October 3
Season Of Creation
Prelude- The Gathering of Spirits, by Carrie Newcomer
Let it go my love, my truest Let it sail on silver wings Life's a twinkling and that's for certain But it's such a fine thing
There's a gathering of spirits There's a festival of friends And we'll take up where we left off When we all meet again
I can't explain it I couldn't if I tried How the only things we carry Are the things we hold inside
Like a day in the open Like the love we won't forget Like the laughter that we started And it hasn't died down yet
Let it go my love, my truest Let it sail on silver wings Life's a twinkling and that's for certain But it's such a fine thing
There's a gathering of spirits There's a festival of friends And we'll take up where we left off When we all meet again
Oh yeah, now didn't we And don't we make it shine Aren't we standing in the center of Something rare and fine
Some glow like embers Like a light through colored glass Some give it all in one great flame
Throwing kisses as they pass
So let it go my love, my truest Let it sail on silver wings Life's a twinkling and that's for certain But it's such a fine thing
There's a gathering of spirits There's a festival of friends And we'll take up where we left off When we all meet again
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Psalmody (adapted from Psalm 84 and 24)
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts, Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.
The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
As they go through the valley of Baca, the valley of tears, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.
The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!
Thanksgiving for the Earth
Creator, the strength of all creatures, we honor you. Listen to the thoughts of your people. We honour your Spirit who renews the world and calls us to care for your creation to the East, to the South, to the West and to the North.
We live by the ways you have entrusted to us within the circle of life. Come Great Spirit as we gather in your name.
(We turn our bodies to the Four Directions as we pray the following prayers. Begin by
turning toward the East and continue to turn, with each prayer, in a clockwise direction)
We face East:
The place of dawning, there is beauty in the morning, there the seeker finds new visions as each sacred day is born. All who honor life around them, all who honor life within, shall shine with light and glory when the morning comes again. And we pray,
Come Holy Spirit, Come
We turn to the South:
In the South, the place of growing, there is wisdom in the earth, Both the painful song of dying and joyful song of birth. As the Earth gives up her lifeblood so that her children’s hearts may beat, so we give back to her our reverence for the holy ground beneath our feet. And we pray,
Come Holy Spirit, Come
We turn to the West:
The place of seeing, there is born a vision of the servant of the servants, who proclaimed the Gospel to us. Guide us at the end of each day and fill us with your peace. And we pray,
Come Holy Spirit, Come
We turn to the North:
We look to God our Creator who cleanses our earth with snow, wind, and rain. To Jesus who fills us with the wideness of mercy and grace and lovingly embraces all the people. And the Holy Spirit who comes to inspire us. And we pray,
Come Holy Spirit, Come
(adapted from Celebrating Creation: Honoring Indigenous People, Kelly Sherman-Conroy, ELCA)
Song 408 Wind Upon the Waters
Wind upon the Waters, voice upon the deep,
rouse your sons and daughters, wake us from our sleep,
breathing life into all flesh, breathing love into all hearts,
living wind upon the waters of my soul.
Showers from the heavens, water from the earth,
gift so wholly given, source of every birth,
joy of every living thing, making all creation sing,
shower down upon the dry earth of my soul.
Rock and hill and garden, wood and desert sand,
Prairie, field and meadow shaped by Love’s own hand,
Love that fills the world around, springing up from barren ground,
grow your love within the garden of my soul.
Blazing light of wonder, flame that pierces night,
burst the dark asunder, fill our souls with light.
Lord of glory, fill the skies, make an end to hatred's cries,
be the blazing sun of justice in our lives.
Wind upon the waters, rains upon the sand,
grace your sons and daughters, newborn by your hand.
Come, O Spirit, and renew all the life that comes from you,
send your winds upon the waters of my soul.
Presentation by Vanda Fleury-Green and Jessie Green
Affirmation of Faith
We belong to the Creator in whose image we are all made.
In God we are breathing, in God we are living, in God we share the life of all creation.
We belong to Jesus Christ, the true icon of God and of humanity.
In him God is breathing, in him God is living, through him we are reconciled.
We belong to the Holy Spirit, who gives us new life and strengthens our faith.
In the Spirit love is breathing, in the Spirit truth is living, the breath of God always
moves us.
We belong to the Holy Trinity, who is one in all and Three-in-One.
In God we are all made, in Christ we are all saved, in the Spirit we are all united.
Together, we belong to the Earth, our common home.
The Earth that is the Lord’s, and all that is in it.
Offering Song MV 179 Sisters Let us Walk Together
Sisters let us walk together,
sharing sadness, loss and grief,
We will move through pain to wholeness,
Brokenness transformed to peace.
Brothers let us work together,
Seeking justice, healing shame,
Filled with hope imbued with courage,
Every violence we will name.
People let us love together,
Joining Spirits, linking hands,
We are God’s unique creation,
Clothed with dignity we’ll stand.
Prayer over the Offering
God of truth, receive all we offer you this day. Make us worthy servants, strong to follow in the pattern of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Intercessory Prayers
Whenever we join together, we should give thanks. So let us join our hearts and minds together and think of all creation and the Creator’s gifts. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of our Mother, the Earth, upon whom we walk and who supports us and nurtures life in all its forms. We think of the minerals, the fungi, and bacteria that give life to soil, bodies and systems. We pray we can learn to walk on Earth with more respect. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of the reasons why we are gathered. For this place in which we gather, and for all of the animals and plants that call this place home. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of the whole human family whose livelihood and well-being depends on the well-being of the Earth. We lift up the men, women and children who are displaced from their homes. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us turn our minds to the sacred waters of the world, the great oceans, aquifers, lakes, rivers and streams, the life that lives in the waters and those that give itself to be our food. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us now turn our thoughts to the plant life of the Creator’s world. That which is below ground; the roots and vegetables. That which puts just its head above the ground: the grasses, medicines, plants and bushes. All of the many kinds of good fruit the Creator has given us. And finally, the great trees of the forest that we know of as the “Standing Ones.” Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of all our kindred animals, those that crawl, walk, swim and fly. We give thanks for those that provide food for us, those that sustain cycles in their work and living, those that provide companionship and beauty. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of the birds of the air. The feathered ones that are the messengers between us and the Creator. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
Let us think of the relationships that sustain life in this beloved community. We think of the “Three Sisters,” corn, beans and squash who nurture, guard and sustain as they grow together. These relationships are gifts from the Creator and our sustenance. Loving God.
We give our thanks.
(Inspired by the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Prayer and passed through, among others, Archbishop Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop)
Creator God, look upon the creatures gathered here together and send us where you would have us go, so that we may embody the ministry of justice for your Creation through our being and acts. Walk with us so that we may face the winds of change and walk the good road. Protect and renew our common home. Enlighten us. Sustain us. May God our Creator be with us this day and always. Amen.
(Adapted from Celebrating Creation: Honoring Indigenous People, Kelly Sherman-Conroy, ELCA)
Lord’s Prayer
We pray our common prayer that Christ taught us.
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your beloved community of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.
Amen.
(Adapted from The New Zealand Book of Prayer | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa. This version of the Lord’s prayer was influenced by Maori theologians)
Sharing the peace
If we are in Christ, we are becoming a new creation. One Home, One Body.
We see God around us. We see God within us. We give thanks to our Creator.
Let us show the caring nature you have instilled within us by greeting each other as a sign of God’s justice of peace, love, forgiveness and grace. The peace of our Creator be with you in all things.
And also with you.
You are invited to care and share peace with your neighbor, and speak a word of peace
to the land in which you gather, and the creatures who share this common home.
(adapted from Celebrating Creation: Honoring Indigenous People, Kelly Sherman-Conroy, ELCA)
Benediction
Announcements
Song O Seim
Refrain
O Siem, we are all family O Siem, we're all the same O Siem, the fires of freedom Dance in the burning flame Siem o siyeya, all people rich and poor Siem o siyeya, those who do and do not know Siem o siyeya, take the hand of one close by Siem o siyeya, of those who know because they try And watch the walls come tumbling down Refrain Siem o siyeya, all people of the world Siem o siyeya, it's time to make the turn Siem o siyeya, a chance to share your heart Siem o siyeya, to make a brand new start And watch the walls come tumbling down Refrain
O Siem, we are all family
O Siem, we're all the same
O Siem, the fires of freedom
Dance in the burning flame
O Siem, we are all family
O Siem, we're all the same
O Siem, the fires of freedom
Dance in the burning flame
Dance in the burning flame
The Dismissal
The Service has ended, but we go now to enter mission field serving God
God be our guide and our strength in all that we do. Alleluia
Postlude: MV 209 Go Make a Difference
Refrain
Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Refrain
We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Refrain
So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
And the sprit of Christ will be with us as we go. Go make a diff’rence in the world.
Refrain
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