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
24 December 2006. Christmas Eve. (White).
9.30pm. 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 music
Silence
Entry into celebration
The gong is struck three times
From the east to the west,
flowing towards all people on earth.
comes the gentle light of hope
born in human form. (D McRae-McMahon/adapted)
All Watch and see, the wonder of the gift.
On this Christmas Eve may we celebrate the richness and diversity of life,
in the presentness of God.
Music of reflection
Christmas Eve...
Christmas Eve is a time for candlelight.
It is a time when one desires little more
than family and soft music.
Who can say what passes through our hearts on Christmas Eve?
Strange thoughts.
Undefinable emotions.
Sudden tears.
Christmas Eve is a time to be quietly glad.
It is a time to wonder, to give thanks,
and of quiet awakening to beauty
that still lives on through the strife
of a war-torn world.
And Christmas Eve is also a time for memories and remembering.
For some, the memories are of loved family members
who have died, and the festive season
makes the pain of those losses ever more real.
For others, the memories are of happier times than we know now,
felt as the anguish of broken relationships,
the insecurity around employment,
the anxiety of illness or poor health,
or the emptiness of loss after drought or bushfire.
All these feelings are with us this night as we gather in this sacred place.
Here we are safe to feel what we feel:
to acknowledge our sadness,
to share our concern,
to release our anger,
to face our emptiness,
and still to know that God by what ever name,
is made present in the caring thoughts and deeds of others.
So let us be and share and remember and receive,
assured that we are not alone in our life experiences.
Silence
A brief period of silence is kept
Bowl of tears
As a symbol of the memories of those loved and lost
we place this bowl of tears in this special place.
A bowl of water is put in place
A candle liturgy of remembering
This first candle we light
to remember those whom we have loved and lost.
(First candle is lit)
We pause to remember
their name,
their face,
their voice,
the memory that binds them to us in this season.
All May God's caring love surround them.
This second candle we light is to mend the pain of loss.
The loss of relationships,
the loss of jobs,
the loss of health
the loss of home.
(Second candle is lit.)
We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God,
asking that from God's hands
we receive the gift of peace.
All Refresh, restore, renew us Gracious God,
and lead us into the future.
This third candle we light
is to remember ourselves this Christmas time.
(Third candle is lit.)
We pause and remember the past weeks and months and years:
the disbelief,
the anger,
the down times,
the poignancy of reminiscing,
the hugs and handshakes of family and friends,
all those who stood with us.
We give thanks for all the support we have known.
All Let us remember that dawn defeats darkness.
This fourth candle we light
to remember the gift of hope
which the Christmas story offers to us.
(Fourth candle is lit.)
We remember that God is our companion, who shares our life,
blessing us, and fills us with longing and with courage.
All Let us remember the One who holds us in love.
Spirit of God, calm the turmoil in our lives
so that we can hear your still small voice.
The gong is struck three times
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"God molds the shapes of life" (Tune: 66 66 88. 469 TiS) 38 TMT
God molds the shapes of life,
drawing the flow of tides,
firing the sunlight's blaze,
glazing the night with pride:
God gives the love which warms and moves
the patterned rhythm life provides.
Ponder the rising sap
changing to leaf's decay;
think of the winter's death
turning to spring's new day,
and in these cycles find the shapes
of all God dreams and all God makes.
Pulse of the veins and lungs,
seasons of human hearts -
patterns that intertwine,
shaping our thought and art;
all these are part of nature's flow -
the life of God we reap and sow.
Sing to the God of change,
chaos, and fine design;
hallow the ordered forms
filled with the life divine.
In God the universe is one
and sings the hymn which God first sung! William Wallace
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
during this Christmas season, 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.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
Centering silence
Let there now be a quiet time among us.
(Silence)
May this time renew our hope.
May it refresh our courage.
May it lift our spirits.
May it restore us in faith.
(Silence)
Special music
Readings from our religious tradition
Some readings from our broad religious tradition shall now be read.
Hebrew scriptures:
Isaiah 9:2-7 (Inclusive Text)
The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light;
on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone.
You have made their gladness greater,
you have made their joy increase;
they rejoice in your presence
as harvesters rejoice at harvest time,
as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils.
For the yoke of Israel's burden,
and the staff for its shoulder, the rod of its oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For there is a child born for us.
An heir given to us upon whose shoulder government will rest.
They will name this one:
Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God,
Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.
This dominion - and this peace - will grow without end,
on David's judgement seat and over David's realm,
established and made secure in justice and integrity,
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of our God of hosts will do this.
The world around us:
"Beatitudes of Christmas tide"
By David Rhys Williams. (Adapted)
On this blessed night let us worship at the altar of joy,
for to miss the joy of Christmas is to miss its holiest secret.
Let us enter into the spiritual delights which are the natural
heritage of childlike hearts.
That we may take counsel of the wisdom
of poetry and legend.
Blessed are they who have vision enough to behold a guiding star
in the dark mystery which girdles the earth.
Blessed are they who have imagination enough to detect
the music of celestial voices in the midnight hours of life;
Blessed are they who have faith enough to contemplate a world
of peace and justice in the midst of present wrongs and strife.
Blessed are they who have greatness enough
to become at times as a little child;
Blessed are they who have zest enough
to take delight in simple things;
Blessed are they who have wisdom enough to know that
the realm of God is very close at hand,
and that all may enter who have eyes to see
and ears to hear and hearts to understand.
Hymn "Here in the dryness and dust" (Tune: 310(ii) TiS, ‘Spean’ 11 10 11 10)
Here in the dryness and dust of our climate,
snow is remote as the tale we repeat,
barren the ground in the heat of the outback,
barren the welcome: they wait on the street.
Mary and Joseph stand stunned and disabled,
wonder what shelter they'll find for the night,
here in the colour and warmth of the sunshine
we can imagine the fear of their plight.
Warm is the straw on the floor of the stable,
soft is the sun as it filters through trees,
now it is Christmas we welcome the Christ-child,
all of creation is brought to its knees.
Love is incarnate, the source of all being
cradled by Mary, yes, born on this earth;
looking she loves him, though strained and exhausted,
knowing her child is of infinite worth. © Andrew Pratt
Gospel:
Luke 2:1-14 (Inclusive Text)
Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census
of the world to be taken.
This census - the first - took place while Quirinus
was governor of Syria, and everyone
went to their own town to be registered.
So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee
and travelled up to Judea,
to the town of David called Bethlehem,
since he was of David's House and line,
in order to be registered together with Mary,
his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to a son, her first-born.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger
because there was no place for them in the inn.
In the countryside close by there were shepherds
who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch
their flocks during the night.
The angel of God appeared to them and the glory of God
shone around them. They were terrified, but the angel said,
'Do not be afraid.
Listen, I bring you news of great joy,
a joy to be shared by the whole people.
Today in the town of David
a saviour has been born to you who is the Christ.
'And here is a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly with the angel
there was a great throng of the heavenly host,
praising God and singing,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace to all who enjoy God's favour'.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
A Christmas litany
People stand as they are able
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the fragrant eucalypt,
the song of the cicada,
and the soft flicker of candles...
All To them shall come memories of love and happiness.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the Christmas star...
All Their lives may ever reflect its light and beauty.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the age-old story of a child born in a stable and laid in a manger...
All To them a little child will always mean
hope and promise in a troubled world.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the joy of gifts sent lovingly to others...
All They shall share the gladness and joy
of the shepherds and sages of old.
Blessed are they who find Christmas
in the message of Jesus of Nazareth...
All They shall ever strive to help bring
peace on earth, good will to all.
People sit (Adapted-Celebrating Christmas/52)
Prayer
We pray:
Celebrating God, with another Christmas,
we celebrate the gift of life itself
and the gift of every resource that enhances life.
Above all, we are thankful for the life and spirit
of Jesus of Nazareth,
for leading us to put our hope and trust
in the spirit of life and love
moving in the depths of our being.
May we too be creators of a better world.
May we find a good purpose and satisfaction
in the life that we are given.
May we leave behind us a trail of encouragement and hope.
Amen.
Hymn "Poets tell..." (Tune: 'Regent Square', 87 87 47 Extend. 431 TiS) 5 CCS
Poets, tell the ancient story,
sing the universal song;
Take from war its cruel glory,
speed love’s triumph over wrong.
Hate belies it,
Doubt denies it
Peace on earth, good-will to all!
Calm the angry pride of nations,
stay the threat of holocaust.
Let all peoples’ lifted voices
call for peace, lest earth be lost
Fear rejects it,
Hope expects it
Peace on earth, good-will to all!
Prophets, speak with greater power;
leaders, mark your mission clear,
Match the challenge of this hour,
rid the world of hate and fear.
Faith believes it,
Love achieves it
Peace on earth, good-will to all! Edwin T Buehrer
The people sit
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Offerings Offerings/gifts to be presented
Our offerings to the Christmas Bowl, and
our gifts of bread and wine, shall now be received.
The presentation (Remain seated)
We rejoice in the new world God is creating
around us and with us.
May our gifts proclaim the way of Jesus
and strengthen your faithful people.
Amen.
Invitation
Friends, on this special night of nights,
we are sharing in a sacred story,
and celebrating community with gifts of bread a wine.
But we have also been reminded that as we gather,
if our sister or brother has anything against us
we must leave our gifts
and first cleanse our hands for the giving.
Let us then pray that God will create a clean heart in us.
Discernment
Loving and caring God,
you have searched us out and known us,
all that we are is open to you.
(Pause)
Look not upon our sin but upon our faith.
Break down all barriers which we erect against your love.
Cover us with the blanket of your peace.
And let your justice reach to the ends of the earth.
All So that we come glad to this celebration.
When our prayers are as dry as an asphalt road in Summer,
and our spirits like ash after a camp fire
All Drench us with a downpour of mercy!
When we take things for granted
and gratitude goes to sleep
All Alert us to the excitement and sound
of surf rolling in on sandy shores.
When life's abrasive pressures fray us
and the busyness of Christmas has stressed us out
All Touch us with an encouraging word from a stranger
or an embrace of a lover or friend.
Silence
Creating Source of Life...
All Creating Source of Life,
you know what we need without our words.
Hear our prayers and hear also our silence.
Give us strength.
Grant us those things we cannot or dare not voice.
Let us pray in the spirit of how we understand Jesus
and some early Jesus Movements, may have prayed
in various times, places and phrases:
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.
The peace
God makes peace within us. Let us claim it.
God makes peace between us. Let us share it.
Let us greet another as a sign of God's peace.
The peace of God is here... to stay.
All Thanks be to God.
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours.
Thanksgiving
On this night God's presentness was seen as one of us:
a baby needy and naked,
wrapped in a woman's blood,
born into poverty and exile,
to proclaim the good news to the poor,
and to let the broken victims go free.
Therefore, with the woman who gave Jesus birth,
the woman who befriended him and fed him,
who argued with him
and reached out to touch him;
the woman who anointed him for death,
the woman who met him in the garden, (Janet Morley/cw-adapted)
and with all women and men throughout the ages,
we praise God, saying:
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.
Breaking of bread/Pouring of wine
Again, on this night, we remember what our tradition teaches:
at the end of a journey, among friends,
gathered round a table...
Jesus took bread, said a blessing,
broke it and said,
'This is the bread of life, given
to sustain the people of the world'.
Bread broken
All Let us share this bread and be strengthened
to bring peace and justice to the world.
Later he poured a cup of wine
said a blessing and said,
'This is the cup of life, given
to sustain the people of the world'. (P Lawson)
Wine poured out
All Let us share this cup in solidarity
with all the peoples of the world, so that
peace and justice may prevail everywhere.
Ever Present God, embrace us with your comfortable power.
Brood over these bodily things
and make us one body in community.
All As Mary's body was broken for him, and her blood shed,
so may we show forth his brokenness,
for the life of the world. Amen.
Communion
Bread and wine served in small circles around the Table
After communion
Let us give thanks for this sharing in community.
May it sustains us in our desire to be followers of Jesus
in our own time and place.
Let us acknowledge that partaking of the bread and wine
joins us to a great company of people throughout history
and around the present world.
And let us renew our sense of belonging to this fellowship
as we seek to bring the words and ways of Jesus
into relevant connection with life
as we live and understand it today.
All May true knowledge increase in our minds.
May compassion increase in our hearts.
May there be energy and strength for good actions
that serve a suffering world.
And may peace be our portion
and the portion of all who live on this small planet
which is our human home. (R V Jones)
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“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:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Grown child, old child,
mem'ry full of years,
sad child, lost child,
story told in tears,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Words of mission
Walk carefully as you go from here,
All God is there before us.
Walk humbly as you go from here,
All the city and suburbs awaits our coming.
Walk softly as you go from here,
for the Spirit is abroad in all the earth,
All and the voice of the Spirit speaks in every place.
Blessing words
May the blessing in the strength of the Brindabellas,
the calm of Lake Burley Griffin
the freshness of gum tree and wild flower
remain with you...
And may God's strength, peace and creativity
go with you always.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) “Star-Child, earth-Child” 40(ii) COC
Spared child, spoiled child,
having, wanting more,
wise child, faith child
knowing joy in store,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive!
Hope-for-peace Child,
God's stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
star of stars that shine,
Refrain:
This year, this year,
let the day arrive,
when Christmas comes
for everyone,
everyone alive! Shirley Murray
The people sit after the hymn
Recessional music
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,
in addition to those from Together in Song,
are reproduced with permission under license #A1197.
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.
Celebrating christmas in song. Thirteen new carols. 1983. MA: Boston. UUA.
Inclusive readings. Year C. 2006. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Jones, Robert V. 2005. Liturgy: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In private circulation from the author.
Lawson, P. R. 2003. Jesus circles. Xlibris Corporation.
Lee, B. J. (ed). 1987. Alternative futures for worship. Vol 3. The eucharist. MIN: Collegeville. The Liturgical press.
Mack, B. L. 1993. The lost gospel. The book of Q and christian origins. NY: New York. HarperSanFrancisco.
Mitchell, R. C.; G. A. Ricciuti. 1992. Birthings and blessings. Liberating worship services for the inclusive church. NY: New York. Crossroads.
Morwood, M. 2003. Praying a new story. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Prewer, B. D. 1983. Australian prayers. SA: Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers.
Seaburg, C. (ed). 1983. Celebrating christmas. An anthology. MA: Boston. UUMA.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Wallace, W. L. 2001. The mystery telling. Hymns and songs for the new millennium. NY: Kingston. Selah Publishing.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.
UUA Faith Works. MA: Boston. UUA. (Collected by Jacqui James).
Andrew Pratt Web site. UK.
McRae-McMahon, D. 2005. "Christmas liturgy: The light shines in the darkness". Insights magazine web site.
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