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”
15 December 2024. Advent 3C. (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 3
The light grows brighter
and the nights are mild;
excitement is building
in every true child.
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 third candle?
v2  This third candle reminds us of joy.
A third candle is lit.

We give thanks that throughout this season of joy
there are so many opportunities
to lift hearts in celebration.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

OR

Advent Wreath – ‘Source of light’
Advent 3
v1   Stars without number
gathered in forms and patterns
that shine together.
Light third candle

v2   We give thanks for the stars and the planets
for their light and shapes that never fail.
All   May we learn to live together,
to make this world a more caring place.

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(v1-3) 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.

Place this child in the shade,
Hang this child ‘neath a tree;
With his hand on the wood,
May this child set us free.
Place this child, place this child in the shade.   © Norman Habel.

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
The earth is blossoming forth colour, and flower.
The earth is blossoming forth newness and creativity.
This is the time of year when nature is full of possibility.

Let us blossom forth colour, creativity, and flair.
Let us break out of old patterns, old moulds,
nd array ourselves in a cloak of many blossoming colours.  (Kathleen Glennon/hs)

OR

We pray:
Holy One of many names,
whose presence we most often recognise only in retrospect,
may we be blessed this day.

In this season of Advent,
may we become more aware of your presentness.

May we see you in each other,
hear you in the music,
hold you, as we give and receive gifts of love.
May it be so.

Hymn/Song   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:

Grown child, old child,
mem'ry full of years,
sad child, lost child,
story told in tears,
Refrain:

Spared child, spoiled child,
having, wanting more,
wise child, faith child
knowing joy in store,
Refrain:

Hope-for-peace Child,
God's stupendous sign,
down-to-earth Child,
star of stars that shine,
Refrain:                        (Shirley Erena Murray)

OR

“We Stand in Awe”  (Tune: ‘Crucifer’, 10.10 Refrain)                                                60 SNS4
Refrain:
We stand in awe; the mystery is supreme;
The cosmos sings aloud the sacred dream.

All time and space proclaim this melody
Of order and chaos, strange complexity.
Refrain:

Stars shine above; our sun gives warmth and light;
We bathe in its gifts and that with great delight.
Refrain:

Earth in its beauty showers us with wealth,
All things that we need for human least and health.
Refrain:

With all of nature in diversity
We are the heirs of endless energy.  (George Stuart)
Refrain:
The people sit after the hymn

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 now be a quiet time among us.
(Silence)

This moment of silence is an invitation
to be calm in the midst of the noise of the world
and our over-busy lives...

To bring together
thought and feeling,
mind and spirit,
and to find some centre - some still point, of perspective and peace.
(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:  May we open ourselves to the seeds of wisdom

that lies dormant in these readings.

All  And may our minds be fertile soil

in which they may grow strong and true.  (Gretta Vosper/ab)

• "The New Creation"
By Bede Griffiths. The Essential Mystics/214.

This earth and all that is in it,
and the whole cosmic order to which it belongs,
has to undergo a transformation;
it has to become a "new heaven and a new earth."

Modern physics helps us to realize that this whole material universe
is a vast 'field of energies' which is in a continuous process of transformation.
Matter is passing into life and life into consciousness,
and we are waiting for the time
when our present mode of consciousness
will be transformed and we shall transcend
the limits of space and time, and enter 'the new creation.'

• Luke 3:10-17  (Inclusive Text)

The crowds asked John, 'What must we do?’
He answered,
'Let the one with two coats share with the one who has none;
let those who have food do the same.'

There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to John, 
 'Teacher, what must we do?’
John said to them,
'Exact no more than your fixed rate.'

Some soldiers asked him in their turn, 'What about us? What must we do?’
John said to them,
'Do not bully anyone! Do not accuse anyone falsely!
Be content with your pay.'

A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people,
who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ,
so John declared before them all,
'I baptise you with water, but someone is coming,
someone who is more powerful than I,
the strap of whose sandals I am not fit to undo.

'This one will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

'A winnowing fan is in his hand to clear the threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into a barn;
but the chaff will be burnt in a fire
that will never go out.'

Contemporary Exploration

Silence for Personal Reflection

AFFIRMING

A Litany: We Are People Of All Ages (Optional)
The people stand as they are able

We are people of all ages who enter this space
bringing our joys and our concerns.
All  We come together in hope. 

We greet each other warmly
with our voices and our smiles.
All  We come together in peace.

We share our growth and our aspirations.
All  We come together in wonder.

We share our losses and our disappointments.
All  We come together in sorrow.

We share our concern and our compassion.
All  We come together in love.

We sing and pray and listen.
We speak and read and dream.
We think and ponder and reflect.
We cry and laugh and center.
We mourn and celebrate and meditate.
We strive for justice and for mercy.
All  We come together to worship God.  (Adapt/CMeyer)

Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take some time 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
“This is the Time of Waiting”  (Tune: ‘Aurelia’)
This is the time of waiting,
the calm before the storm,
the time of Advent judgement,
the coming of the dawn;
a time of recollection,
of Christ’s audacious hope,
beyond imagination,
outside our human scope.

The nations will be gathered,
the age will be fulfilled,
the judgement be enacted,
as Christ had hoped and willed.
But for this consummation
such birth-pangs will be felt,
like rupturing of wine-skins,
the earth will heave and melt.

For love to be exalted,
for hatred to be banned,
our human goals must shatter,
division must be spanned.
A change of mind is needed
as we are turned around,
to move from desecration,
to find love’s solid ground.  (Andrew Pratt 27/11/2018. © 2018 Stainer & Bell Ltd)

OR

“This Land of Bursting Sunrise” (Tune: ‘Andujar’, 76.86D)                                            82 SLT
This land of bursting sunrise,
all lavender and blue,
its cloud-strewn, light-swept day skies flow,
and every day renew.
To east the glow of dawning,
to west the blaze of night,
‘round all the long horizon’s rim,
the everlasting light!

This land of open vistas,
life rooted deep and free,
the canyoned plains, the mountains vast,
plumb earth’s immensity.
Here in life’s fragile balance,
the sun and stars above,
find hand in hand, and heart to heart,
the everlasting love.  (John H Holmes)

OR

“Joy”  (Tune: ‘Forest Green’, 86.86D                                                                                 19 SNS3
I look in joy each time I see
The wonder of the dawn;
The mystery of the cosmos shown
Each time a babe is born.
I travel to the stars beyond
To feel an awesome glow;
But come back home for here I meet
The love in which I grow.

Profound, my thanks, for children’s play -
The way they jump and sing;
They enter in creation’s dream;
For moments, they are king.
I too act out my playful part
When dancing round a tree;
And there, immersed in merriment,
Find true community.

This feeling that I do belong
Brings deep and keen delight,
Lends courage when dark clouds engulf,
Adds joy when days are bright.
A friendly smile is God’s own way
To bless and give release
From sadness and the frown of life,
To forge some inner peace.

When God is known at every time
And seen in every place,
Then sacred mystery steals into
Each time and every space.
This truth made plain in Galilee
In broken bread and wine;
With God beyond, between, within
We drown in love divine.  (George Stuart)
The people sit

Offerings

Presentation
As we bring our gifts and our offerings forward,
may our whole life move forward,
in good faith,
with good feelings,
and with a good belief about the future.  Francis Macnab/adapt

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:
Holy God, as you have touched us

All  May we now touch others

with your love in us.  (Adapt.Kate Galloway/cw)

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 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)

PARTING

Hymn/Song   The people stand as they are able, to sing
"As The Sun Beats Down"  (Tune: 10.7.10.7)                                                                        2(v1-3) FFS
As the sun beats down and the heat invades,
and creation burns and dries;
let us sing to God of a promised hope
in the midst of anxious cries.

As the parching winds relentless blow,
and creation browns away;
let us sing to God, who restores and calms
all foreboding and dismay.

As the feed dies back and the stock decline,
and creation's bones show through;
let us sing to God of the bread of life,
to refresh, restore, renew.

Parting Words
And now may the rhythms of our coming together:
the melodies of our worship,
and the harmonies of our farewells,
All  Make musical our living,
soothing our spirits and uplifting our souls
This day
All  and into the beckoning future.

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 ways of wisdom,
imbedded in the codes and laws of nature,
confront our consciousness
so that we recognize, celebrate, and sustain
the mystery of the blueprint that sustains us
and informs the incredible impulses
deep within the ecosystems of our planet.
All   May it be so!  (Norman Habel/rm)

Hymn/Song  (Cont.)  "As The Sun Beats Down"  (Tune: 10.7.10.7)                                     2(v4-5) FFS
As the silent birds sing a silent song
in creation's still blue sky;
let us sing to God of the songs of hope,
through a gentle rain's reply.

As the season comes and the season goes,
and we search the skies each day;
let us sing to God of a rainbow faith,
and a promised green display.  Bill Bennett
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:
(COC) Carol Our Christmas. A Book of New Zealand Carols. Raumati: New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1996.
Galloway, K. (ed). The Pattern of Our Days. Liturgies and Resources for Worship. Glasgow: Wild Goose Publications, 1996.
Glennon, K. Heartbeat of the Seasons: Earth Rituals for the Celtic Year. Dublin: Columba Press, 2005.
Habel, N. Rainbow of Mysteries. Meeting the Sacred in NatureThe Essential Mystics. Kelowna: Copper House/Wood Lake Publishing, 2012.
Harvey, A. (ed). . New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.
(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.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 1996.
(SLT) Singing The Living Tradition. Boston: UUA, 1993.
(SNS4) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 4. Toronto. G Stuart, 2013.
(SNS3) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 3. Toronto. G Stuart, 2011.
Uniting in Worship 2. NSW: Sydney. Uniting Church Press, 2005.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane: The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Web sites/Other:
Safford, Meyer. UUA Worship Web. Boston. http://uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/index.php 
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. <http://www.questcentre.ca/>
Andrew Pratt. “Time of Waiting”. Direct from the author