10. 26 Jan - Australia Day (National Day)

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10. 26 Jan - Australia Day (National Day)

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

 

NATIONAL DAY

Australia 26 January, Waitangi (NZ) 6 February

or any other national day

 

 

Note to New Zealanders: Our apologies that most of this material is specifically Australian. Please adapt and add to the resources for the New Zealand situation.

 

Many of the following resources are based on the Bicentennial Thanksgiving Service of the Lutheran Church of Australia prepared by the Department of Liturgics and distributed by the Board for Congregational Life, and on materials prepared for the centenary of Australian Federation. The suggested readings are those given in A Prayer Book for Australia; otherwise, if the commemoration is held during the main service on a Sunday, the readings for the day would normally be used.

 

 

LITURGY

 

OPENING SENTENCES

The following sentences based on verses from Psalms 24 and 95 could be used. 'In the name . . .' could replace the 'Glory to the Father . . .'.

 

Come, let us worship the Lord.

He is our maker.

The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Australia is the Lord's, and everything in it.

He cares for each one of us.

The Lord is a great God,

a great King above all gods.

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

 

CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION

The following confession and absolution may be used. The Scripture verse at the beginning is 2 Chronicles 7:4, NRSV. The sentences following indicate that the sins and guilt of our nation's history are both individual and collective. Communal guilt is a part of original sin. We personally are not guilty of all the specific sins of our nation's past, but we are part of the nation and we are guilty of the same kinds of underlying sins, eg alienation from God and from one another. The confession that follows includes acknowledgment of historical and national guilt as well as individual sins. A general individual confession, adapted from the one in Worship Today, is then spoken together.

 

Friends in Christ:

God says,

'If my people who are called by my name

humble themselves,

pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin and heal their land'.

As citizens of Australia,

we share in its blessings and achievements.

But as Australians,

we also share in its sin and guilt.

So let us come before God our Father

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

and ask him to forgive our sins

and the sins of our fellow Australians.

 

For all the sins that stain our history;

for all evil deeds that have afflicted pain on others;

and for all that cries out for reconciliation in our country:

pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

 

For divisions and hurt caused by hatred and fear, prejudice and intolerance;

for the misuse of power to crush the helpless;

and for failure to defend the oppressed:

pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

 

For the destruction and pollution of your creation;

for self-gratification without consideration of the cost;

and for failure to fear, love and trust in you above all else:

pardon and forgive us, merciful Father.

 

Lord God, our heavenly Father,

we confess to you that we are sinful.

We have sinned against you in many ways,

in our thoughts and in our words,

in what we have done

and in what we have failed to do.

Have mercy and forgive us,

and help us to live as your people,

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

God has had mercy on us.

He loves us,

and his Son became a human being in this world

to suffer and die for us.

So by his authority, as his called servant,

I forgive you all your sins,

in the name of the Father and the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.

Amen.

 

RECONCILIATION

The following words of reconciliation may also be used, perhaps in conjunction with the absolution, or before the celebration of the Lord's supper. This can vary from a simple passing of the peace to an extended rite of reconciliation. It should be adapted according to local conditions. People's sensitivities should be respected; there may well be differing attitudes within the congregation. Discussion and instruction beforehand may be helpful. Expressions of sorrow for past offences are not necessarily confessions of personal guilt, but rather acknowledgment and regret that wrong actions took place and that fellow Australians and Christians were hurt and some are still suffering because of that hurt.

 

If a rite of reconciliation is to be used between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, this needs to be carefully negotiated beforehand between the two local participating parties, so that it is a genuine sharing and not another case of paternalism. Examples can be seen on application from the LCA (as used at the 2000 Convention) and from the Queensland District.

 

God has forgiven us and reconciled us to himself.

Let us also forgive and be reconciled to one another.

 

Representatives of different groups (for example, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, people born in Australia and recent arrivals, old and young, men and women) stand in front of the chancel and greet one another with a handshake and the words ‘The peace of the Lord', or similar. If considered appropriate, words of sorrow for past offences by one group to another may also be offered.

 

I invite you all to greet those around you with a word of peace.

 

Then the people of the congregation may turn to those around them with a greeting of peace.

 

LORD, HAVE MERCY

EITHER

The following 'Lord, have mercy' may be used, or parts of it.

 

In peace let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For peace in our land and our community, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For peace in our homes and the reconciliation of those divided, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, for the wellbeing of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For our public servants, for the government and those who protect us, that they may be upheld and strengthened in every good deed, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For those who work to bring peace, justice, health, and protection in this and every place, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For those who bring offerings, those who do good works in the congregation, those who toil, those who sing, and all the people here present who await from the Lord great and abundant mercy, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For favourable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

 

OR

The following form may be used.

 

In peace let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].

For peace in our land and our community, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].

For peace in our homes and the reconciliation of those divided, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].

For the peace of the whole world, for the wellbeing of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy [OR Kyrie, eleison].

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Gracious God, the ruler of all nations,

you have richly blessed this land and its people.

Lead all Australians

to acknowledge your goodness,

give thanks for your favour,

and obey you by serving each other.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

FIRST READING

Deuteronomy 28:1-9 The Lord will bless the land

(Begin: 'Moses said to the people: . . .')

 

PSALM

Psalm 145:1-9

Antiphon:

I will extol you, my God and King. (Ps 145:1a NRSV)

OR

One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Ps 145:4 NRSV)

 

SECOND READING

Romans 13:1-8 Respect for governing authorities

 

ALLELUIA VERSE (Rom 13:8 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Owe no one anything, except to love one another;

for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Alleluia.

 

GOSPEL

Mark 12:13-17  Give God what belongs to God

(If using NRSV, put 'to Jesus' instead of 'to him' in v 13)

 

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

that we are citizens of Australia

and also belong to the kingdom of God.

Make us responsible citizens,

and above all obedient to our heavenly Father.

Amen.

 

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Martin Luther's explanation of the first article of the Creed in his Small Catechism could be used for the confession of faith on this day (given below in the Openbook Publishers version, 1996).

 

I believe in God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I believe that God has created me

and everything that exists.

God has given me

my body and soul,

my mind and senses,

and all my abilities,

and still takes care of them.

God also gives me

everything I need from day to day -

things like food, clothes,

home and family, work, and money.

God protects me from danger

and keeps me safe

when I am in trouble.

God does all this only because

he is my kind and loving Father;

I certainly do not deserve it.

All I can do is thank, praise,

serve, and obey God.

This is certainly true.

 

OFFERING

If the gospel listed above is used instead of the gospel for the day, the following words may be used to announce the offering.

 

Jesus said:

'Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's,

and to God the things that are God's.'

All we are and all we have come from God;

let us worship him with our offerings.

 

An offering procession may be held, in which material goods for the needy as well as the money offerings may be taken to the altar. If an offering procession is held, including material gifts, arrangements should be made previously for people to leave their gifts in baskets or boxes in a convenient assigned place, either during the preceding week or before the service.

 

When the offering is presented, the following prayer may be said:

 

We thank you, loving God, for our country,

the Commonwealth of Australia,

and all you have given us here.

Thank you for caring for us in our daily lives

and providing peace and protection

through our government and laws.

Help us to respect the governing authorities

and obey the laws of our country.

But above all, lead us to honour and obey you, our Lord.

Accept these offerings,

and use them to help people in need

and to build your kingdom.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commit our country.

Amen.

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

With thanksgiving to God for the gift of our land, let us pray for all its needs.

 

Response

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Suggested intercessions

*

for remembrance of our history and of God's generosity

*

for our industry, education and way of life

*

for protection from violence, discord, confusion, pride, arrogance, and from every evil course of action

*

for unity among the many different cultures and races that live in this land

*

for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people

*

for continued freedom and peace

*

for the governor-general (by name) and for national parliamentary leaders and representatives (by name)

*

for thankfulness in good time

*

for trust in times of trouble

*

for all Australian churches.

 

Concluding prayer

As we have no lasting home in this land, help us to live here as citizens of heaven and seek the city which is to come, where we will be at home with you and all the saints forever. We ask this through your  Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

OR

The following prayer may be used (adapted for local requirements).

Let us pray to our God, who is the Father of every nation, saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Lord, be with your whole church on earth, and the church in this country. Keep it faithful, and let your message of forgiveness through Christ be heard and believed.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Bless our country, Australia, and help those in authority to strive for harmony, honesty and justice. Remember our Queen, Elizabeth, our Prime Minister, N, our Premier, N, those in our local government, and all who maintain law and order.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Guide our industry, our education, our arts, culture and leisure activities, our mass media, our science and technology. Be with the unemployed and the overworked, the sick and the aged, the poor, the needy and the lonely.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Protect our nation from hatred and violence, from arrogance, discord and confusion, and from all evil. Bring unity among the different peoples of our land: the Indigenous and the non-Indigenous people; those born here and those from overseas; the rich and the poor.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Help us to care for the land and protect its fragile environment, so that the blessings you give can be passed on to future generations.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

 

Be with us in our journey here through this life, and finally take us to our true home with you forever. We pray through your Son, Jeus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

OR, the following may be used or adapted.

Lord, we thank and praise you for this vast land of Australia with its unique beauty and grandeur, for its wealth and its resources. Help us to take good care of our land for ourselves and for others.

 

We thank you for your many gifts and blessings to us, for peace and prosperity, freedom and good government, education and culture, work and leisure. Help us not to squander our heritage, but to use it wisely and preserve it for our children.

 

We thank you for the variety of people and cultures in our nation, for the Aboriginal people and the early settlers, for our ancestors and their descendants, and for migrants from all over the world. Teach us to respect and value each other.

 

We thank and praise you that by the preaching of the gospel you have planted and nurtured your church among the original inhabitants and the newcomers in this land. Move us to promote the unity of your church in this country and proclaim the good news of salvation to our own people and our neighbours.

 

We commend to your fatherly care all those who are lonely and forgotten, the homeless and destitute, the sick and the aged, and all victims of prejudice or injustice. Help us to love and care for our neighbours in need.

 

We commend to you all those who are unemployed and those who are overworked, those who suffer economic hardship and those who fail to receive fair return for their work. Have mercy on those who put their hope in wealth, and help us to work together for a just distribution of our nation's resources.

 

We commend to you all those in government and positions of authority, our Queen and her advisers, the parliaments of our commonwealth and state. Help them to govern wisely and justly so that people may be restrained from wrongdoing and encouraged to live good lives.

 

OR, one of the forms of the 'Lord, have mercy' as given above may be used, if it has not been used earlier.

 

COMMUNION INVITATION

Every time we eat from this bread and drink from this cup

we proclaim the Lord's death to each other and to our fellow Australians.

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God of the whole world,

you call people of every nation, tribe, race and language

to be your holy nation.

Strengthen us,

who have received the body and blood of your Son,

to live as your people

and to serve our fellow Australians in your name.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

 

BLESSING

The following words may be used before the usual blessing.

 

The Lord be with you

in your daily occupations,

in your rest and leisure,

and in everything you undertake.

 

DISMISSAL

Go in peace, as citizens of heaven.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

 

 

HYMNS AND SONGS

 

SUITABLE HYMNS

Suitable hymns for this occasion may be found in the following sections of the Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement:

 

Harvest (560-568)

National (569-577) although these are rather dated in imagery and language

Creation (808-813)

Work and Society (814-821)

 

In particular, consider the following:

 

Supplement to Lutheran Hymnal

804

The church of Christ, in every age

808,809

Go out, my heart

810

Let all things now living

859

Seek, O seek the Lord

 

All Together books

217

Shine, Jesus, shine

330

These good gifts

356

Give glory

361

Here we are

416

We will rise up

427

God's time

433

You were in this place

493

Follow the Saviour (for children)

494

For you, deep stillness

 

Together in Song

135

All things bright and beautiful (Australian version)

166

Sing a new song

188

Where wide sky rolls down

456

Your hand, O God, has guided (LH 194 Thy hand . . . )

464

Seek, O seek the Lord

472

Father of mercy, God of consolation

614

O God of love, whose heart is ever yearning

615

Almighty God, lift up your eyes

671

Made in God's likeness

672

Lord of earth and all creation

 

PSALM 145:1-9

There are different ways of doing this psalm. It could be spoken antiphonally or responsively, or it could be sung by a choir, or it could be sung by the congregation. A setting by Sue Collyer was included in Music Package 4, page19. Other settings are listed in Music Package 3. Note that TIS no. 89 is a hymn paraphrase of Psalm 145 sung to the tune Truro.

 

The following paraphrase by David Sch¸tz may be sung to LH 503 Quam dilecta or LH 416 St Cecilia. Verse 10 of the psalm is included for the sake of versification.

 

I praise you, God and King,

I bless your holy name,

forever every day,

I bless your name always.

 

Great is the Lord our God,

and greatly to be praised,

his greatness is beyond

all human power to know.

 

And every age will tell

each other of your works,

and everyone declare

the mighty things you do.

 

And I will meditate

upon your wondrous works,

the beauty of your face,

the splendour of your ways.

 

Your awesome deeds are told

and I declare you 'Great!'

We know your righteousness;

we sing and celebrate!

 

For gracious is the Lord,

and he is merciful,

he's slow to show his wrath,

abounds in steadfast love.

 

The Lord is good to all,

compassionate and kind.

And all your works give thanks,

your faithful bless your name.

 

OUR LAND, O LORD, REJOICES

The following hymn by John Strelan may be sung to the tune Thornbury (LHS 194, TIS 15). Include the acknowledgment: '(c) John Strelan. Used by permission.'

 

Our land, O Lord, rejoices

your glory to proclaim.

The beaches, bush and outback

unite to praise your name.

The Olgas, ancient landmarks,

the desert, burning haze,

creation cries in chorus:

To God, the Lord, be praise!

 

And we, have we no voices

to swell the land's refrain?

God's love is purest sunlight,

his mercy, gentle rain.

Each age and generation

his marvellous grace displays.

The church responds in chorus:

To God, the Lord, be praise.

 

Yet many, Lord, are silent,

ashamed to join the choir.

Send out your word, send swiftly

your living Spirit's fire,

until, in faith confessing

the wonders of your ways,

Australians sing in chorus:

To God, the Lord, be praise!

 

LORD, THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS

This song is based on Psalm 90. David Sch¸tz's original paraphrase was written specifically for Marty Haugen's tune 'Song at the Centre' (Gather Australia 399 or As One Voice Vol 2 No. 74) which, David says, 'has a wonderful "Celtic"-style lilt to it that makes it a joy to sing'. Otherwise any well-known 8787D tune, such as Hyfrydol (LHS 349, TIS 233), Friend (LHS 426), Austria (LHS 458, TIS 93) or Hymn to Joy (LHS 822, TIS 152) may be used. David has paraphrased the whole psalm, but here only parts are used to make a 3-verse song. The condensation has been done with his help. Include the acknowledgment 'Paraphrase (c) by David Sch¸tz. Used by permission.'

 

Lord, throughout all generations,

you have been our dwelling place,

long before the birth of mountains,

long before the world was made,

you were God then, now and ever,

everlasting still the same,

but one word returns us mortals

back to dust from whence we came.

 

For a thousand years of history

are as nothing in your sight,

they're like yesterday now passing,

like an hour in the night;

they are swept away on waking,

like a dream at break of day,

they're like grass that grows in morning,

and in evening fades away.

 

Turn, O Lord, and have compassion!

How long will your people wait?

Fill our hunger in the morning

with your steadfast love and grace.

Let your blessing and your favour

be on us, O Lord our God;

bless our passing small achievements

with your everlasting word.

 

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE MORNING

The following translation by David Schubert of Martin G Schneider's song has been published in Together in Song (TIS 162), where the tune may be found. Include the acknowledgment 'Tr (c) David Schubert. Used by permission.'

 

Thank you for giving me the morning,

thank you for every day that's new,

thank you that all my hurts and troubles

I can take to you.

 

Thank you for all my friends and helpers,

thank you for people everywhere,

thank you for showing me, Lord Jesus,

how to help and care.

 

Thank you for times of working, playing,

thank you for all that I can do,

thank you for all that's bright and cheerful,

and for music too.

 

Thank you for comfort in my sadness,

thank you for all who understand,

thank you that your hand holds and leads me,

everywhere I am.

 

Thank you for speaking to me, Jesus,

thank you for meeting with me here,

thank you, because you love all people,

those both far and near.

 

Thank you that you're so good and loving,

Thank you that I am filled with you,

Thank you, you make me feel so glad and

thankful as I do.

 

ONCE A JOLLY SWAGMAN

This adaptation of Waltzing Matilda attempts to Christianise our Australian mythology. The first verse is unaltered, presenting the archetypal Australian character and dream of freedom, independence and harmony with the land. The second verse puts Christ's call to discipleship in this context; the call to 'come a-waltzing matilda' becomes a call to follow our Lord, which is true freedom. People may need to be prepared for this, but please don't over-explain. If it will cause offence, don't use it. One way of doing the song is to have a soloist, or small group, sing the first verse and then the whole congregation join in the second verse. Include the acknowledgment: 'Verse 1: AB ('Banjo') Paterson; verse 2: David Schubert, used by permission'.

 

Once a jolly swagman camped beside a billabong,

under the shade of a coolibah tree,

and he sang as he sat and waited while his billy boiled,

'Who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,

who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?'

And he sang as he sat and waited while his billy boiled,

'Who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?'

 

Jesus Christ our Saviour comes to us Australians,

whether in a building or under a tree,

and he calls us to trust him, take our cross and follow him,

'Who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda,

who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?'

Jesus calls us to trust him, take our cross and follow him,

'Who'll come a-waltzing matilda with me?'

 

TRAVELLING ON

The song 'Travelling on' by John Kleinig, tune by Sue Collyer, was written for the LCA general convention 2000, and is also very suitable for this occasion. It is available in Music Package 6 (pp 2-4).

 

CANTICLE

If a canticle is sung on this day, the Song of Mary is most suitable. It is preferable if this can be sung. Various settings and forms of the Song of Mary are available, for example

-

LHS 903 'Tell out, my soul' (TIS 161), or TIS 172, TIS 173

-

All Together Everybody 260 'My soul is praising the Lord'

-

the setting by Sue Collyer in Music Packages 2, 4 and 7, pages 21-25, as well as other settings in Package 7

-

the version in the Modern Vespers of Worship Today (which could also be sung to the tune of LH 568)

-

the adaptation of the Modern Vespers version to 8888 metre, as given in the document ‘General notes and resources’, under ‘Canticles’, in the ‘General and seasonal’ folder.

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The national anthem may be sung. It is suggested that the following extra verse from the 1878 original of 'Advance Australia Fair' by Peter McCormick could be included for singing in divine worship.

 

With Christ our head and cornerstone

we'll build our nation's might,

whose way and truth and light alone

can guide our path aright.

Our lives a sacrifice of love

reflect our Master's care,

with faces turned to heaven above

advance Australia fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing:

Advance, Australia fair!

 

 

DRAMA

 

READINGS

The gospel could be read by three readers: the narrator (could be the pastor), one of the questioners, and Jesus. The gospel could also be mimed as it is read.

 

 

VISUAL

 

DECORATION

For this occasion the church could be decorated with Australian native flowers and foliage. Flowers could be the colours of the flag: red, white and blue; or the Australian colours of green and gold.

 

Drawings, paintings and photos of Australian scenes or subjects could be displayed on the walls, on banners or posters, or on an overhead screen at appropriate times during the service, eg during prayers, confession, songs, readings or sermon. These could be 'theme' or 'mood' pictures showing God's creation or blessings or aspects that need praying for or our confession (eg scenes of poverty).

 

A display could be set up consisting of a dark blue drape (or green and/or gold) with a collection of memorabilia over the 100 years, and perhaps the Australian flag.

 

SYMBOLS

An Australian Christian symbol similar to Luther's rose could be made and displayed (the larger the better): a black cross on a red Australia shape, on a bed of wattle blooms and leaves, on a sky-blue background, surrounded by a gold ring representing God's eternity. This could be made of solid objects, eg wooden cross on clay or cloth Australia on real or artificial flowers and leaves. An explanation of the symbolism could be given in the talk with children or sermon or written or oral announcements (but don't over-explain!).

 

 

CHILDREN

 

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN

Explain the Australian 'Luther's rose' described under 'Symbols' in the 'Visual' section above.

 

OTHER WAYS OF INVOLVING CHILDREN

Children can be actively involved in the service. Dramatic and visual elements lend themselves to this, eg:

 

*

a procession (entrance, offering, exit)

*

making and displaying pictures and decoration

*

dramatising the gospel reading

*

a special song, eg the Australian version of 'All things bright and beautiful' in TIS (no. 135) or 'Thank you for giving me the morning' (TIS 162).

 

 

OTHER

 

ENTRANCE AND EXIT PROCESSIONS.

An entrance procession may be led by a cross-bearer, followed by any people participating in special ways in the service, including the choir, with the liturgist(s) at the end. The order is reversed for an exit procession. The opening hymn is sung during the entrance procession and the closing hymn during the exit procession.