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”
Epiphany 4B. 28 January 2024
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 available from 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
Gathering Music
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 Video
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
In sacred times of word, wonder, and awe.
In ordinary days of work and play.
In every moment, Creativity God is with us. (Adapt.TShuman/worship-rcl)
So let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
We light this candle for the web of life which sustains us,
For the sacred circle of life in which we have our being,
For the Earth, the Sky, Above and Below, and
For our Mother Earth, and for the Mystery. (Paul Sprecher/uuww)
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 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) Specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Gather Us In” (Tune: ‘Gather us in’) 474 TiS
Here in this place, new light is streaming
now is the darkness, vanished away,
See, in this space, our fears and our dreamings
brought here to you in the light of this day.
Refrain:
Gather us in the lost and forsaken
Gather us in the blind and the lame;
Call unto us now, and we shall awaken
We shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a myst’ry,
we are the old who yearn for your face,
We have been sung through out all of hist’ry,
called to be light to the whole human race.
Refrain:
Gather us in the rich and the haughty
Gather us in the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly
Give us the courage to enter the song.
(Next verse optional)
Here we will take the wine and the water,
here we will take the bread of new birth
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters
call us anew to be salt for the earth.
Refrain:
Give to us drink the wine of compassion
Give to us eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
Not in the dark of buildings confining,
not in some heaven, light years away,
but here in this place, the new light is shining,
now is the Kingdom now is the day.
Refrain:
Gather us in and hold us forever
Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone. (Marty Haugen)
Remain standing after the hymn/song
Opening Sentences
v1 A morning mist,
the gleam of a new day,
faintly we discern the possibilities
that are before us.
All Energy rising, plans turning to action,
we build our every yesterday
from the living of our days.
v2 May we live our hope into tomorrow.
All May we wrap our lives around
the challenges of today.
v1 And in the quiet of the sacred space,
may we listen at the centre of our being
for the truth of our inner voice
v2 that sets before us the purpose of this day (Adapt.GVosper/ab)
Words of Awareness
We are part of all that sustains or destroys life.
Creation and destruction occur in continually unfolding ways.
And so may we open our ears to the continually unfolding Word.
Life speaks to us in new and vital and imperative ways.
With all the power we have been given,
let us be silent and open to listening…
for nourishment,
for comfort,
for challenge and new focus.
May it be so. (St Stephen’s Project).
OR
We pray:
Calling God,
you have gathered us in your community.
You have made a place for us.
Let what we say and do here
be real for us and honest to you
and prepare us for the life of the world.
May it be so. Amen.
Hymn/Song
“Beautiful Presence” (Tune: ‘Beautiful presence’) 9 HoS
Beautiful presence, how can we name you?
Words are too small for the one who is all.
How can we speak of your gentleness in us,
the warmth of our hearts in response to your call?
Refrain:
Beautiful presence, ocean of love,
strong as forever, soft as a dove.
Words often fail us, but this we know true,
you live within us as we live in you.
There have been times of spiritual blindness,
when error and pain have distorted our sight.
Beautiful presence, you were there with us,
to show us how darkness can turn into light.
Refrain:
Nothing that happens to us will be wasted,
all of our living is grounded in grace.
Gently you take down the walls of division,
leading us on to a larger place. (Joy Cowley)
Refrain:
People sit after the hymn/song
Welcome
Or in your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering 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.
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
Meditation
“Problem and Promise”
By J Donald Johnston. Beginning Now/6.
Life must be shared.
The demand comes from deep inside us.
Our bodies demand it, our minds require it,
our hearts are starved without it.
Yet each one lives alone.
This, too, is deeply rooted in our minds and hearts.
We depend upon one another yet are afraid of one another.
We are independent of one another
yet cannot do without one another.
We can be jealous of our independence
and yet sell it cheaply.
We can be so dependent
that the price of independence seems beyond us.
We are problems to one another and within ourselves.
But between us and within us
there is also promise.
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: The delight of a story well-known fills our hearts
as we listen for its familiar end.
All May we hear in these stories, familiar and new,
both wisdom and meaning for the days ahead.
Readings
• “May - Grace” #97
By Dennis McCarty
In living out each moment,
May we be ever mindful
That we have been favoured
With precious gifts.
We have eyes
With which to peer into the darkest corners;
We have ears
With which to listen to the stories
Of our fellow human beings;
We have hands
With which to work toward transformation.
Together, surely,
We are the answer
That is “blowing in the wind.
• Mark 1: 21-28
Jesus and his followers went as far as Capernaum,
and as soon as the sabbath came
Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach.
And the teaching made a deep impression on them
because, unlike the scribes, Jesus taught them with authority.
In their synagogue just then
there was someone possessed by an unclean spirit, and it shouted,
‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’
But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out!’
And the unclean spirit threw the person into convulsions
and with a loud cry went out.
The people were so astonished that they started asking each other
what it all meant.
‘Here is a teaching that is new’ they said and
‘with authority behind it: this teacher gives orders
even to unclean spirits and they obey.’
And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere,
through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
The people stand as they are able
May our brief, fragile lives build on the work
of those who went before us,
All Let it all happen. No time is final.
May we create a sustainable foundation
for those who follow us,
All Let it all happen. No age is final.
May we stretch our consciousness with open minds,
and a sense of humble curiosity,
All Let it all happen. No belief is final.
May we have courage in uncertain times,
All Let it all happen. No mood is final.
May we recognise new beginnings
in what seem to be endings,
All Let it all happen. No feeling is final.
We are the universe becoming conscious,
All Let it all happen.
Breathe deeply and live now. (3C Exchange)
If reflecting on Australia Day
We affirm...
that we are called to be the Church,
All the witness of Christ in the world.
We believe...
that we are the disciples who follow in the footsteps
of Jesus, the Compassionate One,
All who extended the hospitality
of God by living within and for
the marginalised,
those kept to the outside of society; and the stranger.
We believe... all lands belong to God
and that Australia is God’s gift to us.
All We recognise and honour
the first inhabitants of our land,
the indigenous people and their rich culture.
We uphold the right of all people
irrespective of colour, culture, creed, or sexual orientation,
to find a home in Australian community.
All We believe the Spirit of God calls us
to work for and to support an Australian society which
affirms the traditions which have enriched our country,
welcomes newcomers,
appreciates the diversity of cultures, and
is inclusive and cooperative in spirit.
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
“Whispering Gently” 77 FFS
Whispering gently the breeze from the mountain
beckons our senses to what it may say;
fresh from the snows that are melted by sunshine,
stirred by the kingfisher flying away.
Chorus:
Blue sky, Lord of creation,
freshen our faith,
blossom our love.
Deep green, Lord of creation,
springtime of faith,
the Spirit of love.
Bursting with colour the orchards surround us,
grasses that grow in the warmth of the green;
heralds of gold in the flowers of the bushland,
nature announces that spring should be seen.
Chorus:
Birth of the new is a sign of your Spirit,
God the creator and Jesus our Lord;
lambs on the hillsides and calves on the pastures,
leaping in sunshine and dancing your word.
Chorus:
Spirit of hope in the Christ who renews us,
lighten our winter of anguish with spring;
washed with the showers of loving forgiveness,
warmed by the rays of the love that you bring.
Chorus: Bill Bennett/Adapt./
People sit
CELEBRATING
Offerings
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)
Conversation 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:
Each day brims over with possibility.
All In every second lie choices, chances,
in numbers too great for us to comprehend.
May we ever strive to see beyond our limitations,
choose beyond our immediate needs,
All and live into each day,
the fullness of its opportunity. (Gretta Vosper/hb)
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 presentness of the sacred among and within us,
and to see 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 appropriate
All God, lover of us all, most holy one.
Help us to respond to you.
To create what you want for us here on earth.
Give us today enough for our needs.
Forgive our weak and deliberate offences,
just as we must forgive others
when they hurt us.
Help us to resist evil and to do what is good.
For we are yours, endowed with your power
to make our world whole.
Amen. (Lala Winkley/CW)
PARTING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
"God Given Energy, Flaring and Fiery" (Tune: ‘Spean’, 11.10.11.10) 2RP
God given energy, flaring and fiery,
stellar collisions of fury and pace;
shafts of the light from the cosmic conception
searing to earth from infinity's space.
Stars from eternity, driven by forces
formed at the birthing of matter and time;
mystical sinews restraining the planets,
elegant science and God's hidden rhyme;
Remain standing
Parting Words
May we leave this place
Seeking an uncharted
And freely chosen way to wholeness,
Knowing we have companions along the way. (Bets Wienecke)
The Community Candle is extinguished
Words of Blessing
And may the holy mystery of God be found along the road.
The wonder of the costly love of Jesus embrace you.
And the Spirit bless and keep you, always.
All Amen.
Hymn/Song (Cont). "God Given Energy, Flaring and Fiery" (Tune: ‘Spean’, 11.10.11.10) 2RP
These are the visions of wonder and rapture,
signs of significance, pointers to place,
drawing us out from our narrow discernment,
windows to love and God's infinite grace. © Andrew Pratt
The 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 this Liturgy
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, 2002.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
(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.
Johnston, J. D. Beginning Now. A Book of Explorations. Boston. UUA, 1970.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond: Spectrum Publications, 1996.
McCarty, D. Thoughts from a Gentle Atheist. Religious Readings for the Skeptical. USA. Dennis McCarty, 2019
Pratt, A. Reclaiming Praise. Hymns from a Spiritual Journey. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd., 2006.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious., 1999.
Copyright enquiries: http://www.togetherinsong.org/.
Vosper, G. Holy Breath. Prayers for Worship and Reflection. New & Revised Edition. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2004/2010.
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.
Other/Web sites:
UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
C3Exchange, Spring Lake. MI. <http://www.c3exchange.org/
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/
St Stephen’s Non-Theistic Project https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/ststephens/publication-photos/ssc-ntlr-winter-2018.pdf
Thom M Shuman. [w-rcl] Liturgy web site.