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
2 September 2007. Season of Creation1C/Pentecost 14C. (Green).
10.30am. Contemporary liturgical worship.
Celebrating community: Sacrament of Holy Communion
Theme: Ocean Sunday
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
Gathering music
Silence
The gong is sounded three times
Lighting of the community candle
The candle is lit
This flame is warm as the companionship of friends is warm.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life in the presentness of God.
Entry into worship
v2 Fountain of life...
Pulse of life...
Breath of life...
All Earth is filled with the presentness of God.
v1 Holy! Holy! Holy!
The oceans are filled with the presentness of God.
All Holy! Holy! Holy!
Earth is filled with the presentness of God.
v2 Together this day, let us sense
the face of God in all creativity.
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Song of the waters” (Tune: “Praise my soul”, 87 87 87, 134 TiS) 4 HH
Watch once more the windswept storm clouds;
Suddenly the sky has wings!
God has come to rain among us,
Giving hope to all dry things.
Sing a song of splashing waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth.
Taste the moisture of the morning,
Smoother than the best red wine;
Toast the lifeblood of the planet:
Here's to God's wild wet design!
Sing a song of flowing waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth.
View anew the dark blue ocean,
Whales cavorting, spraying foam;
God at play with deep sea monsters,
Feeling very much at home.
Sing a song of laughing waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth.
Remain standing
Opening sentences
The Spirit of God has hovered over the waters…
We invite the oceans to worship with us:
All The deep sea currents and coral reefs,
the mountain peaks on the ocean floor.
We call the swirling seas to celebrate with us:
All The icebergs that break off from the South Pole,
the calm waters that caree the Equator.
We join all ocean life in songs of praise:
All Whales and dolphions dancing on the surface,
and choirs of angel fish assembled below.
We summon the seashore kissed by the breath of God:
All The pelican, the stingray, the silver gull,
the white caps and waves that splash in praise.
Oceans, seas and watery deeps,
All Celebrate, with all that lives within you,
and roar in praise with us today.
Roar, ocean, roar!
All Roar, roar in praise! (Norman Habel)
Prayer of awareness
We pray:
As we reflect on the mysteries of the ocean depths,
we celebrate the wondrous seas that surround us.
May we empathise with the groaning of creation beneath us.
May we sense the presentness of God in the tides and currents.
May we care for the oceans and all our waterways.
Amen.
Hymn (Cont.) “Song of the waters” (Tune: “Praise my soul”, 87 87 87, 134 TiS) 4 HH
Feel the breath of God move softly,
Gentle mists that brush the skin;
Earth is breathing God's own spirit,
Life renewed from deep within.
Sing a song of living waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth. (Norman Habel)
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.
Remembering
This morning we begin the Season of Creation.
And the commencement theme is Ocean Sunday.
Some bowls of salt water are being passed among you.
Dip your fingers in the water, taste it,
and share with the person next to you
a memory of times at the seashore or in the ocean
that stirred your sense of wonder.
Conversation
Silence
We remember our excitement when waves washed on our feet,
and sand oozed between our toes.
All We remember and rejoice.
Now away from the busyness of life and in the silence of this sacred place,
let us give thanks for the gift of water,
and the mystery of an endless horizon
stretching out across the ocean.
(Silence)
Roar, ocean, roar!
All We give thanks for living waters so much a part of who we are!
Music of celebration
EXPLORING
Reading from our religious tradition
A story from our Common Lectionary will be told by (NN).
Gospel:
Luke 14:1, 7-13 (Inclusive Text)
On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees;
and they watched him closely.
Jesus then told the guests a parable,
having noticed how they picked the places of honour. Jesus said this,
'When someone invites you to a wedding feast,
do not take your seat in the place of honour.
‘A more distinguished person than you may have been invited,
and the person who invited you both may come and say,
"Give up your place to this one."
‘And then, to your embarrassment,
you would have to go and take the lowest place.
‘No, when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there,
so that, when your host comes, you may hear,
"My friend, move up higher."
‘In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'
Then Jesus said to the host,
'When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, relations or rich neighbours,
in case they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return.
‘No, when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate.
Contemporary word
Silence for personal reflection
AFFIRMING
An affirmation of faith
In response to the word reflected on, and in solidarity with the Oceans of the world,
let us stand and share together an affirmation of faith.
The people stand
All We affirm that the oceans and their resources
are a necessary element of life on this planet.
We believe that the health of the oceans,
and the wise, safe and sustainable use of the ocean resources,
should be protected for the long term benefit
and existence of all peoples.
We support the acquisition of the knowledge necessary
for the understanding and stewardship of the oceans;
that such knowledge should be used
for the adoption of policies, standards and regulations
to protect the ocean environment and resources.
We stand in solidarity with all who recognise the wisdom
of acting in unison to protect the oceans.
The peace
God makes peace within us. Let us claim it.
God makes peace between us. Let us share it.
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
“Great God of many names” (Tune: 66 84 + Choru: 444) 39 WNC
Great God of many names:
Jehovah, Allah, Lord,
Christ, Brahman, Spirit, Adonai;
We worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With pomp and pageantry
Beneath an onion dome,
Or in a bare and simple room,
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
In chapel, mosque or shrine
we wait to praise your name,
through icon, book or choir
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With tabla or guitar,
or with a thousand lights,
through fasting, feasting, fellowship
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
With formal dress or free,
we meditate or dance,
through pesach, hajj or nam simran
we worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you.
Whatever name or creed,
enlightenment or book,
we seek you through our pilgrimage
and worship you.
Chorus:
Whatever name,
whichever face,
we worship you. 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
And let us recommit ourselves to the inclusive ways of Jesus.
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 - heart of the world:
revealed through every aspect of creation:
understood through our awareness.
May we honour the holiness of creation and act accordingly
so that your love is reflected in the way we live.
May we always be thankful for the food we eat and the friends we have.
May we forgive those who transgress against us
and be forgiven for our own.
In the freedom of love may we live as your heartbeat
and not be compromised by hesitation.
Through our freedom, may your justice
be seen and heard and experienced
forever and ever. Sherri. Weinberg
CELEBRATING
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)
Offerings
Our offerings for the work of ministry in this place and beyond,
and our gifts of bread and wine, shall now be received.
Presentation The people stand, as they are able as the gifts are presented
We pray:
Loving God, open our heart, unclench our hands,
unclog our ears, open our eyes
that we may feel and touch and taste and see
the breath and play of your creative spirit.
Amen.
The people sit
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Centering words
The earth has gone the round of seasons:
from the vibrant green of spring's new life
to the lush richness of warm summer,
to the brilliant fulfillment of riotous autumn,
to the generosity and self-giving of winter.
Now we stand again, touched by the promise of new life in early spring.
Discernment and welcome to the Table
Thus it is fitting that as we celebrate the renewal of life and hope,
we also celebrate the presentness
of the Spirit of Life and Hope and Creativity,
everywhere around and within us.
(pause)
Spirit of Life we name God, how fertile your genius!
Your continuing creativity shapes everything.
It fills the world with what you do.
It searchs us out and knows us.
All that we are is open to your creativity.
Look not upon our shortcomings but upon our evolving 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 can come glad to this celebration.
When our days become over-busy
and our spirits are bleached like spinifex...
All Flood us with a downpour of mercy!
When we take things for granted
and gratitude goes to sleep...
All Put a new song on our tongues.
When life’s abrasive pressures fray us,
loosing our hold on the Still Centre...
All Tell us again about sparrows and nesting magpies,
about daffodils and prunis blossom,
and the Parent who knows our every need.
Silence
No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey,
you are welcome at this table
with it's symbols of God's Creative Presence.
All In company with all who seek nourishment at this table,
we come to celebrate community,
and to share these life-giving symbols. (Jerry Stinson/adapted)
Thanksgiving
It is right and our joy to give thanks
world-gazing, hope-cheering God, our cherisher.
We celebrate the changing mood of nature:
for sunshine and showers of an early spring day.
for the nesting and cheerfulness of birds,
and the flowers of bush and garden...
wattle, heath, and bottle brush.
We who hold all such good things in trust,
in the company of each other,
and in company with people throughout the world
declare as generations before us have declared:
All Holy, holy, holy, hope-breathing 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.
And we celebrate our knowledge of the one called Jesus,
who taught all to care for the birds of the air,
and the grass of the paddock;
living expressions of the Spirit of Life in our midst.
Through his sayings and parables,
he broke down existing biases and opened a way
for more humane ways of living.
Jesus at supper is a demonstration of this teaching.
He urged his followers to include a wide variety of folks
in what he called the realm of God,
and he encouraged them to be open to the insights and understandings
that come from honest and respectful dialogue among
those who seek a worthy way of life.
We are here to carry on this tradition of seeking for truth and recognizing goodness
wherever they may be found.
Bread and Wine
Bread is broken, wine poured out
So we take and break this bread, and pour out this wine
mindful of the Spirit at work in our lives.
And making our living a source of renewal and hope.
Communion
Bread and wine served in small groups around the Table
After communion
We give thanks that we have gathered together in this sacred place,
and been refreshed at this table.
We rejoice in the giftedness of each person here.
We are grateful for who we are for each other.
May we go forth into the world in courage and peace.
SCATTERING
Hymn The people stand as they are able, to sing
“God who carved... landscape” (Tune: ‘Dansey’). 31 FFS
God who carved this timeless landscape,
snow-clad ridge to valley plain,
power of surging race and river,
limestone crag and scarred terrain;
maker still of earth, fire, water,
artistry of sight and sound,
Southern lights and sunset splendour,
raise our eyes and you are found.
Calendar of nature's balance,
rhythms of the farming year,
shearing, milking, ploughing, pruning,
manger setting ever near!
lonely struggle in the byways,
nor'west dust or snow and flood,
fellowship of tears and laughter:
Lord, with you, we're understood.
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 community candle is extinguished
Remembering again the smell and the caress of the Ocean…
Will you care for Planet Earth?
All We will empathise with the Oceans.
We will be sensitive to the cries of creation
and the songs of our kin.
We will celebrate life!
Blessing words
As the sun in its shining brings glory
As the stars in the night scatter dark
As the moon gives us hope in its radiance
So may the light of God fill your heart and your mind and your life.
All Amen!
Hymn (Cont) “God who carved... landscape” (Tune: ‘Dansey’). 31 FFS
Giving thanks for those before us,
village life and tussock track,
as we turn to face the future,
history's wind upon our back;
scattered are our congregations,
each now shares in ministry,
bonding strength of work together:
spirit of community. Doug Grierson
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,
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:
Abbott, M. 2001. Sparks of the cosmos. Rituals for seasonal use. SA: Unley. MediaCom Education.
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.
Burgess, R. 2001. A book of blessings. Scotland: Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications.
Duncan, G. (ed). 2002. Courage to love. An anthology of inclusive worship material. Gt. Britain: Norwich. The Canterbury Press.
Faith forever singing. Songs for a new day. 2000. NZ: Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.
Habel, Norman. 2004. Habel hymns 1. Songs to celebrate with creation. SA: Adelaide. Flinders 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.
Jones, Robert V. 2005. Liturgy: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In private circulation from the author. L & L Seminar.
Lee, B. J. (ed). 1987. Alternative futures for worship. Vol 3. The eucharist. MIN: Collegeville. The Liturgical press.
Macnab, F. 2006. A fine wind is blowing: Psalms of the bible in words that blow you away. VIC: Richmond. Spectrum Publications.
Pratt, A. 2002. Whatever name or creed. Hymns and songs. GtB: London. Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Prewer, B. D. 1983. Australian prayers. SA: Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers.
Seaburg, C. (ed). 1993. The communion book. MA: Boston. UUMA.
Stinson, J. 2006. “The encounter of progressive christian theology with the language of prayer and ritual on Sunday morning”. Westar Institute/Westar Leaders Seminar. March 2006.
The St Hilda Community. 1996. The new women included. A book of services and prayers. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, J Morley. (ed). 1995. Celebrating women. New edition. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Withrow, L. 1995. Seasons of prayer. Resources for worship. Gt. Britain: London. SPCK.
Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. MA: Boston. UUA.
Sherri Weinberg. St Paul's Presbyterian Church. NZ: Devonport.
Norman Habel. Season of Creation. <www.seasonofcreation.com>