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
8 April 2007. Easter Day C. (White).
10.30am. Contemporary liturgical worship.
Celebrating belonging: Sacrament of Baptism
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, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Entry into worship
The worship space has been changed since we left it on Good Friday morning.
The wooden cross is no longer present.
All that remains is the outline of the cross made from the petals and leaves
scattered by the women of the congregation...
The gong is sounded three times
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life
in the presentness of God.
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Praise to God, the world’s creator” (Tune: 'Abbot's Leigh’, 87 87D, 153 TiS)
Praise to God, the world’s creator,
Source of life and growth and breath,
Cradling in her arms her children,
Holding them from birth to death.
In our bodies, in our living,
Strength and truth of all we do,
God is present, working with us,
Making us creators too.
Praise to God our saving Wisdom,
Meeting us with love and grace,
Helping us to grow in wholeness,
Giving freedom, room, and space.
In our hurting, in our risking,
In the thoughts we dare not name,
God is present, growing with us,
Healing us from sin and shame.
Praise to God, the Spirit in us,
Prompting hidden depths of prayer,
Firing us to long for justice,
Reaching out with tender care.
In our searching, in our loving,
In our struggles to be free,
God is present, living in us,
Pointing us to what shall be. Jan Berry/cw
Remain standing
Opening sentences
v2 We live at mystery's edge
watching for a startling luminescence
or a word to guide us.
All In fragile occurrence
the Holy One presents oneself
and we must pause...
Daily, there are glimmers,
reflections of a seamless mercy
revealed in common intricacies.
All These circles of grace spill out around us
and announce that we are part of this mystery. Keri Wehlander/adapted
v1 Today we celebrate life over death.
Today we celebrate the flame that lives again.
We will light the fire,
Community candle is lit
aware that the power of resurrection
has forever changed who we are,
and given us the courage
to boldly proclaim a living faith.
Today we celebrate:
new life,
new joy,
new possibilities.
All We give thanks for the Spirit of Life
visible in Jesus,
visible in us,
visible in people in all walks of life.
Prayer
We pray:
God of terror and joy, you arise to shake the earth.
Open our graves and give us back the past;
so that all that has been buried
may be freed and forgiven,
and our lives may return to you.
Amen.
Hymn “Easter 2” (Tune: ‘Omni Die’ 87 87, 101TiS)
Stripped of leaves trees tell the story:
naked possibility.
Colours, rampant, rage before me
reaching for eternity.
Now the cross is grazed and gory,
petals fall around its head.
Christ has suffered death, not glory,
buried in that stone cold bed.
No more cross, the tomb is empty,
leaves and petals mark the place;
place of hope and new creation,
barren earth, the ground of grace. © Andrew Pratt 11/2005
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
CELEBRATING BELONGING: THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Presentation
Angela and Mark xxx
have come today to present their son for baptism.
I also present Sarah, Jessica, Daniel, Liam, Caitlin and Erin
who are glad to be welcoming a new brother into the family
and David and Cecile
who are supporting the family in love.
The narrative
Hear these words from the stories of our faith:
People brought little children to Jesus,
for him to lay his hand on them and say a prayer.
The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said:
‘Let the little children alone,
and do not stop them coming to me,
for it is to such as these that the reign of God belongs.'
Then he laid his hands on them...
Baptism is the church's way
of celebrating and naming the grace of God
living in everyone of God's children.
It is the way we initiate new members
into the life of the universal community of faith.
And it marks the entry point into the life-time pilgrimage
of following in the Way of Jesus.
The request
Angela and Mark
by what name is your child to be known?
Par. Marcus James.
How did you come to decide on these names?
Par. (Response).
Little one, born to love,
surrounded by love,
child of the universe,
one with all that lives,
we now name you Marcus James.
Take this name and make it your own.
Live in freedom and fullness
as you travel your journey of life.
And what do you ask of God's church at St James
for Marcus James?
Par. We ask that he be baptised
into the faith and family of God’s love.
Marcus James, we welcome you
to this family and this community.
We rejoice that you are here.
Thanksgiving
God is the heart of life.
All And we are the heartbeat.
May our hearts be filled
with thanks and praise and songs of joy.
All We rejoice in the miracle of life
and delight in our participation. Sherri Weinberg
For us in Australia, the driest continent on earth,
water is a precious commodity...
Water is everything.
Water is life.
We claim the joy of water
and the way it sustains and nourishes us.
All Let it flow and pour and sprinkle for all people.
That all may know each day
the gift of God in water.
The biblical stories talk of the preciousness of water.
These stories remind us that water is a blessing
and the source and strength of life.
Without it humanity and all that is created could not survive.
We are also reminded that God’s way
is the way of compassion and love.
God's love, like a shower of rain in drought,
awakens the sleeping seed within the soul
and lures it to blossom.
God's love, like a paddling pool,
inspires the responsive love of children,
jumping,
splashing each other,
shivering with wet delight.
God's love, like a hot shower after a long day's work,
cleanses us,
reawakens us.
The water is poured into the font
So let's give thanks for this love
that reaches out to us in what we say and do in love for this child
whom we are welcoming into our midst.
Prayer
We gather to pray, believing that God prays in us.
We acknowledge our responsibility
to ensure we use the resources of water well,
and make available future resources
for our children and their children.
We give thanks for the gift of this water.
May it be the birthing waters of a new and holy life.
All Amen.
The congregation stands
The baptism
Marcus James
in the touch of this water, the ancient symbol of new life,
I baptise you into the love, service and joy of God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...
Source of Life, Companion, Enlivener.
All Amen.
The minister takes the child
Marcus James may the presence of the Spirit of Love in you
be nurtured and constantly affirmed by
your family,
your friends, and by
your church community.
May the sun and the stars
delight and touch your heart with fire
and so may you find passion to be creative.
May you know God’s blessing.
Blessing (Sung)
“May the mystery of God enfold us” (Tune: Marleborough Sounds) 95 AA
May the mystery of God enfold us,
may the wisdom of God uphold us,
may the fragrance of God be around us,
may the brightness of God surround us,
may the wonder of God renew us,
may the loving of God flow through us,
may the peace of God deeply move us,
may the moving of God bring us peace. Joy Cowley
During the Blessing the elder introduces the newly baptised child to the congregation.
At the end of the Blessing the congregation sits.
Responses
Mark and Angela, I ask you now to respond
to God's graciousness to Marcus by making these promises:
Will you provide for Marcus
a welcoming home of love and trust?
Par. With God's help, we will.
Will you help Marcus grow in his
understanding and appreciation of a broad religious faith?
Par. With God's help, we will.
Will you encourage Marcus
to reach out to others with love and compassion?
Par. With God's help, we will.
David and Cecile,
you have been asked by Angela and Mark
to be godparents for Marcus.
Will you do everything possible to ensure Marcus is nurtured
so his faith is healthy and strong?
Gp. We will.
And you, the people of God gathered here at St James,
will you provide an environment
that will nurture and enrich the wellbeing of Marcus
and of all the children among you?
All With God's help, we will live out our baptism
as a loving community in the spirit of Jesus:
nurturing one another in faith,
upholding one another in prayer,
and encouraging one another in service.
Baptismal prayer
We pray:
Bless this newly baptised child.
May he always know that the Source of all Love
lives and comes to unique expression, in him.
All Amen.
Gp. Bless Mark and Angela,
may they always show their gratitude for the new life given them
by loving and caring for Marcus.
All Amen.
Bless this faithful people.
May we all live in love.
And may we continue to draw encouragement
from the faith which connects our loving
with the mystery we call ‘God’.
All Amen.
This is a day of great celebration for Marcus James xxxx.
All Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Baptismal hymn
Now let Marcus receive the gift of the congregation
as we stand and sing the Baptismal hymn...
“When a baby...” (Tune: “Infant Holy”. 292 TiS)
When a baby in your arms
grips your little finger tight,
but cannot tell you why,
or say your name,
remember Christmas,
a shining star above,
and tiny fingers,
clutching from the cradle,
holding you with love,
holding you with eternal love.
When a baby in your arms
gives a yelling, bawling cry,
then wails a nameless need
you can't ignore,
remember Christmas,
a shining star above,
and hear the crying,
crying from the cradle,
calling you with love,
calling you with eternal love.
When a baby in your arms
gazes deep into your eyes,
and you're the only face
that baby knows,
remember Christmas,
a shining star above,
and eyes a-gazing,
gazing from the cradle,
meeting you with love,
meeting you with eternal love. (Adapted/Brian Wren) © 1993 Stainer & Bell Ltd
Parents and God parents return to their seats
Recollection of baptism
In very early Christianity,
when the people gathered to worship on Easter morning,
they would also be reminded of their baptism
as they witnessed the baptism of others.
This morning we, 20 centuries later, follow in that tradition.
Come, O Holy One of God,
refresh the lives of all your faithful people.
As water is sprinkled...
Always remember you are baptised and be thankful.
EXPLORING
Readings from our broad religious tradition
Let us now listen to some of the Easter stories
from our broad religious tradition.
From our world around us:
"Easter morning"
By Bruce Prewer. More Australian Psalms/151.
Black light transforms the clouds in the east,
the swamphens wake
at this new dawning.
Against the sky sacred ibis wend
like angel forms,
to hopeless mourning.
The sun comes up and the magpies sing.
God is alive
in everything this Easter morning.
Gospel:
Luke 24:1-12 (Inclusive Text)
On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn,
the women went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.
They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb,
but on entering discovered that the body of Jesus was not there.
As they stood there not knowing what to think,
two figures in brilliant clothes suddenly appered at their side.
Terrified, the women lowered their eyes.
But the two of them said,
“Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?
He is not here, he is risen.
"Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee:
that the Promised One had to be handed over
into the power of sinners and be crucified,
and rise again on the third day.”
And they remembered Jesus' words.
When the women returned from the tomb
they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others.
The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna,
and Mary the mother of James.
The other women with them also told the apostles,
but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense,
and they did not believe them.
Peter, however, went running to the tomb.
He bent down and saw the binding cloths, but nothing else.
He then went home,
amazed at what had happened.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
A celebration of faith
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share together a celebration of our faith.
The people stand
The creativity of God fills the universe.
v2 Like rain falling upon the earth
and sun warming the rocks,
All the heart of God flows over us all
in renewing grace and love.
The generosity of Christ fills our lives.
v2 With company on the journey
and mercy in understanding,
All the Bread, the Way and the Truth
set us free to live again.
The faithfulness of the Spirit fills our future.
v2 It surrounds us with a cloud of hope
and lifts our tired feet once more.
All In courage born of costly life,
it calls and sings and dances on.
We are the people of freedom.
v2 We lay down our past in God’s forgiveness.
All We will walk on into God’s new day. (D McRae-McMahon/eoj)
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
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
Sung response:
Flow’r of compassion
Bloom within, bloom within
Bloom within each heart.
Blossom of love, you
Draw us close, draw us close
Draw us close together.
Delicate fragrance,
Drift beyond, drift beyond
Drift beyond all boarders.
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)
CELEBRATING
The offering
Let us now present our offerings
and gifts of bread and wine.
The presentation The people stand as the offerings/gifts are brought forward
We pray:
God, by our smallest actions,
we become part of a bigger world.
The smallest giving can be an expression
of the good spirit of generosity and caring.
Help us to carry through the doorway of each new day
this good spirit of generosity and caring.
Amen.
Offerings/gifts placed on table.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The tradition of the meal
Such an event as sharing bread and wine,
(and bread and fish,) was common in the time of Jesus.
Folk gathered for the sacred moment of the meal
when bread was broken and the cup blessed.
It reminded them of their story,
the way they believed their God had led them,
the hope that was given to them,
and the blessing they received.
We are told:
Jesus took the bread and wine
and gave that additional blessing of faith for the future day.
The church through the generations
has embraced this event as a central sacrament of the Faith.
It was to be the substantial symbol of a life-enhancing presence,
giving the courage to bring a different spirit to the world.
This table sets before us the symbols of life.
All We give thanks to God for our life
and the courage we are given to live it.
We are here given this sacrament to
enhance and enrich our life.
All We will receive it with thanksgiving and faith.
Silence
Wherever we are, we are surrounded by the Good Presence.
All May the Good Presence change our way of being in the world.
We pause in gratitude for our life
and the many gifts of life.
All Again and again, we want our life and our gratitude
to be good and generous.
(Pause)
Here in this sacred place, we are lifted into
the awesome mystery of life.
All And we reach out to all that is good.
Here in this sacred place we give words
to our inner sense of gratitude and hope.
All We pause in gratitude for all that has been given;
in hope for all that yet will be.
And so we take these gifts of bread and wine,
such ordinary things of life,
to lift us into the eternal mystery of God's
acceptance and grace.
We now give to this bread and wine
a special meaning and significance,
that they will bring to each one of us the renewed
awareness of the Presence of the Good Spirit of God;
and the renewed strengthening of our faith,
that the ways of Jesus will keep alive the courage
to be people of a New Way,
helping to build a better world.
Bread and wine
As he took the bread, I take it.
As he blessed the bread, I bless it.
As he broke the bread, I break it.
Bread is broken
Let it be a symbol of the Presence:
a symbol of care and compassion
calling us to the highest spirit of care and compassion.
The bread is broken for us to take.
All We will receive it in faith.
As he took the wine, I take it.
As he raised the cup, I raise it.
As he blessed the cup, I bless it.
Cup/wine is raised
Let it be a symbol of remembering.
And a symbol of healing and renewal.
The wine is here for us to take.
All We will receive it in faith.
Silence
May the Good Spirit of God accept us and renew our faith
as we receive this sacrament.
All This is our hope.
May the Good Spirit of God accept us and encourage us
to be carriers of goodwill.
All This is our prayer.
May the Good Spirit of God accept us and give
new strength to all our living.
All This is the blessing we seek.
Communion
Bread and wine is served in four small circles around the worship space
After communion
Take with you the blessing of this sacrament.
Take with you the blessing of the Good Spirit into your daily life.
Take with you the blessing of care and compassion. (Adapted/F Macnab)
Baptismal candle
A lighted candle is given
Marcus, 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.
Mark and Angela use this candle
to help you tell Marcus the story of his baptism,
as you light it each year to remember this day.
Parents return to their seats
SCATTERING
Hymn Charles Wesley was regarded as the hymn writer of 18th century Methodism. He lived, moved, and had his being in sacred songs, which championed a personal and evangelical experience of God.
As we sing this traditional Easter hymn we do so honouring part of our past, even as we affirm we have moved on in our religious journey and thinking.
The people stand as they are able, to sing
"Christ the Lord is risen today" (Tune: Easter Hymn, 77 77) 370 (v1-2) TiS
Words of mission
The presentness of God reaches beyond this place...
The candle is extinguished
And now 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 forevermore. Harold Babcock
Blessing words
May God the starmaker cradle and circle you.
May God the storyteller beckon and encourage you.
May God the life changer challenge you and cherish you.
May you walk in the light of God’s love and laughter
all the moments of your nights and days.
All Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) "Christ the Lord is risen today" (Tune: Easter Hymn, 77 77) 370 (v3-4) TiS
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.
Burgess, R. 2001. A book of blessings. Scotland: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
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.
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.
Nelson-Pallmeyer, J; B. Hesle. 2005. Worship in the spirit of Jesus. Theology, liturgy, and songs without violence. OH: Cleveland. The Pilgrim Press.
Prewer, B. D. 1996. More Australian psalms. SA: Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers.
Together in song. Australian hymn book 2. 1999. NSW: Sydney. HarperCollins Religious.
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.
Wiig, R., D. McKenzie. 1998. Baptism liturgy. "God's love, like a..." In private circulation from the authors.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.
Andrew Pratt Web site. UK.
Michael Morwood. Baptism ceremony. HYPERLINK "http://www.greatnewstory.com" www.greatnewstory.com
Stainer & Bell web site. <hymn.co.uk>