Revd Rex A E Hunt
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
10 December 2006. Advent 2C. (Blue).
Celebrating belonging: Sacrament of Baptism
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 (N) 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 celebration
The gong is rung three times
v1 The season of Advent challenges us
to see God's vision of what is yet to be,
to hear God's voice calling anew,
to smell the scent of God in our world.
v2 Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Music of celebration
THE ADVENT WREATH WITH THE CHILDREN
Advent 2
The winds are scented
with every growing thing;
the jacaranda blossoms,
clothes fit for royalty.
All Come, companion Jesus, walk with us.
v1 Let us prepare a manger in our hearts
for the birth of the sacred.
v3 Why do we light a second candle?
v2 This second candle reminds us of peace.
A second candle is lit.
v4 peace
is the absence of conflict;
or
peace
is a spiritual connection;
or better still
peace is a way of living,
a commitment to something important;
but peace as a wild eyed radical
screaming its way to revolution
isn’t quite the peace
we had in mind...
Is it?
This is why we light a candle for peace. Kathy Hawker
Hymn “Anna’s Song” 55 IST
Lift this child to the sun,
Raise this child to the sky;
God has come from above,
Come to earth from on high.
Lift this child, lift this child to the sun.
Lay this child on the ground,
One with us, one with earth;
Let God know in his son,
Human clay, human birth.
Lay this child, lay this child on the ground. © Norman Habel.
Remain standing. The children depart for Sunday Club.
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. (MMorwood/adapted)
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
God of time and eternity,
help us realise the significance of these moments together,
that they may open our eyes
to the blessings of the past
and the promise of the future.
Grant us courage for today and tomorrow.
Amen.
Hymn “God of dawn” (Tune: 'Ivinghoe’, 87 87D. 631 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. Marjorie Dobson/mcm
The people sit after the hymn
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.
Reflection
"The Advent spirit"
By Donna Morrison-Reed (Adapted)
Fill your heart like a vessel with the Advent spirit.
Take the time to let your vision clear and your concern deepen.
Allow your heart to overflow with all the authentic gifts
this season of preparation has to offer.
The blessings of Advent preparation
can overflow from each of our hearts,
if we take the time to fill our hearts first...
Let us stop the rush
and allow the spirit of the season to enter our being.
Let us clear our vision and deepen our concern.
Let it move us away from an
isolating concern for self, to a relationship of
love and care and wonder and joy
with all of life around us.
CENTERING
Silence
Let there be a quiet time among us.
(Silence
Here in this time and in this place
is our chance to live like we wish the world would live.
May we find within ourselves
the courage to be who we are.
May we trust one another and know
there are many ways to go through life.
Together we can make possible justice and love.
We are all connected.
We are one body.
(Silence)
CELEBRATING
CELEBRATING BELONGING: SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
(See Special liturgies for the Baptism liturgy)
Baptismal hymn
Now let (N) receive the gift of the congregation
as we stand and sing the Baptismal hymn...
Parents and God parents return to their seats
The people stand as they are able, to sing
"When love is taught in parables" (Tune: 'McKee', 86 86. 459 (i) TiS)
When love is taught is parables,
and hope in history,
we thank you, God, for trusting us
with Jesus' memory.
When broken people speak their need
and pray to be made whole,
we thank you, God, for Christ, who heals
our body, mind, and soul.
When hearts are lifted, wine is poured,
and common bread is blessed,
we thank you, God, that in this meal
we share in heaven's feast.
When Christians claim the Spirit's power,
and faith, now fed, can grow,
we thank you, God, and go in peace,
to share the peace we know. © Elizabeth J Smith
EXPLORING
Readings from our religious tradition
Some readings and a reflection from our broad religious tradition shall now be read.
The reader is (NN).
From the mystics:
"Longing for God"
By Mother Teresa. The essential mystics/214.
We all long for heaven where God is,
but we have it in our power to be in heaven with Him
at this very moment.
But being happy with Him now means
Loving as He loves,
Helping as He helps,
Giving as He gives,
Serving as He serves,
Rescuing as He rescues,
Being with Him twenty-four hours,
Touching Him in his distressing disguise.
Hebrew scriptures:
Malachi 1:1a, 3:1-2 (NRSV)
The word of the Lord to Israel...
I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,
and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.
The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed,
he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
But who can endure the day of his coming,
and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap;
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver...
Gospel:
Luke 3:1-6 (Inclusive Text)
In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's reign, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea,
Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.
John went through the whole Jordan district
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah,
'A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare a way for our God,
make straight the paths.
Every valley will be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low,
winding ways will be straightened,
and rough roads made smooth.
And all shall see the salvation of God.’
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
Clear the way. An Advent litany
The people stand as they are able
God of surprises you call us
from the narrowness of our traditions
to new ways of being church,
from the captivities of our culture
to creative witness for justice,
from the smallness of our horizons
to the bigness of your vision.
All Clear the way in us, your people,
that we might call others to freedom and renewed faith.
Jesus, wounded healer you call us
from preoccupation with our own histories
and hurts to daily tasks of peacemaking,
from privilege to pilgrimage,
from insularity to inclusive community.
All Clear the way in us, your people,
that we might call others to wholeness and integrity.
Holy, transforming, Spirit you call us
from fear to faithfulness,
from clutter to clarity,
from a desire to control to deeper trust,
from the refusal to love to a readiness to risk.
All Clear the way in us, your people,
that we might all know the beauty and power
and danger of the gospel. Joan Puls, Gwen Cashmore/cw
Hymn of the month
“Star-Child, earth-Child” 40(ii) COC
Star-Child, earth-Child
go-between of God,
love Child, Christ Child,
heaven's lightning rod,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Street child, beat child
no place left to go,
hurt child, used child,
no one wants to know,
Refrain:
Grown child, old child,
mem'ry full of years,
sad child, lost child,
story told in tears,
Refrain:
Spared child, spoiled child,
having, wanting more,
wise child, faith child
knowing joy in store,
Refrain:
Hope-for-peace Child,
God's stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
star of stars that shine,
Refrain: Shirley Murray
The people sit
Offerings
Our gifts for the work of ministry in this place shall now be received.
Presentation People stand as they are able
We pray:
The generosity of life is around us.
Even in difficult times
we can discover the spirit of generosity.
May we receive this generosity for our growing enrichment,
and may we give to this generosity
for the world's growing compassion.
Amen. Francis Macnab/adapted
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 the Lord's Prayer in your original language, as that is appropriate.
All Father, may your name be holy.
May your rule take place.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Pardon our debts, for we ourselves pardon
everyone in debt to us.
And do not bring us to trial
into a trying situation. (B Mack/Q)
Amen.
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"When the summer sun is shining" (Tune: 'All for Jesus', 87 87. 413 TiS) 66 SLT
When the summer sun is shining
over golden land and sea,
and the flowers in the hedge-row
welcome butterfly and bee,
then my open heart is glowing,
full of warmth for every one,
and I feel an inner beauty
which reflects the summer sun.
When the summer clouds of thunder
bring the long awaited rain,
and the thirsty soil is moistened
and the grass is green again;
then I long for summer sunshine,
but I know that clouds and tears
are a part of life's refreshment,
like the rainbow's hopes and fears.
Baptismal candle
A lighted candle is given
(N), may this candle remind you
throughout your life, of Jesus, who opened peoples’ minds and hearts
to see the ‘light’ of God’s presence within them.
(N) and (N) use this candle
to help you tell (N) the story of her/his baptism,
as you light it each year to remember this day.
Parents return to their seats
Words of mission
May we go forth
in the certainty of faith,
in the knowledge of love,
and in the vision of hope.
All And in our going, may we be blessed
with all good things on this day and forever more. Harold Babcock
Blessing words
Go into this week,
held together by the love of God
clothed with the nature of Jesus our Companion
reinforced by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) "When the summer sun …”" (Tune: 'All for Jesus', 87 87. 413 TiS 66 SLT
In the cool of summer evening,
when the dancing insects play,
and in garden, street, and meadow
linger echoes of the day;
then my heart is full of yearning;
hopes and mem'ries flood the whole
of my being, reaching inwards
to the corners of my soul. Sydney H Knight
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:
Carol our christmas. A book of New Zealand carols. 1996. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Dobson, M. 2004. Multi-coloured maze. Drama, hymns, prayers and poems for worship and everyday living. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell.
Harvey, A. (ed). 1996. The essential mystics. NY: New York. HarperSanFrancisco.
Holy Bible. NRSV. 1989. Ten: Nashville. Thomas Nelson Publishers.
In spirit and in truth. A worship book. 1991. Switzerland: Geneva. World Council of Churches. Seventh Assembly.
Inclusive readings. Year C. 2006. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Mack, B. L. 1993. The lost gospel. The book of Q and christian origins. NY: New York. HarperSanFrancisco.
Macnab, F. 1996. Hope: The deeper longings of the mind and heart. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Morwood, M. 2003. Praying a new story. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Singing the living tradition. 1993. MA: Boston. UUA.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. 1988. VIC: Melbourne. Uniting Church Press.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.
Kathy Hawker. Outside the box. <liturgyoutside.net/AdventCandleOutside.html>
Michael Morwood. Baptism ceremony. www.greatnewstory.com