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
“We are thoroughly nature. To claim otherwise is to attempt to place human beings
and everything we do in some rare unimaginable realm beyond the universe,
thus rendering the power of our origins lost and our obligations vague”
24 December 2023. Advent 4B. (Blue).
Celebrating Community in the Tradition of the Meal
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 (NN) Nation, past, present, 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 at 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 gather 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 sounded three times
Advent is about the birth of something sacred.
For something sacred needs to be born:
born from the mating of what is,
and what might be.
It needs a manger.
So let us prepare a manger in our hearts
for the birth of the sacred. (Davidson Loehr/First UU Church of Austin).
OR
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.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
In this special season, let us continue to celebrate.
Note: Check out 'Special Liturgies’ (this site) for the following:
(i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns, called Hymn of the Month
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns that 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) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Christmas in Southern Hemisphere” (Tune: ‘Cranham’, 65.65)
Christmas in the summer?
Heat instead of cold?
Flowers instead of freezing?
Skies that shine like gold?
This is Southern Christmas,
Seasons in reverse!
Can the Northern pictures
Speak in Southern verse?
Inner space is timeless
God is everywhere
Cries of newborn infants
Reach for Mary's care.
When we nurture wonder
'Till its grace abounds
We create new pictures
Outside Northern bounds.
Sing the Christmas story
Carol South and North
Sing of pregnant seasons,
Nature’s songs of birth.
Raise the Christchild’s praises
Lift both joy and pain
Touch the realms of oneness
Live the birth again. (William L. Wallace/ssb)
Remain standing after the hymn/song
Opening Sentences
The presentness of Creativity God is among us,
Wm in the wilderness of our cities,
Mn furrowed by freeways and shaded by skyscrapers.
v2 Prepare a way…
The presentness of Creativity God is among us,
Wm in the wilderness of our countryside,
Mn where farmers eke out a drought-feed existence.
v2 Prepare a way...
The presentness of Creativity God is among us,
Wm moving in the air, the land, and the waters,
Mn making our world whole.
v2 Prepare a way...
All Smooth the rough places, move the mountains;
let Creativity God’s glory be displayed. (Adapt.Bruce Prewer/ap)
OR
In the presence of God, amazing things can happen.
All In the presence of God, we, though many, are made one.
Through the love of God, miraculous things are possible.
All Through the love of God, peace wins out over violence.
Trusting in the presentness of God,
All may we dare to go where ever there is need,
proclaiming peace with every step.
Trusting in the unsurpassable power of God’s love,
All may we boldly follow where ever we are led
spreading justice all along the way.
We open ourselves to the presentness of God—
eyes, ears, hands, and hearts opened wide.
We are here.
With help we will travel the challenging road ahead. (Adapt.JPetersen/ct)
Words of Awareness
The earth turning…
Exploding orb of helium and hydrogen,
firing our lives into existence.
We are here.
We mindfully take our places in life again.
Imagine… we are one, connected, human family.
Be and know that you are the ones the world awaits.
Each of you here and now:
a difference,
a beautiful presence.
Each… of you. (Adapt.Bob Kleinheksel/C3Exch)
OR
We pray:
God of surprises,
startle us with truth we do not see,
amaze us with your power and grace,
beckon us, and lead us far above
restricted hope and narrow faith. (MRose.adapt/sco)
May it be so.
Hymn/Song "Sarah's God" (Tune: ‘Leoni’ 66.84D). 125(1,2,4,5) TiS
The God of Sarah praise
who turned her grief to joy
when, after many barren days,
she held her boy.
For laughter out of tears,
and bitterness and strife,
she praised God, after ninety years,
for the gift of life.
The God of Miriam!
She saw her brother found,
and learned, like him, that all God's earth
is holy ground.
When Moses sang a psalm,
'God has triumphed gloriously!'
She led the girls in song and dance
across the sea.
All praise to Mary's God
who overcame her dread.
'Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Amen!' she said.
She sang, 'My soul, adore
God who brought down mighty kings,
and fills the hungry and the poor
with all good things.'
The matriarchs' God and ours
who leads us onward still,
inspire our hearts, unite our minds
to work God's will.
Rock, Saviour, Maker, Lamb,
we sing your praise anew.
Mother, Father, great 'I am',
we worship you. BMoss/ssb
OR
In parts of the Northern hemisphere
Check out John Palka’s site: https://naturesdepths.com/ for a reflection and photos on Winter Solstice
"Throughout this Winter Season” (Tune: “Tyrolese’, 86.86D) 22 TMT
Throughout this winter season,
in nature’s darkened womb,
Christ, grant your life and laughter
to lighten frosty gloom;
to lift our flagging spirits
beyond these short-lived days
to Advent and each coming
which fills our lives with praise.
You come as puddles crackle
beneath the children’s feet;
you come in leafless branches
outlined against the sleet;
you come when lives diminish
as cold envelops all;
you come as snow which blankets
earth’s grime beneath its fall.
You come as fire and candle
and all that warms the heart;
you come in party feasting,
in music, dance, and art;
you come in ancient stories,
of years that are no more;
you come as liberation
and power for all the poor.
We seek to know your presence
in grey days and in bright,
in all the earth’s abundance
and during nature’s night;
but when we can not see you
through blindness or through pain,
enfold us in your dying
and rise in us again. (William L Wallace)
OR
“Winter's Long Night” (Tune: ‘Slane’) 22A OHV
A Song for Winter Solstice
Deep in the darkness of winter’s long night,
coming and going without sun for light;
As our good planet revolves in its course,
winter's lone starlight is our northern resource.
These days of solstice in which we now dwell—
whether or not we can sing of Noel-
drive us to find the warmth of dear friends,
love light to shine, and the cold to transcend.
May we not hope for our summer too soon,
missing the blessings of dark night and moon.
May our long shadow not raise our complaint,
but stir our will to let inner light reign. (Christopher New)
People sit
Welcome
Or in your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathered here 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)
THE CHILDREN LEAD US...
Advent Candle Lighting 4
Love
As this season of sparkle and bright unfolds around us
the welcome beauty of love is found,
woven into the simplicity of every moment.
v2 May love flow from our hearts with abundance
filling every moment with the season’s gifts of
hope and peace and joy.
v3 May it be shared truly and deeply that all who encounter it
be charged with its message and become, themselves,
the agents of love.
v4 And may our children, who love without reckoning,
teach us the truth of this most precious gift:
we are nothing without each other.
Let us live, then, in the blessing of love.
Light candle
May Love light the world this Christmas. (GrettaVosper)
OR
Advent Candle of Love
Each night we sleep wearily
under a large summer moon.
The nights are short
and the dawn comes soon. (Bruce Prewer/bpa)
All Come, Companion Jesus, Come.
Last Sunday we lit the candle of courage, the third Advent candle.
We light it again, along with the candles of hope and trust,
which will always be brought to birth
in, through, and among, all creation.
First, second and third candles lit
The fourth Advent candle is the candle of love.
In the stillness of our worship here we light it,
watching it burn and glow.
Fourth candle lit
And we affirm that we are a people of God
always seeking to break down the walls
that divide and separate us, as a community
and in the lives of people near and far.
Presentation of the Christmas Bowl
Let us again remember that without hope, trust, courage and love,
people struggle to find their way.
The Bowl is placed near the candles
Song "Child of Christmas Story" (Tune: ‘Incarnation’ 65.65) 12 AA
Child of Christmas story,
stable straw and star,
small and sweet and gentle:
tell us who you are.
Child whose baby finger
round our own is curled,
come to melt our hearts, and
come to change the world.
Child of Jew and Gentile,
child of white and black -
teach us how to love you,
teach us what we lack.
Child of Mary's courage
birthed in human pain,
tell us what your name is -
be our hope again. Shirley Erena Murray
The children leave to go to Sunday Club
CENTERING
If in Southern Hemisphere
Summer Solstice
We come together this morning as celebrants,
as seekers and companions.
We enter into this, the longest day, joyfully,
allowing ourselves the beauty of this time together
in which we may rest our cares and sorrows,
and allow our hearts and spirits to be uplifted.
I invite you to take a deep breath,
drink in the beauty and community that surrounds you in this place,
and as you release it,
become centered here,
in the now. (BLKoons)
Silence
Reflection
"Sun and Summer: Hymn of Praise"
(Several voices)
Sacred is this fire of midsummer's eve.
Sacred is the light of our sun.
Sacred is the Source of All Life,
Who kindles light and fire.
Sacred is the moment when you sparkled forth a fireball of love and creativity.
Sacred was that kindling fifteen billion years ago.
Sacred is the birthing of supernovas,
The fiery activity of stars,
The formation of galaxies,
The formation of elements.
Sacred was the calling forth of our Milky Way.
Sacred was the seeding of our sun aflame with brilliant energy.
Sacred was the blaze that whirled the planets and shaped our earth.
Sacred was the formation of Earth's crust and atmosphere.
Sacred are the trees, the plants, the flowers
All kissed into life by Sun.
Sacred are the fish that swim, and birds that fly,
All creatures that breathe the fire of creativity.
Sacred the creation of humankind
With Sun's burning love and passion.
Sacred is the spark of fire in all that is.
Fire that reflects your eternal light.
Each heart aflame with a flame of fire.
Each eye reflecting your burning love.
Sacred is this holy night
Aglow with star-light, moon light, fire light, candle light, Love light. (Non-Theistic/StStephen'S College)
OR
If in Northern Hemisphere
Winter Affirmation of Faith [Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2004]
When the cold white ice of winter grips us,
and we doubt that anything can survive the extreme of this world's harshness,
We still believe; somewhere in the depths of the soul,
despite the evidence, we believe.
We believe that the ruins of life can be rebuilt.
We believe that the tears we shed will water seeds of joy deeply buried.
We believe that the green shoots of God's justice will bear fruit.
We believe that the light that enlightens the world will pierce the winter's longest night
and eclipse the sun's brightest moments.
We believe that in all circumstances Light radiates hope and joy,
peace and love, So that even in our darkest moments we can see.
Even in the palest light of faith, we can find our way through the shadows.
And for this, we give thanks.
And for this, we give ourselves.
And for this, we wait with hope, peace and joy.
May we make it so. Amen.
OR
“The Shortest Day”
by Susan Cooper. Reprinted from Best of UU.
So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!
All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!
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 silence among us…
(Silence)
And let us yield to that silence which gives
the greater understanding of that mystery which is life. (Bob Holmes/wm)
(Silence)
Music of Reflection
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: Into this day will break moments of awareness,
tiny shards of light that illumine
the whole reality of existence.
All May these readings be such a moment
and may we be blessed by their gift. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• Mark 1:2-3 (Inclusive Text)
As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah,
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you,
who will prepare your way.
A voice cries in the wilderness:
‘Make ready a way for God, clear a straight path.’
• "Overshadowed"
By Bruce Sanguin. If Darwin Prayed/9
Overshadow us, O Holy One,
as your spirit overshadowed Mary,
announcing her role as a key player
in the Christmas story.
Overshadow our sense of insignificance
with the mystery that you chose us
to give birth to the Holy.
Overshadow our low estimation of ourselves
with Spirit's esteeming presence.
Overshadow our fear that you are calling us
with Spirit's empowering grace.
Our small selves relax
in the shadow of your grace.
We regain our full stature
and accept the leading role
in this drama of sacred birth.
We are reminded
that with you,
all things are possible.
• Luke 1:26-38 (Inclusive Text/adapted)
The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
to a woman betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the House of David.
The woman’s name was Mary.
Gabriel went in and said to her,
“Rejoice, so highly favoured! God is with you.”
She was deeply disturbed by these words
and asked herself what this greeting could mean,
but the angel said to her,
“Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favour.
"Listen! You are to conceive and bear a child,
and you must name him Jesus.
"Your child will be great, and will be called Begotten of the Most High.
"God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.
He will rule over the House of Jacob for ever,
and his reign will have no end.
Mary said to the angel,
“But how can this come about, since I am not involved with a man?”
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you", the angle answered
"and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow.
And so the child will be holy
and will be called Begotten of God.
"Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has,
in her old age, herself conceived a child,
and she whom people called barren
is now in her sixth month,
for nothing is impossible to God.”
"I am the handmaid of God," said Mary,
"let what you have said be done to me.”
And the angel left her.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
An Affirmation of Faith (Optional)
On this fourth Sunday in Advent and in response to the word reflected on,
let us stand and share an affirmation of faith
written by the martyred, Oscar Romero.
The people stand as they are able
Advent should admonish us to discover
Wm in each brother or sister that we greet,
Mn in each friend whose hand we shake,
Wm in each beggar who asks for bread,
Mn in each worker who wants to use the right to join a union,
Wm in each peasant who looks for work in the coffee groves,
All the face of Christ.
Then it would not be possible
All to rob them, to cheat them, to deny them their rights.
They are Christ.
Wm And whatever is done to them
Mn Christ will take as done to him.
This is what Advent is:
Christ living among us. (Oscar Romera/lol)
Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take a moment to celebrate each other.
May a heart of peace rest with you. (David Galston/q)
All And also with you.
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.
If in Northern Hemisphere
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Through Winter Cold” (Tune: ‘Chilcombe’) 139 HoS
Through winter cold and drifted snow,
through bitter wind and biting frost
the silent seeds of spring will grow
and buried dreams will not be lost.
Within God’s world, as seasons turn,
we sleep and grow, with changing need
to shed old concepts and to learn
the faith that sprouts like mustard seed.
It is compassion warms the day
and hugs the lonely or the cold,
speaks out for justice, come what may
when people’s lives are bought and sold.
And as in winter, as in grief
the frozen heart of things in numb,
compassion melts our unbelief
and all is changed, for spring has come. (Shirley Erena Murray)
AND
If in parts of Northern Hemisphere…
Every December since 1980, seven-time Grammy® winner Paul Winter and his colleagues have celebrated the Winter Solstice at New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine with a feast of music and dance from the diversity of cultures and creatures of the world. The winter solstice, with the rebirth of the sun, offers a time for healing and hope, a time to celebrate community and relatedness, and a time to honor the diversity and the unity of this great cornucopia of life on Earth. With their beloved cathedral forum closed for events during the pandemic, Paul Winter and the Consort extend the invitation, wherever you are in the world, to join a video celebration, “Everybody Under the Sun.” The video is now available. <https://solsticeconcert.com/>
OR ANOTHER SONG/HYMN
“In Every Face…” (Tune: ‘Northbrook’, 11.10.11.10)
In every face that stares out from the manger,
each person bears the image of our God,
in Christ is human flesh affirmed and honoured,
for God has walked where human feet have trod.
In every face of youth, of age, each baby,
uplifted by the earth life of the Christ:
the stable bed, the cross of common torture,
marked off his life, these markers once sufficed.
And this we show, when we live incarnation,
to make God's presence real for humankind,
the wine we drink, the bread so freely broken
speak of the love of God so richly mined.
And those who live and suffer in this moment,
the dispossessed, oppressed throughout the earth,
are raised beyond frustration and existence,
to know, in living, their uncommon worth. © Andrew Pratt 28/11/2011
OR
“Chant for the Seasons” (Tune: ‘Praha’, Irreg.) 73 SLT
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us. (Repeat)
Sweet the angling sun,
sweet upon the air
the smell of blue mist rising.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Glorious the trees,
glorious the sight
of rust leaves, falling.
Summer-time has turned the star-wheel,
autumn is upon us.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us. (Repeat)
Grey the windy storms,
cold upon our cheeks
the wet rain glistens, glistens.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
leaping is the fire,
golden in the glass
the cider glows like amber.
Autumn cold has turned the star-wheel,
winter is upon us.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us. (Repeat)
Sharp the smell of loam,
bursting in our eyes
the turrets of the tulip.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Greening is the grass,
soft upon our brows
the sunlight warm caresses.
Winter rains have turned the star-wheel,
spring-time is upon us.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (Repeat)
Gliding are the hawks,
hovering above
the hot and yellow hillside.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us.
crickets in the night,
chirping in our ears
the sound of moon-lit music.
Vernal clouds have turned the star-wheel,
summer is upon us. (Mark L Belletini)
Can be sung separately as a chant, or the verses can be rearranged according to the actual season
People sit
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 our thoughts be filled with transformation,
All May our words reflect the yearnings of our hearts.
And may the spirit that binds within us as we gather
All Hallow each and every passing moment
we know here together. (Adapt.Gretta Vosper/ab)
OR
Hymn/Song “Spirit of Life” (Tune: ‘Spirit of Life’, 8.12.8.12.8.10) 123 SLT
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. (Carolyn McDade)
And so we take a 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 presentness of the sacred among us,
and to see the new possibilities of the now.
The 'Abba' Prayer: (Optional)
You are invited to pray in the spirit of the Abba/Lord's Prayer, and in your original language, as that is appropriate
All Eternal Spirit
Source of all that is and ever shall be,
Loving Parent in whom we discern heaven,
May knowledge of your holiness inspire all peoples.
And may your commonwealth of peace and freedom
flourish on earth, until all of humankind
heed your call to justice and compassion.
May we find the bread that we need for today.
And for the hurts we cause one another
may we be forgiven in the same measure
that we forgive.
In times of trial and temptation,
help us to be strong;
When life seems overwhelming,
Help us to endure;
And thus from the yoke of sin deliver us.
May you reign in the power of human love,
Now and forever. (Tom Hall)
CELEBRATING
Offerings
Presentation
May these gifts and these offerings be signs
of our gratitude, and signs of our hope
for life and the world.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL
Introduction
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…
Invitation
In faith and love, gathered in this place,
we celebrate the brightness of community
and the season of early Summer called 'Balalambar'
(Season of Butterflies)
by the Djab Wurrung and Jardwidjarli People.
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)
v1 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!
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.
v1 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.
So as we remember and lament, we also celebrate
as we join with all people, saying:
All Holy, holy, holy, compassionate 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.
Celebration of the Gifts
Bread and wine tell a very special story…
About women, about men, about life.
Bread has its beginnings in the earth:
it is gathered, ground and kneaded by loving hands,
tired backs, by sweat of toil.
Bread from paddock and mill and store.
Bread to break, to give and eat, shared from hand to hand.
Bread that must be broken open, to be used, to feed.
Bread broken to fill emptiness.
The Bread is broken
Likewise, the wine is of the earth, bitter and sweet.
From vine to glass, given and shared,
of people's labour.
Wine of joy and pain, grief and gladness.
Wine to be spilled to slake thirst and enliven the heart
just the way spirits can. (Adapted.Nancy L Steeves)
The White Wine is poured out.
Both served at the front in small groups, by intinction
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Sing a Different Song” (Tune: Different Song) 62(v1-2) HSNW
Sing a different song now Christmas is here,
Sing a song of people knowing God's near:
The Messiah is born in the face of our scorn,
Sing a different song of welcome and warn.
Shout a different shout now Christmas is here,
Shout a song of joy and genuine cheer:
Fill the earth and sky with the news from on high,
Shout a different shout that all may come by.
Remain standing
Parting Words
Let us take on this week’s life
with renewed hope and imagination...
The Community Candle is extinguished
Gathered together
All We wait for the light.
Standing together
All We trust in the light.
Praying together
All We hope for the light.
Seeking together
All We step out with the light.
Singing together
All We are blessed by the light. (Trisha Watts/s)
Words of Blessing
Go now in joy, building, living in, and enjoying
a community full of welcome and equality.
Al l Thanks be to God. (Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer/wsj)
Hymn/Song (Cont) “Sing a Different Song” (Tune: Different Song) 62(v3-4) HSNW
Love a different love now Christmas is here,
Love without condition, love without leer:
With the humble and poor, with the shy and unsure,
Love a different love. Let Christ be the cure!
Dance a different dance now Christmas is here,
Dance a dance of war on suffering and fear:
Peace and justice are one and their prince is this Son,
Dance a different dance. God's reign has begun! (Bell/Maule)
People sit
'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:
(AA) Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and Songs for all Churches. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1993.
(HSNW) Bell, J. & G. Maule. Heaven Shall Not Wait. Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1. Revised edition. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 1989.
Duncan, G. (ed). Shine On, Star of Bethlehem. A Worship Resource for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2001.
Duncan, G. (ed). Seeing Christ in Others. An Anthology for Worship, Mediation and Mission. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 1998.
Hilton, D. (ed). Liturgy of Life. An Anthology. Birmingham. National Christian Education Council, 1991.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1. Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
(HoS) Hope Is Our Song. New Hymns and Songs from Aotearoa New Zealand. Palmerston North. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
Inclusive Readings. Year B. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2005.
Lawson, P. R. Jesus Circles. Xlibris Corporation, 2003.
(OHV) New, C. Our Highest Values: A Collection of Songs for an Expansive Spirituality. Edmonton. Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, 2015. (chris@smsuc.com)
Prewer, B. D. Brief Prayers for Australians. Vol 3. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 1992.
Prewer, B. D. Australian Psalms. Revised and expanded. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 2000.
Sanguin, B. If Darwin Prayed. Prayers for Evolutionary Mystics. Vancouver. EOS, 2010.
(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.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the way we Live is more important than What we Believe. Canada. HarperCollins, 2008.
(TMT) Wallace, W. L. The Mystery Telling. Hymns and Songs for the New Millennium. Kingston. Selah Publishing, 2001.
Watts, T. & G. Lord. Sanctuary. Where Heaven Touches Earth. A Group Resource for those Seeking Simplicity, Silence, and Nurture. Canada: Kelowna. Wood Lake Books, 2005.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
Tom Hall. ''The Abba Prayer'. Reprinted in Laughlin, P. A. 2009. “Pray Without Seeking. Toward a Truly Mystical Lord’s Prayer” in The Fourth R 22, 6, 20-24.
Jessica Petersen. Advent 4. Creative Transformation 20, 3-4, Summer/Fall 2011. Process & Faith. http://processandfaith.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/CT/CT%2020.3-4_1.pdf
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/
"The Earth Turning..." C3Exchange, Spring Lake. MI. <http://www.c3exchange.org/
“Sun and Summer”, "Winter Affirmation of Faith” and “ Celebration of the Gifts". Three of several non-theistic resources found at: http://stephen.srv.ualberta.ca/publications/non-theistic-liturgy-resources/
“The Shortest Day”. Susan Cooper. Reprinted from Best of UU. http://jesspages.net/bestofuu/category/creative/page/3
"In Every Face..." Andrew Pratt. Direct from the author.