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”"
3 March 2024. Lent 3B. (Purple)
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 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 gather regardless of
race, creed, age, cultural background or sexual orientation
GATHERING
Refreshment Station/Water Basins
Pottery basins are set on stands near the entrance to the Gathering space.
Attendees are invited to dip their hands in the cool water in the basins as they arrive.
Or to rinse each other’s hands.
That we may relax, be refreshed, and prepare for this time together.
(Note: A small sign is placed above the basin explaining that as they dip their hands in the water,
they are invited to relax and try to mindfully set aside or release for a time anything that might be preventing them
from being fully present—each traveller rinsing the “dust from the road”).
OR
(A suggestion of other words)
We come together from our separate lives,
each of us bringing our concerns, our preoccupations, our hopes, and our dreams.
We are not yet fully present.
The traffic, the last-minute cooking, the final details still cling to us.
Our bodies hold the rush of the past few hours.
It is now time to let go of these pressures and really arrive…
When you are ready, repeat silently to yourself: ‘Hineini’ or ‘Here I am’.
Hineini is used in the Torah to signify being present
in body, mind, and spirit.
It means settling into where we are and simply being “here”. (Adapted/Nan Fink Gene)
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 Film/Video
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
We have come from our own places to this special sacred place.
This is a place where we know
we can share community and be blessed.
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
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) Some specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Love Now Ascending” (Tune: ‘Nicaea’, 11.12.12.10)
Holy, holy, holy, love now ascending
Early in the morning our song shall rise to you.
Holy, holy, holy, joy that has no ending
Giving, forgiving, breathing life anew.
Holy, holy, holy, love without a limit
Care that binds creation in sacred unity,
Holy, holy, holy, birthing every minute,
Christ, Love's revealer, sets our spirits free.
Holy, holy, holy, infinite compassion,
Makes a place for every soul in God's eternal reign,
Holy, holy, holy, truth beyond religion,
Love that endures should nothing else remain.
Holy, holy, holy, raise your voice in singing,
Join the cosmic chorus in praise of Love divine,
Holy, holy, holy, God beyond all naming,
Echoes our song in harmony sublime. (Jim Burklo)
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
This time is for us.
We step inside the sacred circle.
Wn We see our lives as part of the
continually astonishing mystery of life.
Mn We know our lives are always lived connected
with other people, wider communities,
the eternal humanity.
This time is for us
All To come closer to Creativity God.
Words of Awareness
Silently a flower blooms.
In silence it falls away.
Yet here now, in this moment, at this place,
the world of the flower,
the whole of the world is blooming.
This is the talk of the flower,
the truth of the blossom:
the glory of eternal life is fully shining here (Adapt. Zenkei Shibayama/lp)
OR
We pray:
In this season of Lent, may we become more aware of the presence of God.
May we see this presence in each other,
hear it in the music, and experience it,
as we give and receive gifts of love.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “Our Life Has Its Seasons” (Tune: 'Kotuka') 113 AA
Our life has its seasons,
and God has the reasons
why spring follows winter,
and new leaves grow,
for there's a connection
with our resurrection
that flowers will bud
after frost and snow
So there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There's a time to be planting,
a time to be plucking,
a time to be laughing,
a time to weep,
a time to be building,
a time to be breaking,
a time to be waking,
a time to sleep,
But there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There's a time to be hurting,
a time to be healing,
a time to be saving,
a time to spend,
a time to be grieving,
a time to be dancing,
a time for beginning,
a time to end,
But there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on. (Shirley Erena Murray)
The people sit
Welcome
Or in your own words
A warm welcome is extended to all.
Especially those who are gathering at (NN) for the first time,
or who have returned after an absence.
Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following the Gathering.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
CENTERING
Presentation of Water Basins
Words which acknowledge that the dust of many roads and many life experiences has been rinsed into the basins,
and calls for the contents of the basins and the gathering to be transformed, renewed, and more fully alive
The dust of many roads and may life experiences
has been washed in this refreshing water.
For this place is a sacred place.
May we
greet one another with open hearts and minds;
inspire each other to consider new questions
and seek deeper meaning;
and cultivate both wisdom and compassion.
And may this time together empower us to take some new steps
so all our living is transforming and the
yearning of our hearts become reality.
The bowls of water are removed from the Gathering space and placed on an outside garden
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
v1 Let us now take a moment to settle into
the silence of this sacred place.
(Silence)
Song: Solo voice
“Sing a Gentle Love Song”
Sing a gentle love song to the earth,
Fill the air with music for her healing.
Then be still and you will hear
Her love song forever sung for you. (Kathy Sherman)
v1 Let us listen to the depths of being…
our busyness calling for quietness,
our emptiness calling for renewed strength,
our sadness calling for some consolation,
our joy calling for some celebration.
v2 May we touch again that strength and wisdom
that helps us to know again the helping resources
that are given to us. (Adapt/Francis Macnab/fwb)
(Silence)
Song: Solo voice
“Sing a Gentle Love Song”
Sing a gentle love song to the earth,
Fill the air with music for her healing.
Then be still and you will hear
Her love song forever sung for you. (Kathy Sherman)
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.
• "Homecoming" (Based on Psalm 126)
By Bruce Prewer. More Australian Psalms/138.
When the Lord gave us liberty, it was a dream come true.
Laughter filled our mouths,
our tongues sang for joy.
Others could not help but exclaim:
'God is at work in them!'
Certainly God is at work in us, and we celebrate it!
Like outback rivers after rain,
flood us, Lord, with life.
May we who have sown many tears
now reap the songs of joy.
Those who leave home weaping,
carrying the seeds of sadness,
will return home laughing,
with a harvest of happiness!
• John 2:13-20 (Inclusive Text)
Just before the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
and in the Temple found people selling cattle and sheep,
and pigeons, and the money changers
seated at their counters there.
Making a whip out of some cord, Jesus drove them all out of the Temple,
cattle and sheep as well,
scattered the money changers' coins,
knocked their tables over and said to the pigeon-sellers,
'Take all of this out of here and stop turning
God’s house into a market!”
Then the disciples remembered the words of scripture:
Zeal for your house will devour me.
The Temple authorities intervened and said:
'What sign can you show us to justify what you have done?'
Jesus answered:
'Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.'
The authorities replied,
'It has taken 46 years to build this sanctuary:
are you going to raise it up in three days?'
Optional Gospel Reading
• Mark 2: 13-22 (Inclusive Text)
Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting;
and people came and said to Jesus,
“Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast,
but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus said to them,
“The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they?
As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast on that day.
“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak;
otherwise, the patch pulls away from it,
the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins;
otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins;
but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins”.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A ‘Beatitudes’ Litany (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share a special Lenten ‘beatitudes’ litany.
The people stand as they are able
Blessed are the poor
All not the penniless, but those
whose heart is free.
Blessed are those who mourn
All not those who whimper, but those
who raise their voices.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice
All not those who whine, but those
who struggle.
Blessed are the merciful
All not those who forget, but those
who forgive.
Blessed are the pure in heart
All not those who act like angels, but those
whose life is transparent.
Blessed are the peace-makers
All not those who shun conflict, but those
who face it squarely.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for justice
All not because they suffer, but
because they love. (Jacob, Santiago Chile/lol)
Sharing 'The Peace'
Let us take some time 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.
Hym/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“It All Depends” (Tune: 'Te Horo’) 39 FFS
It all depends on where I'm going
if I reach my anywhere,
but this I'm surely, surely knowing,
that I'll never leave God's care;
it all depends on when I'm travelling,
maybe now or maybe then,
but the Son of God will lead me
through each where and why and when.
It all depends on how I'm choosing
for the life that is in me,
but I will never lose the hand of Christ,
the one who walks with me;
if I stumble or I falter
he will steady me once more,
for there is no darkest pathway
that we cannot both explore.
It all depends on who comes with me
if I break or if I bend,
but this I'm surely, surely knowing,
God will be there at the end
in the laughter and the sadness,
in the pleasure or the pain,
by my side and all about me
God's own Spirit will remain. Colin Gibson
People sit
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 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 presentness of the sacred among 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, who cares for us,
The wonder of whose presence fills us with awe.
Let kindness, justice and love shine in our world.
Let your secrets be known here as they are in heaven.
Give us the food and the hope we need for today.
Forgive us our wrongdoing
as we forgive the wrongs done to us.
Protect us from pride and from despair
and from the fear and hate which can swallow us up.
In you is truth, meaning, glory and power,
while worlds come and go.
Amen. (MFurlong/nwi)
Offerings
Presentation
In a world so full of what is wonderful,
ever changing, ever surprising us with life’s
power and beauty, may we accept with gratitude,
all that gladdens us, and with fortitude
all that brings us grief.
Let us be learning always,
from all that we see and do, and
from all that happens to us. (Adapt.A Powell Davies/lth)
SCATTERING
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“When There Is No Star ” (Tune: ‘Ode to Joy’, 87.87D) 134(v1-3) BL
When there is not star to guide you
and you cannot wait for day
and your ancient maps provide you
only hints to find the way,
keep within each other’s calling,
mark each time you make a turn,
shout for help if you are falling,
tell each other all you learn.
Be alert to shifts in weather;
if it turns to cold and frost
huddle closely all together,
check if any have been lost.
Listen for a river flowing,
feel for damper moving air,
trace from where the wind is blowing,
move on bravely but with care.
If you think you have discovered
with your lantern in the dark
some clear path the dark has covered
let the others bring their light.
Test your single lone perception
in their gathered shining beams,
what you saw may be projection
fed by shadows, fears and dreams.
Parting Words
The God we worship is never confined to this holy place.
So go and travel with the God who is found
in ordinary and surprising places.
The Community Candle is extinguished
Those who dodge growing pains
will never arrive at their full spiritual height.
As you prepare to leave this special place,
pray that you may have the courage
to stretch once more
towards the goals set by the Man of Nazareth.
All There is no shame in failing.
But there is in not trying. (Bruce Prewer 2006).
Words of Blessing
Fall in love with living
wrestling with the chaos and the pain
within yourself and within the world.
Join the celebration of life, dancing with
the angels and the clowns.
And may the God of peace and joy,
who is continually making all things new,
embrace you as a partner
In the divine creating. (Joyce Boyce-Tillman/wb).
All Amen. May it be so.
Hymn/Song (Cont). “When There Is No Star” (Tune: ‘Ode to Joy’, 87.87D) 134(v4) BL
You may sometimes trip and stumble
on a hidden root or stone
but remember as you grumble
that you do not fall alone.
And in risking dark expanses
never marked on map or chart
you will find that faith advances
through the landscape of your heart. (Thomas Troeger)
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 Shaping this Liturgy:
(AA) Alleluia Aotearoa. Hymns and Songs for all Churches. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 1993.
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.
Davies, A. P. The Language of the Heart. A Book of Prayers. Washington, DC. All Soul’s Church, 1956.
Duncan, G. (ed). A World of Blessing. Benedictions from Every Continent and Many Cultures. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 2000.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Funk, R. W. & R. W. Hoover. The Five Gospels. The search for the authentic words of Jesus. New York. MacMillan Press, 1993.
Hilton, D. (ed). Liturgy of Life. An Anthology. Birmingham. National Christian Education Council, 1991.
(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.
Jones, Robert V. “Liturgy: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper”. In private circulation from the author. L & L Seminar, 2005.
Macnab, F. A Fine Wind Is Blowing: Psalms of the Bible in Words that Blow you Away. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2006.
Mitchell, R. C. & G. A. Ricciuti. Birthings and Blessings. Liberating Worship Services for the Inclusive Church. New York. Crossroads, 1992.
Prewer, B. D. More Australian Psalms. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 1996.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Life Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey. New York: HarperCollins, 1996.
(SLT) Singing the Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
The St Hilda Community. The New Women Included. A Book of Services and Prayers. London. SPCK, 1996.
(BL) Troeger, T. Borrowed Light. Hymn texts, prayers, and poems. New York. Oxford University Press, 1994.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for Worship. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
Bruce Prewer Jim Burko Web Site. Bendigo.
"Love Now Ascending".. <http://www.jimburklo.com/>
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/
Refreshment Station. Words by Nan Fink Gefen, taken from an Evolutionary Passover Haggadah by Tree Bressen.
“Sing a Gentle Love Song”. Kathy Sherman. <www.ministryofthehearts.org> 1987