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
“...in the end the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration.
It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself”
23 October 2022. Pentecost 20C/. (Green).
Progressives Sunday
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, and emerging leaders,
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)
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
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of the Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
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) Specific resources on Terrorism HERE
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature HERE
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“We Gather Together” (Tune: ‘Kremser’, 12.11.13.12) 349 SLT
We gather together in joyful thanksgiving,
acclaiming creation, whose bounty we share;
both sorrow and gladness we find now in our liv-ing,
we sing a hymn of praise to the life that we bear.
We gather together to join in the journey,
confirming, committing our passage to be
a true affirmation, in joy and tribulation,
when bound to human care and hope—then we are free. (Dorothy Caiger Senghas)
OR
“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.)
OR
(For those in the Northern Hemisphere)
“Autumn Comes in all its Fullness ” (Tune: 'Hamilton Avenue', 87.87) 8 HoS
Autumn comes in all its fullness
harvesting both land and hearts
Autumn has its birth in winter
in the stillness where life starts.
Refrain:
Every death brings hope of birthing,
every birth enfolds life's end,
for the seasons of our living
mirror patterns nature penned.
Autumn gives us time for choosing
seeds which bear the richest fruits,
fragile life which we can nurture
into just or vain pursuits.
Refrain:
Buried in autumnal endings
lies the shoot that bursts the tomb
for the letting go in autumn
sows the seed that births the bloom. (William L Wallace)
Refrain:
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
Our suburbs reflect your face, O God.
All In wrinkles of kindness
and hands touching hand.
Our suburbs sound with your voice, O God.
All In calls for new justice
and laughter in the streets.
Our suburbs breathe with your life, O God.
All In green grass in bitumen,
and new hope in the people.
Words of Awareness
May the wonders of this world
stun us with their splendour
until we appreciate
that their goodness is richer than gold
and ought to be preserved as sacred treasure.
They are the original artwork of evolution
and the fingers of God (Norman Habel/rom).
OR
We pray:
Illuminating God,
each sunrise and sunset
reminds us of your constant presence.
Awaken in each of us
the possibility for new life, new vision
and renewed energy. (Trisha Watts/s)
May it be so.
Hymn/Song "From Season to Season" (Tune: 11.11.11.11 anapaestic) 111 WNC
From season to season, through death and re-birth,
this world, through its phases, shows love has no dearth.
Such love is for sharing, to do good to all,
to nurture well-being, to echo God's call.
Through sensitive reason we fathom the need
of neighbours, of nature; we subjugate greed.
We offer each other the kiss of God's peace,
embracing earth's harmony, hatred will cease.
Through summer and autumn, through winter's release,
we welcome spring's coming with nature's increase.
All praise for the gifting of harvest and life,
all power to the ending of all human strife. (Andrew Pratt)
OR
"Bring Many Names" (Tune: ‘Westchase’, 9.10.11.9) 182 TiS
Bring many names, beautiful and good,
celebrate in parable and story,
holiness in glory, living, loving God
Hail and Hosanna!
Bring many names.
Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and Hosanna,
strong mother God!
Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strain of human living
caring and forgiving, till we're reconciled:
Hail and Hosanna,
warm father God!
Old, aching God, grey with endless care,
calmly piercing evil's new disguises,
glad of good surprises, wiser than despair:
Hail and Hosanna,
old, aching God!
Young, growing God, eager, on the move,
seeing all, and fretting at our blindness,
crying out for justice, giving all you have:
Hail and Hosanna,
young, growing God!
Great, living God, never fully known,
joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and Hosanna,
great, living God! (Brian Wren)
The people sit after the hymn
Welcome
In your own words
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)
Refer to printed liturgy.
Fellowship hour following the Gathering.
Those visiting, please sign our Visitors book.
Reflection
“We Build Temples in the Heart”
By Patrick Murfin.
We have seen the great cathedrals, stone laid upon stone,
carved and cared for by centuries of certain hands;
seen the slender minarets soar from dusty streets
to raise the cry of faith to the One and Only God;
seen the placid pagodas where gilded Buddhas squat
amid the temple bells and incense.
We have seen the tumbled temples half-buried in the sands,
choked with verdant tangles,
sunk in corralled seas, and
old truths toppled and forgotten.
We have even seen the wattled huts,
the sweat lodge hogans,
the wheeled yurts,
and the Ice Age caverns
where unwritten worship
raised its knowing voices.
But here we build temples in our hearts.
Side by side we gather.
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 us take a moment to settle into the silence.
(Silence)
May the blessings of life be known to all.
Music of Celebration
EXPLORING
Wisdom from the World/Religious Traditions
“Wisdom is not just special knowledge about something. Wisdom is a way of being, a way of inhabiting the world.
The beauty of wisdom is harmony, belonging and illumination of thought, action, heart and mind.” (John O’Donohue)
Reader: May we be struck by the wisdom of these words
and marked by hearing them.
All For within story lies meaning, and
within meaning, the wisdom for which we seek. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• "Liberal Religion. A Faith Statement" HERE
Written by © Revd David E Bumbaugh
• Luke 18:9-14 (Inclusive Text)
Jesus told the following parable to some people
who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else.
Two people went up to the temple to pray,
one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer,
'I thank you, God, that I am not grasping,
unjust, adulterous, like the rest of humankind,
and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.
'I fast twice a week. I pay tithes on all I get.'
The tax collector stood some distance away,
not daring even to look up to heaven, but in humility said,
'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
This one, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not.
For all who exalt themselves will be humbled,
but those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Contemporary Exploration HERE and HERE
If celebrating Reformation Sunday, an article bt Rev Gretta Vosper HERE
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us join together
in a celebration of faith.
The people stand as they are able
The Canberra Affirmation (For Progressives) HERE and HERE
OR
The Maritime Circle of Progressive Christians Affirmation HERE
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.
Hymn/Song People stand as they are able, to sing
“Come Celebrate…” (Tune: ‘Gift of Life’, Colin Gibson) 17 HoS
Come celebrate the gift of life:
creation’s journey from the star
whose first great flaring forth of light
responded to God’s word of power.
Enable us, O God, to see
your living word is in us still;
this vibrant possibility
within our human lives fulfil.
Come celebrate the gift of love,
potential in each human soul,
revealed by Jesus as he strove
to heal our world and make us whole.
Enable us, O God, to choose
beyond the inborn needs of self;
in loving, be prepared to lose
our boundaries, and find new life.
Come celebrate the gift of power:
the flow of God within each soul,
which calls us in this present hour
to see creation as a whole.
Enable us, O God, to know
your life is present in all things;
and may our lives, within that flow,
reflect the joy creation sings. (Margaret Bond)
OR
“Keep Wide Your Heart” (Tune: ‘Trentham’, Breathe on Me, Breath of God)
Keep wide your heart to love,
all it might ever be.
Count not the cost love may impose;
to pay it, our deepest need.
Keep wide your mind to truth,
all it might ever mean.
All self-delusions, let them go
and truth, it will set you free.
Keep wide your life to dreams
easing the fear-filled night,
until each possibility
glows with a persistent light.
Keep wide the road to hope.
Clear off its weed-fill’d way,
that all might walk it, side by side,
toward a more perfect day. (© 2016 Gretta Vosper)
CELEBRATING
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:
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).
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 Life-Giver, Pain-Bearer, Love-Maker.
Source of all that is and that shall be.
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed
by all peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and forever. Amen. (UIW2)
PARTING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Celebrate All Human Beauty” (Tune: Nettleton’, 87.87D)
Celebrate all human beauty
caught in colour, form and face,
celebrate the human body
made to move with speed and grace.
Celebrate the human spirit
leaping high to reach a goal,
celebrate our Maker's wisdom
crafting body, mind and soul.
Celebrate our own endeavours
to achieve and to arrive
over handicap and hurdle
when against ourselves we strive,
iron will and summoned courage
sweeping obstacles aside,
sweating out our inner conflict
to acquit ourselves with pride.
OR
"God is Surroundly Inherent" (Tune: "Wunderbarer Konig", 668D 33.66) 14(v1-2) SNS2
All the cosmos beaming;
All creation gleaming;
So we stand in awe and silence.
Galaxies are dancing;
Stars, the night enhancing;
Constellations claim our reverence.
God's own heart
Seen in part,
Shines in all the brilliance;
Shows forth God's transcendence.
Microscopic sources
Hold such mighty forces
In the atom's sacred magic.
Germs can be our masters;
Makers of disasters;
So minute, yet cause 'the tragic'.
Smaller still
Genes, with skill,
Breed God's inborn presence
In our human essence.
Remain standing
Parting Words
Let us embrace the wonder of this week with expectation and imagination...
The Community Candle is extinguished
God of wonder
All Send us out with hearts full of praise.
God of wilderness
All Send us out with lives full of courage.
God of the rainbow covenant
All Send us out to live at one with all people.
God of the cross and resurrection
All Send us out in joyful service. EWelch/ljrd
Words of Blessing
Go now, into the world God loves so much,
to bear the fruit of love and compassion.
Go in peace and with delight for Creativity God goes with us.
In this is great blessing!
All Amen! May it be so!
Hymn/Song (Cont) “Celebrate All Human Beauty” (Tune: Nettleton’, 87.87D)
Sport and faith both speak a language
universal, sensed and known;
where there's shared exhilaration,
new community is grown,
friendship found in common focus,
effort turned to common goal,
honouring our maker's purpose,
health in body, mind and soul. (Shirley Erena Murray/sco)
OR
"God is Surroundly Inherent" (Tune: "Wunderbarer Konig", 668D 33.66) 14(v3) SNS2
God is all, surrounding;
Source of life abounding;
Ground of being, spirit swelling.
Inmost at our centre,
There we all encounter
God as love and grace indwelling.
We adore
Evermore
Worshipped down through history,
God the wondrous mystery. (George Stuart)
The people sit after the hymn
'This Week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Significant Events
Journey Candles
Music
Fellowship
Morning tea is now served.
You are invited to share in the moment 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:
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.
Duncan, G. (ed). Let Justice Roll Down. A Worship Resource for Lent, Holy Week & Easter. Cleveland. The Pilgrim Press, 2003.
Duncan, G. (ed). Seeing Christ in Others. An Anthology for Worship, Mediation and Mission. Norwich. The Canterbury Press, 1998.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New Day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Habel, N. Rainbow of Mysteries. Meeting the Sacred in Nature. Kelowna. Copper House/Wood Lake Publishing, 2012.
(HoS) Hope is our Song. New Hymns and Songs from Aotearoa New Zealand. Palmerston North. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2009.
Inclusive Readings. Year C. Brisbane. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation, 2006
(WNC) Pratt, A. Whatever Name or Creed. Hymns and Songs. London. Stainer & Bell Ltd, 2002.
(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.
(TiS) Together in Song. Australian Hymn Book 2. Sydney. HarperCollins Religious, 1999. Copyright enquiries: http://www.togetherinsong.org/.
Uniting in Worship 2. Sydney. Uniting Church Press, 2005.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
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.
Web sites/Other:
Murfin. UUA Worship Web. Boston. UUA. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
David Galston. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca