Chalice Lighting
Stephen Lingwood
Chalice Lighting We light this chalice, symbol of the Light within us and around us.
May this gathering for worship enlighten our hearts and our minds and our souls.
And may the Inner Light of the Spirit be kindled by our time together.
Amen.
Chalice Lighting
Rev Ant Howe
I look around this chapel today and I’m glad to see you.
I can only guess how each of you is feeling today.
Some of you are happy to be here.
Some of you have had a rough week and almost didn’t come.
Some of you have sorrow in your hearts.
Others are celebrating a significant event.
Maybe you’re here because you are considering celebrating your marriage with us,
Or maybe you just came out of curiosity.
Whatever the reason, know that you are welcome.
May something in our worship today meet your needs and connect you with God.
As I kindle this symbol of light – our Flaming Chalice – think for a moment about why you’ve come here today, and what it is you hope this hour of worship might bring.
Chalice Lighting
Rev Dr Linda Hart
We light this chalice as a symbol of the spark of life which abides within us and around us.
May it be as a light in a dark night, a light in a window that welcomes the weary traveller home.
May it be as a light in the hand of a trusted friend, that guides us along the path.
May it be as the light in the face of one we love, bright with joy.
Chalice Lighting
Peter Teets
May the light we now kindle
Inspire us to use our powers
To heal and not to harm,
To help and not to hinder,
To bless and not to curse,
To uphold the Spirit of Freedom!
Chalice Lighting (1)
Yvonne Aburrow
As we light this transitory flame
May a perpetual flame burn in our hearts
As we lift up this earthen chalice
May our hearts be filled with living waters
Chalice Lighting (2)
Yvonne Aburrow
We gather here within these walls
Hallowed by the community
that has gathered here over the centuries.
Countless hands have tended the flame of fellowship
and countless more will keep the light burning.
As we light the chalice flame today
Let us not hide our light under a bushel
but be a beacon of hope to all around us.
Chalice Lighting (3)
Yvonne Aburrow
The chalice is the fullness of life's experiences
And the emptiness of innocent openness to wonder
As we light the chalice flame
Let us explore the empire of the senses,
Let us celebrate experience and experiment:
the twin expressions of freedom, reason and tolerance.
Chalice Lighting (4)
Yvonne Aburrow
The flame rises from the chalice
as prayer proceeds from the heart.
The flame spends itself in giving light
But the heart is never spent in prayer.
May our hearts be inflamed with love
for all that is.
Chalice Lighting (5)
Yvonne Aburrow
The flame consumes the wick,
Constantly changing and dancing
Sharing its radiance with us.
So may our souls be aflame with divine love
Sharing our radiance with others.
Chalice Lighting
Andrew Usher
When you celebrate, celebrate well, but remember
that nearby someone is grieving; and when you grieve,
grieve well, but remember that nearby someone is
celebrating.
Therefore, as we gather here in this special place, we mark
both grief and celebration. For absent friends, and for
those whose company we enjoy right now, we light this
chalice.
The first paragraph is a frequent saying of the late Dr Fran Barry, formerly of University College Cork.
Chalice Lighting
Rev David Usher
We light this candle as a symbol of our faith.
By its light may our vision be illumined;
By its warmth may our fellowship be encouraged;
And by its flame may our yearnings for peace, justice and the life of the spirit be enkindled.
Chalice Lighting
Rev Andy Pakula
Let this light remind us of the sacred flame of life that blazes within
Constant, yet ever-changing
Burning, yet never consumed
O inner light of soul and spirit
Lead our minds to greater understanding
Lead our hearts to love more fully
And lead our hands to create justice
Animal Service Chalice Lighting
Andrew Usher
We light this chalice thinking of the Spark of
Life which infuses all creation.
From the smallest bacterium to the greatest whale,
through the myriad shapes and sizes,
we recognise the Life-Force sustaining all,
and we give thanks that we are able to share it.
(included in Marking the Days.)
Chalice Lighting for a Naming Ceremony
Andrew Usher
As is the tradition here, we start our service by lighting a flaming chalice, the symbol of our church and a
visible reminder of that divine spark of life which is a part of
every human being and which today we greet particularly in
(Name).
Shared Candle-lighting
Andrew Usher
To the quiet beauty of this place, we have come
from many places and with many thoughts. I invite you now,
if you wish, to come forward and light a peaceful candle:
either in silence or with just a few words to share a joy or
a sorrow which you have brought with you this morning.