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
18 May 2008. Trinity A. (White).
10.30am. Contemporary liturgical worship.
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 Ngambri-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
It is God, in the dawning,
In the renewal,
In the arrival,
In the new day.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of the God.
Lighting of the candle
The community candle is lit
We light this flame as a symbol
of the creativity of our faith:
the creativity to explore new avenues of religious insight;
the creativity to develop a caring community;
the creativity to envision a world of peace and freedom. (Adapted/Wm J. Gardiner)
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Where the road runs out" 156 AA
Where the road runs out and the signposts end,
where we come to the edge of today,
be the God of Abraham for us,
send us out upon our way.
Refrain:
Lord, you were our beginning,
the faith that gave us birth.
We look to you, our ending,
our hope for heaven and earth.
When the coast is left and we journey on
to the rim of the sky and the sea,
be the sailor's friend, be the dolphin Christ,
lead us in to eternity.
Refrain:
When the clouds are low and the wind is strong,
when tomorrow's storm draws near,
be the spirit bird hovering overhead
who will take away our fear. Colin Gibson
Refrain:
Remain standing after the hymn
Opening sentences
God beyond all names and images,
All we worship you in faith.
God in the Christ One with human face
All we worship you in truth.
God who moves, draws, forms and enlightens our life,
All we worship you in Spirit.
God in relationship.
God the beginning and God the end.
You are God. (Adapted/Pitt St. Uniting/eoj)
Prayer
We pray:
God of mystery,
whose silent depths arise encompassing us;
whose unknown, unknowable face hides from us;
clothe us in your darkest chasm ...tenderly. (Rebecca Nichol)
Amen.
Hymn “Maker of mystery” 47 FFS
Maker of mystery,
dreamer of what will be,
well-spring and fertile ground of all our growing:
tending the buried seed,
foreseeing every need,
you draw us into life beyond our knowing.
Christ, strong and living vine,
spreading through space and time,
deep rooted in the love of God our mother:
dying, you live and share
your strength with us, to bear
ripe fruit in season for the life of others.
Wild Spirit, springing green,
coiled in the depths unseen,
promise of fruit within the seed maturing:
new life, you grow and swell,
burst from the outgrown shell,
hundredfold yield in every age ensuring.
Living and loving God,
sing in the pulse of our blood,
help us to know you in your own creation,
love you, the life of all,
serve you and hear your call
from our first forming to our full salvation. Marnie Barrell
The people sit
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
Meditation
"Water moving through stone"
By Thomas Troeger. Borrowed light/14.
Water moving through stone,
fire in zero cold,
wind dispersing heavy air:
flow,
burn,
blow –
awaken prayer:
come and enfold
my heart as your own.
Silence
As we gather let us claim
some stillness,
some silence.
(Silence)
God calls us to renew ourselves and our life's purpose
as we gather with others who are searching.
Let us continue to be in silence together.
(Silence)
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
Two stories from our religious tradition shall now be read.
Our reader is (NN).
Hebrew scriptures:
Genesis 1:26-28, 30b-31 (NRSV)
God said,
'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness;
and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,
and over the birds of the air,
and over the cattle,
and over all the wild animals of the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.'
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them, and God said to them,
'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it;
and have dominion over the fish of the sea
and over the birds of the air
and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.'
And it was so.
God saw everything that he had made,
and indeed, it was very good.
And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Gospel:
Matthew 28:16-20. (Inclusive Text)
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee,
to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.
When they saw Jesus they worshiped him, though some hesitated.
Jesus came up and spoke to them,
'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
'Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations;
baptise them in the name
of the One who sent me,
and of the Incarnate Word
and of the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.
'And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time."
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A traditional litany for Trinity Sunday
The people stand as they are able, to say.
Worthy of praise from every mouth,
All worthy of confession from every tongue,
worthy of worship from every creature,
All is your glorious name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For you created the world in your grace,
All and by your compassion you saved the world.
To your majesty, O God,
ten thousand times ten thousand bow down and adore,
All singing and praising without ceasing, and saying:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;
All heaven and earth are full of your praises.
Hosanna in the highest. Nestorian Liturgy, 5th Century – UIW
The peace
The peace of God is here... to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours
CELEBRATING
Hymn of the Month
“Playful God” (Tune: ‘Joyful God’. 77 87) 75 RP
Playful God, you laugh and dance
at every indication
that we have caught a glimpse, a glance
of magic in creation.
Tearful God, you weep and mourn,
you share our desolation;
in every doubt, in pain and grief,
we need your consolation.
Joyful God, we praise your name
in every situation.
Your love will even live through death,
you promise resurrection.
Mighty God, creative heart
and source of our elation,
accept our praise, our lives, our all,
our ceaseless adoration. Andrew Pratt
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
Prayers
Pastoral
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 O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos,
Focus your light within us - make it useful:
Create your reign of unity now.
Your one desire then acts with ours,
as in all light, so in all forms.
Grant what we need each day in bread and insight.
Loose the cords of mistakes binding us,
as we release the strands we hold of others' guilt.
Don't let surface things delude us,
But free us from what holds us back.
From you is born all ruling will,
the power and the life to do,
the song that beautifies all, from age to age it renews.
Truly - power to these statements -
may they be the ground from which all
my actions grow: Amen. (Neil Douglas-Klotz)
Offerings
Our offerings for the work of ministry in this place shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as the gifts are presented
The riches of God's gracious love have been entrusted to us.
May we share the beauty of God
with all who walk with us, in caring service.
People sit
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)
SCATTERING
Hymn “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.
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 candle is extinguished
Blessed be God
All Blessed be the earth
Blessed be those who compost and nurture the earth
All Blessed be the petals, leaves and stems
that become compost for the seeds of the plant
Blessed be the life cycle that sustains and nurtures
All Blessed be God who creates and co-creates
Blessed be those who walk on the earth with respect.
All Blessed be all who care for the earth
Blessed be all! Maggie Abbott/sotc
Blessing words
Go into this week,
held together by the love of God
clothed with the nature of Jesus the Christ
reinforced by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont) “God who sets us on a journey” (Tune: ‘Canvas’’) 32 FFS
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
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:
Abbott, M. 2001. Sparks of the cosmos. Rituals for seasonal use. SA: Unley. MediaCom Education.
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.
Douglas-Klotz, N. 1990. Prayers of the cosmos. Meditations on the aramaic words of Jesus. NY: New York. Harper & Row.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Holy Bible. NRSV. 1989. Ten: Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
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. 1993. Echoes of our journey. Liturgies of the people. VIC: Melbourne. JBCE.
Pratt, A. 2006. Reclaiming praise. Hymns from a spiritual journey. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Troeger, T. 1994. Borrowed light. Hymn texts, prayers, and poems. NY: New York. Oxford University Press.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. 1988. VIC: Melbourne. Uniting Church Press.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA. <http://www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>