Humanity Sunday Liturgy
A suggested liturgy with notes for the leader.
Note. As with all church services, solid preparation is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. This is particularly so when members of the congregation are asked to take a leadership role. This is the case in this liturgy.
Please feel free to use what you wish and modify what you wish. You may wish to alter the sequence. You may to insert other short reflections. You may wish to use more of the background reading. Go for it!
Welcome.
Leader. We are all welcome. We are all of priceless worth. We are all wonderfully unique.
Congregation. We are thankful for each other.
We sing together.
Worship is celebration.
Tune Praise my soul/Lauda Anima TiS 134,179
Worship is our celebration
Of the wondrous universe;
Life in all its human beauty,
In our worship, we rehearse.
We now sing our affirmation
In both melody and verse.
Worship prompts us to compassion,
Demonstrating love and care;
In our worship, inspiration
Lifts our spirits into prayer;
We are challenged to live gently,
Standing by those in despair.
Worship fosters true reflection
On our work of ministry;
In our worship, in rememb’rance,
We connect with Galilee;
As with Jesus, so in service,
We release faith’s energy.
Worship is where real belonging
Re-affirms our human worth;
And engagement with ‘The Mystery’
In our worship, can give birth
To endeavours at enhancing
Human life throughout the earth.
Leader. In this series of church services, The Season of Creation, we ponder on the cosmos, our Earth home, the wonders of nature, and ourselves. Today, we concentrate on ourselves - Humanity.
Who are we? Why are we here? Where have we come from, and where are we going? For a moment or two, let us think about being a human.
Conversation about humans.
Note. It is essential for good preparation to done for all conversations. All participants should read through the material together, at least twice, to make sure that each participant is well prepared.
Voice 1. I think we have amazing bodies.
Voice 2. Oh. I don’t know. I think we’re all pretty normal.
Voice 1. But what’s normal? Did you know that your heart beats 35 million times each year and pumps 7,500 litres of blood each day? We don’t have to tell it to; it just happens automatically.
Voice 2. Yes, I suppose that’s something. No wonder it gets tired after about 70 or so years and eventually fags out! But that’s the same for nearly all of us.
Voice 1. You’re right. We all have a heart. But it’s amazing! (Pause) Did you know that if you stretched our all your arteries and veins in a single long line, it would measure about 100,000 kilometres?
Voice 2. Really? I suppose that’s why we bleed, no matter where we cut ourselves.
Voice 1. I could go on and on about our physical body! But another thing; Did you know you could have learned to be a philosophy lecturer?
Voice 2. Come on! I doubt that very much.
Voice 1. Well others have. We can achieve much if we put our mind to it. (Pause) What are you pleased about being able to do?
Voice 2. I don’t want to be too full of myself, but since you asked, I can fix a leaking tap. I don’t need to call a plumber. Saves quite a bit of money too!
Voice 1. That’s great. But you know, not everyone can. I wish I could, but I know I can’t! I’ve tried, but with no success. (Pause) And yet another thing. You know that we can be nice or nasty. You know we can be honest or tell lies. You know we can be forgiving or hold a grudge. You know that we can try, try, try again until we succeed, or we can just give up.
Voice 2. But that’s just being human.
Voice 1. Exactly. That’s what I’ve been trying to say. We humans are all an amazing piece of machinery. Our learning possibilities seem to be nearly endless, and we can behave in a myriad of different ways. We don’t know of any other creature in all the universe that is like us. We are all amazing! Let’s give each other a high five!
We sing together.
It is so grand – Celebrating Humanity.
Tune Woodlands TiS 161, 411
It is so grand – humanity on earth,
For everyone is of such priceless worth.
Each time we fail, we’re open to re-birth,
And face our future with courageous mirth.
It is so grand - the life we can enjoy.
Unique and fresh for every girl and boy.
We learn new skills, then practise and employ,
But let us halt our impulse to destroy.
It is so grand - the body, soul and mind -
So complex yet exquisitely combined.
Belief, thought, deed - effectively entwined
Reveal the miracle of humankind.
It is so grand – we can but stand in awe
Of human beauty, godliness and more;
Let us use power for harmony not war;
Be stewards of the wealth in nature’s store.
It is so grand – we humans can display
A thankfulness for gifts that come our way, -
The gift of life, the gift of breath each day.
We are so blest; we need to kneel and pray.
Leader to request two members share their job training and experience.
Note. Prior to the service, ask 2 members of the congregation to prepare for sharing what training they had to do and what experience they have had in order to perform their job. Make sure one is a woman and the other is a man. Make it short; a limit of 2 - 3 minutes for each contribution.
Prayer. Leader.
May we use what we have learnt and the gifts we have been given, wisely, and for the welfare of others. We pray that we will never take our mentors or our teachers for granted. Let us be thankful for all that there is to learn, for the willingness to learn, and for the ability to use what we have learnt.
Congregation. We are thankful for who we are, and what we can still become. So, we pray. Amen
‘Follow the leader’, game with the children.
Note. Tell the children what the game is. Adults can be invited to join in if they wish. Don’t make it too difficult. If possible, use the whole inside church area. After it is finished, thank the participants and comment on the ability, particularly of the children, to do what was requested of them. We can learn quickly!
Dramatized Readings.
Note. As these texts are read, worshippers are invited to discern the difference in orientation reflected in these readings. Preparation is essential. There are 5 people involved, 2 Readers and 3 Voices. Those participating need to be very sure at what point they are needed to read; otherwise, the flow will be interrupted, and the message compromised. For instance, Voice 3 has little to say and comes in, only, near the end. In preparation, this dramatized reading should be read through together at least twice.
A Reflection may be included within these dramatized readings. That's your choice.
Reading 1.
Reader 1: From Genesis 1.26-28.
26. Then God said, ‘Let us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of Earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on Earth. 27. So God created humanity in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28. God blessed them and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill Earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon Earth.
Reading 2.
Reader 2: From Genesis 2.7-8, 15, 19.
7. Then the Lord God formed a human being from the dust of the ground and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life. And the human being became a living creature. 8. And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the East. 15. Then the Lord God took the human being and put the human being in the garden of Eden to serve and preserve it. 19.Then out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal in the field and every bird of the air and brought them to the human being.
Note. Voice 1 needs to speak loudly and with dogmatic authority, even being slightly aggressive, at least until near the end of the reading, whereas Voice 2 speaks more softly but with conviction.
Voice 1. I am the first human being, the voice of the human being in Reading One. I am Adam and Eve. I am humanity!
Voice 2. I am the first human being, the voice of the human being in Reading Two. I am Adam and Eve. I am humanity!
Voice 1. God made me in a special way. The Bible in Genesis 1, says so!
Voice 2. And God made me in a special way. The Bible in Genesis 2, says so!
Voice 1. I am created in the image of God. Do you understand? The very image of God!
Voice 2. I have been made personally by God. Do you understand? By God’s own hands!
Voice 1. I am like God, created in God’s own likeness.
Voice 2. I am liked by God. I even live in a garden where God likes to walk and talk!
Voice 1. I have human reason. That makes me superior to all other living creatures! Superior! Get it!
Voice 2. I am flesh taken from Earth itself and breath that comes from God. So I am kin with all other creatures. We are family! Do you understand family?
Voice 1. Family? Fiddlesticks! I have dominion over all creatures. I dominate! I tame! I rule all other creatures! Your family!
Voice 2. I have a partnership with all other creatures. We are friends. We are partners.
Voice 1. I am authorised by God to subdue Earth, to harness nature, to put creation under my feet. Yes, to control you and your friends!
Voice 2. I have been given the responsibility by God to serve Earth and preserve it, to care for Earth as God’s garden.
Voice 1. I can conquer creation. I rule! I rule!
Voice 2. I groan with creation. When you rule, I suffer. I suffer!
Voice 1. I am the king of Earth. I bear the image of God! I am king over creation! I rule!
Voice 2. I am a servant on Earth, caring for creation.
Voice 1. (Getting a bit louder.) I am king! God said so!
Voice 2. (Getting a bit louder.) I am a servant, God said so!
Voice 3. Wait just a minute! Stop your arguing!
Voice 1. I have God’s word on my side!
Voice 2. So do I!
Voice 3. Sure you have! But do you have the final word?
Do you have Jesus’ word? Do you? (Short silence)
Voice 3. Who is the one who reflects the true image of God on Earth? Come on! Who?
Voice 1&2. Jesus!
Voice 3. Who is the true servant of God? Come on. Who?
Voice 1&2. Jesus!
Voice 3. And how does Jesus invite us to live? To rule like the Romans and dominate like their Caesars?! Or to follow the way of the cross and serve as Christ came to serve?
Reflection.
Note. Where appropriate within the conversation, a commentary could be given by the leader, to acknowledge the 2 myths in Genesis, and it could emphasise the intent of the phrases, ‘made in God’s image’ and ’have dominion over…’ ( See Bible commentaries in Background Reading.) It could also introduce the challenge of Jesus to serve.
Reading 3.
Reader 2: From Mark 10.42-45.
42. So Jesus called the disciples and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognise as their rulers, lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43. But it is not to be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you, must be your servant, 44. and whoever wishes to be first among you, must be slave of all. 45. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life a ransom for many.
Voice 1,2 &3. This is the Gospel of our Lord, the answer of Jesus. We are to serve as Christ served.
Congregation. We have been taught by Jesus to live our lives in service. May we be sincere in our commitment as his disciples, to follow his example and serve.
Reader 1.
Then God said, ‘Let us make humanity in our image, according to our likeness.
Reader 2.
Then the Lord God formed a human being from the dust of the ground and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life. And the human being became a living creature.
Voice 2. We are both made of dust. So, you should not bully me or try to control me. You’re dust. Just like me.
Voice 1. True enough, but we both owe each other and all human beings, deep respect. We are all made in God’s image!
Creation prayer. Leader.
We are present to the Divine Mystery in all things, at all times. We are silent before the limitless Life-force in all of nature; birds and beasts, in rocks and rivers, fish and flowers, bugs and beetles; and importantly, in us human beings; ‘In God we live and move and have our being’. We stand in awe at the energy in lightning storms, in changing tides, in exploding and collapsing stars, in earthquakes and tornadoes, in every atom, in all galaxies and black holes. We are thankful that we are part of this interdependent, mysterious reality, that we are connected to all that is, that we can contribute to the well-being of all that is around us. We are thankful we have been given this opportunity and responsibility.
We learn from Jesus to love our neighbour as ourselves, and the Earth is our neighbour. We know that to love the Earth is to respect the fragile balances in Earth’s nature, to refuse to exploit Earth’s resources just for the sake of wanting ‘more’, to shun luxury, and to give back to the Earth something in return for the Earth’s constant giving to us.
In our time, we recognise the climate change threat, that our Earth home is under. May we act as a loving neighbour to it and by what we do and don’t do, work toward the benefit of life, empowering its potential, being humble enough to give our Earth home, loving service.
This we pray, in the name of the One who teaches us how to give. Amen.
We sing together.
The Power of Love.
Tune Darwall TiS 108, 187, 371
Not by the love of power
But through the power of love
We listen to our Earth
For sounds of pain or mirth.
And when we hear
Her cries of fear
We can respond with care sincere.
Not by the love of power
But through the power of love
In godly acts of care
Dispel all deep despair.
In every deed
Prevent our greed
From making fragile nature bleed.
Not by the love of power
But through the power of love
We use authority
To build more harmony.
With love so strong
That conquers wrong
We build a home where all belong.
The Leader asks the congregation,
Please give us your own contributions.
“What we can do as individuals to enhance the well-being of our home Earth.”
Note. When the gathered members make contributions, the leader makes a list of them. Some of these could be used in the offering prayer. The Leader may have to wait a little, for contributions. The leader may have to encourage these, from the congregation. Maybe some pre-prepared contributions by the leader, could be helpful.
Offering.
Offering Prayer.
Leader. As we offer our money to sustain the church and promote the Good News from Jesus, we also make a commitment that, through our lifestyle, we will love our neighbour Earth by …(from the list).., In the name of Jesus, who showed us how to love each and every neighbour. Amen.
Prayers of the people.
Note. Suggestion. These people may be included. People who suffer with disease, mental illness, and disability. Those who are prevented from reaching their potential. People like the medical profession and others who act as neighbour to those who have suffer. This is the love of Christ in action.
We sing together.
Amazing that it should be so.
Tune Kremser TiS 107
We know and acknowledge our lives are so blessed
When love is the ground in which we safely grow;
This love which is given makes life divinely sacred;
We find it so amazing that it should be so.
The beauty of nature, its songs and its colour,
Supplying our needs in continuing flow,
Its constant renewal, the promise in each flower;
We find it so amazing that it should be so.
The goodness of people, their kindness and comfort
Is seen in a friend and sometimes in a foe;
Such goodness is given at times with utmost effort;
We find it so amazing that it should be so.
When list’ning to Jesus, observing his living
He points to the truth and a way we might go;
We learn from his caring and by all his forgiving;
We find it so amazing that it should be so.
When love gives us purpose, God lives in our being;
Not separate or distant, but here and on show;
For God from within is the source of our well-being;
We are forever thankful that it should be so.
Sending out.
Congregation. Let us go out with the peace and love of Jesus in our hearts and so love our Neighbour, our mother Earth home. Let us be sensitive to her well-being, conscious of her hurting, and determined to bring healing. Let us love her in what we do and refuse to do. So may we bring about God’s dream and our dream for our beloved Earth.
Leader. A Franciscan Blessing.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Amen.
May God bless you with enough foolishness, to believe that you can make a difference in this world; so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Go with peace, hope and love in our hearts. Live by the trust we have in Jesus. Amen.