Revd Rex A E Hunt, MSc(Hons)
Edition: 2019
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY IN THE TRADITION OF THE MEAL... Summer
Welcome to Table
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.Gretta Vosper/ab)
OR
In faith and love, gathered in this place,
we celebrate the brightness of community
and the summer season.
OR
At this table we give thanks for
justice, love, peace and freedom.
Mn At this table we give thanks for friends and strangers.
Wm At this table we welcome old and young.
All are invited.
Come, as we prepare the meal. (Carter Heyward)
Sharing the Peace
Let us now 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
Thanksgiving
May G-o-d be with you.
All And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them up to the Holy One.
Let us give thanks
All It is right to give thanks and praise.
God of the summer’s day and the (holiday) season,
All Praise and wonder be.
God of the lingering sunset and early dawn,
All Praise and wonder be.
God of the hot north wind and the refreshing shower,
God of the shady tree and the cool water bag,
God of the ripening harvest and sparkling sea,
All Show to us beauty, vision, and joy.
All creation blesses the Source of Energy and Life.
For all things bright and beautiful.
For all things dark and mysterious and lovely.
For all things green and growing and strong.
For all things weak and struggling to push life up through rocky earth.
For all human faces, hearts, minds, and hands which surround us.
And for all non human minds and hearts, paws and claws, fins and wings... (G A Ricciuti/bb)
All Praise and wonder be.
So we join our praise with all your people across the generations, saying
All Holy, holy, holy, Celebrating G-o-d,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of G-o-d.
All Hosanna throughout the Earth.
In our praise and thanksgiving we also remember the ways of Jesus
who walked the dusty roads of Galilee,
who taught from seashore and mountainside,
who told stories of the sower and the seed,
the lilies of the field, and the birds of the air.
May we, too, know your presentness in the beauty of creation.
We also remember, Creating God,
that your care for this earth and your people can be denied;
for your goodness was abused
and the Human One betrayed.
On the night of his arrest, so our tradition reminds us,
Jesus shared a meal with his disciples.
Bread taken, blessed, broken in silence
White Wine taken, poured out in silence
Through grain and grape, bread and wine,
he spoke of his coming death and new life,
asking his disciples to remember him.
Blessing
Be present with us now, Enfolding God, as we share this sacrament.
Let your Holy Spirit brood among us...
and upon and through this Bread and Wine.
Bless us with a desire to praise in song and story and poetry.
Bless us with a sharpened awareness of your presence.
Bless us with deep compassion.
Bless us with the patience and daring of the mystics.
All Abide with us always.
Abide with us in our daily work.
Abide with us when we rest.
Abide with us in our journeying.
Abide with us at all times and through eternity.
Communion
After Communion
Summer is a time when all things are possible.
We may feel the desire to dress differently,
to take up a new interest,
to spend time at the beach, to water ski, or ‘go bush’.
Whatever our desires, let us have the courage
to follow the stirrings of the Spirit in our lives
at this time of summer.
Let us blossom forth colour, creativity and flair.
Let us break out of old patterns, old moulds,
and array ourselves in a cloak of many blossoming colours. (Adapt. Kathleen Glennon/hs)
OR
Let us go forth conscious of the sun’s position throughout the rest of this summer day.
Let us honour today’s sunset with our complete attention.
And after sunset, let us burn candles (fire) as the ancestors did,
to symbolise the energising of the sun as it begins
to turn towards darkness. (Diann Neu/rb)
Some of the Resources used in Shaping this Liturgy:
Abbott, M. Sparks of the Cosmos. Rituals for Seasonal Use. Unley. MediaCom Education, 2001.
Glennon, K. Heartbeat of the Seasons: Earth Rituals for the Celtic Year. Dublin: Columba Press, 2005.
Iona Community. Iona Abbey Worship Book. Glasgow. Wild Goose Publications, 2001.
Jones, Robert V. Liturgy: The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In private circulation from the author, 2005
Mitchell, R. C. & G. A. Ricciuti. Birthings and Blessings. Liberating Worship Services for the Inclusive Church. New York. Crossroads, 1992.
Morely, J. All Desires Known. Expanded edition. London. SPCK, 1992.
Morwood, M. Praying a New Story. Richmond. Spectrum Publications, 2003.
Neu, D. L. Return Blessings: Ecofeminist Liturgies Renewing the Earth. Cleveland. Pilgrim Press, 2002.
Prewer, B. D. Australian Prayers. Adelaide. OpenBook Publishers, 1983.
Seaburg, C. (ed). The Communion Book. Boston. UUMA, 1993.
Uniting in Worship. Leader’s Book. Melbourne. Uniting Church Press, 1988.
Vosper, G. Another Breath. Prayers for Celebration and Reflection. Brisbane. The Centre for Progressive Religious Thought Brisbane, 2009/2010.
Withrow, L. Seasons of Prayer. Resources for worship. London. SPCK, 1995.
Web sites/Other:
UUA Worship Web. Boston. <www.uua.org/spirituallife/worshipweb/>
Galston, D. Quest Learning Centre for Religious Literacy. http://www.questcentre.ca/