Gathering Music
“This Is the Day” (UMH 657)
“How Great Thou Art” (UMH 77, v. 1-2)
Invocation
PK Kim
Leader: We gather in the name of the Triune God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the Earth and all its creatures! 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)
Opening Song
“For the Beauty of the Earth”
Words: Folliot S. Pierpoint, Music: Conrad Kocher
- For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Refrain: Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise. - For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light; (Refrain) - For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight; (Refrain) - For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven: (Refrain)
Opening Prayer
Yeeun Kim
Adapted from Eco-Justice Services, World Council of Churches
Leader: Creator God, we give you thanks for the great abundance and nourishment that you provide us through your Creation and through your great love. Inspire our worship and shape our lives to reveal your magnificence. Gracious God, forgive us for the ways in which we contribute to the disfigurement and destruction of your Creation. Transform our hearts and minds, that we may place the welfare of your earth and your people before our fleeting desires. Embolden us to give voice to the voiceless in our communities and ecosystems, and grant us divine wisdom that we may replace systems of destruction and oppression with systems of justice and sustainability. As we come together to worship you, reveal to us ways we can honor you and your created world.
All: Amen.
Scripture Reading – Genesis 1:11-12
Maeve Perrin
11Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good.
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Seminary Choir
“I Am Your Mother,” Mark A. Miller
V1
I am your Mother
Do not neglect me
Children protect me
I need your trust
My breath is your breath
My death is your death
Ashes to ashes
dust into dust
V2
I am your nurture
Do not destroy me
Love and enjoy me
Savor my fruit
My good os your good
My food is your food
Water and flower
Branches and root
V3
I am your lodging
Do not abuse me
Tenderly use me
Soothing my scars
My health is your health
My wealth is your wealth
Shining with promise
Set among stars
V4
God is our Maker
Do not deny God
Challenge defy God
Threaten this place
Life is to cherish
Care or we perish
I am your Mother
Tears on my face
Garden Video
Reflections
Francis Osuji, Marcel Okito
Musical Response
“This Is My Maker’s World” (UMH 144, v. 1)
(Lyrics)
This is my Maker’s World
And to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is the Mother Earth
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees
Of skies and seas
Her hand the wonders wrought
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Beth Quick
Communion Servers: Lerato Pitso and Dobyo Amos
A Sung Communion Liturgy for Church in the Wild
Tune: BUNESSAN, 55.54 D
Text: Beth Quick, 2022.
Come, let us gather, come to the table!
Lift up your hearts to give joyful praise.
God, we adore you. We, your creation,
gather before you to offer thanks.
All earth is holy, full of your glory:
Life-giving water, ground ‘neath our feet
Wind of your spirit, Breath that inspires us,
Creatures abundant, blessings replete.
In thanks we gather, feast set before us.
Though we’ve been lost, you beckoned us home.
Root us and ground us, source of our being;
With you entangled, never alone.
Taking the bread, Christ gave thanks and broke it.
“This is my body, my life for you.”
Grain of the fields from plentiful harvest.
Eat and remember. Share and renew.
Taking the wine, Christ blessed it and poured it
“Cup of forgiveness, promise made new.”
Fruit of the vine, a sign of abundance,
Drink and remember this gift for you.
Make of these gifts Christ’s life and Christ’s body.
Pour out your spirit; send us to serve.
In you shall flourish all of creation
You make us partners, redeemed by love.
Blessing
Sam Smith
Sending Song
“The Trees of the Field”
Music: Stuart Dauermann, Words: Steffi Geiser Rubin
You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace
The mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you
There’ll be shouts of joy
And all the trees of the field
Will clap, will clap their hands
And all the trees of the field
Will clap their hands
The trees of the field
Will clap their hands
The trees of the field
Will clap their hands
While you go out with joy
Drew Theo Chapel 