Church Worship Resources for Creation Care

Additional resources
for Creation Time 2010
for use in worship services, liturgies and other gatherings

Here is a collection of prayers and other material for inclusion in worship services, liturgies or
during any event focusing on creation. Much of this material was put together in 2008, drawing on
numerous earlier sources, with more added in 2009 and a further update and additions for 2010.

It provides plenty of ideas, but is in no way definitive. Some items are reproduced in the document,
while for others we provide the web links to where the full resource can be found. Material within
this document can be reproduced as long as the original source is accredited. However, where we
provide a web link, please seek permission of the copyright holder. For ease of use, the resources
are divided into 15 sections:

• 1 Call to worship
• 2 Praise and thanksgiving
• 3 Confession
• 4 Collects
• 5 Statements of faith and commitment
• 6 Intercession
• 7 Offering
• 8 Eucharistic prayers
• 9 Blessing and sending
• 10 Meditations and poems
• 11 Drama
• 12 Music, Hymns, songs and canticles
• 13 Children and all age resources
• 14 Complete Service Outlines
• 15 Further resources and links to liturgical and study material
• Contributors

Items in Irish can be found on pages 17-18 and 51.
Items in Scots Gaelic can be found on pages 30-31, 60 and 90.
A Welsh language resource is referenced on page 99.
Gaelic items in English can be found on pages 64 and 91.

www.ctbi.org.uk/creationtime

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Additional resources 2010
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1 Call to worship
Opening prayer from the US Web of Creation site:
http://www.webofcreation.org/Worship/liturgy/prayers.htm#earthday

The whole world is a living icon of the face of God.
St John Damascene

In the beginning was the Word – the dawn of life.
In the end will be the Word – the living hope.
In between is the evolving Kingdom of God.

Come to us Lord,
Mingle your purpose in our lives,
Your promise with our hope.

From Eco-congregation Module 2 Celebrating Creation (www.ecocongregation.org):

Choose Life
Choose a planet.
Choose a table.
Choose a meal with friends and a time to share it.
Choose an environment.
Choose a way of living.
Choose a word to speak until you can live it fully, for others.
Choose a world.
Choose a God.
Choose a means of understanding what’s going on and believe in it.
Choose a colour.
Choose green. Choose blue. Choose rainbows.
Choose a shade that reflects the hope found in giving to others.
Choose a loaf.
Choose a wine.
Choose a sacrament. Don’t speak about it. Just do it.
Choose a community.
Choose a faith.
Choose a place to be completely, fully, totally in love.
Choose life.
Choose God.
Choose Jesus.
Choose today.
Choose here.
Choose now.
Choose to choose.

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© Roddy Hamilton 2007
Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2008

Creating God,
You are the source of light and life,
so we praise you.
You became flesh to bring light and life,
so we praise you.
You sustain the world with your light and life,
so we praise you.


L In the beginning God said, "Let there be light".
All And there was light and it was good.

L Then God said, "Let there be land in the middle of the seas".
All And there was land and it was good.

L God said, "Let there be animals - all sorts of animals".
All And they were good.

L Then God said, "Let there be people".
All And we too, are part of God's creation.

From EYCE Songbook - Ecumenical Youth Council in Europe)

L Praise to you,
creator of heaven and earth
All You give us the food of the earth
and the water of the well.

L Praise to you,
Jesus Christ
who walked our ways.
All You have revealed the will of God
and the holiness of the earth.

L Praise to you,
Holy Spirit
Giver of Life and Helper.
All You awaken our song of praise
in faith and struggle.

Per Harling. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001

L We light a light to God, the Creator,
who lit the light in the cosmos
and breathed life into the creation.
A light is lit.

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L We light a light to Jesus Christ,
and light of the world,
our hope and rescue.
A light is lit.

L We light a light to the Holy Spirit,
who sets our faith on fire
and gives us courage to follow the truth.
A light is lit.


L Giver of Life,
in the midst of a plundered
earth we groan with creation:
All Have mercy on us.
L Giver of Life,
in the midst of poisoned water
we groan with creation:
L Giver of Life,
in the midst of polluted air we
groan with creation:
L Giver of Life,
in the midst of mountains of waste
L Giver of Life,
in the midst of a world of war
L Giver of Life,
we who are made in the image of God have gone astray,
and creation groans with us:

Source: Worshipping Ecumenically, WCC Publications

Reader: The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and all that dwells therein.
All: We live in God’s world, we are not alone.
We share this life with the heavens and the earth,
with the waters and the land,
with trees and grasses,
with fish, birds, and animals,
with creatures of every form,
and with all our brothers and sisters.

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Reader: God saw all that was made, and behold, it was very good.

Source: A Service of Worship - The Earth Is the Lord’s, United Church of Canada

May ground below
air above
sea around
be hallowed
filled with the Three-in-One
God of Life
Christ of Love
Spirit of Peace

May all cry “GLORY!”
before the Three-in-One
God of Life
Christ of Love
Spirit of Peace

Source: Worship Resources, God’s Earth Our Home, National Council of Churches of Christ in the
USA. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2003

Praise be to the Holy Trinity!
God is sound and life,
Creator of the Universe,
Source of all life, whom the angels sing;
wondrous Light of all mysteries unknown to humankind,
and life that lives in all.

(Hildegard of Bingen, 13th Century;
source: Liturgy of the European Ecumenical Encounter, Strasbourg 2001)
Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2003 and 2006

L We are the people of God, the Almighty.

All Created in the image of God,
stewards of the creation.

L We are the people of God, the Redeemer.

All Released in Jesus Christ,
carriers of reconciliation.

L We are the people of God, the Giver of Life.

All Open to the inspiration of the Spirit
in faith, hope and love.


L Praise to you, Creator of heaven and earth.

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All You give us the food of the earth
and the water of the well.

L Praise to you, Jesus Christ, who walked our ways.

All You have revealed the will of God
and the holiness of the earth.

L Praise to you, Holy Spirit, Giver of Life and Helper.

All You awaken our song of praise
in faith and struggle.


I arise today
through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
through a belief in three-ness,
through confession of the oneness
of the Creator of Creation.
I arise today
through the strength of heaven,
light of sun,
radiance of moon,
splendour of fire,
speed of lightning,
swiftness of wind,
depth of sea,
stability of earth,
firmness of rock.
I arise today
through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
through a belief in the three-ness,
through confession of the oneness
of the Creator of Creation.

St. Patrick. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004

Opening prayers from Earth Ministry (US site)

L Loving Creator,
you care for the land by sending rain;
you make it fertile and fruitful.
What a rich harvest you provide!
A All your creation sings for joy.

L When we take care of the land,
sowing the seed and reaping the harvest,

L When we keep streams and rivers clean,

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when we respect the purity of lakes and seas,

L When we recognise that we are one family,
brothers and sisters together,
with responsibility for the land and the waters,
A All your creation sings for joy
for you bless us abundantly all our days.

Per Harling, from Gloria Deo, Prayers & Hymns for the 12th Assembly of CEC, 2003

Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
life and light of the universe,
the one in whom the whole of creation
is nurtured and held.
Because of your tender mercy
the rising dawn comes to us each new day,
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
May you guide our feet into the paths of peace,
and lead us deeper into your life and praise.
From Encircling Prayer, Students and Staff of the Luther King House, Partnership for Theological
Education, Manchester, 2000. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2005

From Psalm 104
L Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord, my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honour and majesty,
wrapped in light as with a garment.
A (sing) Halleluja
L You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
you set the earth on its foundations,
so that it shall never be shaken.
A (sing) Halleluja
L You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills,
giving drink to every wild animal.
A (sing) Halleluja
L You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden the human heart.
A (sing) Halleluja
L May the glory of the Lord endure forever,
May the Lord rejoice in his works.
From Words and Songs of Reconciliation, 2nd European Ecumenical Assembly, Graz 1997

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Today we know of all the energy that moves all things:
the openness of existence,
the diversity and uniqueness of every moment of creation,
every shape and form,
the attraction, the allurement,
the fascination that all things have for one another.
Humbled by our knowledge,
chastened by surprising revelations,
with awe and reverence
we come before the mystery of life.

Unknown. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2005

In the beginning was the Word – the dawn of life.
In the end will be the Word – the living hope.
In between is the evolving Kingdom of God.
Come to us Lord,
Mingle your purpose in our lives,
Your promise with our hope.


Sound the trumpet

The Psalmist proclaimed: And the hymn writer echoed:

Praise the Lord, my soul! Praise my soul, the King of heaven;
O Lord, my God, how great you are! to his feet thy tribute bring;
You are clothed with majesty and glory; ransomed, healed, restored forgiven,
you cover yourself with light. who like me his praise should sing?
You spread out the heavens like a tent
and built your home on the waters above. Praise him! praise him!
Psalm 104:1-3a Good News Bible (GNB) Praise him! praise him!
Praise the everlasting King!
H.F. Lyte
Approaching God

Sound the trumpet! Scripture sentences
Sound the trumpet! My help comes only from the Lord,
Strum the bass
Let us worship God, maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121 Revised English Bible (REB)
The Lord of creation.
To the Lord belongs the earth
and everything in it,
the world and all its inhabitants.
Psalm 24 (REB)
From Eco-congregation Module 2 Celebrating Creation (www.ecocongregation.org)

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2 Praise and thanksgiving
Prayers from the US Web of Creation site
http://www.webofcreation.org/Worship/liturgy/prayers.htm

Praise be to the Holy Trinity! God is sound and life, Creator of the Universe, Source of all life,
whom the angels sing; wondrous Light of all mysteries known or unknown to humankind, and life
that lives in all.

Hildegard of Bingen, 13th Century; source: Liturgy of the European Ecumenical Encounter,
Strasbourg 2001. From the ECEN website.

DOXOLOGY

Glory be to you, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
in whom the heavens rejoice and the earth is glad,
with them we lift our song to you,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

© ELEANOR TODD 2007

Good Lord, most high almighty,
to you all praise is due,
all glory, honour, blessing,
belong alone to you;
there is no man whose lips
are fit to frame your name.

Be praised then, my Lord God,
in and through all your creatures
especially among them,
through noble Brother Sun,
by whom you light the day;
in his radiant splendid beauty
he reminds us, Lord, of you.

Be praised, my Lord. Through Sister Moon and all the stars;
and have made the sky shine in their lovely light.

In Brother Wind be praised, my Lord,
and in the air,
in clouds, in calm,
in all the weather moods that cherish life.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is most useful, humble, precious, pure.
And Brother Fire, by whom you lighten night;
how fine is he, how happy, powerful, strong.

Through our dear Mother Earth be praised, my Lord,

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she feeds us, guides us, gives us plants, bright flowers
and all her fruits.

Be praised, my Lord, through us,
when out of love for you
we pardon one another.
When we endure
in sickness and in sorrow.
Blessed are they who preserve in peace;
from you, Most High, they will receive their prize.

Be praised, my Lord, praised for our Sister Death,
from whom no man alive can hope to hide;
wretched are they who die deep in their sin.
And blessed those, Death finds doing your will.
For them there is no further death to fear.

0 people! Praise God and bless him,
give him thanks
and serve him most humbly.

The Canticle of the Creatures - St. Francis of Assisi; translation by Molly Reidy

Voice: We are thankful for the passion of the children
and youth among us who push us to recognize
the urgency of the environmental crisis.

All: Thank you, Creator and giver of passion.

Voice: We are thankful for the insights of the native
brothers and sisters among us who draw on their
tradition and teach us about the sacredness of all
creation and how to live in kinship with it.

All: Thank you, Creator and giver of insight.

Voice: We are thankful for the inspiration of those
among us who have already begun to live their
lives in ways that show a caring for the earth,
water, and the skies.

All: Thank you, Creator and giver of inspiration.

Participants may offer other thanksgivings in word or deed

All: We thank you, God, for all signs of hope
that keep us from despairing
and point us toward new ways of living.

Source: A Service of Worship - The Earth is the Lord's, United Church of Canada.

May none of God’s wonderful works keep silence,

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night or morning.
Bright stars, high mountains, the depths of the seas,
sources of rushing rivers:
may all these break into song as we sing
to Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
May all the angels in the heavens reply: Amen! Amen! Amen!
Power, praise, honour, eternal glory to God, the only
Giver of grace.
Amen! Amen! Amen!

Third-century hymn. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004.

O you who covers the high places with waters,
who sets the sand as a bound to the sea
and upholds all things:
the sun sings your praises,
the moon gives you glory,
every creature offers a hymn to you,
his Author and Creator forever.

Eastern Orthodox Prayer. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004.

Creating God, your name is written in every leaf, every bird, every river, every stone, every
living being. Thank you for calling us by name. Thank you for your continued creating
power in moisture, rivers, forests and oceans. Make us attentive to the wounds of the earth
and willing to work for the healing of the whole creation. Let our children enjoy an abundant
nature and live a long life on earth.

2003 LWF Assembly in Winnipeg. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004.

From Psalm 36

L With you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
A With you is the fountain of life.

L Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens;
your faithfulness to the clouds.

L Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

L How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

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L They feast on the abundance of your house;
and you give them to drink from the river of your delights.

From Gloria Deo, Prayer & Hymns for the 12th Assembly of CEC, 2003.

L God of power, God of people,
A you are the life of all living things,

L the energy that fills the earth,
A the vitality that brings to birth,

L the impetus toward making whole whatever is bruised or broken.
A In you we grow to know the truth that sets all creation free.

L You are the song that the whole earth sings,
A the promise liberation brings, now and forever.

From Words and Songs of Reconciliation and Praise, Graz, 1997

Great are you, O Lord,
and wondrous are your works,
and no word will suffice to sing your wonders.
For you by your will
have out of nothingness brought all things into being
and by your power sustain all creation,
and by your providence direct the world.
You from the four elements have formed creation
and have crowned the cycle of the year with the four seasons.

All the spiritual powers tremble before you;
the sun praises you; the moon glorifies you;
the stars in their courses meet with you;
the light hearkens unto you;
the depths shudder at your presence;
the springs of water serve you.
You have stretched out the heavens as a curtain;
you have founded the earth upon the waters;
you have bounded the sea with sand;
you have poured forth the air for breathing;
the angelic powers minister unto you…

Excerpt from the Orthodox Great Blessing of Water

Trees and flowers and mountain springs
praise the grace of you, Creator,
in whose breathing birds can sing,
in whose love creation grows.

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Scents of forests, dancing winds,
rain and sunshine, crystal snowflakes
bring their soundless joy to you,
God of life and truth.
You were born as a child of peace
and you walked the way of the passion.
Through us love may yet increase
as we walk the way of Christ.
Every little newborn child,
men and women, every heartbeat
bring their joy of life to you,
Hear the sound of the blowing wind,
whispering our longing prayers.
Holy Spirit, come and bring
life and peace for times to come.
Listen: People sing new songs,
love is breathing, truth is winning,
and we lay our hope in you,


Praise the Lord, all works of the Lord.
Praise the Lord, you heavens, you angels of the Lord.
Praise the Lord, all waters above heaven.
Praise the Lord, all powers,
Praise the Lord, sun and moon, stars of heaven.
Praise the Lord, all rain and dew, all winds.
Praise the Lord, sing and exalt him
throughout all the ages.
Praise the Lord, fire and heat,
cold and summer heat,
dews and snows.
Praise the Lord, nights and days, light and darkness.
Praise the Lord, ice and cold, frosts and snows.
Praise the Lord, lightning and clouds.
Let the earth bless the Lord.
Praise the Lord, mountains and hills,
all things that grow on the earth.
Praise the Lord, you springs, seas and rivers.
Praise the Lord, you whales
and all creatures that move in the waters.
Praise the Lord, all birds of the air, all beasts and cattle.
Praise the Lord, you sons and daughters of men.
Praise the Lord, O Israel.
Praise the Lord, you priests of the Lord.
Praise the Lord, you servants of the Lord.

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Praise the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous.
Praise the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart.
Praise the Lord, Ananiah, Azariah and Mishael.
Praise the Lord, apostles, prophets and martyrs of the Lord.
We praise the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We praise, bless and worship the Lord,
singing and exalting him
throughout the ages.
Orthodox Vesper hymn, Holy Saturday, from the Hymn of the Three Youth in the Book of Daniel
according to the Septuagint. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2005

(This prayer should be accompanied by a picture of a turtle or, even better, by a live turtle in the
middle of the liturgical space.)
Jesus liked to use examples from nature for some of his parables. He invited his disciples not to
worry about what to eat, because “the birds of the air neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Mt 6,26). He also invited them not to worry about
clothing, considering “the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,
even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these” (Mt 6,28-29). To paraphrase these
sayings for our society dominated by speed and haste, Jesus could tell us today not to worry about
hurrying too much. Consider the turtle, he would probably say: it’s slow, of course, but strong and
enduring – no need for gas, just a few leaves of salad, and it can reach a minimum 100 years of
age. In its patience, through its slowness, the turtle can see and have experiences which we
humans often miss.
Let us praise the Lord who created the turtle.
God our Maker, we praise you for the beauty of your creation:
for the green earth, for the blue skies and the fresh waters.
We praise you for the different forms of life you created,
from big animals to small and humble beings,
for the rapid leopard as well as for the slow turtle.
In this age of growing speed and unrest we want to especially praise you
because in your wisdom you created the turtle,
giving it a slow pace but a long life.
Let us consider the turtle and learn the lesson you want to teach us through it.
Let us value slowness; let us learn patience.
Give us a slow pace in order to better respect your creation
and to be able to contemplate its beauty.
Teach us to live our life respecting the rhythms of your creation. Amen.
Luca M. Negro. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2005

Creating God,
You are the source of light and life,
so we praise you.
You became flesh to bring light and life,
so we praise you.
You sustain the world with your light and life,
so we praise you.


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PDF files of Common Worship from the Church of England: Times and Seasons
Seasons and Festivals of the Agricultural Year
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/downloads/pdf/tsagyear.pdf

(see http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/resources/downloads/pdftexts.html for
copyright permission)

Psalm 19 reading and prayer
The Reading using two readers, who can be back to back, side on to congregation.

A The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.

B Look to the mountains and see everlastingness…

A Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.

B Search both day and night and watch for the glory of it…

A There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;

B Listen to the silence and hear wonder speak…

A yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

B Look to the horizon to hear a word about eternity…

A In the heavens God has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a beloved from a wedding canopy,
and like a strong athlete runs its course with joy.

B Look to the sunrise and enjoy God forever-promise…

A Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.

B Look to the seasons and live God’s rhythm…

A The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple;

B Look to creation’s order and accept it’s wisdom…

A the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of God is clear,
enlightening the eyes;

B Look to justice and truth and feel their light…

A the fear of God is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of God are true
and righteous altogether.

B Look to the word and recognise its call…

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A More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

B Look to God’s commandments and taste their
sweetness…

A Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

B Look to creation’s order and know justice…

A But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.

B Look to grace and know it’s forgiveness…

A Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.

B Look to what brings life and live it’s example…

A Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

B Look to God’s covenant and know it’s love…

A Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O God, my rock and my redeemer.

B The heaven’s are telling the glory of God

Psalm 19 Prayer

God
may we recognise in our souls
the long slow dance of creation
that moves through the universe
beyond our words

may the stirring of light
cause a scattering of alleluias
and the shift of atoms
the deep silence of wonder

Even as mountains have no words
and cells no syllables
may we hear them clear their throats
and cry glory

and may we witness the order in common things
the place set apart for each molecule
by your hand that sculpted and knowingly placed each
within their own nook and cranny

May such order be your ordinance for us too
the balance in our lifestyles between us and all the universe
setting us in our breadth among the stars and sand grains
among covenant and promise

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called back to live more humbly
between giving and taking
enough to honour this living universe with justice and morality
and find then, we honour you too

May we let creation dance
and find the steps that have us joining in
moving with the dance of grace
and finding our home in it’s order

May the whole universe cry out with your glory
and all that is made proclaim your handiwork

So be it
Amen

© Roddy Hamilton, 2009

God in the Universe - In Irish and English Dia na Cruinne

Look long and steady. Amharc go buan, is go seasta.
Beauty is everywhere. Ailleacht i ngach uile aird.
I find God in the woods - Aimsím Dia sna coillte -
The touching of a mystery, Tadhall an mhistéir,
An oasis of silence. Tamhnach, tostach.
In each leaf blazes forth the art of God. Gach duilleog, ealaín Dé, ina scata lasrach.
The heart of a rainbow Croílár bogha beatha
Is a whisper of His tears. Mar siosarnach A dheora.
Carved on each tree Tá ainm rúnda Dé
Is the hidden name of God. Snoite ar gach crann.
He sings in the song of each bird, Cloistear A ghuth I gcantain na n-éan,
An Amen to His existence. Amen, Dó bheith ann.
He throbs in the earth beneath my feet. 'Sé broidearnach sa chré fúm.
Each fern unfolds an energetic God, Tá Dia spleodrach á nochtadh
Ever active, ever new. I ngach raithneach.
Travelling in the mist above my head, Nua de shíor
In the essence of all things Bithghníomhach, bithnua.
He lives. Ag taisteal sa cheobhrán os mo chionn,
In eisint gach uile ní,
Maireann Sé.
From “My Elusive God” by Ann Crowley R.S.M.
Published 2009 Columba Press. Reproduced with Aistrithe go Gaeilge ag Sr. Eibhlín Ní Challanáin
permission.

Mugron's Litany in praise of the Blessed Trinity Ó Liodán Mugrón ag Moladh an Tríonóid Naofa
- In Irish and English
Have mercy upon us, o God the Father Almighty, Déan trócaire orainn, a Dhia Athair uilechumachtaigh
O God of the tempestuous sea and serene air, A Dhia na farraige anfal agus aer reithineach
O God of the many languages round the circuit of A Ohia na n-iltheangacha atá mórthimpeall an domhain
the earth A Dhia na dtonn ó threathán dotheoranta
O God of the waves from the bottomless house of A Ohia a chruthaigh an domhan agus a oirnigh lá agus
the ocean oiche
O God who fashioned the mass and inaugurated A Dhia órga
day and night, A Athair flaitheasach, atá ar Neamh

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O golden God,
O heavenly Father, who are in heaven. A Mhic a ghineadh faoi dhó
A fhioreolai
O Son twice-born A fhiorsholas an ghrá a ghealann gach dorchadas
O true knowledge, Eagna an tsaoil ftiáthrúnda
O true light of love that lightens every darkness Eadráin an uiie dhuine
O intelligence of the mystical world, Foinse an chreidimh
O Mediator of all men, Fuaiscailteoir na hAdhamhchlainne.
O fountain of the faith,
O Redeemer of the human race. Déan trócaire orainn, A Dhia Uilechumhachta gh, A
Spiorad Naoimt;
Have mercy on us, O God Almighty, O Holy Spirit; A mhéar Dé
O finger of God, A bhronntóir na fioreagna
O imparter of true wisdom, Údar na Scrioptúr Naofa
O author of Holy Scriptures, A Spiorad seachtchruth
O septiform Spirit, A Spiorad Naofa a thiamaionn do gach uile rud, sofheicthe
O Holy Spirit that rulest all things visible and agus dofheicthe.
invisible.
Aistrithe ag Caitltn Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh.
Towards a History of Irish Spirituality
Peter O' Dwyer O Carm
The Columba Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.

The Eternal Father An tAthair Síoraí
- In Irish and English
Maker of the skies and heavens Moladh agus buíochas leat, a Athair Naofá
maker of the surging seas do cheap na spéartha agus Neamh ar dtús
of fish in crowded companies is do cheap ina dhiaidh sin an mhuir mhór bhraonach
praise and thanks for all you've given. is na carnáin éisc inti ag snámh go dlúth

The Eternal Father An t-Athair Síorai

King of the world you make the sun that shines A Rí na cruinne 'bheir loinnir sa ghréin go moch
the rain that falls, the harvest gathered in dílte troma agus toradh 'na dhéidh go grod
and I a sinner dare to look at you, scriobhaim chugat mo ctiulpa agus féachaim ort
don't let me lord fall further into sin. agus ná lig titim níos faide dom féin san olc.

Prayers of two Peoples - Traditional Irish and
Scottish Prayers. Trans Stephen Redmond SJ
Published by Veritas. Reproduced with permission.

Page 19

3 Confession
Hope for Creation

We look around in sorrow, seeing:
- power stations spewing, temperatures rising,
- climate changing, storms brewing,
- waters flooding, people fleeing,
tears beyond hope.

We look back in faith, remembering:
- Sarah once barren, cradling a child,
- Daniel from the lions' den, greeting a new dawn,
- Mary distraught in the garden, running with good news,
rays of hope.

We look forward in Christ, hoping:
- we who don't care or deny, will change our ways,
- the church from indifference, will lead God's people,
- the world from the precipice, will unite for the planet,
Hope for Creation.

Amen

David Pickering 2008
___________________________________________________________________

Creating God, you give light and life,
and express delight in your creation.
You gave the command to till and care for your garden,
but we have abused the beauty of creation and the keeping of your word.
We confess the plundering of finite resources.
We confess to stealing our descendants’ birthright to life.
We confess the flagrant pollution of land, sea and air.
We confess the churches’ lack of concern for the well-being of creation.
We confess the excesses within our own lifestyle.
Creating God, we have desecrated your creation and darkened your light.
In a moment of quiet we confess our profligate lifestyle and human greed.


Rainbow prayer for Operation Noah

Creator God, how deep are your designs!
You made a living earth, cloud, rain and wind,
and charged us with their care.
We confess that the way we live today
is changing the climate,
the seas and the balance of life,
dispossessing the poor and future generations.
Build our lives into an Ark for all creation,
and, as you promised Noah never to repeat the Flood,
so makes us heralds of a new rainbow covenant:
choosing life for all that is at risk -

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for creation,
for neighbours near and far,
our children and ourselves.

From Operation Noah Launch, Coventry Cathedral, 2004
______________________________________________________________________________

Reconciling all things

Glory be to you O Christ, Saviour of the world.
To you all creatures bow in awe and praise and thanksgiving.
You reconcile all things on earth and heaven.
Your loving presence fills the whole universe.
Grant us power to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Alleluia

Glory be to you O Christ - Saviour of the world.
Teach us to use our civilisation’s collective learning in your service.
You taught your disciples to live simply, yet joyfully together.
You formed their thinking through your stories and example.
Grant us power to use our intellects with wisdom
to cut our use of energy and live more simply,
and to share our technology and resources
in humility and love with all God’s children.
Alleluia, alleluia!

Glory be to you O Christ - Saviour of the world.
As God’s Word you were there at the beginning of space and time,
when energy pulsated through matter
when the sun’s rays lightened the darkness
when the seas and rivers first flowed
and the winds rushed over the face of the oceans.
Grant us power to share and use this energy wisely.
Alleluia, alleluia!

From Operation Noah Launch, Coventry Cathedral, 2004

Father forgive us, for we knew not what we did.

We, the children of God, cry aloud to you, Lord our God.
Free us from sin and guilt to be truly your people.
Free us to praise you and live in your way forever.


Forests grew and died, and grew again, while under the Earth a treasure of fuel was laid.
Your people grew in skill and curiosity
and unearthed the secret carbon heritage of the forests.
We tamed fire in our engines to increase our comfort and mobility.
We have been tempted to take these benefits to ourselves,
to live a life where you could no longer find us.


Creator of all, the hymn of creation has become the cry of the world.

Page 21

Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we hide ourselves in shame.
Yet, just as you came to them and asked them lovingly, ‘Where are you?’
so you come to us today and lovingly ask us, ‘Where are you?’
We are here Lord, seeing ourselves as the centre of your world,
and blind to the fact that you are the centre of all your creation.


We are here, Lord, destroying in a few years the mighty works of aeons,
so that we may be comfortable as we prepare catastrophe.
We are here Lord, exposing the poor to a fragile future,
threatening the livelihoods of our children,
and driving animals and plant life to extinction.


Now we know.
Hear our cry for help to change our ways.

Creator of the mighty trees, the broad oceans,
the atmosphere, the earth, and all that lives,
forgive us and reconcile us to you.
Let us remake this world in the love and compassion of
the One who makes all things new,
who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

We, the children of God,
cry aloud to you, Lord our God.
Restore, reconcile and re-equip us
to live in harmony with all creation,
and to be signs to each other and to the world
of your kingdom come on Earth.

Written for the Operation Noah launch service, Coventry Cathedral 2004,
based on ‘Creation Festival Liturgy' at Coventry Cathedral in 1988.

Water Confession

In a world where there is too much water
or not enough
you’ve taken this means of doing justice
and made it a symbol of faith
Forgive us God when we pour it over heads
and bless people lavishly
as we ought
but without a thought for the thirsty

May we live out the life
this water provokes in us
May we live your calling
for a fair and just world
where the water of life
is the water for life
the sharing of that which blesses us
is also the means of living justly

Page 22

Forgive us God
when we take the blessing for ourselves
and not for the world
our own means to heaven
rather than a means to an equitable world

Call us into the blessing of justice
redeem us through the sharing of grace
cleanse us with the waters of life
and anoint us with the promise of renewal

May we take water
find in it the promise of heaven
and the means of sharing life
and share this blessing
with the world

So be it
Amen


Preaching what you practise

This can be used as an act of confession from the worship leader but is more about each one of
us. Candles could be brought forward and placed on a table as it is read.

If I preached what I practiced
the church would be full,
with eager listeners to the latest means
of getting away with as easy a lifestyle as possible
and still call it Christian
the faith would have followers
clambering at its door, eager to sign up
to wishy-washy justice and part-time belief
if I preached what I practiced.
They would be keen for sermons about
a penny for the poor, and a pound for the pension
keen to listen to homilies that spoke
of living in the reflected glory
of someone else working for peace
They would happily believe
in a faith that changes a light bulb for the sake of creation
rather than sacrifice to shape a whole new way of living
church would be popular again
with a doctrine of excuses
and a creed of compromise
a half-way house on almost anything
and a God who is washed out
watered down
and used to support anything you want

Page 23

we would never need to sign up
to a faith where we find ourselves feeding the poor
by feeding ourselves less
we would just have to proclaim it without doing anything about it
if I preached what I practiced.
we would never have to make a sacrifice for justice
for we would always find an excuse
that would allow us to buy things for of taste
paying lip-service to buying things for justice
or we would never have to go green
we could get away with lime
for we could live according to our personal means and desires
speaking passionately for the planet
living passionately for ourselves
without a thought for the legacy and footprint it leaves
if I preached what I practiced
So hear my confession
that my living is not as full of God
as the words that I utter
May it be that the words
take form
and leave footprints
of someone who finally
practices what they preach


Sorry Prayer - for the Gulf, 2010

We’re sorry for the Gulf of Mexico
licences sold, companies bold
pelicans oiled and beaches are soiled
We’re sorry for the gulf in our lives
adverts attracting, fuelling our greed,
stuff for our wants with our hearts left wanting
May salty waters
wash sands and cleanse birds
May salty tears
change our hearts and move our minds
to conserve more than consume

David Pickering, 2010

Giver of Life,
in the midst of a plundered earth
We groan with creation
Have mercy on us
Giver of Life,
In the midst of poisoned water

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We groan with creation
Have mercy on us
Giver of Life,
in the midst of polluted air
we groan with creation
Have mercy on us
Giver of Life,
in the midst of mountains of waste
Have mercy on us
Giver of Life,
in the midst of a world of war
Have mercy on us
Giver of Life,
we who are made in the image of God have gone astray
and creation groans with us
Have mercy on us

From Worshipping Ecumenically, WCC Publications. From the ECEN website

All: How can a mortal be righteous before God?
you laid the earth's foundation
you fixed limits for the sea
you give orders to the morning
you tip over the water jars of the heavens
you hunt the prey for the lioness
you know where the mountain goat gives birth
the eagle takes flight by your wisdom.
You can do all things:
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
We have spoken of things we do not understand:
therefore we repent in dust and ashes.

Leader: Fear not, says the Lord, for I have redeemed you:
I have summoned you by name: you are mine.

© Eleanor Todd 2006. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2008

A: Your love made it possible for the first particles of matter to dance with energy, linking each
other in space and time.
B: Carbon creatures came into being and learnt to walk tall, placing their feet firmly on the
ground of your garden, breathing the mystery of your breath, enjoying your inspiration and
reaching up to the skies.
A: As you look at us now, your carbon creatures, what can you see through our carbon
emissions? Do they scratch your eyes and marr your looking?
B: Out of your energy of love, came heat and light for our warmth and growth
All: Out of our energy production and use, comes both progress and harm.
A: Out of your energy, came sacrifice and self giving love
All: Out of our energy use, comes greed and self interest.
B: Out of your energy, came creativity freedom and inspiration

Page 25

All: Out of your energy we compromise these gifts with complacency violence and
stupidity.
Lord, eyes we have, but see not.
Lord ears we, have but hear not
Lord minds we have, but will not
Lord hearts we have, but care not
Lord, life we have, but live not.
Lord teach us to look with your seeing
To hear with your hearing
To commit with your willing
To feel with your feeling
To care with your heart
To live in your love.
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.

© Robin Morrison 2006. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2008

Merciful God, who loves humankind, look with an eye of compassion upon the works of your hands
and set free the expanse of the atmosphere from dread destruction and death-dealing emissions
and every poisonous pollution, through which death and danger threaten. Take pity then on what
you have fashioned and give to all prudence not to act senselessly, the result of which is
corruption, granting to all pardon and salvation and divine mercy.

Verse: With my voice I cried to the Lord, and he heard me from his holy mountain.

Accept, 0 Saviour, the entreaties of your Mother, which she offers for all creation, and the
supplications of all your Saints. Grant to all your mercies, and keep unharmed the firmament
which you spread out from the beginning with wisdom, Lord, and brought into being for the benefit
of mortals. Keep undamaged, 0 Lord, the whole environment which girds the earth from harmful
influences, granting to all pardon and salvation and great mercy.

Verse: When I called you hearkened to me, 0 God of my justice, in all affliction you set me at large.

With humility of our soul we entreat you, Lord, and we fall down before you: At your command
deliver the earth on which we dwell from every harm and from harsh ruin, and speedily avert from it
and abolish by your will destructive emanations and pour out the fresh dew of life-sustaining air.
Fence about the whole enclosure of the environment Master and Saviour, with your mighty power,
granting to all pardon and salvation and divine mercy.

From: Orthodoxy and Ecology Resource Book, SYNDESMOS 1996)

Creating God, you give light and life,
and express delight in your creation.
You gave the command to till and care for your garden,
but we have abused the beauty of creation and keeping of your work.
We confess the plundering of finite resources.
We confess to stealing our descendants' birthright to life.
We confess the flagrant pollution of land, sea and air.
We confess the churches' lack of concern for the well-being of creation.
We confess the excesses within our own lifestyle.
Creating God, we have desecrated your creation and darkened your light.

Page 26

In a moment of quiet we confess our profligate lifestyle and human greed.
Words of Renewal
God of life and God of light,
as we seek a new relationship with your created order,
may we sense the grace and peace
of a new relationship with you. Amen.


A wise Rabbi was walking along a road when he saw a man planting a tree. The Rabbi
asked: “How many years will it take before this tree will bear fruit?” The man answered:
“Seventy years”. Then the Rabbi asked: “You feel you are so strong and healthy that you
expect to live so long to be able to eat its fruits?” The man answered: “I’ve found a world
rich of fruits because my forefathers planted trees for me. I will do the same for my
children”.
From a Jewish midrash
Forgive us, Lord,
our obsession with ourselves.
We are not able to recognise our own limits.
We are so concentrated
on our present needs and on our own work
that we forget to be grateful
for the gifts You have given us
through the generations who have gone before us.
Forgive us, Lord,
for our closed horizon
preventing us from looking toward tomorrow,
preventing us from handing over to our children
a fertile and clean earth.
Forgive us, Lord,
for our greedy selfishness,
for our closed hands
grasping to hoard all we can
to squeeze our natural resources dry.
Open our hands, Lord,
to the joy of sharing.
Teach them the sower’s generous gesture,
so that we may sow seeds without caring
who will benefit from the fruits of the harvest.
Amen.
Luca M. Negro
Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2003 and 2006

An act of confession and commitment

Leader: O Triune God, who yourself are justice for us and create
justice, we thank you that you establish justice where injustice
prevails. You have taken the side of the poor and oppressed
who have no rights or whose rights are trampled underfoot.
Forgive us our hesitations, our blindness, our deafness. Give us
strength by your spirit to share so that all may be filled. Teach

Page 27

us your purpose for us till your kingdom of justice comes.

People: Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy on us).

Leader: O Triune God, who yourself are peace for us and create peace,
let us be coworkers and peace-makers in the building of your peace and
reconciliation. Tear down the walls of separation and division. Show us the
promise of nonviolence. Transform hatred into love. Grant that we may see
our enemies as neighbors and that we may learn your purpose for us till
your kingdom of peace comes.


Leader: O Triune God, who created the universe so that all was good,
teach us to understand that we are part of the creation, that we
are your stewards in it. Make us instruments of the renewal of
your creation. Teach us not to take more than we need, that the
source of life may not run dry and we may preserve a future fit
for our children and our children’s children. Teach us your
purpose for us till your new creation becomes a reality among us.


Leader: Let us commit ourselves to God and to one another to work for
justice, peace, and the integrity of creation.

People: We who live by the love, grace, and forgiveness of God,
whose lives are sustained by God’s faithfulness,
bind ourselves to each other in solidarity.
May God who witnesses our commitment
to stand together give us the grace to fulfill it.

Source: World Council of Churches' Seventh Assembly, Canberra, Australia, 1991

Call to Confession (using different voices)
God’s creation is being abused and violated.
We as human beings often see ourselves as separate from creation,
not woven into the web of life.
The reference to having “domination over the earth”
is used to exploit and destroy the earth.
As individuals and as societies,
we became dependant on a lifestyle of limitless growth.
We are quick to blame and judge others
rather than accept responsibility
for the part that we play in destroying our environment.
We use more than our share of earth’s resources.
We are responsible for massive pollution of earth, water, and sky.
We thoughtlessly drop garbage around our homes, schools, churches, places of work, and
places of play.
Much of the world struggles for survival – good food, clean water, adequate homes.
We squander our resources on technologies of destruction.
Bombs come before bread.

All: We are killing the earth:

Page 28

Voices: as mountains of garbage pile up,
as uranium and nuclear wastes threaten life for centuries to come,
as we use trees faster than they can re-grow,
as our precious agricultural land loses its fertility.

All: We are killing the waters:

Voices: as toxic chemicals and human wastes
are dumped into lakes, rivers and oceans,
as fish and plants die from acid rain,
as groundwater is poisoned.

All: We are killing the skies:

Voices: as the global atmosphere heats up from chemical gases,
as the ozone layer is destroyed,
as clean air is poisoned by car and truck pollution.

Prayer of Confession
All: We confess these sins to you our God, Creator of the universe.
You have set before us life and death.
Too often we have chosen death.
We have not loved the earth as you love it.

Period of silent meditation

Assurance of Pardon
Reader: Know that our God is a God of love as well as of judgement.
God promises to be with us as we struggle to be faithful.
Thanks be to God.

Prayer of Grace
All: Holy and great Creator, we recognize as your people
that these problems will not easily be solved.
Give us the courage to truly repent and change our ways.
May we genuinely ask for forgiveness from you,
from the earth and from future generations.
May we live this day faithfully loving your creation as you love it. May
we walk together toward the future with hope.

Source: A Service of Worship - The Earth is the Lord's, United Church of Canada

L Almighty God, Creator and Lifegiver,
we are part of your beautiful
but fragile creation.
We have the responsibility to protect,
to nurture and to respect it.
We have failed in our responsibility.
Therefore we cry:
ALL (sing) Kyrie eleison . . .
L The earth is our mother,

Page 29

our origin, our nourishment.
Every seed in the depth of the earth
vibrates with your creating will.
When the earth is spoiled and poisoned
by greed and short-range interests,
we deny our origin,
we suppress your will.
Therefore we cry:
L The earth is a water planet.
The seas are our amniotic fluid.
All life carries your creative water;
people, vegetation and animals.
When the water is polluted
it reacts against us and our future.
Therefore we cry:
L The air is the breath of life,
the breathing-space of the earth.
Every breath is a reminder
of your creative power.
When the air is polluted
the lungs of the earth are damaged
and your strength is suppressed.
Therefore we cry:
Silence
Words of forgiveness
L Jesus Christ, who joins the Creator with creation,
has heard your groaning
and cleanses you from all guilt.
Arise and walk in faith and struggle
for the integrity of creation.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen.

Per Harling. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004 and 2006

O God, we use more than what is ours.
Therefore your creation is suffering.
We consume the resources of the earth
at the expense of the poor and the oppressed.
We are prisoners of consumption
and we confess that we do not want to get out of our captivity.
We seek security by possession.
We steal from those coming after us.
We know that the earth is fragile, but this knowledge paralyses us.
We confess that the passivity suits us
and that we do not want to get out of it.

Page 30

We acknowledge that we often know the truth,
but we do not want to know it.
As we do not want to commit ourselves
our proclamations are not credible.
As we do not want to be a part of a change
others have to live in despair.
As we do not want to pay for the costs for a new way of living,
others have to pay with their lives.
We hope for unity, but we do not act.
We honour the ideals of compassion and love, but we do not follow them.
God, we confess that we take pleasure in confessing
without breaking up from our sins.
"Out of the depth, I cry to you, O God, Lord, hear my cry".

Prayer from the Church of Norway. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004

A PENITENTIAL RITE FOR USE AT A CREATION THEMED MASS OR OTHER LITURGY
In English and Scots Gaelic

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
we are taught by our Lord himself that, “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten
Son...”.
Indeed God so loves the world and every one and every thing in it.
And he calls us to love as he has loved.
In that we fail to love
and stand idly by as our brothers and sisters in this world struggle to even stay alive
while being exploited by the rich and powerful...
And in that we stand idly by as our mother, the Earth, is brutalised and humiliated,
we stand in need of repentance and God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries of our redemption
and rededicate ourselves to God as good stewards
by calling to mind the horrors of this world
and the part we all play in them by our apathy and silence
and let us ask the Lord of Creation for pardon, peace and courage.

Silence

The Presider of a number of voices from throughout the assembly may continue with:

For our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of creation and our fellow
human beings
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.

For our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life
and work
All: Christ, have mercy.

Trusting in your love and mercy we turn to you with confidence seeking forgiveness and
strength to do better.

OR
For the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our
indifference to injustice and cruelty,

Page 31


For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come
after us,
All: Christ, have mercy.

For not loving you with out whole heart, mind and strength; nor loving our neighbours as
ourselves,

Absolution is then given according to the tradition of the gathered community and the celebration
continues with the Collect of the Day.

Gaelic
Gnath Peanasachaidh airson chleachdaidh
air Aifreann air Teama Cruthaidheachd no Liotuirge eile

A Pheathraichibh 's a Bhrathraibh ann an Crlosda,
Teagaisgear dhuinn leis ar Tighearna fhein gur
"ann mar sin a ghradhaich Dia an saoghal,
Gun tug E a aon-ghin Mhic fhein..."
Gu dearbha, 's ann mar sin a ghradhaicheas Dia an saoghal,
Agus a h-uile duine is m a th' ann.
Agus dh'iarradh E oirnn gun gradhaicheamaid mar a ghradhaich Esan.
Leis mar a dh'fhailigeas oirnn gradhachadh,
Is mar a sheasas sinn gu diomhainn fhad 's a tha ar brathairean is peathraichean a' strl a chum a
bhith beo,
Agus iad a tha beartach is cumhachdach a' gabhail brath orra...
Agus leis mar a sheasas sinn gu diomhainn fhad 's a dh'eugnaichear ar mathair, an Talamh,
Tha aithreachas, trocair agus maitheanas Dhe a dhith oirnn.
Gun ullaich sinn sinn fhein a chum gairdeachas a dheanamh air diomhairean naomha ar n-
aithreachais,
Agus gun ath-dhearbh sinn sinn fhein do Dhia nar deagh stiubhartan,
Le bhith a' tarraing dar n-inntinnean uabhasan an t-saoghail seo
Agus na pairt a th' againn uile annta leis ar meagh-bhlaths 's ar tost
Agus gun iarramaid air Tighearna na Cruthaidheachd mathanas, slth agus misneachd.

Tost.

Faodaidh Ceannard uidhir de ghuthan am measg a' choithionail leantainn orra le:

Air sgath ar doighean agus ar n-acrais mhacnasaich,
Is mar a ni sinn ml-chleachdadh den Chruthaidheachd,
Is de ar brathairean is peathraichean
A Thighearna, dean trocair oirnn.
Uile: A Thighearna, dean trocair oirnn.

Air sgath ar graidh mhi-stuama air nithean is comhartachd shaoghalta,
Ar n-eas-onair nar beatha is saothar laitheil
A Chriosda, dean trocair oirnn.
Uile: A Chriosda, dean trocair oirnn.

Thig sinn thugad le earbsa nad ghradh is throcair,
Ag iarraidh mathanais agus neart a chum a bhith a' deanamh nas fhearr.
A Thighearna, dean trdcair oirnn.

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NO
Air sgath gach droch ghniomha a rinn sinn: air sgath ar doille ro fheumalachdan is fhulangachd a'
chinne daoine, is ar meagh-bhlaths ro ana-cheartas is an-iochdmhorachd,
Uile: A Thighearna, dean trdcair oirnn.

Air sgath a' chaitheimh is an truaillidh a ni sinn air do Chruthaidheachd, is ar cion-dragh mun
fheadhainn a thig nardeidh,
A Chriosda, dean trocair oirnn.
Uile: A Chriosda, dean trocair oirnn.

Air sgath mar nach do ghradhaich sinn Thu leis ar lan-chridhe, inntinn is neart; no ar nabaidhean
mar sinn fhein,

Bheirear mathanas a reir nois na coimhearsnachd a tha comhla,
agus leanaidh an t-seirbheis le Urnaidh Ghoirid an La.

PDF files of Common Worship from the Church of England: Times and Seasons
Seasons and Festivals of the Agricultural Year
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/downloads/pdf/tsagyear.pdf

(see http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/resources/downloads/pdftexts.html for
copyright permission)

Page 33

4 Collects
Hope for Creation

We look around in sorrow, seeing:
- power stations spewing, temperatures rising,
- climate changing, storms brewing,
- waters flooding, people fleeing,
tears beyond hope.

We look back in faith, remembering:
- Sarah once barren, cradling a child,
- Daniel from the lions' den, greeting a new dawn,
- Mary distraught in the garden, running with good news,
rays of hope.

We look forward in Christ, hoping:
- we who don't care or deny, will change our ways,
- the church from indifference, will lead God's people,
- the world from the precipice, will unite for the planet,
Hope for Creation.

David Pickering 2008

Global Warning

Creator God – maker and shaper of
all that is,
seen and unseen;
You are in the expanse and depth
of Creation, and in the processes
that make life possible.

Yet we are distracted by the gods
we make ourselves and our
lives become fractured and fragmented.
In our brokenness we disturb the
Earth’s capacity to hold us.
Instead we find climate uncertainty
and global injustice.

Call us back from the brink.
Help us to choose love not fear,
to change ourselves and not the planet;
to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable;
and
to make a difference today
for life tomorrow.

In your name – Father, Son and Spirit.
Amen.

Martyn Goss 2008

May none of God's wonderful works keep silence
night or morning.
Bright stars, high mountains, the depths of the seas,

Page 34

sources of rushing rivers:
may all these break into song as we sing
in Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
May all the angels in the heavens reply: Amen! Amen! Amen!
Power, praise, honour, eternal glory to God, the only Giver of grace.
Amen! Amen! Amen!

Third-century hymn. Reproduced on the ECEN website

Through heaven and earth and the sea,
through wood and stone,
through all creation visible and invisible,
I offer generation to the Creator and Master
and Maker directly and by itself,
but it is through me that the heavens declare the glory of God,
through me the moon worships God,
through me the stars glorify him,
through me the waters and the showers rain,
the dews and all the creation,
venerate God and give him glory.

St. Leontios of Cyprus. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001

This day is for Israel light and rejoicing – a Sabbath of rest.
Thou badest us standing at Sinai
that all the years through we should keep thy behest
to set out a table full-laden to honour. The Sabbath of rest!
Treasure of heart for the broken people
gift of new soul for the soul’s distress
soother of sighs for the imprisoned spirit: the Sabbath of rest!
When the work of the worlds in their wonder was finished
Thou madest this day to be holy and blest
and those heavy-laden found safety and stillness. A Sabbath of rest!

Traditional Sabbath table Hymn. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2006

O Lord our God, the author and giver of all good things,
we thank you for all your mercies, and for your loving care over all your creatures.
We bless you for the gift of life, for your protection round about us,
for your guiding upon us, and the tokens of your love within us.
We thank you for friendship and duty, for good hopes and precious memories,
for the joys that cheer us and the trials that teach us to trust in you.
Most of all we thank you for saving knowledge of your Son our saviour;
for the living presence of your Spirit, the comforter...
In all these things, o heavenly Father, make us wise unto a right use of your benefits
that we may render an acceptable thanksgiving unto you all the days of our life.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Book of Common Order. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2006

O you eternal wisdom – whom we partly know and partly do not know
O you eternal justice – whom we partly acknowledge and never fully obey
O you eternal love – whom we love a little but fear to love too much:

Page 35

open our minds that we may understand
work in our wills that we may obey
kindle our hearts that we may love you.
Come, Lord Jesus!

T. R. Milford. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2006

Page 36

5 Statements of faith and commitment
(With a period of silence between each section)

L We have faith
C in One God, one Source of all life. One Ground of the whole earth,
with all her creatures.
L And thus we have faith
C in the fullness of earth's life, in the innate worth of all her
dependents, in human partnership in the life of nature.
L And we have faith
C that in Christ we have been shown the special role of the human
race to bear God's likeness in working and caring for the earth, in
seeking to understand her mysteries and powers, in gently working
with these powers for the well being of all children of the earth.
L And we have faith
C that God´s Spirit will lead us to sensitive closeness with earth's life,
so that meek, unselfish and compassionate life-style by which the
earth is inherited in peace, by which her life is transformed for all
creatures to share justly in her bounty. So be it. Amen.

From India, in Sinfonia Oecomenica, Gütersloher Verlagshaus, Gütersloh und Basileia Verlag,
Basel, 1998. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001

I have faith in God, the Almighty
who created heaven and earth
and who wishes to save the world
against our foolishness and megalomania.
I have faith in the spirit
And the might of our community
Which enables and protects life
Which stands up against lethal threat
And paralysing helplessness.
And in Jesus Christ, our brother and Son of God
Who grounds heaven
And links heaven to earth
Who suffered from our weakness
Who was crucified by our missing faith
Who died of our paralysing fear
Who was buried under our indifference
Down to the kingdom of the mighty
Who rises among us with every new hope
With every drop of good water
With every breath of healthy air
With every flower in full blossom
And he will separate those
Who practise death and those
Who answer for life.

From Austria. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001

Page 37

With a period of silence between each section

L: We have faith
All: in one God, one Source of all life,
one Ground of the whole earth, with all her creatures.
L: And thus we have faith
All: in the goodness of earth’s life,
in the innate worth of all her dependents,
in human partnership in the life of nature.
L: And we have faith
All: that in Christ we have been shown the special role of the human
race to bear God’s likeness in working and caring for the earth,
in seeking to understand her mysteries and powers,
in working with these powers
for the wellbeing of all children of the earth.
L: And we have faith
All: that God’s Spirit will lead us to sensitive closeness with earth’s
life, to that meek, unselfish and compassionate life-style
by which the earth is inherited in peace,
by which her life is transformed for all creatures
to share justly in her bounty. So be it. Amen.

From India. Source: Sinfonia Oecumenica, Gütersloher Verlagshaus, Gütersloh 1998.

We join with the earth and with each other
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air

To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures

To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars

To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children


We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of
the earth and the renewal of life.
Source: United Nations Environmental Sabbath Program.

Page 38

The Christiana Creek Covenant

We believe that God has created a world of riches and abundance. We recognize that we
are wasting our planet’s physical, biological, human, and spiritual resources. We see that
many of our brothers and sisters suffer as a result. We are consuming too much and
contributing too little. We are interrupting natural cycles and destroying species and
causing unnecessary suffering. We have been careless with our wastes and have polluted
the air, water and soil. We have failed to moderate our consumption so that each person
can have enough resources to live and take their desired place in the human community.
We are squandering the birthright of future generations.

We believe a fundamental joy and meaning of human life comes from the stewardship,
appreciation, and enjoyment of God’s creation. Among the basic expressions of our
oneness with God is our participation in the journey toward justice, so that all our brothers
and sisters may have the opportunity to share in and contribute to an abundant common
life. Justice necessarily includes the protection, restoration, and enhancement of the
ecosystem in which we and other creatures live and from which every living thing draws its
sustenance.
As steps along this path, I will with God’s help:

• Live abundantly and enjoy creation without hoarding what my sisters and brothers
need, without wasting the resources entrusted to me, and without polluting the land,
water, and air

• Reduce, reuse and recycle

• Work for justice, peace and harmony

• Work to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment

• Live a faithfulness that is earth-inclusive, both at home and at work

Inspired by the Wellspring Covenant, which was written in October 1988 as a part of a United
Church of Christ consultation. (Source: Meeting Hunger, Hands on: Hunger Awareness Activities
for Groups, Church World Service, 1991) Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001.

 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
ages. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master,
pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name's sake. Lord,
have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the
ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Amen.

Page 39

O Christ, who brought all things into existence from nothing, and with ineffable wisdom
gave to each one to accomplish unerringly the goal which you laid down in the beginning,
O Saviour, Lover of humankind, as you are powerful, bless the whole creation which you
fashioned.
(Response: Lord, have mercy.)

Give peace to all the nations, Lord, and understanding in all things, so that we may lead
our life in tranquility and always keep the laws which you laid down for all creation for the
unalterable maintenance and government of the universe.

Lover of humankind, keep unharmed the environment that clothes the earth, through
which, by your will, we who inhabit the earth live and move and have our being, that we,
your unworthy suppliants, may be delivered from destruction and ruin.

Fence round the whole creation, O Christ Saviour, with the mighty strength of your love for
humankind, and deliver the earth we inhabit from the corruption which threatens it; for we,
your servants, have set our hopes on you.

Put an end, O Saviour, to the evil designs which are being devised against us by senseless
intent, and turn aside from the earth every destructive action of the works of human hands
which contrive corruption leading to perdition.

O Lord, who wraps creation in clouds, as godly David sang, watch over the environment of
the earth, which you created from the beginning for the preservation of mortals, and give us
the breath of the winds and the flow of waters.

Almighty God, who created all things with wisdom and who watches over and guides them
by your all-powerful hand, grant well-being that all creation may prosper and remain
unharmed by hostile elements; for you, Master, commanded that the works of your hands
should remain unshaken until the ends of the age; for you spoke and they came into being
and they receive from you mercy for the turning away of all harm, and for the salvation of
the human race which glorifies your name which is praised above all.

O Lord, who created the universe at the beginning and gave to each thing his own rank, do
not despise the works of your hands, but with an eye of mercy look from heaven upon this
vine and restore it according to your will, turning aside from it every purpose that brings
corruption and every destroyer; for you are our Shepherd and Deliverer and Saviour and
from you we receive help.

O Lord and Master who fenced about the domain of the earth and made it sure with an
enveloping band, deliver its whole structure from harm and disaster; for you are a treasury
of strength and the source of life, and all things minister and are subject to your will as your
servants, Lord. And so grant us your mercies and turn away from us every disaster, and
save our souls as you love humankind.

Threats and scourges and destruction hang over us, Lord, because of the multitude of our
transgressions; for we have sinned and transgressed and gone far from you, and we are
affected and afflicted by dire perils; but deliver us, Lord, from dangers that beset us, and
keep the whole structure of the earth unharmed, granting equable breaths of wind and

Page 40

ever-flowing springs of water for our safe-keeping and salvation, O Lover of humankind.

O Lord, who holds the circle of the earth and establishes its foundations, as the Prophet
says, accept our suppliant entreaties, as our guardian and protector and Saviour; for we
are your people and the sheep of your pasture and by your infinite mercy we shall be
delivered from expected dangers. Do not then utterly destroy us, Master, but may your
goodness conquer the multitude of our offences, that we may glorify the ocean of your acts
of pity.

Merciful God, who loves humankind, look with an eye of compassion upon the works of
your hands and set free the expanse of the atmosphere from dread destruction and death-
dealing emissions and every poisonous pollution, through which death and danger
threaten. Take pity then on what you have fashioned and give to all prudence not to act
senselessly, the result of which is corruption, granting to all pardon and salvation and divine
mercy.

With humility of our soul we entreat you, Lord, and we fall down before you: At your
command deliver the earth on which we dwell from every harm and from harsh ruin, and
speedily avert from it and abolish by your will destructive emanations and pour out the fresh
dew of life-sustaining air. Fence about the whole enclosure of the environment, Master and
Saviour, with your mighty power, granting to all pardon and salvation and divine mercy.

From an Orthodox Prayer Service for Creation. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2001

We did not weave the web of life
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it. (Psalm 24, 1)

L Every part of this earth is sacred.
Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the children of the earth.

This we know, the earth does not belong to us.

All we belong to the earth.

L This we know, all things are connected:

All like the blood which unites one family.

L This we know, whatever we do to the web:

All we do to ourselves.

Adapted from Chief Seattle, 19th Century. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2004 and 2006

A: I will light a light
In the name of the maker of light
Who lit the world with stars, sun and moon
And breathed the breath of life

Page 41

Into all things

B: I will light a light
In the name of the revealer of light
Who brought light into the darkness
And stretched out his hands for us
Giving his love to the whole world

A: I will light a light
In the name of the inspirer of light
Who lit the world from within
And fills my life with wonder
In the search for learning and wisdom

B: We hold these lights
All : For the Trinity of light and love
God’s presence everywhere
God’s salvation for everyone
God’s inspiration of all things.

A: We hold these lights
All : For ourselves and each other
For our families, friends and enemies
For our work, hopes and struggles,

B: We hold these lights
All : For those in need and those who teach us,
For the people, governments and churches of Europe
For the future peace and justice of Europe.

A: We hold these lights
All : For the whole world
For all things created, visible and invisible
For individuals and communities in need.

B: We hold these lights to give thanks
All : For water, air and soil
For plants, trees and animals
For minerals and fossils,

A: We hold these lights to give thanks
All : For knowledge, skills and ideas,
For inventions and discoveries
For science and the arts

Our candles are lit and we pass this light amongst us as a sign of our commitment for the future.

All: May our footprint on this earth be light
May we discover the holiness of your presence everywhere
May we learn how to value your gifts without harm or waste
May we enrich the flourishing of beauty in the things we make and use. Amen.

© Robin Morrison 2006

We choose a world of justice

Page 42

Where God’s resources are cared for and shared fairly
Where we conserve creation for future generations
Where all people can live in peace
We choose
We choose God, for God is justice

We choose a world of peace
Where God’s children no longer destroy each other
Where everyone is treated with respect for their uniqueness
Where lasting peace is built on God’s love
We choose
We choose God, for God is peace

We choose a world of love
Where God’s love is known to all the children of the Earth
Where everyone can feel accepted by their brothers and sisters
Where God’s purpose for the world is finally revealed
We choose
We choose God, for God is love

© Michael Davidson 2007

L We belong to the Creator, in whose image we are all made.
A In God we are breathing, in God we are living,
in God we share the life of all creation.
L We belong to Jesus Christ, the true icon of God and of humanity.
A In him God is breathing, in him God is living,
through him we are reconciled.
L We belong to the Holy Spirit,
who gives us new life and strengthens our faith.
A In the Spirit love is breathing, in the Spirit truth is living,
the breath of God always moves us.
L We belong to the Holy Trinity, who is one in all and Three-in-One.
A In God we are all made, in Christ we are all saved,
in the Spirit we are all united.
Per Harling, from Gloria Deo, Prayers & Hymns for the 12th Assembly of CEC, 2003.

We are not alone, we live in God’s world.

We believe in God
Who has created and is creating,
Who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
Who works in us and others
by the Spirit.

We trust in God.

Page 43

We are called to be the church
to celebrate God’s presence
to love and serve others
to seek justice and resist evil
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.

In life, in death and in life beyond death
God is with us.

We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
United Church of Canada. Reproduced by ECEN for Creation Time 2006.

Prayer of Commitment
Oceans warming
Coral dying
Sea rising
Land disappearing
Ice caps melting
Polar bears dying
Rivers flooding
Waters overwhelming
Calming, caring God,
Help us act to still the storm
For now, for ever.
Storms destroying
Chaos reigning
Cities flooding
People moving
Disease spreading
Homes disappearing
Crops failing
Hope fading
For now, for ever.
Planet shaping
World creating
Life forming
Spirit breathing
Law guiding
Cradle birthing
Cross bearing
Hope rising
For now, for ever.
David Pickering
From the Climate Service, Grosvenor Chapel, held before the Stop Climate Chaos March, 2006

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