Gathering Music

O Virtus Sapientiae – Hildegard von Bingen, transcribed by Beverly Lomer

O virtus Sapientie,
que circuiens circuisti,
comprehendendo omnia
in una via que habet vitam,
tres alas habens,
quarum una in altum volat
et altera de terra sudat
et tercia undique volat.
Laus tibi sit, sicut te decet, O Sapientia

Invocation

Dohee Woo

Hildegard von Bingen, trans. Nathaniel Campbell

O Wisdom’s energy!
Whirling, you encircle
and everything embrace
in the single way of life.
Three wings you have:
one soars above into the heights,
one from the earth exudes,
and all about now flies the third.
Praise be to you, as is your due, O Wisdom.

Opening Song

“All Creatures of Our God, Now Sing” – UMH 62, adapted

All creatures of our God, now sing!
Lift up your voice, and with us sing!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O burning sun, with golden beam,
And silver moon with softer gleam!
Sing praises, sing praises,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

O rushing wind, that art so strong,
You clouds that sail in heav’n along,
Sing praises, Alleluia!
You, rising morn, in praise rejoice,
O, lights of evening, find a voice.
Sing praises, Sing praises!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
Sing praises! Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in you grow,
let them God’s glory also show!
Sing praises, sing praises!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Responsive Litany – Psalm 8, St. Helena Psalter

Benin Lopaka

Leader: O God our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
Congregation: Out of the mouths of infants and children, *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
Leader: You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
Congregation: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
Leader: What are we that you should be mindful of us, *
mere mortals that you should seek us out?
Congregation: You have made us but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn us with glory and honor;
Leader: You give us mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under our feet:
Congregation: All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
Leader: The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
Congregation: O God, our Governor, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Maggie Wolford

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

There is in wisdom a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.

For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.

Although she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
in every generation she passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God, and prophets;
for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.

She is more beautiful than the sun,
and excels every constellation of the stars.

Compared with the light she is found to be superior,
for it is succeeded by the night,
but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,
and she orders all things well.

Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people:
Congregation: Thanks be to God

Sermon

Brigid Dwyer

Musical Response

“Be Thou My Vision” (UMH 451)

Be Thou my vision O Lord of my heart.
Not be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping my treasure Thou art.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
Great God of heaven my treasure Thou art

Great God of heaven my victory won
Now I reach heaven’s joys O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart whatever be fall
Still be my vision O ruler of all.

Closing Prayers

Brigid Dwyer

God of all times and seasons: Give us grace that we, after the example of your servant Hildegard, may both know and make known the joy and jubilation of being part of your creation, and show forth your glory in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Leader: Let us bless the Lord
Congregation: Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Sending Song

“The Lord Bless and Keep You” – Jim Strathdee – FWS 2280

The Lord bless and keep you,
the Lord make his face to shine on you
and be gracious, gracious.
The Lord bless and keep you,
the Lord lift her countenance on you
and give peace, give you peace. Amen.