9 April 2024 – Chapel – Drew Theo Chapel

Gathering Music

“All Creatures of our Holy God” – St. Francis of Assisi

All creatures of our Holy God,
lift up your voice and with us sing,
O praise you! Alleluia!
O friend, the sun with golden beam,
O friend, the moon with silver gleam!
O praise you! O praise you!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sibling wind, air, clouds, and rain,
by which all creatures you sustain,
O praise you! Alleluia!
You, rising morn, in praise rejoice,
You, lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise you! O praise you!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sibling water, flowing clear,
make music for our God to hear,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O friend, the fire who lights the night,
providing warmth, enhancing sight,
O praise you! O praise you!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in you grow,
let them God’s glory also show!
O praise you! O praise you!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Centering Poem

“Hope Springs Eternal”

Alison Johnson

Cold, dark, days divulge
The dearth of light and deathly murmurs.
Dying. Depths decaying.
Lord, how is this your plan?

Roots rot in the dampness.
Bulbs by hungry vermin eaten,
Before they in turn expire.
The foliage falls as crimson tears.

Wrapped in strips of linen, lying.
Gone. Too cold for children playing.
The lake sighs with cold breath
And turns to ice, time frozen

Nothing in the earth is stirring.
The plot is empty, for naught grows.
The dark recess, scattered shivering.
Only the hardiest of us remain.

A young girl, her head hung low
Looks through beyond the shadows
Regeneration, restoration
Lord, tell me of this plan.

Through the darkness green shoots peering
Look, said the girl, “they’re growing;
What was gone is rising up”
Light danced on her wet face.

The shoots rise tall, and leaves unfold.
She asks the man beside her,
“Are these flowers awakening?
What are these colors bursting forth?

The Gardener smiled, and told the girl
Here springs your hope eternal
And all year round I’ll be with you.
Season after season.

And for all time I’ll be with you
Season after season.

Opening Song

“God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale” – Words: Jaroslav J. Vajda, Music: Carl F. Schalk

God of the sparrow
God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
God of the earthquake
God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
God of the rainbow
God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
God of the hungry
God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
God of the neighbor
God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
God of the ages
God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home

Opening Prayer

Albarka Wakili

Gracious and Loving Creator,

We gather today with hearts open to Your divine presence and ears attuned to the cry of the Earth. As we come together in this service focused on environmental justice and the urgent call of climate change, we are reminded of Your eternal promise to create a regenerative creation.

You, O God, who breathed life into the universe and set the stars in motion, have entrusted us with the stewardship of Your wonderful creation. Yet, in our pursuit of progress and prosperity, we have often forgotten the sacredness of the Earth and neglected our responsibility to care for it.

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have exploited the land, polluted the waters, and disregarded the wellbeing of all living beings. Open our eyes to see the connections of all creation and to recognize the worth of every creature.

Empower us, O God, to be agents of change and advocates for justice. Inspire us to live in harmony with the Earth and to work tirelessly for the restoration and healing of our wounded planet. May we be guided by Your wisdom and fueled by Your love as we strive to create a world where justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

May our reflections and discussions today lead us closer to You and ignite a passion within us to be faithful stewards of Your creation. Grant us the courage to challenge systems of oppression and exploitation and the strength to build bridges of understanding and cooperation.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who calls us to love our neighbors and care for the least of these, we pray.

Amen

Reflection

“I am Thirsty for a Just World” – Special Reflection on John 19:28

Justin Spano

Scripture Reading

Cody Beckett

Luke 24:28-35
28As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Genesis 41: 25-36
25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, as are the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind. They are seven years of famine. 28It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. 30After them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land. 31The plenty will no longer be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very grievous. 32And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.

33Now therefore let Pharaoh select a man who is discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land, and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plenteous years. 35Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and lay up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to befall the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.