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”
4 May 2025. Easter 3C. (White).
Pluralism 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, 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 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
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 there be joy in our coming together this morning.
Let there be truth heard in the words we speak and the songs we sing.
Let there be help and healing for our disharmony and despair.
Let there be silence for the voice within us and beyond us.
Let there be joy in our coming together. Carl Seaburg
Let us celebrate the richness and diversity of life.
Lighting of Community Candle
The Community Candle is lit
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 claim our future,
to be alive in our present,
we light the flame. (Apt./David Sorrells)
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) Specific resources on Terrorism
(iv) On Wonder, Awe, and Nature
Hymn/Song The people stand as they are able, to sing
“I Danced in the Morning…” (Tune: ‘Lord of the Dance’) 242 TiS
I danced I the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun;
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem I had my birth:
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the dance, said he;
and I’ll lead you all where ever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and pharisee,
but they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John,
they left with me and the dance went on:
Refrain:
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame:
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and they left me there on a cross to die:
Refrain:
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
but I am the dance and I still go on:
Refrain:
They cut me down and I leap up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you as you live in me:
I am the Lord of the dance, said he: (Sydney Carter)
Refrain:
Remain standing
OR
“Easter 4” (Tune: ‘Fulda’)
Was it the shaking ground that moved
the stone, that freed the resting Word,
that called the Christ to life again:
God's Spirit, breathing, moved and stirred?
Whatever cause, we may not know,
but Mary heard a calming voice,
that turned her life around again,
that gave her reason to rejoice.
The world still spinning, recollects
that God survived all human scorn;
that lives were changed for ever more
in meeting love alive, re-born.
This is the Voice that turns us round,
that calmly offers grace to cope;
that gives us strength to live again,
that gives us cause to sing our hope. (© Andrew Pratt 1/4/2011).
Opening Sentences
Through this time of celebration,
we leave for a time the daily sequence of events,
to examine life in its eternal dimensions
and consequences:
All asking questions about our values
our directions, our goals, and our relationships.
Let us spend this time in the presentness
of the Sacred One - God.
All Praise be for this gathered community
in this sacred place, for all people.
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. (St Stephen’s Project).
OR
We pray:
God, help us to listen to our inner spirits...
To the inner yearning to belong
to something greater than ourselves.
Help us to listen to our inner spirits
and find there the presence
of your good encouraging spirit. Francis Macnab
May it be so!
Hymn/Song (Cont) “Morning has Broken” (Tune: ‘Bunessan’, 55 54D) 156 TiS
Morning has broken
like the first morning;
blackbird has spoken
like the first bird.
Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning,
praise for them, springing
fresh from the word.
Sweet the rain’s new fall
sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall
on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden,
sprung from completeness
where his feet pass.
Mine is the sunlight;
mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play.
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s recreation
of the new day. (EFarjeon)
The people sit after the hymn
OR
“Holy Mystery, Holy Wisdom” (Tune: ‘Austrian’, 87.87D)
Holy Mystery, Holy Wisdom
Wholly Love who guides our way,
Loving Presence, Source of Being,
Now transform us day by day.
Words of Scripture tell our stories,
Voices rise in gifts of song,
Calling us to loving action,
Faith-filled as we journey on.
We are partners in creation,
Bound by love to all around,
Seeking justice and compassion,
Sharing truths that we have found.
Spirit - Source of Inspiration,
Love - our song along the way,
Holy Mystery, Holy Wisdom –
Source of hope with each new day. (© Gayle Simonson, 2005).
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.
OR
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)
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: Even as we seek understanding, our minds,
too often, shelter us from the realities we might uncover.
All May we have the courage to hear and hold truths
found within these words. (Gretta Vosper/ab)
• “Blessed be sunlight through green leaves”
By Glynn Cardy. A Book of Blessings/29
Blessed be sunlight through green leaves,
dappled radiance, filtered glory.
Time to pause, look, and wonder
Blessed be the smell of a warming drink,
afternoon incense, tonic for the weary.
Time to inhale, sip, and ponder.
Blessed be the lure of a good book,
massaging the mind, catching the novel.
Take time to let the mind meander.
Blessed be the slow time needed
for wondering, pondering, and meandering.
A sacred, holy watch.
• "Diversity!”
By Gretta Vosper. We All Breathe
It is a wide sky
we huddle under,
each of us,
challenged by our birth,
to hold up our corner.
It is a deep sea
we wonder over,
each of us,
drawn by its beauty,
to care for it.
It is a broad land
we walk upon,
each of us,
marking our path,
must go lightly.
As we consider this Earth,
our home,
and we, our presence upon it,
may we be moved to see ourselves
as particles of the whole
and walk in reverence.
Into being the change, we move.
OR
• Psalm 30
A contemporary paraphrasing by Francis Macnab. A Fine Wind is Blowing/14-15.
The author of the Psalm finds himself 'in the pits". Yet he also feels God lifting him up…
‘Let me throw off the heavy blanket of depression’, he says.
When I really stop to think, I know I have a lot to thank God for.
There were times when I clearly needed help,
when people around me were being of no help at all.
I began to sink into the worst misery.
I kept asking: How can I get out of
this hell-hole?
Then I felt the listening God was hearing me.
I began to feel his presence
lifting me up;
and the things and the people against me
became less dominant in my thoughts…
After all, what is the good of my life,
if I am down in the pits of despair,
continually griping about this and groaning about that…?
Let me throw off the heavy blanket of my depressions,
and put on the lighter clothes of a buoyant spirit.
Set me free, O God, so that I can sing good songs every day.
Yes, everyday,
I want to be part of God's great-song!
Hymn/Song In solidarity with those for whom standing is not easy or possible, we will remain seated to sing
“In the Bulb there is a Flower” (Tune: “Maria’s Tune”, 87.87D)
In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise;
butterflies with soon be free!
in the cold and snow of winter
there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
There's a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody.
there's a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future,
what it holds, a mystery;
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see. NAW Sleeth
• John 21:1-17 (Inclusive Text)
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples.
It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this:
Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee and two more of the disciples were together.
Simon Peter said, 'I'm going fishing.'
They replied, 'We'll come with you.'
They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore,
though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus.
Jesus called out, 'Have you caught anything, friends?'
And when they answered, 'No',
Jesus said, 'Throw the net out to starboard and you'll find something.'
So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish
they could not haul it in.
The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, 'It is Jesus.'
At these words, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on,
wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water.
The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish;
they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there,
and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it.
Jesus said, 'Bring some of the fish you have just caught.'
Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore,
full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them;
and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken.
Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast.'
None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, 'Who are you?
Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them,
and the same with the fish.
This was the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples
after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter,
'Do you love me more than these others do?'
Peter answered, 'Yes, you know I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'
A second time Jesus said, 'Simon, do you love me?'
Peter replied, 'Yes, you know I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Look after my sheep.'
Then said a third time, 'Simon, do you love me?'
Peter was upset that Jesus asked the third time, 'Do you love me?' and said,
'You know everything; you know that I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep… Follow me!'
AND/OR
Buddhism
• “May Every Creature Abound”
The Buddha. From Life Prayers/29.
May every creature abound in well-being and peace.
May every living being, weak or strong, the long and the small
The short and the medium-sized, the mean and the great
May every living being, seen or unseen, those dwelling far off,
Those near by, those already born, those waiting to be born
May all attain inward peace.
Let no one deceive another
Let no one despise another in any situation
Let no one, from antipathy or hatred, wish evil to anyone at all.
Just as a mother, with her own life,
protects her only son from hurt
So within yourself foster a limitless concern
for every living creature.
Display a heart of boundless love for all the world
In all its height and depth and broad extent
Love unrestrained, without hate or enmity
Then as you stand or walk, sit or lie,
until overcome by drowsiness
Devote your mind entirely to this,
it is known as living here life divine.
AND/OR
Progressive Judaism:
• “In the Beginning…”
Rabbi Arthur Waskow. The Shalom Centre. From Life Prayers/14.
In the beginning, darkness covered the face of the deep.
Then the rushing-breath of life hovered over the waters.
Let us breathe together.
Let us catch our breaths from the need to make, to do.
Let us be conscious of the Breath of Life.
We breathe out what the trees breathe in.
We breathe in what the trees breathe out.
Together we breathe each other into life.
Blessed is the One within the many.
Blessed are the Many who make one.
Hymn/Song In solidarity with those for whom standing is not easy or possible, we will remain seated to sing
"See the Glory of the Morning" (Tune: ‘St Catherine,’ 87.87)
See the glory of the morning:
autumn leaves of red and gold;
flashing silver sea, and sunlight,
new each dawning, never old.
God is painting from a palette
each kaleidoscopic scene,
visions that we greet with wonder
shot with crimson, streaked with green.
Every sight and sound is different,
every new epiphany
points to Gods eternal glory,
fires our joyous litany. (© Andrew Pratt)
Muslim:
• "On Beauty”
From the Islamic tradition, Hafiz writes:
How did the rose
Ever open its heart
And give to this world
all its beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its Being.
Otherwise, we all remain
too frightened. (Quoted in Matthew Fox 2000)
AND/OR
Traditional Christian Scriptures:
• Luke 6: 20-21, 24-25 (Inclusive Text)
A large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus.
[Concerned at his rising popularity], Jesus said to the disciples:
'How happy are you who are poor; yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now; you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh…’
'But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you…’
OR
Proverbs 99:1-18 “Life”
• A C Grayling. The Good Book/383
Life is short and full of blisters.
A long life might not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.
To live well is to live long.
Life is all in this present hour.
Life is short and time is swift.
They do not live more who live longer.
Life is a school of probability.
Life is a lesson in humility.
Life is a loom, weaving illusions.
Life is a winter's day and a winter’s way.
The secret of life is not to do what you like, but to like what you do.
Many do not live, but linger.
Do not look for a golden life in an iron age.
While I live, let it not be in vain.
Not life itself, but living ill, is evil.
They live badly who are always about to begin living.
We live not as we wish but as we can.
As long as one lives, one must continue learning how to live.
Contemporary Exploration
Silence for Personal Reflection
AFFIRMING
A Litany: ’What Race Are You, O God?’ (Optional)
v1 What race are you, O God,
that we may know whether to embrace or exclude you?
v2 My God is black, shining with hospitality,
always ready to share a meal.
v3 My God has eyes like the sky and a soft, white body
against which I take comfort.
All No longer strangers and sojourners,
we are fellow citizens.
v1 What race are you, O God,
that we may know whether to embrace or exclude you?
v2 My God has skin like cream, hair like a raven
and eyes full of laughter.
v3 My God has a wild red mane, a loud voice
and a passion for animated conversation.
All No longer strangers and sojourners,
we are fellow citizens.
v1 What race are you, O God,
that we may know whether to embrace or exclude you?
v2 My God is precious and finely formed,
the bearer of grace, harmony and beauty.
v3 My God is brown like bread with eyes black as olives
and an embrace that warms the bones.
All No longer strangers and sojourners,
we are fellow citizens.
v1 The colours of flesh are various
All all now brought near in one blood.
v2 The sizes of flesh are various
All all now brought near in one blood.
v3 The shapes of flesh are various
All all now brought near in one blood.
v1 Having been brought near,
All we are reconciled to God.
No longer strangers and sojourners,
we are fellow citizens. (Unknown)
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
“Dancing with God” (Tune: ‘To God be the Glory’) 23 SNS2
Our energy level is high when we start;
We quickly discover the dance in our heart;
For God is within and between and beyond;
With movement and rhythm we love to respond.
Come and try; don’t be shy;
We are given the chance
To be free; and with glee
To be part of the dance;
The rhythm of life has a wonderful beat;
God’s life is indwelling and deems all complete.
Some steps are familiar but some are quite new;
Some easy to learn and some harder to do;
Life’s beat is amazing; we truly are blest;
With God as our partner we dance at our best.
Come and try; don’t be shy;
We are given the chance
To be free; Come! Agree
To be part of the dance;
The rhythm of life is a rhythm so strong;
In God we keep dancing; in God we belong.
Sometime we’re exhausted, our eagerness gone;
We wish to slow down but the dance hastens on;
With God dwelling in us we dance the last mile;
In God we can finish and do it in style.
Come and try; don’t be shy;
We are given the chance
To be free; constantly
To be part of the dance;
This rhythm of life in the depths of our soul
Is God’s gracious gift; it declares we are whole. (George Stuart)
The Offerings
The Presentation
The landscape of life is filled with the nearness of God:
a daffodil in bloom,
a single green leaf,
the red and green flash of a parrot.
May we too be a people of adventure and life,
grace-filled companions, offering
courage and hope in ordinary places.
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 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. (Ian Lawton.3C Exchange)
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 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 The people stand as they are able, to sing
“It All Depends” (Tune: 'Te Horo') 39(v1-2) 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.
Parting Words
As we prepare to leave this sacred space
where we have worshipped together,
let us return to our work enlivened and renewed...
The Community Candle is extinguished
This celebration need not cease.
All It can echo in our lives, in our words,
in our deeds, in our moods, in our dreams.
Carry the spirit of this gathering with you wherever you may go.
Be a blessing in your going out and your coming in. Gordon McKeeman/Adapt
Words of Blessing
Walk well your journey in peace and in justice.
May you be wrapped in the shawl of God's loving.
May you be cherished.
May you be blessed… this day, and for ever.
All Amen. May it be so.
Hymn/Song (Cont.) “It All Depends” (Tune: 'Te Horo') 39(v3) FFS
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
The people sit after the song/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.
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.
Grayling, A. C. The Good Book. A Secular Bible. London. Bloomsbury, 2011
Inclusive Readings. Year C. 2006. Toombul. Inclusive Language Project. In private circulation.
Macnab, F. A Fine Wind is Blowing: Psalms of the Bible in Words that Blow you Away. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2006.
(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.
Vosper, G. With or Without God. Why the Way we Live is More Important than What we Believe. Canada: Toronto. HarperCollins, 2008.
Ward, H.; J. Wild, & J Morley. (ed). Celebrating Women. New edition. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
Sorrells, Seaburg, Sleeth, McKeeman. UUA Worship Web. Boston. http://uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/index.php
Gayle Simonson, "Holy Mystery...". One of several non-theistic resources found at: <http://www.ualberta.ca/ST.STEPHENS/resources>
Andrew Pratt. “Easter 4". Direct from the author.
"In the Bulb..." Stainer & Bell Ltd. Web site: hymns.uk.com
Ian Lawton. C3Exchange, Spring Lake. MI. <http://www.c3exchange.org/