Welcome to the Season of Creation!
We begin this Season at the Beginning. Professor Wangari Maathai, [1940-2011], a Kenyan environmental and political activist, Member of Parliament as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, was educated in the United States and in Kenya. In 2004, she was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She was honored for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace". Professor Maathai described the Book of Genesis as "the book for environmentalists." "If we had been created on Tuesday," she said, "There would have been nowhere for us to stand! God, with infinite wisdom, waited until the last day!"
Week I's Theme is: In the Beginning
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Creator and Eternal God, You are the Light that shines in the darkness, the Light of all people and all life everywhere. Guide us to know ourselves through Your infinite Word, Christ Jesus. Help us to know that our purpose in life is to love and serve You better by all that we do for each and every part of Your Creation. As You live within each of us clasp and enclose us in You always.
~ Creator and Eternal God, encourage goodness in all who hold
political authority across the vast expanse of Your Creation. Guide them to see
You in themselves, in every human face, in every glance at the sun, and in the
beauty of the earth, so as to govern justly, mercifully, and with humility. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
~ Creator and Eternal God, grant healing to the spirits of those
laid low by illness or life circumstance, and resilience for all who give care.
We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
~ Creator and Eternal God, may echoes of sweet memory quell the
pain of earth-bound grief, as the souls of those who have left this life, now
soar in the peace and glory of new life in Christ. We pray especially
for… add your own petitions
~ Creator and Eternal God, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
Faithful, Loving God
We
turn to You in thanks and praise
~ Creator and Eternal God, we give thanksgiving for Your loyal
and anointed servants who lead us in Your Church, who re-awaken our wonder, and
teach us the way to our true place with You. We pray especially for: add
your own petitions
Faithful, Loving God
We
return to You in thanks and praise
The Celebrant adds: Holy God, Divine Architect, release us from all selfish diversion and turn us to never-ending thanksgiving, selfless service, and praise of You, for giving us the breath of life. Remind us of our role in faithful action for the land, the sea, the air, all of humanity, every living creature, and all that is planted in this Earth, given to us by Your enduring love. We ask through Jesus, our Merciful Healer; and the Holy Spirit, the sacred Breath within us, who together with You are our One Almighty and Living God, now and forever. Amen.
*Reading #1: Genesis 1, In the Beginning Liturgy © Mark
Earey
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In the empty void and crushing darkness, God spoke light into being. Creator God, bring light into our darkness. In the beginning, God took eternity and formed time and space, seasons, days and years. Creator God, fill and shape the time you have given us. In the beginning, God took land and sea and filled them with life of every kind. Creator God, help us find our place within your diverse creation. In the beginning, God spoke his very image, and the returning echo formed humanity. Creator God, open our eyes to see you reflected in every human face. In the beginning, God created, and it was good.
** Reading #2: Psalm 100
1. Shout for joy to the | Lord, all | earth, Serve the Lord with gladness,| Enter •God’s | presence • with | joy! 2. Know that the Lord is God, Our maker to | whom • we be|long, Our | shepherd, • and | we the | flock. 3. Enter the temple gates, The courtyard with | thanks and | praise; Give | thanks and | bless God’s | name. 4. Indeed the | Lord is | good! God’s love is for ever, | Faithful • from | age to | age. From “The Psalter: A faithful and inclusive rendering”, Liturgy Training Publications (International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.), 1994
*** Reading #3: Hildegarde von Bingen
Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty
of earths's greenings. Now, think, What delight God gives to humankind with all
these things. All nature is at the disposal of humankind. We are to work with
it. For without it we cannot survive...The fire has its flame and praises God.
The wind blows the flame and praises God. In the voice we hear the word which
praises God. And the word, when heard, praises God. So all of creation is a
song of praise to God.
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