Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition

‘The Other Lectionary’ is a suggested ‘southern hemisphere’ Lectionary (with a few Resources added)
offered in parallel to, or even replacement of, the RCL which is in standard use by many

A GATHERING LITURGY FOR THE
CELEBRATION OF LIFE

“...in the end the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration.
It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself”
8 December 2024. Advent 2C. (Blue).

Acknowledgement of Country/First Peoples
(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 (NN) People of the (N) Nation, past, present, and emerging,
and their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.

First Peoples Statement to the Nation 2017 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both found in Affirmations/Manifestoes

And we recognise and give thanks that we humans
are creatures of the Earth living in the ecosystem
—flowers, trees and insects; land, waters and mountain range—
that is unique to (NN).
May we honour one another and honour life itself.

(NN) is a safe place for all people to worship regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation

GATHERING

Rich and Striking Visuals
          “The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer and deeper 
          and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.” (Henry N. Wieman)
          Artwork OR Floral/Symbols display (cloths, candles, stones, wood, leaves, flowers, earth, water) OR projection of Film/Video 

Gathering Music

Entry into the 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  Peace be upon all who enter this house.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.

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.

We give thanks that throughout this season of peace
there are many whose voices yet sing its songs…  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

OR

Advent Wreath – ‘Source of light’
Advent 2
v1  Mysterious moon
silver crescent, milky sphere
reflecting, changing
Light second candle

v2   We give thanks for the moon
for its waxing and waning that never fails.
All   May we be refreshed
by the hours of cool darkness.

Note: Check out 'Special Liturgies’ (this site) for the following:

(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns is called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns cover major international events or themes. They include these categories: 1. Bush (Brush) Fire, 2. Tsunami, Storms/Cyclones, 3. Earthquakes, 4. War/Remembrance, 5. Caregiving, 6. God as Mother, 7. Human Trafficking, 8. Disabled, 9. Migration/Refugees, 10. Terrorist Attacks, 11. Science/Cosmology
(iii) Specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature

Hymn/Song  In solidarity with those for whom standing is not easy or possible we will remain seated to sing...  
“Anna’s Song”                                                                                                                          55(v1-2) ISIT
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.
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.  (Michael Morwood/adapt)

Words of Awareness
We have gathered in this sacred place, again.
May we continue to create here a circle of love,
ever expanding, ever growing.
A place of wisdom.
A place of connection.
A place of hope.

OR

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.
Blessed be.

Hymn/Song  People stand as they are able, to sing
“God of Dawn”  (Tune: 'Ivinghoe’, 87.87D)
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
People sit

OR

“This Is The Man” (Tune: ‘Stewardship’, 11.10.11.10)
This is the Baptist, unkempt and yet ready,
calling the people to listen and act;
calling them down to the water for washing,
talking of holiness, Godliness, fact.

This is the man who will call to 
fisherman, Pharisee, zealot and priest;
here in the river the sinners will gather,
taking God's blessing and sharing God's peace.

This is the prophet announcing the crisis,
moment for turning for challenge and choice;
quenching of hatred, demanding repentance,
giving a reason to praise and rejoice.

This is the man, in humility pointing
others to one who would soon take his place.
Jesus is coming, the Spirit confirming,
this is my Son who will channel my grace.

Up from the waters the Christ is arising,
up from our slumbering we will rise too;
waking to love and to work every dawning,
each a disciple with Christ's work to do.  © Andrew Pratt 1/12/2009
The people sit

Welcome  
Or in your own words

A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering 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 the Gathering
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book

OR

A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who may be joining us for a first time.

Your presence enriches this gathering and contributes to 
the creative evolution of community. 
Thanks for the gift of you!  (Central United, Moncton, Canada)

CENTERING

Centering Silence
        Centering silence has its roots in the earliest of monastic traditions of the ‘desert Fathers (abbas)/Mothers (ammas)’ 
        and the Christian mystic tradition… Relaxing into ‘quietness’ creates the space for deep listening and draws you into yourself

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)

EXPLORING

Wisdom from the World/Religious Traditions
        “Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world. 
        The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)

Reader:  Even as we seek understanding, our minds,
too often, shelter us from the realities we might uncover.
All  May we have the courage to hear and hold truths
found within these words.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

• "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.

• 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...

• 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 Exploration

Silence for Personal Reflection

AFFIRMING

Clear the Way.  An Advent Litany (Optional)
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

Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.

May a heart of peace rest with you.
All And also with you.  (David Galston/q)
You are invited to share the peace with your neighbours

OR

Namaste
Facing the person with right hand on your heart and a slight bow of the head…

The Divine in me honours the Divine in you.
OR

The Light in me recognises the Light in you.
OR

The spirit within me sees the spirit within you.

Hymn/Song  People stand as they are able, to sing
“A Moment of Wonder” (Tune: ‘St Catherine’s Court’, 12.11.12.11)                                    1 MTH
A moment of wonder, amazement and grandeur,
a time when God’s glory shines clear through our lives,
God’s grace is beyond us, yet lives in each heartbeat,
the source of creation from which peace derives.

The eyes of our minds are enlightened with splendour,
inherited glory, the song of the saints
is ours for the asking, by faith becomes present
as life is set dancing, devoid of constraints.

O this is the spirit of joy and obedience,
it’s bending our pride to the purpose of God,
the rhythm, the harmony, gracefully springing:
our feet follow faithfully where Jesus trod.  (AndrewPratt)

OR

"Peace Is Generosity" (Tune: 'Trial', Swee Hong Lim)                                                32 PaT

Peace is generosity,
peace is right and duty,

not diminishment of life

but its zest and beauty,

not the silence of the dead

not the tears of grieving

but the dynamic of a world

rich beyond believing.

Peace is not the child of fear

nor what terror teaches,

peace is quick to give and serve

where compassion reaches;

not oppression in return,

grudges unforgiven,
but the good of all for all

and the gift of heaven.

Christmas calls the world to peace,
life, not death-defining;
in one baby’s human cry
hope again comes shining,
when our hands are open hands,
when we share one table,
then the new day’s morning star
lights the Christmas stable.  (Shirley Erena Murray)

In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and concerns
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared

Focused Thoughts:

Listening Response:
May we today be touched by grace.
May we move beyond viewing this life

only through a frame,

Wm  but touch and be touched by it,
Mn  know it and be known by it,

All   Love it, and be loved by it.  (Chinook Psalter/ep)

And so we take this flame and light our special care candle...
The care candle is lit

For ourselves, for those named or remembered, 
and in solidarity with those
 who have not the freedom 
to express their concern or celebration
for fear of discrimination or condemnation.

In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful
of the presence of the sacred among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now

The 'Abba' Prayer:  (Optional)
You are invited to pray the Abba/Lord's Prayer in your original language, as that is appropriate

All  Our Mother, whose body is the Earth,
Sacred is thy being. Thy gardens grow.
Thy will be done in our cities,
as it is in nature.

Thanks be this day
for food, and air, and water.

Forgive us our sins against Earth,
as we are learning to forgive one another.
And surrender us not unto extinction,
but deliver us from our folly.

For thine is the beauty, and the power,
and all life, from birth to death,
from beginning to end. Amen.
So be it.
Forever.
Blessed be.  (Henry Horton/lp)

Offering

Presentation
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.  Adapt/Francis Macnab/h

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE BANQUET
May love be with you. 
All  And also with you. 
Let us open our hearts. 
All  We open ourselves to love and to each other. 
Let us give thanks for the gifts of life and faith. 
All  Spirit of life, of grape and grain, we gather in gratitude: 

We are moved with wonder as we consider 
the magnificence of this planet 
which is our home for the journey.
All  In creation, we engage mystery. 
The universe proclaims the great love story. 
Blessed be our lives. 
Blessed be our land. 
Blessed be the love in which all that is lives 
and moves and has its being. 

We have been entrusted with responsibility in creation, 
respecting its systems, enjoying its beauty; 
studying its ways, repairing its wounds, 
tending its resources, loving it tenderly. 
All  When we falter or forget, 
may our hearts be moved to fierce protection 
at the sight of mountains rising, 
a prairie/an outback sunset, a turning tide, 
a blooming desert, a breeze upon our face. 

May our hearts be opened 
to all the dwelling places of the holy. 

In wind and fire, in rain upon dry land, 
in the song of sparrows, 
in storm and stillness, the sacred emerges. 
All  In silence and speech, 
in  disturbance and rest, 
in our nearest breath, and in the farthest star, 
spirit is among us. 

At this and other times, 
we remember Jesus of Nazareth 
in whose life and death we experience a vision of a new humanity 
and in whose story we are called… 
All  To celebrate the sacred, 
to live with respect in creation, 
to love and serve others, 
to seek justice and resist evil. 

Spirit of Life, 
we are grateful for this bread and wine, 
gifts of grain and vine. 
May this bread nourish our capacity for compassion. 
May this cup strengthen our commitment to community.

Sharing the ‘Bread of Compassion’ and the ‘Cup of Community’ (Nancy L Steeves)
Bread and White Wine served

OR

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE BANQUET
Introduction (Optional)
Members of the Jesus movements regularly ate a meal together
when they met as a community.

It was a characteristic that they had in common
with virtually every other social group in their world.
It was considered primary to the early developments
in the movements’ meal liturgy.

These meal traditions were not about personal salvation or payment for sin.
Instead, they were about actions and offering hospitality, social identity,
and being in solidarity with those around us.

The liturgical movements centred on celebration, presence, and joy.
I invite you into the spirit of those meals…

Setting
Source and Sustainer of life we name God,
present and active from the beginning of time,
we are gathered in your ever presentness.
All  And it is right that we give thanks and praise,
and tell our stories of celebration,
lament, and connectedness.

Thanksgiving
Lift up your hearts.
All  We lift them up in praise.
For the galaxies extend to eternity.
All  And their beauty is exquisite.
Let us give thanks for the abundance of life on this earth.
All  Through it we and all people may be nourished.  (Peter Lawson/jc)

In time beyond our dreaming
Creativity God hovered over the water,
and was revealed in fire and storm and precious law.

Likewise, humanity in this creative likeness evolved on this earth,
along with earth’s minerals and waters,
flowers and fruits,
living creatures of grace and beauty!
All  We offer this our thanks and praise.

In this age and season, with its TV and shopping and summer sun,
we wait again with expectant hearts
and hopeful spirits,
as we seek to discern God’s presentness among us.

Yet we remember and lament…

v2  For that which has been stultified, locked up,
trapped and frozen in our reverence of the traditional,
All  We lament.

v2 For those outdated customs that have
immunised against the new and on the edge
and diluted our passion,
All  We lament.

v2  For choices that strangle rather than free us,
All  We lament.

v2  For old ways of doing things which are now out of place
yet still live within us and cause us anxiety and insecurity,
All  We lament.

Silence

Bread and White Wine
Long ago so our meal tradition says,
Jesus came in the humble birth of a child,
a child of amazing and divine love,
a child of Mary's 'yes’,
a child of Joseph's acceptance,
a child of our humanity.
All  We pledge ourselves to be embodiments
of the dream he dreamed.

Long ago our tradition also says, Jesus took bread,
gave thanks, and broke it:
v2  'This bread is broken, as my body will be’.
Bread is broken

And he handed it to his friends, inviting them to eat:
v2  Remember all that I have been to you'.

Long ago our tradition says, Jesus poured a cup of wine,
offered thanks for it, and gave it to his friends:
White wine poured out

v2  'This wine is poured out as my life will be poured out.
As you drink give thanks for all I have given'.

May this gathering of this community of faith
be comforted and challenged during this Advent season.
All  May people see in us the courage and the generosity
that characterised Jesus' life.

Communion
Served in small groups around the Gathering space

  PARTING

Hymn/Song   The people stand as they are able, to sing
"When The Summer Sun Is Shining" (Tune: 'All for Jesus', 87.87)                                          66(v1-2) 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.

Parting Words
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.  HBabcock

Words of Blessing
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. May it be so.

OR

May the atmosphere, 
 the moist breath of God enveloping us, 
 penetrate every pore of our planet 
 and activate all those impulses needed to keep our forests green, 
 our swallows singing, and our dragonflies dancing. 
 All   May it be so!   (Norman Habel/rm)

Hymn/Song  (Cont.)  "When The Summer Sun …”" (Tune: 'All for Jesus', 87.87)                66(v3) 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 this time 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

Please include any reproduction of hymns/songs for local church use
on your Music Licence returns, as appropriate

Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
Dobson, M. Multi-coloured Maze. Drama, Hymns, Prayers and Poems for Worship and Everyday Living. London: Stainer & Bell, 2004.
Habel, N. Rainbow of Mysteries. Meeting the Sacred in Nature. Kelowna: Copper House/Wood Lake Publishing, 2012.
Harvey, A. (ed). The Essential Mystics. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.
Holy Bible. NRSV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989.
(ISIT) In Spirit And In Truth. A Worship Book. Geneva: World Council of Churches. Seventh Assembly, 1991.
Inclusive Readings. Year C. Brisbane: Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2006. 
Lawson, P. R.  Jesus Circles. Xlibris Corporation, 2003.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 1996.
Morwood, M. Praying A New Story . Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 2003.
(PaT) Murray, S. E. A Place at the Table. New Hymns written between 2009 and 2013. Carol Stream: Hope Publishing, 2013.
(MTH) Pratt, A. More Than Hymns. Words for a Lyrical Faith. London: Stainer & Bell Ltd., 2015.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Earth Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. New York: HarperCollins, 1991.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston: UUA, 1993.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane: The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London: SPCK, 1995.

Web sites/Other:
Morrison-Reed, Babcock. UUA Worship Web. Boston: http://uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/index.php
Andrew Pratt. "This Is The Man". UK. eMail distribution direct from the author.
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. <http://www.questcentre.ca/> 
"Communion Liturgy". Nancy L. Steeves. St Stephen’s Non-Theistic Project. 
<http://stephen.srv.ualberta.ca/publications/non-theistic-liturgy-resources/#sthash.0Sd5KwzN.wLO2Tlw4.dpbs>