Details on the availability of my books, supporting progressive religious thought, HERE
Suggestion: ’Refresh’ each page before reading to make sure to get my latest edition
‘The Other Lectionary’ - 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
“Landscape is an incredible, mystical teacher, and when you begin to tune into its sacred presence,
something shifts inside you”
16 April 2023. Easter 2A. (White).
Also, Liturgy for Easter2A Autumn HERE and Liturgy Resources for Easter2A Humour HERE
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 called “Uluru Statement from the Heart” HERE
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019 HERE
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)
Multi-sensory 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
With fragments of hope and scraps of courage,
we gather together in this sacred and safe place.
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
For Easter which reminds us that love is our greatest challenge,
we light the flame.
For gathering today in this sacred space,
we light the flame.
For the opportunity to be together as a community,
to remember the past,
to plan for our future,
to be alive in our present…
we light the flame. (David B Sorrells/edited)
Note: (i) A suggested process for introducing new hymns, called Hymn of the Month, can be found HERE
(ii) Additional Special Purpose Hymns that cover major international events or themes can be found HERE 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 HERE
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature HERE
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“How Great Is Creation” (Tune: ‘St. Denio’, 11 11 11 11)
How great is Creation. In Love it is made;
How glorious the Spirit of Goodness displayed.
The power of its beauty pervading my soul
Refreshes my spirit and I am made whole.
From depths of my being, Creator I praise
The beauty of morning, Your glorious days.
The promise of birth in the spring's gentle sun,
The seasons unfolding, and new life begun.
The Song of Creation is our gift to share,
Our living a tribute to God's loving care.
The Spirit is present in all that we do,
In work and in worship, in Love ever new. (© GayleSimonson, 2000. All rights reserved)
OR
“Imagining Stars” (Tune: ‘Stuttgart’. 87.87) 21 SNS2
When, at night, the stars shine on us
Light years from our tiny earth,
Songs and psalms provoke the questions
Of our fragile human worth.
These gigantic specks are burning
Balls of fire, as at play;
Stars in billions share their light and
Thus create a Milky Way.
We still gaze in raw amazement,
Contemplating timeless space;
Numberless, the stars keep stories
Hidden from our human race.
Tiny holes in heaven’s flooring
Letting light beyond shine through;
Stars invite us to imagine
What it is we cannot view.
Myst’ry stride across the canvas
Of the picture we might paint;
Sacredness is grandly present;
Let us praise without restraint. (George Stuart)
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
As we enter into this sacred place,
put away the pressures of the world that ask us
to perform,
to take up masks,
to put on brave fronts.
Silence the voices that ask you to be perfect.
This is a community of compassion and welcoming. (EAHewitt/adapted)
All We bring all that we are and all that we yet can be,
to this safe and holy place.
Words of Awareness
It is good to be alive!
To share life with each other
in this wonder-filled and evolving universe.
We are most grateful.
May wisdom dawn in us
so we may see all things in clarity.
OR
We pray:
Autumn Easter God, may we be empowered
to look to the future with hope:
unafraid of our dreams,
realistic about our limitations,
yet never losing hope in our potential
to live courageously in today and for tomorrow.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “Faith Writes the Hymn” (Tune: ‘Woodlands’, 10.10.10.10) 10 TEL
Faith writes the hymn that celebrates the world,
tomorrow’s world, more hopeful than today’s;
God sets the key for faith to call the tune,
and make of us the instruments of praise.
Faith uses song to stir us and move one,
to rally and to raise our spirits high,
to whistle up the courage to be changed,
and lift our wings in learning how to fly.
Faith needs a song to heal our deepest pain:
lament and loss would silence us in tears.
God gives us music to anoint the soul,
and speak in ways that only sorrow ears.
Faith writes the hymn that keeps us singing hope,
although we cannot see the sun will shine;
faith sets a lively rhythm to our step,
and draws our hearts to beat with the divine. (Shirley Erena Murray)
OR
“Shake Up The Morning” (Tune: ‘Shake Up’) 18 HSNW
Shake up the morning, let the dawn undress,
Let dew reglisten nature’s loveliness;
Waken the songbird and unseal the throat
That greets the daybreak with a crystal note.
Praise to the Lord, whose morning we inherit;
Praise creation’s fuse, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son who rises with the dawn,
Leaving graveclothes scarcely three days worn.
Shake up the world and let the Kingdom come,
The dumb be listened to, the lost find home;
Make earthly politics the stuff of prayer
Till want and warring are dispelled by care.
Praise to the Lord, whose world we inherit;
Praise God’s catalyst, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose choice it is to bless
Those who work for peace and live on less.
Shake up the Church and let all Christians show
That faith is real, that God is good to know;
Fashion new symbols of the coming age
When hope and love with take the centre stage.
Praise to the Lord, whose Gospel we inherit;
Praise God’s bird of love, the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose will and words decree
All are one in his community.
Shake up the evening, let the shadows range
As clouds to castles in the sunset change;
Kindle the moon and stars which through each night
Reflect the glory of tomorrow’s light.
Praise to the Lord, whose evening we inherit;
Praise creation’s presence in the Holy Spirit;
Praise to the Son whose brightness none can kill,
Lighting paths for those who seek his will. © Iona Community
The people sit after the hymn/song
Welcome
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.
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
We come now into the silence of this place
with gratitude for this day.
(Silence)
May our silence bring to us
a surprising wonder of faith in life,
all of life, howsoever it has come to us. (Bob Holmes/wm).
(Silence)
Music of Reflection
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the 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 this/these reading/s.
All And may our minds be fertile soil
in which it/they may grow strong and true. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• “To Risk”
Anonymous. #658 SLT
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk exposing our true self.
To place our ideas - our dreams -
before the crowd is to risk loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
To live is to risk dying.
• John 20:19-23, 30-31. (Inclusive Text)
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week,
the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were,
for fear of the people.
Jesus came, stood among them and said to them,
'Peace be with you,’
and showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Risen One
who said to them again,
'Peace be with you. As our God sent me, so I am sending you.'
After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said,
'Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
For those whose sins you retain, they are retained...'
Now there are many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw,
but they are not recorded in this book.
These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the one born of God, and that believing this
you may have life through Jesus' name.
Contemporary Exploration from my archives HERE
OR
Contemporary Easter Reflection (For Two Voices)
By Rex A E Hunt
I was standing.
There.
In what is now called the ‘old’ study.
In Down House.
Standing there.
Caught in absolute wonder and awe.
In silence. Feeling its pulse.
Charles Darwin’s home.
Charles Darwin’s study.
A sanctuary
where professional standing and personal
integrity, were risked.
On the origins of species...
Out of the stars in their flight, out
of the dust of eternity, here
have we come,
Stardust and sunlight, mingling
through time and through space.
Out of the stars have we come,
up from time;
Out of the stars have we come.
Time out of time before time in
the vastness of space, earth
spun to orbit the sun,
Earth with the thunder of
mountains newborn, the boiling
of seas.
A sanctuary for a life’s work:
examining and re-examining the minutiae
of the natural world
day after day.
By a countryman at heart, who loved
the changing seasons
and to breathe the clean air...
Earth warmed by sun, lit by
sunlight:
This is our home;
Out of the stars have we come.
Mystery hidden in mystery, back
through all time;
Mystery rising from rocks in the
storm and the sea.
Out of the stars, rising from
rocks and the sea,
kindled by sunlight on earth,
arose life.
A creative theorist.
A great speculator.
With a dream of a re-imagined world.
A ‘tangled bank’ clothed with many
plants, with birds singing on the bushes,
with insects flitting about,
and with worms crawling through the damp earth.
Raw.
Beautiful.
Observable.
Ponder this thing in your heart;
ponder with awe:
Out of the sea to the land, out of
the shallows came ferns.
Out of the sea to the land, up
from darkness to light,
Rising to walk and to fly,
out of the sea trembled life.
Ponder this thing in your heart, life
up from sea:
Eyes to behold, throats to sing,
mates to love.
The fascinating ‘mystery of mysteries’...
Life from the sea, warmed by
sun, washed by rain,
life from within, giving birth,
rose to love.
This is the wonder of time; this is
the marvel of space; out of the
stars swung the earth; Iife upon
earth rose to love.
And I remember another authentic life.
A wisdom embedded
in seemingly innocuous observations
on the everyday world...
Stunning insights.
A dream of a re-imagined world.
Celebration rather than apocalyptic was its pulse.
Indiscriminate conviviality.
Seeing the world and other people for
what they are when viewed
through God’s eyes.
Acting on that perception.
Trusting.
Affirming.
Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.
This is the marvel of life, rising
to see and to know;
Out of your heart, cry wonder:
sing that we live.
Yet... everything that exists,
in backyard worm holes,
the dryness and dust of an Australian climate, or around
the family dining table,
gives expression to this reality we call
‘G-o-d’.
Generosity of Being.
Naked Possibility.
Ground of Grace... ….
It’s Autumn.
Trees flaunt their colours to the sky.
It’s Easter.
The mystery of life is held for a while.
The poem in italics is from “Out of the Stars” by Robert Weston, published in Singing the Living Tradition, Boston: UUA, 1993.
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Litany: ‘Thanksgiving’ (Optional)
The people stand as they are able
For the gift of the universe in all its vastness:
All For the enormous, for the tiny,
For refreshment, for a challenge,
For gentle beauty, for fierce beauty,
For all the variety of place and season… we give thanks.
For the inheritance in our world, from generations past:
All For landscape,
For craft and skill,
For breed and variety in livestock and crops,
For wildlife untamed,
For fertility maintained… we give thanks.
For our existence in this fragile, green planet:
All For air,
For space,
For moisture,
For food… we give thanks.
For those who represent us all in caring for this planet:
All For gardeners,
For foresters,
For scientists,
For farmers… we give thanks.
For the breaking of bread,
For the filling of the cup,
For the presence of the sacred in earthly things…
All We give thanks and praise. (The Arthur Rank Centre/adapted/hfw)
OR
If celebrating Earth Day:
v1 To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air
All We join with the earth and with each other.
v2 To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures
All We join with the earth and with each other.
v1 To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars
All We join with the earth and with each other.
v2 To recall our destiny
To renew our spirits
To reinvigorate our bodies
All We join with the earth and with each other.
v1 To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children
v3 We join with the earth and with each other.
All We join together as many and diverse expressions
of one loving mystery:
for the healing of the earth
and the renewal of all life. (Adapted/Green Faith/1990. < http://www.greenfaith.org/>)
(Silence)
Sharing ‘The Peace’ (Optional)
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.
CELEBRATING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Spilling Sunshine, Love and Laughter” (Tune: ‘Shipston’, 87 87) 134 RP
Spilling sunshine, love and laughter,
Christ will live, death can’t destroy.
On the resurrection morning
all the world will dance with joy.
Symbols sign our exaltation,
crosses decked with springtime flowers,
wine is drunk and break is broken,
all the grace of God is ours.
Join the throng and sing God’s praises,
alleluias ring the earth!
Alleluia! Praise the Godhead,
source of love and hope’s rebirth. (© Andrew Pratt)
OR
“Where is the Care for the Silent Care-giver?” (Tune: ‘Stewardship’, 11.10.11.10)
Where is the care for the silent care-giver,
drowning in tragedy, lost or alone?
Where is our God in such life and such living?
Here in our pain, or remote on some throne?
God, are you deaf to our crying, our pleading?
Why are you absent when we feel so lost?
Come to the centre of need and exhaustion,
help us feel valued, while sharing the cost.
Here in frustration, in folly, when kindness
seems to be hollow, not grasping the fact:
inside our hearts may be broken or dying.
God bring your mending to lives that have cracked.
Then for tomorrow may hope that is buried
push through our anger, our darkness and night,
opening our hearts to divine love and healing,
leading from hopelessness out into light. (Andrew E Pratt, Words © 2014 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England)
Offerings
Presentation
As the many threads are made one in the cloth,
as the many grains are made one in the bread,
as the many grapes are made one in the wine,
so we who are many are made one
when we gather at this table. (Nicola Slee/bb)
AFFIRMING
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? (Binkley & McKeel/jke)
In Solidarity
Care Candle:
We are people of all ages who enter this safe space
bringing our joys and concerns.
Joys and Celebrations; Griefs and Concerns shared
Focused Thoughts:
Listening Response:
We turn to Life, to that vast creativity
All that empowers the universe
as the ocean animates the wave,
seeking to let go of that which blocks our healing.
All May we open ourselves even now
to the wonder of Life.
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 Most compassionate Life-giver,
may we honour and praise you:
may we work with you to establish
your new order of
justice, peace and love.
Give us what we need for growth,
and help us, through forgiving others,
to accept forgiveness.
Strengthen us in the time of testing,
that we may resist all evil.
For all the tenderness,
strength and love are yours, now and forever.
Amen. (William L. Wallace)
PARTING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Wild Waves of Storm” (Tune: ‘Wild Waves’, 4.10.10.10.4) 80(v1-3) SLT
Wild waves of storm,
the wonder of the wind and crashing sea,
nature in power and might and majesty,
yet wonder more in deep tranquillity,
sea, calm and still.
Migrating birds,
in flocks intent upon far distant shore
great wonder hold; yet there is wonder more
when lonely eagle, watchful on a post,
sits, calm and still.
All people one
in urgent haste, on some great enterprise,
hearts beating fast, great dreams to realize,
yet in the soul a dream of richer prize,
serene and still.
Remain standing
OR
“Thank God for Bursting Life!” 37(v1-2) PaT
(Tune: ‘Vruechten’, J. Oudaen’s David’s Psalmen, 1685)
Thank God for bursting life,
for greening leaf, for sign of Spring’s sowing!
The Easter sunrise brings
the light that can illumine all our knowing!
What crucifixion failed to kill, is well alive this Day:
a peace-determined Way,
God’s realm of hope and promise,
of peace lived in promise,
as Jesus lived this promise.
Thank God for courage raised
to roll away the stones of dead traditions,
to crack the codes of death,
to give the fearful powers no free permission!
What crucifixion failed to kill, is well alive this Day:
a fairer, kinder Way,
a signatory to justice,
commitment to justice,
as Jesus lives this justice.
Remain standing
Parting Words
The presentness of God reaches beyond this place…
The Community Candle is extinguished
Now may our wisdom show itself
in deeds of compassion and in acts of understanding.
All May the fruits of the spirit
be apparent in our lives. (Adapted/Philip R Giles)
Words of Blessing
May our lives be blest according to the depth of our love,
the persistence of our faith,
our willingness to forgive and be compassionate,
and in proportion to our yearning to be free. (Paul H Beattie)
All Amen! May it be so!
Hymn/Song (Cont) “Wild Waves of Storm” (Tune: ‘Wild Waves’, 4.10.10.10.4) 80(v4) SLT
Then striving cease:
from troubled turmoil seek an inward goal;
tranquillity shall make the spirit whole.
Be still, and know a Presence in the soul,
serene, alive. (Sydney H Knight/adapt)
OR
Hymn/Song (Cont). “Thank God for Bursting Life!” 37 (v3-4) PaT
(Tune: ‘Vruechten’, J. Oudaen’s David’s Psalmen, 1685)
Thank God for feisty souls
who let no weight of history deter them!
Who liberate the faith
who let the Easter air revive and stir them!
What crucifixion failed to kill, is well alive this Day:
non-violent, this Way,
a charter for compassion,
the power of compassion,
as Jesus lived compassion.
Thank God for fresh-baked bread,
the loaf we share, the yeasty fragrance rising,
the bubbling up of hope,
the wine outpoured in joy of God’s devising!
What crucifixion failed to kill, is well alive this Day:
the Gospel-driven Way;
the human spirit’s freedom,
the risen life’s freedom,
as Jesus lived this freedom. (Shirley Erena Murray)
The people sit after the hymn/song
‘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:
(HSNW) Bell, J. & G. Maule. Heaven Shall Not Wait. Wild Goose Songs Vol. 1. Revised edition. Wild Goose Publications, 1989.
Binkley, C. G. & J. M. McKeel. Jesus and his Kingdom of Equals. An International Curriculum on the Life and Teaching of Jesus. Santa Rosa. Polebridge Press, 2001.
Burgess, R. A. Book of Blessings. Wild Goose Publications, 2001
Duncan, G. (ed). Harvest for the World. A Worship Anthology on Sharing in the Work of Creation. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2003.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1. Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
Inclusive Readings. Year A. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2004
(PaT) Murray, S. E. A Place at the Table. New Hymns written between 2009 and 2013. Carol Stream. Hope Publishing, 2013.
(TEL) Murray, S. E. Touch the Earth Lightly. New Hymns written between 2003 & 2008. Carol Stream. Hope Publishing, 2008.
(RP) Pratt, A. Reclaiming Praise. Hymns from a Spiritual Journey. London. Stainer & Bell, 2006
(SLT) Singing The Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993
(SNS2) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Volume 2. Toronto. G Stuart, 2009.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Web sites/Other:
Sorrells, Hewitt, Giles, Beattie. UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
“How Great is Creation”, Gayle Simonson. One of several non-theistic resources found at: St Stephen’s Non-Theistic Project <https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/ststephens/publication-photos/ssc-ntlr-winter-2018.pdf>
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/