the earth, reach the sky!
Walk on shores while spirits fly
over the ocean, over the land,
our faith a quest to understand.
Touch the earth, reach the sky!
Children ask the reasons why.
In our lives the answers show,
and by our love they learn and grow.
Touch the earth, reach the sky!
All are born and all shall die;
Life’s the time left in between,
to follow a star, to build a dream.
Touch the earth, reach the sky!
Hug the laughter, feel the cry.
May we see where we can give,
for this is what it means to live.
Touch the earth, reach the sky!
Soar with courage ever high;
spirits joining as we fly,
to touch the earth, to reach the sky. Grace Lewis-McLaren.
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
In this time of silence may we move
from busy-ness
to quietness...
(Silence)
God of life
God of peace
God of wonders that will not cease...
Present with us now.
(Silence)
EXPLORING
Readings from our braod religious tradition
Some readings from our broad religious tradition shall now be read by (NN).
Hebrew scriptures:
Psalm 105
By Francis Macnab. A fine wind is blowing/41.
• The psalm’s author has survived the difficulties and dangers of life. He acknowledges the great source of his strength and resilience.
And thanks God he can sing songs of praise.
Is there anything more important than knowing we have touched the very depths of joy?
We come alive to the beauty of all creation;
we feel a strength we had not known before.
We become conscious of an expansive presence around us.
And we want to sing, and give thanks to God.
We think of the risks and dangers of the past.
But we survived them.
We went through some dark and difficult times.
But we are stronger.
We did not know what the future would bring
or what direction to take.
But we found a way.
We thought we were up against the impossible.
But we discovered the possible.
We have drawn on the source of all strength and hope,
and that strength and hope have brought us to this moment.
We feel in the very depths of our being
a sense of our expanded identity and belonging.
Inner joy swells within us, and we give thanks to God.
If we knew how to make an adequate response,
we would praise that God from now
and until our life's end.
From the world around us:
From “Living Buddha, Living Christ”
By Thich Nhat Hanh
When we are mindful, touching deeply the present moment,
we can see and listen deeply, and the fruits are always
understanding,
acceptance,
love,
and the desire to relieve suffering and bring joy.
Hymn In solidarity with those for whom standing is not easy or possible we will remain seated to sing...
“Of the multitude of words” (Tune: ‘Vienna’, 77 77. 440 TiS) 16 TMT
Of the multitude of words
held within the Bible's wall,
some bring life and some spread death,
some can liberate us all.
Should our use of sacred words
put all other views to flight?
Does our inner certainty
justify abuse of might?
Are our ways of using strength
open for the world to see?
Do they hide behind the texts
masking our transparency?
Loving God, the source of truth,
help us clearly to discern
what brings death and what brings life,
life for which our spirits yearn.
Then O God of spirit life,
we shall live with openness,
giving all the right to be
their true selves with graciousness. (Wm Wallace)
Gospel:
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-48 (Inclusive text)
Jesus said to the crowds:
The reign of God is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field.
It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown
it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree
so that the birds of the air come
and shelter in its branches.
The reign of God is like the yeast a woman took
and mixed in with three measures of flour
til it was leavened all through...
The reign of God is like treasure hidden in a field,
which someone has found, and hiding it again,
goes off happy, sells all and buys that field.
Again, the reign of God is like a merchant looking for fine pearls,
who finding one of great value
goes and sells all and buys it.
Again, the reign of God is like a dragnet cast into the sea
that brings in a haul of fish of every kind.
When it is full, the fishers haul it ashore.
Then sitting down, they collect the good in a basket
and throw away those that are no use.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A litany: ‘Here in this ordinary place’
The people stand as they are able
May we awaken to the presence of God,
All here in the ordinary place.
May we awaken to the power of love,
All here in the ordinary crowd.
May we build a neighbourhood of justice for all,
All now in this ordinary time.
May we daily work to build a world at peace,
All now with these ordinary hands. (J Nelson-Pallmeyer/wsj)
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
“Shake up the morning” (Tune: ‘Shake up’). 18 HSNW
Shake up the morning, let the dawn undress,
Let dew reglisten nature’s loveliness;
Waken the songbird and unseal the throat
That greets the daybreak with a crystal note.
Praise to the Lord, whose morning we inherit;
Praise creation’s fuse, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son who rises with the dawn,
Leaving graveclothes scarcely three days worn.
Shake up the world and let the Kingdom come,
The dumb be listened to, the lost find home;
Make earthly politics the stuff of prayer
Till want and warring are dispelled by care.
Praise to the Lord, whose world we inherit;
Praise God’s catalyst, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose choice it is to bless
Those who work for peace and live on less.
Shake up the Church and let all Christians show
That faith is real, that God is good to know;
Fashion new symbols of the coming age
When hope and love with take the centre stage.
Praise to the Lord, whose Gospel we inherit;
Praise God’s bird of love, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose will and words decree
All are one in this community.
Shake up the evening, let the shadows range
As clouds to castles in the sunset change;
Kindle the moon and stars which through each night
Reflect the glory of tomorrow’s light.
Praise to the Lord, whose evening we inherit;
Praise creation’s presence in the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose brightness none can kill,
Lighting paths for those who seek this will. © Iona Community
CELEBRATING
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)
Offerings
Our offerings for the celebration of life in this place and beyond, shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as the gifts are presented
May the blessing of God bring these gifts to life:
new hope of healing;
fresh ways of coping;
a chance to rest;
a chance to work;
a way to live gracefully.
People sit
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 (Gretta Vosper)
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 Indwelling God,
infused throughout all existence,
we honour you with many names.
Your realm is within the human heart.
We accept life for all that it can be,
on earth as throughout all creation.
May we continue to draw sustenance from this earth,
and may we receive forgiveness equal to our own.
May we ever move from separation toward union,
to live in grace, with love in our hearts,
forever and ever. Amen. FF Keip
SCATTERING
Hymn "Spirit of God" (Tune: ‘Passion Chorale’ 76 76D. 339 TiS)
Spirit of God pervading
the earth as swirling mist,
enveloping creation,
her presence shall persist;
she rests on men and women,
she shares her gifts with all,
and we respond in freedom,
rejoicing at her call.
Her wisdom keeps creating
new wonders to behold,
through her creation's story
is constantly retold.
Mountain and river valley
acclaim her name with praise,
the glacier and the desert
as one their voices raise.
Midst folk she freely mingles
to challenge and inspire,
dream dreams, and share visions,
rekindle sparks of fire,
a passion for God's mission
we all are called to share
'til heaven and earth both mirror
koinonia and care.
Remain standing
Words of mission
The presentness of God reaches beyond this place...
The candle is extinguished
May the flame that has brightened our time together
warm our hearts, light our paths,
All and inspire our vision, as we once again
go our separate ways. Frances R Day
Blessing words
Walk well your journey in peace and in justice.
May you be wrapped in the shawl of God's loving.
May you be cherished.
May you be blessed.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) "Spirit of God" (Tune: ‘Passion Chorale’ 76 76D. 339 TiS)
Spirit of God empowering
each of us as we sing,
our faith-skills and whole being
before you now we bring.
Embrace us with your blessing,
transform us through your word,
so we may live confessing,
the love and grace of God. (Lindsey Sanderson/sco)
The people sit after the hymn
'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:
Bell, J; G. Maule. 1989. Heaven shall not wait. Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1. Revised edition. GtB: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
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). 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 A. 2004. 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. 2006. A fine wind is blowing: Psalms of the bible in words that blow you away. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Nelson-Pallmeyer, J; B. Hesle. 2005. Worship in the spirit of Jesus. Theology, liturgy, and songs without violence. OH: Cleveland. The Pilgrim Press.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
Vosper, G. 2008. With or without God. Why the way we live is more important that what we believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins.
Wallace, W. L. 2001. The mystery telling. Hymns and songs for the new millennium. NY: Kingston. Selah Publishing.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. < www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>