LITURGY FOR SANCTUARY
Monday 8th February 2016
Leader 1: The earth is the sanctuary of the Lord.
Leader 2: This consecrated church is a sanctuary of the Lord.
Leader 1: We are temples of the Spirit, each of us a sanctuary of the Lord.
Leader 2: The whole earth is sacred, human life is sacred, this moment is sacred.
Leader 2: This consecrated church is a sanctuary of the Lord.
Leader 1: We are temples of the Spirit, each of us a sanctuary of the Lord.
Leader 2: The whole earth is sacred, human life is sacred, this moment is sacred.
Pause
Leader 1: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us of the steadfast love of God.
Leader 2: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us of the love of God for each person.
Leader 1: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us power should be the servant of justice.
Leader 2: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us that good can only overcome evil, if it confronts evil, resists evil, and protects people from evil.
Leader 2: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us of the love of God for each person.
Leader 1: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us power should be the servant of justice.
Leader 2: In the face of evil, ‘sanctuary’ reminds us that good can only overcome evil, if it confronts evil, resists evil, and protects people from evil.
Pause
Leader 1: A place of sanctuary stands for hope.
Leader 2: A place of sanctuary stands for compassion.
Leader 1: A place of sanctuary stands for justice.
Leader 2: A place of sanctuary stands for mercy.
Both: In the night-time of people’s fear, a place of sanctuary is a beacon of light.
Leader 2: A place of sanctuary stands for compassion.
Leader 1: A place of sanctuary stands for justice.
Leader 2: A place of sanctuary stands for mercy.
Both: In the night-time of people’s fear, a place of sanctuary is a beacon of light.
SONG: DON’T BE AFRAID
Verse 1
Fearful – we’re fearful of others.
Fearful of contact with people – unless they’re just like us.
Fearful – we’re fearful of difference.
Fearful of conflict with strangers – who ain’t the same as us.
Fearful – we’re fearful of others.
Fearful of contact with people – unless they’re just like us.
Fearful – we’re fearful of difference.
Fearful of conflict with strangers – who ain’t the same as us.
Chorus
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate - so don’t be afraid. (x2)
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate - so don’t be afraid. (x2)
Verse 2
Fearful – we’re fearful of changes.
Fearful of fighting – fearful of winning - fearful of loss.
Fearful – we’re fearful of dangers.
Fearful of following a leader who died on a cross.
Fearful – we’re fearful of changes.
Fearful of fighting – fearful of winning - fearful of loss.
Fearful – we’re fearful of dangers.
Fearful of following a leader who died on a cross.
Chorus
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate - so don’t be afraid. (x2)
(But) God’s embrace is great.
His amazing grace never fails to save.
God’s love conquers hate - so don’t be afraid. (x2)
Refrain
Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. (repeating)….
Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid. (repeating)….
READINGS
Leader 1:
For Mercy has a human heart;
Pity, a human face;
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.
For Mercy has a human heart;
And Love, the human form divine,
And Peace, the human dress.
And all must love the human form,
(Each person), Turk, or Jew,
Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell,
There God is dwelling too.
- Poet, William Blake.
(Each person), Turk, or Jew,
Where Mercy, Love and Pity dwell,
There God is dwelling too.
- Poet, William Blake.
Leader 2:
In the Lord I take refuge. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that they may rejoice in you.
- The Book of Psalms
In the Lord I take refuge. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that they may rejoice in you.
- The Book of Psalms
Leader 1:
“I was hungry and you gave me food; thirsty and you gave me drink. I was sick and you visited me, naked and you clothed me. I was a stranger and you welcomed me; in prison and you came to me. For whenever you did this to the least of these, my children, you did it to me.”
- Jesus Christ.
“I was hungry and you gave me food; thirsty and you gave me drink. I was sick and you visited me, naked and you clothed me. I was a stranger and you welcomed me; in prison and you came to me. For whenever you did this to the least of these, my children, you did it to me.”
- Jesus Christ.
Leader 2:
“If they come for the innocent, without stepping over your body, cursed be your religion and your life.”
- Phil Berrigan, anti-war campaigner and founder of Ploughshares.
“If they come for the innocent, without stepping over your body, cursed be your religion and your life.”
- Phil Berrigan, anti-war campaigner and founder of Ploughshares.
DECLARATION AND RESPONSE
The Leader asks the people to respond to each statement with the phrase: “Together, we make this stand.”
Leader 1: We speak to those in Australia, vulnerable and afraid, who now face being returned to Nauru. This, and other places of sanctuary, will offer you protection and care.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
Leader 2: You have endured enough trauma, and we will do our best to stand between you and further harm.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
Leader 1: With you we share a common humanity, and we will resist all those who put politics, law or power ahead of the dignity of all people.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
Leader 2: It is not in our name that our Government detains and oppresses you. In this place, you will be treated with dignity and consideration.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
Leader 1: We will remind each other, and our Government, that when one of us suffers, we all suffer, and none of us is free unless we are all free.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
Leader 2: Sanctuary is not just a building – it is a movement, a place in the heart, a community of care. We will be people of sanctuary, and we will be here for you.
People: Together, we make this stand.
People: Together, we make this stand.
CLOSE
A Leader calls the group to a minute’s silence.
The Leader then invites the whole group to share in a simple chant (a bit like Taize, for those who know that style). The words will be:
Men lead: Let them stay.
Women respond: Sanctuary.
Men lead: Let them stay.
Women respond: Sanctuary.
(Liturgy composed by David Busch with Dave Andrews)
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