Shout for joy to the Lord, all earth, Serve the Lord with gladness, Enter God’s presence with joy! [Psalm 100, “The Psalter: A faithful and inclusive rendering”]**
Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars…So all of creation is a song of praise to God. [Hildegarde von Bingen]***
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 of all life on our Earth, and in the vastness of the known and unknown beyond. Guide us to know, through Your infinite Word, Christ Jesus, that our purpose in this life is to love and serve You in all that we do to care for each other, ourselves, and every part of Your Creation.
~ Creator and Eternal God, encourage goodness in all who hold political and other authority across the vast expanse of Your Creation. Guide them to see You in themselves, in every human face, in every glance on, above, and below our planet, so as to govern justly, mercifully, and humbly. We pray especially for: Joseph, our President; Kamala; our Vice-President; Tom, Chris, and Lisa, our Members of Congress; John, our Governor; Matt, our County Executive; and Mike, our Mayor.
~ Creator and Eternal God, grant healing to the spirits of those laid low by illness or life circumstance, and resilience for all who give them care. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need…
~ 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…
~ Creator and Eternal God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…
Faithful, Loving God
We
turn to You in thanks and praise
~
Creator and Eternal God, we give thanksgiving for Your anointed and loyal 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 Michael, our Retiring Presiding
Bishop; Sean, our Incoming Presiding Bishop, Kevin our Bishop; Patrick our
Rector; and Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus..
Faithful, Loving God
We
turn to You in thanks and praise
The Celebrant adds: Most Holy God, Divine Architect of all Creation, release
us from our selfish diversions and turn us to never-ending thanksgiving,
selfless service, and praise of You in each day of our lives. Turn us toward faithful
action to increase the health of the land, the sea, the air, all 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, Your 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 belong, 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 earth’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.