Ancient Song of Release

Isaiah 52:7–10 

When we tell the story 

of a child born to change the world,

we sing in heart and voice,

in body, soul, and mind; 

we sing with all creation 

as if at last released 

from all that held us captive – 

How beautiful are the feet!

Even the feet, so wonderful

in all the earth, the feet

of the messenger who brings

us this song of release to sing! 

How beautiful the hands

of these angels who open again

our tired eyes to see again 

that Holy One is here! 

How beautiful the song, even

on the voice of ruins, the stones

and rubble of our broken lives

sing too of liberation, sing

out with joy! What joy! 

Look, earth! Listen, stars! 

Shout, dance, all that lives – 

for the life restored by Holy One

is beautiful indeed! 

We tell the story and we sing

the ancient song of liberation, 

release from captivity,

release into life! 

Sing the song of joy, today, 

sing every day of joy,

fro life is born, Christ is born

again, Holy One's promises 

come true – rejoice! 

Christmas Lament

Isaiah 9:2–7 

Though he has come,

this wonderful counsellor, 

still we walk in darkness

searching for the light,

still we wander, lost, 

searching for the Way. 

Though he is born,

this child of God, 

his might we turn 

back into war-like heroism,

even while You burn

warrior boots, add blood-

soaked garments to the fire. 

Though he brings peace

to last forever, still

we wait; still we are weighed

down with burden, with

oppression, while our neighbours

are not free. 

Though justice comes through

him, and restoration

of relationships and wholeness,

we have not upheld this way

with You, with the child

born of You, gift to us. 

Our season of waiting is done,

Christmas has arrived,

and still we wait

for justice, healing, peace,

to be born again in us; 

still we wait, for light,

Your light to disrupt the dark. 

Tell the story of light!

 

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 

Advent 3: Joy 

Give thanks for the Spirit of Holy One,

who welcomes us and sends us,

to tell the Story of Light

for those in darkness;

to seek healing with the brokenhearted;

to work for freedom for others

with the freedom we enjoy;

to loose the ties that bind

those who are captive in so many ways. 

We are welcomed and we are sent

to bring comfort to those who mourn,

the comfort of Holy One who

exchanges garlands for ashes,

pours out the oil of gladness

when mourning is done,

lifts us up to promise

when our hearts would faint. 

Give thanks, for we will be

great Gums and Kauri trees 

planted to grow tall and reflect

the splendour of Holy One! 

Give thanks, for the ruin

and devastation may be restored,

through the healing Spirit of Holy One! 

Give thanks by loving justice 

as Holy One loves justice;

through faithfulness and loyalty

found in Holy One; 

and teach those who come after you,

so we are known, generation

after generation, People of Holy One. 

Rejoice in Holy One,

with all your being,

clothed in justice

and loving kindness – jewels

most precious indeed! 

The earth brings forth green shoots,

even after ravaging fire;

the rain waters the seeds we sow,

even after crippling drought. 

Give thanks, people of Holy One,

and in your worship and your living,

tell the Story of light

after the dark. 

Amen.

Stand in the light of peace

Isaiah 40:1–11 

Advent 2: Peace 

Holy One says to the prophet: 

Comfort, O comfort my people. 

Speak tenderly to them,

their suffering has had its time,

their pain will come to an end. 

The prophet cries out: 

In this wilderness, prepare the Way,

the Way of Holy One! 

Make ready, take heart, 

deep valleys will rise up,

steep mountains will lower down,

uneven roads will even out,

rough paths will smooth over! 

You will see again the Light

of Holy One – oh, the Light will shine again! 

People of Holy One, do not be like grass, that withers, 

do not be like flowers that fade, 

when you hear this word of the Divine: 

the Holy Word endures always – 

take heart and stand in its light! 

Go to the sacred places,

where you draw closer to Holy One;

open your eyes to see Them come,

turn your face to the sun! 

As rangers gather Koalas from burnt habitat,

bind their wounds,

give them leaves to eat,

shelter till their home is restored, 

so is Holy One caring for us,

steadfast, kind, source

of healing, source of peace: 

take heart, and stand in the light. 

Amen. 

Who is Holy One?

Isaiah 64:1–4 

Advent 1: Hope 

Who is Holy One? 

The One who dwells in heaven

The One who dwells on hearth 

The One whose hand made all things

The One whose hand holds all things 

The One who looks with favour on a humble spirit

The One who looks with favour on the receptive heart 

The One rejected by those who diminish life 

The One rejected by those who worship idols 

The One we did not answer when called 

The One we hurt with our turning away 

The One who calls again, anger put aside 

The One who redeems again, Love personified  

A servant's prayer: 2

Isaiah 50:4–9a 
Holy Week: Wednesday


Thank you, God, for your gift,
wise words to sustain the weary.
Thank you, too, for opening my ears,
that I may hear the cries
and the silence of those who suffer much.

Your gifts equip me for faithfulness,
wisdom to endure attack with courage.
If I am met by adversaries,
I stand firm for my confidence is You.
these words and actions of the world
will perish, so I look to You, Eternal One,
and know, I stand with Holy One,
therefore I shall endure.

A servant's prayer: 1

Isaiah 49:1–9 Holy Week: Tuesday



I pray to God as a servant:
may I be like them,
the servants you called in
ages past, the ones in the stories
we tell. May I be a servant
who knows my Creator,
my origin in the Source of all life.

May I speak like the servant
whose tongue was a sword,
who was sharpened like an arrow:
make me to speak with purpose,
your word in every breath.

When my labour seems futile,
my effort unrewarded, remind me
of the servant who knew
that yours is the strength to hold
your servants, yours the light
we bear. You are the One
who chooses us, you our faithful
Holy One – like servants in ages
long ago, in stories we tell today,
may I be a servant who remembers
I am, because You are.
Amen.

In praise and honour of Holy One

Isaiah 42:5–9 Holy Week: Monday



This is our God, Holy One:
the One who created the heavens,
sprawling expanse above and beyond;
who spread the earth wide and filled it
with life and breath and Spirit;
the One who beckons us into
right relationship, who guides
and keeps, who gives light and hope;
the One who calls for justice,
liberation of the imprisoned,
insight for the blind –
this, this is our God,
the Holy One of Mercy,
ever present, ever faithful.
Praise and honour to our God,
praise and honour, Amen.

Open invitation: now, abundant life!

An easter hymn

words: Sarah Agnew © 2019 

(adapted from Edmond Luis Budry tr Richard Birch Hoyle)
music: Maccabaeus adapted from GF Handel (Together in Song 380)

Yours be the glory, risen dauntless Love:
open the invitation, now: abundant life.
Angels again were with you, rolled the stone away,
you, set free from death to show us all the Way.

Yours be the glory, risen dauntless Love:
open the invitation, now: abundant life!

See there the women, faithful in loving care,
open to invitation, mystery and awe they shared.
Peter again ran headlong, rushed to see the grave,
all the beloved disciples saw and were amazed!

Yours be the glory, risen dauntless Love:
open the invitation, now: abundant life!

Glorious creation, shout and sing: rejoice!
God is recreating, calling out with joy;
former things shall not bring weeping and distress,
for the invitation reaches out to bless!

Yours be the glory, risen dauntless Love:
open the invitation, now: abundant life!

Here, now, we praise you, Wisdom and Word of God,
come to live among us, teach and show us Love.
Let your church with gladness, sing our Maker’s song,
open to invitation, in the Spirit, one.

Yours be the glory, risen dauntless Love:
open the invitation, now: abundant life!

Light dawning

After Isaiah 60:1-6 

the light has come
once again,
born in our midst,
born in the story,
the light has come
once again,


darkness settles
all too soon,
rises between us,
overshadows our story,
darkness settles
all too soon

come to the light
once again,
gather together, rejoice!
hear the story and sing!
come to the light,
rejoice!

Shine like Zion

After Isaiah 61:10-62:3 

We come to rejoice in Holy One;
with our all we sing our praise.
for Holy One clothes us in hope,
enfolds us in kindness and love.

As earth presents its precious shoots,
new life sparkling treasure,
so Holy One evokes justice and joy,
new life sparkling before all.

And we will not be silent - no!
And we will not be complacent.
We shall be like Zion of old,
sparkling in praise of Holy One,
shining light for all to see
our precious, treasured, Holy One.

To the vineyard

Isaiah 5:1–7




Drink, o vineyard, of poisoned water,
and your grapes will grow wild.

Hide, o vineyard, from the warming sun,
and your grapes will freeze and shrivel.

Resist, o vineyard, the pruning sheers,
and your branches will twist and rot.

Kick, o vineyard, your roots from the earth,
and you will fall, then scatter on the wind.

Your beloved, o vineyard, planted seeds in good
earth, dug and cleared of stones;

your beloved waited and watched for your good
fruit to grow, but you did not live the promise.

What more was there to do, than what
your beloved has done with care?

So drink, o vineyard, of the water provided,
bask in the light of the sun; yield
to pruning and stretch deep your roots,
stand tall and straight and grow.

Live, o vineyard, into the promise,
love as you have been loved.

God has had enough

Isaiah 1:1, 10–20




We offer to God our piety,
our flagellation of evil selves,
our stones and candles
and flaming confessions.

God says – enough! –
I do not delight in your blood.


We offer to God our pretty praise,
banners and flowers, fancy
words and the heart rehearsed
right out of our excellent music.

God cries – enough! –
I am weary of your burdened festivals.


We offer to God our outstretched hands,
empty, dirty, trying to pray –
but God will not listen,
until we turn from evil, learn
the ways of goodness,
live love and kindness,
care and justice.

Then – then – God says, I will listen,
I will see, I will make you clean.
Heed, then, the word of God.