The Uniting Church of St James
Curtin, ACT
Minister-in-Placement: Revd Rex A E Hunt, MSc(Hons),
eMail: rexae@optusnet.com.au
Web site: www.rexaehuntprogressive.com
LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
29 April 2007. Easter 4C. (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 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
Entry into worship
The gong is sounded three times
Come into this place of worship!
This congregation is ready for you
to fill this sacred space,
to create its spirit,
to generate its warmth,
to kindle its light.
Let us then celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Lighting of community candle
The candle is lit
Deep calls unto deep,
joy calls unto joy,
light calls unto light. (Gordon B. McKeeman)
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
"The ceaseless flow of time" (Tune: McKee, 86 86. 459(i) TiS) 350 SLT
The ceaseless flow of endless time
no one can check or stay;
we'll view the past with no regret,
nor future with dismay.
The present slips into the past,
and dream-like melts away;
the breaking of tomorrow's dawn
begins a new today.
The past and future ever meet
in the eternal now:
to make each day a thing complete
shall be our New Year vow. John Storey
Remain standing
Opening sentences
In our gathering here together, let us:
open our minds to the challenge of reason,
open our hearts to the healing of love,
open our lives to the comfort of joy.
All Astonished by the miracle of life,
grateful for the gift of fellowship,
confident in the power of living faith,
we are here gathered. (Lindsay Bates/adapted)
Prayer
We pray:
We give thanks for the opportunity we have
to worship in this sacred place this day.
May we be surrounded with a very real sense
of the presentness of the Source of our Living,
as we spend this time together.
Amen.
Hymn “The church of the living Christ” 19 AA
Church of the living Christ,
people of easter faith -
speak to the Man who walks
free from the dark of death!
The Christ who burst the tomb apart
comes questioning the Church’s heart.
No use old wineskins now -
new wine is here to stay:
no patching up old schemes -
new patches tear away,
old gear, old concepts have no place
where Christ’s own presence sets the pace.
Women and men of God,
come, as one Church to serve,
bring all the skills we have,
sharpen our every nerve:
to save a world in bitter need
the rule of love must come in deed.
We are the Body now -
our feet must mark the Way,
our speech declare the Word
and live it day by day,
the resurrection story ours,
disciples gifted with new powers! (Shirley Murray)
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.
Music of celebration
EXPLORING
Readings from our religious tradition
Let us now listen to some stories from our broad religious tradition.
From our world around us:
“Baptized by the morning”
By Bruce Prewer. Australian prayers/104.
Risen Lord Jesus,
as the rising sun
baptizes trees and shrubs
in rippling light,
let me be baptized
by your resurrection light.
May I trust in you above all else,
hope in you above all other goals,
seek you in all things,
find you in every situation,
meet you among all people,
know you over everything -
And love you with adoration
beyond
beyond
beyond all telling.
Hebrew scriptures:
Psalm 23
A contemporary paraphrasing by Francis Macnab. A fine wind is blowing/14-15.
• In his wanderings and his daily work, the psalmist turns to the imagery of a Shepherd caring for the sheep, calm waters, a cup overflowing. Our task is to see how these images can be translated into images that will be meaningful for us, recognising the psalmist’s anxieties are also ours.
Generous Giver of all things:
in your presence my inner spirit is fully satisfied.
I know I share in the abundance of life.
I can lie down without fear.
I can sit beside the stillness of the river.
I find my soul is strengthened.
I know there are right paths.
My God will guide me to them.
I know I must face the shadows of life and meet my death.
I will do so with courage.
I know there is an unseen presence with me
that gives me comfort and strength.
Generous Giver
along with all the uncertainties and threats of life,
you provide me with good gifts.
When I have enough, you pour into my life something more.
Indeed: my cup overflows.
May I find and give goodness and kindness every day of my life.
Let my life be a constant expression of my desire
to reflect your good presence
wherever I am, wherever I go.
Wherever.
Forever!
Hymn In solidarity with those for whom standing is not easy or possible, we will remain seated to sing
"Dear Mother God" (Tune: ‘Intercessor,’ 11 10 11 10, 587 TiS)
Dear Mother God, your wings are warm around us,
We are enfolded in your love and care,
Safe in the dark, your heartbeat's pulse surround us,
You call to us, for you are always there.
You call to us, for we are in your image.
We wait on you, the nest is cold and bare -
High overhead your wingbeats call us onward,
Filled with your power, we ride the empty air.
Let not our freedom scorn the needs of others -
We climb the clouds until our strong heart sings -
May we enfold our sisters and our brothers,
Till all are strong, till all have eagles' wings. (Janet Wootton/cw)
Gospel:
John 10: 22-24, 27-30 (Scholars Version/adapted)
It was the Festival of Lights in Jerusalem and it was wintertime.
Jesus was walking around in the temple area,
in Solomon's Colonnade.
Judeans surrounded him, asking
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Anointed, just say so.”
Jesus replied…
"The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I provide them with real life.
They will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me.
"The One who sent me, who gave them to me,
is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Holy One.
"The One who sent me, and I, are one.”
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A celebation of faith
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share together a celebration of faith.
The people stand
What a joyful celebration when we come together
as a community of people on the Way,
All a network of worshippers with common purpose,
a united walk towards the promised land.
Jesus goes ahead of us as the shepherd leads the sheep
All and we hear the song of the redeemed
as prisoners are released, the blind given sight,
the exploited and oppressed are given new hope
and the rainbow sign arcs above the pilgrims
who walk together to the city of peace. John Johansen-Berg/sco
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.
Hymn of the Month
“Easter song: Christ is alive” 15 AA
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate,
and the stars and the suns shout on this Easter Day!
Christ is alive, and his family must celebrate
in a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Here is our hope: in the mystery of suffering
is the heartbeat of Love, Love that will not let go,
here is our hope, that in God we are not separate,
and we sing alleluia,
we sing alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Christ Spirit, dance through the dullness of humanity
to the music of God, God who has set us free!
You are the pulse of the new creations energy;
with a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
we praise the power that made the stone roll away. Shirley Murray
CELEBRATING
The offering Offerings are presented
Let us bring our offerings as a symbol of our ministry
in this place and beyond.
The presentation The people stand as the gifts are brought forward
We pray:
Compassionate God,
may we serve you night and day,
wherever we are, in all we do.
Amen.
Offerings placed on the table.
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)
Care candle
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and concerns shared.
The Care candle is lit
Prayers
Pastoral
Lord's Prayer
You are invited to pray this contemporary prayer in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer,
and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you.
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offences,
just as we must forgive others when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power
to make our world whole.
Amen. (Lala Winkley/cw)
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“God gives the song” (Tune: Kingsfold’ 86 86D, 262 TiS) 20 TMT
God gives the song which we shall sing
Of freedom for us all
To leave behind our guilt and fears
And break our narrowness
Refrain:
Come share your tears of joy with me.
Dance like the Autumn leaves;
Life is for loving, joy and fun,
God is the lively one.
God gives the song which we shall sing
Of laughter for us all
Of twinkling eyes replacing frowns
And structures freed by clowns.
Refrain:
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
Remembering that the universe is much larger
than our ability to comprehend,
All let us go from this time together with the resolve
to allow wonder - that sense of what is sacred -
to find space to open up our minds
and illumine our lives. Marjorie Leaming
Blessing words
And now may the rhythms of our coming together,
the melodies of our worship,
and the harmonies of our farewells,
make musical our living,
soothing our spirits
and uplifting our souls,
This day and into the beckoning future. (Richard S. Gilbert)
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) “God gives the song” (Tune: Kingsfold’ 86 86D, 262 TiS) 20 TMT
God gives the song which we shall sing
Of justice for us all
Of sharing with the hungry poor
What they should own by right.
Refrain:
Come share your tears of joy with me.
Dance like the Autumn leaves;
Life is for loving, joy and fun,
God is the lively one.
The people sit after the hymn
'This week' at St James
Notices
Birthdays and anniversaries
Significant events
Journey candles
Recessional 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,
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:
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). 1998. Seeing christ in others. An anthology for worship, mediation and mission. Gt. Britain: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Funk, R.
W; R. W. Hoover. 1993. The five gospels. The search for the
authentic words of Jesus. NY: New York. MacMillan Press.
Inclusive readings. Year C. 2006. Qld: Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Iona Community. 2001. Iona abbey worship book. Scotland: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
McRae-McMahon, D. 1993. Echoes of our journey. Liturgies of the people. VIC: Melbourne. JBCE.
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.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.