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
“...in the end the universe can only be explained in terms of celebration.
It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself”
29 June 2025. Pentecost 3C (Green).
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 is called “Uluru Statement from the Heart”
A Response from Common Dreams5 Conference of Religious Progressives,
Australia/South Pacific 2019
Both available 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 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 Film/Video
Entry into the Celebration
The gong is sounded three times
We gather here as the human ones of creation.
We name ourselves threads in the web of life.
We give thanks for connection,
that we are all part of one another
and that we are part of the sacred. (StAndrew's Wellington, NZ).
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
Divine spark from sacred dark
Symbol of our holy intent
illuminate this hour. KHuff
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 the 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
“Praise Death and Birth Amid the Stars” (Tune: ‘Lasst Uns Erferuen’, 88 88 Alleluia)
Praise birth and death amid the stars
Whence came all atoms that we are
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise cosmic temporality
Each moment precious as can be
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise birth and death upon this Earth
Rejuvenation and rebirth
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise beauty, rise, and then depart
Fullness of spirit, breaking heart
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! (© Connie Barlow)
OR
“God Beyond, Within, Between” (Tune: ‘St Magnus’ 86.86) 20 SNS2
God is beyond, within, between;
The now and what has been;
God in the future and before;
The ever wondrous 'More'.
God is beyond gods we create
Ev'n those we venerate.
God is beyond what is beyond,
But still our hearts respond.
God is within, the force we know
In all life's ebb and flow,
In God we live and move and be,
And touch and taste and see.
And God we know is in between,
Involved but still unseen,
When fostering in you and me
A rich community.
God is within to sanctify;
Beyond to glorify;
God is between to beautify;
Of this we testify. George Stuart
Remain standing
Opening Sentences
Life rises in our midst:
All sometimes hard-won life.
It surprises us when it blossoms forth at unexpected times:
All and in unexpected places.
It comes with power stronger than death:
All life born of faithfulness,
life born of courage,
life born of God. (Dorothy McRae-McMahon/plpm)
Words of Awareness
Within us is the courage of creators,
to make bold plans,
to make wise use of materials and powers.
Progress is not inevitable,
except when we take that which is merely possible,
and by our determination
make it inevitable. (Kenneth Patton/sscl)
OR
We pray:
Surprising God,
whose love leads us to new experiences,
may we be open to your presence among us and within.
Let us sense your presence in the sights and sounds of this day.
May it be so.
Hymn/Song “When our Heart is in a Holy Place” 1008 STJ
Refrain:
When our heart is in a holy place,
When our heart is in a holy place,
We are blessed with love
And amazing grace,
When our heart is in a holy place.
When we trust the wisdom in each of us,
Ev’ry colour every creed and kind,
And we see our faces in each other’s eyes,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
Refrain:
When we tell our story from deep inside,
And we listen with a loving mind,
And we hear our voices in each other’s words,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
Refrain:
When we share the silence of sacred space,
And the God of our Heart stirs with in,
And we feel the power of each other’s faith,
Then our heart is in a holy place.
Refrain:
The people sit after the hymn
OR
“Songs of Spirit” (Tune: ‘Servetus’, 77.77D) 13 SLT
Songs of spirit, like a prayer
breathing in the ambient air;
singing in the morning light,
in the radiance of the day,
in the twilight shadows grey,
in the brooding hush of night;
dark or light, or storm, or fair
singing, singing everywhere.
In the burgeoning of spring,
in the summer’s scented bloom,
in the autumn’s mellow glow,
in the winter’s ice and snow;
shade, or shine, or joy, or gloom,
as the seasons come and go,
bleak and bare, or blossoming
still the songs that sing and sing!
Singing, singing everywhere,
at the heart of everything;
in my soul I hear them sing;
mystic music of the spheres;
songs that, with my utmost art,
I can only catch in part;
broken echoes, cold and bare,
of the songs my spirit hears. (Marion F Ham)
People sit after the hymn
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.
Meditation
“Christpower”
By John Shelby Spong. Jesus for the Non-religious/292.
Look at him!
Look not at his divinity,
but look, rather, at his freedom.
Look not at the exaggerated tales of his power,
but look, rather, at his infinite capacity to give himself away.
Look not at the first-century mythology that surrounds him,
but look, rather, at his courage to be,
his ability to live, and
the contagious quality of his love.
Stop your frantic search!
Be still and know that this is God:
this love,
this freedom,
this life,
this being;
And
when you are accepted, accept yourself;
when you are forgiven, forgive yourself;
when you are loved, love yourself.
Grasp that Christpower
and dare to be yourself!
That is, I believe the pathway to God,
the God whom I have en-countered in the
profoundly human Jesus.
Shalom!
OR
"Corellas at Dawn"
By Bruce Prewer. From the author’s web site.
Like doves,
a white cloud of corellas
descend on a dead tree,
turning a grey, damp dawn
into a thing of beauty.
Come, Spirit of love,
baptise the barren limbs
of our discouragement
with a flock of new hopes
and clothe our drabness
with your pure loveliness.
In your tough mercy
dig us out of our hiding places.
Touch our eyes with healing
that we may look without hurt or fear
on that holy Light
which makes all things new.
OR
"The ‘Greening’ of Christianity”
By Lloyd Geering
v1 Let us take time to stand in awe of this self-evolving universe.
Let us marvel at the living eco-sphere of this planet.
v2 Let us set a supreme value on all forms of life.
Let us develop a lifestyle that preserves the balance
of the planetary eco-system.
v3 Let us refrain from all activities that endanger the future of any species.
Let us devote ourselves to maximising the future of all living creatures.
v4 Let us set the needs of the coming global society before
those of ourselves, our tribe, society, or nation.
Let us learn to value the human relationships that bind us
together into social groups.
v1 Let us learn to appreciate the total cultural legacy
we have received from the past.
All Let us accept in a self-sacrificing fashion
the responsibility now laid upon us all
for the future of our species and of all planetary life. (Lloyd Geering)
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
May the silence remind us of the best hours we have known,
and strengthen our resolve to live in that spirit
which gives the better meaning to our lives. Bob Holmes
(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: 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)
• Luke 9:51-62 (Inclusive Text)
Jesus and some others set out on the road for Jerusalem.
Some went on ahead into a Samaritan village to make preparations,
but the people would not receive Jesus
because he was making for Jerusalem.
Seeing this, the disciples James and John said,
'Do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?'
But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went off to another village.
As they travelled along they met someone on the road who said to Jesus,
'I will follow you wherever you go.'
Jesus answered,
'Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests,
but I have nowhere to lay my head.'
To another Jesus said, 'Follow me.'
This one replied, 'Let me go and bury my parents first.'
But Jesus answered, 'Leave the dead to bury the dead;
your duty is to go and spread the news of the realm of God.'
Another said, 'I will follow you, but first let me go and say good-bye to my people at home.'
Jesus said: 'Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back
is fit for the realm of God.'
OR
• Luke 7:11-17 (A New New Testament)
Shortly after, Jesus went to a town called Nain,
his followers and a great crowd going with him.
Just as he approached the gate of the town,
there was a dead man being carried out - an only son,
and his mother was a widow.
A large number of the town were with her.
When he saw her, the Master was moved with compassion for her,
and he said to her: “Do not weep."
Then he went up and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped;
and Jesus said: “Young man, I am speaking to you - rise!"
The dead man sat up and began to talk,
and Jesus restored him to his mother.
Everyone was awestruck and began praising God.
“A great prophet has arisen among us,” they said;
“and God has visited his people."
And this story about Jesus spread all through Judea,
and in the neighbouring countries as well.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Celebration of Faith (Optional)
In response to the word reflected on, let us stand
and share a celebration of faith.
The people stand as they are able
v1 Every part of this earth is sacred.
All Every gum leaf, every sandy beach,
every misty raindrop in a rain forest,
every picnic ground, and every flying insect, is holy.
v1 We are part of the earth and it is part of us.
All The perfumed wild flowers are our sisters;
the crocodile, the horse, the kookaburra—these are our brothers.
The rocky peaks, the wheat in the paddocks,
the body heat of the family cat,
humans—all belong to the same family.
v2 This we know: the earth does not belong to humans;
humans belong to the earth.
v1 This we know: all things are connected
like the blood which unites one family.
All Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
v2 We did not weave the web of life;
we are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All What are humans without the birds of the air
and the bush animals—possum and fox,
winged and finned, koala and deer?
v1 If all the animals were gone,
humans would die from a great loneliness of spirit.
All For whatever happens to the creatures,
soon happens to humans.
All things are connected. (Attributed to and adapted from, Chief Seattle)
OR
A Litany: “Come Celebrate…" (Optional)
Come and celebrate God who calls women to tend the flame.
All Did not our hearts burn within us?
Come and celebrate the courage of women who heard their call and,
with a fire in their bones, stepped out of the shadow.
All Did not our hearts burn within us?
Come and celebrate the lives of women who,
even in their mountaintop experiences, never forgot their valleys.
All Did not our hearts burn within us?
Come and celebrate the work of women who
recognised the risen Lord in the breaking of bread
and in the opening of scripture.
All Did not our hearts burn within us?
Come and celebrate the perseverance of women
who are still struggling to have their gifts recognised by their churches.
All Did not our hearts burn within us?
Come and celebrate women who paved the road to ordination for others
and encourage us to work for those who will follow.
All Did not our hearts burn within us? (Su Yon Pak)
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
“Where Does Compassion Start?” (Tune: ‘Love Unknown’, 66 66 4444, Also ‘Compassion’ by Colin Gibson) 45 PaT
(A response to the ‘Charter for Compassion’)
Where does compassion start?
How does compassion grow?
Her seed is at the heart
of every faith we know:
compassion honours others' place,
dethroning self with willing grace.
How does compassion thrive
in worlds of greed and grief?
Her goodness stays alive
through those of strong belief:
compassion, luminous and clear,
outshining wastes of war and fear.
Where is compassion's role
in cultures, or in creeds?
At centre, with the soul
who feels another's needs:
compassion brings the touch of friend,
a bandage that will bind and mend.
Dynamic is the power
that heals, restores and gives,
connecting at the core
with everyone who lives,
transcending culture, colour, race,
compassion builds the house of peace. (Shirley Erena Murray, 2009. © Hope Publishing)
OR
"What Stands Tall"
What stands tall when all has fallen,
remains when strength is gone?
What can heal the broken spirit,
'mid chaos find a song?
It is love and love alone.
It is love and love alone.
What consoles an aching spirit,
brings joy despite the pain?
What can soothe our hurt fill'd anger,
sees sharing wealth as gain?
It is love and love alone.
It is love and love alone.
What inspires responsibility,
sees worth in great and small?
What views self and others equally,
seeks peace and joy for all?
It is love and love alone.
It is love and love alone.
What will feed our hungry children,
will bind the wounds of war?
What will speak sweet peace in conflict,
what makes the spirit soar?
It is love, respect and care,
within and then with others gladly shared,
at home and ev'rywhere.
It is love and love alone.
It is love and love alone.
It is love. (© Scott Kearns)
OR
“Sing of a Sacred Circle” (Tune: ‘Sacred Circle', 75.65) 23 TMT
Sing of a sacred circle
round the sky and earth,
binding plants and creatures,
linking death and birth.
Sing of that ring of mystery,
changed by fearsome greed;
pawned for Judas silver,
sold for idols' needs.
See how a people's loving
greens the Mammon ring;
hear the people's sharing,
help creation sing.
Sing of the Gospel ring-time;
love embracing earth;
vibrant sphere of our living,
circle death and birth. (© William L Wallace)
CELEBRATING
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:
In this abundant blessing
All We share the joy.
In this, our time of need,
All May love abound. (Gretta Vosper/wwg)
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 that is appropriate
All O God, you love us like a good parent,
and are present in every aspect of our existence.
May your nature become known and respected by all.
May your joy, peace, wholeness and justice
be the reality for everyone
as we live by the Jesus Way.
Give us all that we really need to live every day for you.
And forgive us our failures as we forgive others for their failures.
Keep us from doing those things which are not of you,
and cause us always to be centred on your love
For you are the true reality in this our now,
and in all our future.
In the Jesus Way we pray. Amen. David Sorrill
OR
All Mother, Father, God, Universal Power.
Remind us daily cf the sanctity of all life.
Touch our hearts with the glorious oneness of all creation,
As we strive to respect all the living beings on this planet.
Penetrate our souls with the beauty of this earth,
As we attune ourselves to the rhythm and flow of the seasons.
Awaken our minds with the knowledge to
achieve a world in perfect harmony
And grant us the wisdom to realize that we
can have heaven an earth. (Jo Poore/ep)
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)
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. (Francis Macnab/h)
PARTING
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“Where the Love of God” (Tune: ‘Reconciliation’) 76(v1-2) FFS
Where the love of God is guiding,
there is now another way:
new awareness of compassion
learned from one another;
love, the face of God in Jesus,
new creation's thrust,
love, transforming tears and terror
into health and trust.
Where the truth of God is driving,
there is now another way,
shining through our times' confusion,
sharp with revelation:
words that stifle sense or spirit
changed and redefined,
crosses raised to teach division
lowered, left behind.
Remain standing
Parting Words
The Community Candle is extinguished
Do not try to exceed your commission.
Life is too short for grand gestures followed by self pity in the hour of failure.
Go out to serve Christ without anxiety.
Do what you can.
Entrust to others what you must.
And dedicate both your successes and your failures
to the greater glory of God.
All We are better than conquerors
through the Christ who loves us. (Bruce Prewer)
Words of Blessing
May the blessing in the strength of the Brindabellas,
the calm of Lake Burley Griffin
the freshness of gum tree and wild flower
remain with you...
And may God's strength, peace and creativity go with you always.
All May it be so. Amen.
Hymn/Song (Cont “Where the Love of God” (Tune: ‘Reconciliation’) 76(v3-4) FFS
Where the life on earth is cherished,
there is now another way,
where a child may grow in safety,
where there's peace and shelter,
when we hold the fragile planet
in our conscious care,
when we see again as sacred
all we are and share.
God will lead us on this mission,
God, the flightpath and the power,
lifting all who grasp the vision
into understanding:
so the heart and hope within us
set each other free,
where the love of God is guiding,
this shall come to be. © Shirley Erena Murray
The people sit after the hymn
'This Week' at (NN)
Notices
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Significant Events
Journey Candles
Recessional 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:
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.
(FFS) Faith Forever Singing. Songs for a New day. Raumati. New Zealand Hymnbook Trust, 2000.
Holmes, R. H. The Bob Holmes Worship Materials. Vol 1. Little Falls. Self published, 1972.
McRae-McMahon, D. Prayers for Life's Particular Moments. Thornbury. DesBooks, 2001.
Macnab, F. Hope: The Deeper Longings of the Mind and Heart. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 1996.
(PaT) Murray, S. E. A Place at the Table. New Hymns Written Between 2009 and 2013. Carol Stream: Hope Publishing, 2013.
Patton, K. Services and Songs for the Celebration of Life. Boston. Beacon Press, 1967.
Roberts, E. & E. Amidon. Earth Prayers from Around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems, and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. New York. HarperCollins, 1991.
(STJ) Singing the Journey. Boston. UUA. 2005.
(SLT) Singing The Living Tradition. Boston. UUA, 1993.
Spong, J. S. Jesus for the Non-religious. New York. HarperSanFrancisco, 2007.
(SNS2) Stuart, G. Singing a New Song. Traditional Hymn Tunes with New Century Lyrics. Second edition. Sydney. CPRT Sydney, 2006.
Taussig, H. (ed). A New New Testament. A Bible for the 21st Century Combining Traditional and Newly Discovered Texts. New York. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the way we Live is More Important than What we Believe. Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
Wallace, W. L. The Mystery Telling. Hymns and Songs for the New Millennium. Kingston. Selah Publishing, 2001.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
Huff, Sorrill. UUA Worship Web. Boston. UUA. http://uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/index.php
Bruce Prewer Web Site. 2004. Bendigo. http://www.bruceprewer.com/
Su Yon Pak, from “Celebrate the Gifts of Women,” PCUSA. www.pcusa.org/women/celebratethegifts/celebrate06.pdf
"What Stands Tall..." Scott Kearns. 2005. Direct from the author. <rskearns@yahoo.com>
Connie Barlow. “Praise Death and Birth...”. www.thegreatstory.org/songs.html (Songs and Hymns of the Universe)