Liturgical Suggestions: Environment Sunday 2004

 

Introduction

World Environment Day is on Saturday 5 June.  Both the Sunday before this day, 30 May (Pentecost), or the one after it, 6 June, are suitable occasions to celebrate Environment Sunday. A focus on the Holy Spirit and the Trinity, respectively, has traditionally been an emphasis of these two Sundays in the liturgical calendar.  These liturgical suggestions reflect this emphasis 

This collection of resources, adapted from a variety of sources, has been prepared for use by local congregations. You are encouraged to use the liturgy, translated where necessary, as appropriate in your local church context. Hymns and songs should be included where appropriate. 

A number of sections may be read by a leader with a response from the people.  Bold print is used to indicate where the whole congregation joins in.

Call to Worship

 

Come Holy Spirit

Inspire us

Come people of the earth

We will worship together

You made the earth and the gifts of your creation
We praise you God

For the smiles of your children and the beauty of your people

We praise you God

For the chance to share with others
And to celebrate your glory

We praise you God

 

OR

 

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.

 

 

Confession

 

Creating God, you give light and life,

and express delight in your creation.

You gave the command to care for this creation,

but we have abused this trust.

 

We confess the plundering of finite resources.

We confess the 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 desecrate your creation and darken your light.

We confess our selfishness and greed.

 

God of life and 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.

 

 

Litany for the Planet

 

Grasses multiply and wild flowers proliferate

Because you God in Christ set the earth free

 

Vegetables colour the garden and herbs give aroma to the spiral

Because you Spirit led us into the new creation

 

The lion and the lamb are making friends; the worms love the lettuce

Because you Wisdom inspired new natural companions

 

The insects live in diverse croplands with birds sharing the spoils

Because you Lord of Love taught us to share

 

Every part of the creation is significant from flies to mosquitoes

Because you Creator of all, reasoned everything into being

 

Now teach us triune God to transcend ideology to sustainability

Because Christ you are the peace between us

 

Statement of Belief

 

We believe in God, who is love and who has given

the earth to all people.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who came to heal us,

and to free us from all forms of oppression.

We believe in the Spirit of God, who works in and

through all who are turned towards the truth.

We believe in the community of faith,

which is called to be at the service of all people.

We believe in God’s power to transform and transfigure,

fulfilling the promise of a new heaven and a new earth

where justice and peace will flourish.  Amen

 

 

Prayers for the Environment

 

Caring God,

we thank you for your gifts in creation:

 

   for our world,

   the heavens tell of your glory;

 

   for our land, its beauty and its resources,

   for the rich heritage we enjoy.

 

We pray:

   for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth,

   that we may use your gifts responsibly;

 

   for those who work on the land and sea, and in industry,

   that they may enjoy the fruits of their labours

   and marvel at your creation;

 

   for artists, scientists and visionaries,

   that through their work we may see creation afresh.

 

Silence

 

We thank you for giving us life;

For all who enrich our experience.

 

We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation.

Give us reverence for life in your world.

 

We thank you for your redeeming love;

May your word and sacrament

Strengthen us to love as you love us.

 

Silence

 

God, Creator, bring us new life.

Jesus, Redeemer, renew us.

Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us.

 

OR

 

Loving God,
We marvel at the splendour of your creation.

Help us to celebrate all that is life-giving,

to restore hope where it has been lost,

and to bring about change where it is needed.

Help us to learn from your generosity;
how to share our bread with the hungry,
and open our hearts to the poor.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

 

Blessing

 

As we prepare to leave

and embrace the challenges

of our lives and our world,

let us ask for God’s blessing.

 

May God bless us with wisdom to care for the earth.

 

May God bless us with love to bring forth new life.

 

In the name of God,

the Maker of the whole world,

of Jesus, our new covenant,

and of the Holy Spirit,

who opens eyes and heart.  Amen.

 

OR

 

May God who established the dance of creation,

who marvelled at the lilies of the field,

who transforms chaos to order,

lead us to transform our lives and the Church

to reflect God’s glory in creation.