Dedication of Xavier Patrick Lacey

Opening Ritual

We acknowledge that we gather on the land of which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians from time immemorial. We honour this history and commit ourselves to care for the land with them. May our worship and our service be work for reconciliation with people and with our God.

(We say together…) Jesus, light of the world, we confess that you are here. Shine your light into the hidden places of our lives, and bring warmth to the cold places of our hearts. Amen.

(silence while a candle is lit. This candle is Xavier’s Baptism Candle used earlier today at hisCatholic Baptism Ceremony. )

Call to Worship

In the name of God, the giver of life, who creates and loves us all, we have gathered to celebrate the gift of Xavier, born into the world;
given to us to love, to nurture and to enjoy.
Within this gathering we embody the different influences that will impact his life: Parents, Godparents, family, friends, community.
Concentric circles, overlapping, radiating and expanding,
Focused on a God who’s centre is everywhere and circumference nowhere.
Every perimeter is simultaneously a boundary that protects the treasure inside, and a border we are encouraged to cross. So as we gather to give thanks for his coming life, we will be focusing on each circle in turn: ever expanding our boundary in the hope that Xavier’s’ vision will be wide, and his centre true.

Gathering Song
________________________________________
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour
Gathered here in one strong body
Gathered here in the struggle and the power
Spirit draw near

Prayer of Confession/Forgiveness

Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, O Lord
My eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
Or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quietened my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Put your hope in the Lord
both now and for evermore.

Knowing the Word
What happened this morning? : Katherine
Why Seeds? : Chris
Seeds Prayer of Promise

Chris and Katherine: God our holy community of gracious hospitality, in the midst of our homelessness you extend us an invitation to Grow Home.

Holding up the packet of Seeds and bowl

Help us to raise Xavier to know and to grow a rich sense of home. Let us teach him the danger of wealth and the freedom of economic sharing. May the poor always be with him. Teach him the power and beauty of his body; fidelity with your wild creativity and respect for the sacred connections of your Spirit, our bodies and all creation. Teach him how to eat ‘slow’ so that his eyes may be opened to your presence through the breaking of bread. Guide him in his use of power, teaching him the art of mutual submission. Grant us courage to teach him what laws to break and how to give of ourselves with the same passion with which you lived and died.
Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Dave: May we Know the Word.

Holding up the Bible

May we raise Xavier to know the stories of a God who re-creates a fallen world, not just ancient words on a page but the living Spirit of Christ among us. May your story choose him. Teach him how to choose his stories and story his choices; how to spin a life giving yarn and to listen for your voice in silence and Sabbath rest. Teach him to meditate and pray so that he may experience your love and cling to hope in the midst of failure, suffering and adversity.

Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Kylie : May we Go Engage.

Holding up the bottle of oil (symbol of healing)

May we raise Xavier with the confidence to engage our troubled world. To speak truth to the powers and to each of us. To name and cast out that which is evil in our world and within, through militant nonviolence. Teach him the arts of hospitality, mercy and forgiveness. Teach him how to negotiate the streets and danger by teaching him every community safety trick you know and having done this, when and how to risk it all for the sake of love. Teach him the good work of love as the only true measure of success. And because each of us will fail him, in the midst of our brokenness, may he know and share your healing power; your gracious hospitality to us. (Kylie marks sign of the cross upon Xavier’s forehead with the oil)

Lord hear us
Lord hear our prayer

May we teach him all this but also not forget to learn from him, because the economy of God belongs to such as these.
Amen

Dedication :

Circle 1 : Chris and Katherine come to the centre with Xavier, and light their candles from the main candle.

God our Creator,
Thank you for the waiting and the joy,
Thank you for new life and for parenthood,
Thank you for the gift of Xavier,
Entrusted to our care.
May we be patient and understanding,
Ready to guide and forgive,
That in our love Xavier may know your love.
May he learn to love your world
And the whole family of your children
Through Christ our life,

Circle 2 : The Godparents come to the centre and have their candles lit by Katherine and Chris

God who gave up all to become a baby, a child, a man
Help us be wise guides as Xavier begins his journey back to you
As his world grows, may we:
Walk with him,
Inspire him,
Protect him,
Encourage him,
Correct him,
Trust him
Release him

Circle 3 Everyone
Parents and Godparents now go out to light the candles of everyone else starting with immediate family (who may assist!)

Marcus: It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that not only Xavier, but all the children we know are encircled with love and helped to understand where they are from and to whom they belong. It is also our responsibility to gently expose them overtime to the other stories, place and cultures that make up our cities, nations and world.
So I ask you all:

Will you welcome Xavier to this community? We will.
Will you support his parents as best you can as they bring him up? We will.
And for all the children gathered, will you always try to widen their vision and deepen their understanding? We will.

Blessing for Xavier: Marcus
Xavier, We welcome to our Seedy mob! For you Jesus Christ has come and has lived; life in all its fullness. For you he endured the agony of Gethsemane and the darkness of the cross; for you he has uttered the cry, ‘It is accomplished!’ For you, he has triumphed over death; for you he prays at God’s right hand; all for you, little child, even though you do not know it.
The blessing of the God of Sarah and of Abraham
The blessing of the Son, born of Mary,
The blessing of the Spirit, who broods over us
As a mother over her children
Be with you now and for ever
Amen.

Responses:
(Song: I Want to Be Ready: Ben Harper)

Candle Prayers: place your lit candle in the sand tray as a prayer for Xavier.
Communion: help yourself to water/bread.
Oil and white robe: write your name in the white linen circles and or mark yourself with healing oil.
Offerings: for the work of Seeds in Footscray can be left in the urn.

Community Notices

The Servant Song
________________________________________
Brother, Sister let me serve you
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too.

We are travellers on a journey
And companions on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load

I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh Ill laugh with you
I will share you joy and sorrow
Till weve seen this journey through.

I shall hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear

When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Benediction…
we say to each other…
You are God’s servants, gifted with dreams and visions
Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire.
Love and serve the Lord in the strength of the Spirit.
May the deep peace of Christ be with you,
The strong arms of God sustain you,
And the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way.
Amen. (Dianne Karray Tripp)