Photo: Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber ©2022. Worship format and original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.
We Gather
“All of creation is a praise song to God.” – Hildegard of Bingen, 11th century Christian mystic
Prelude (Ian)
Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor) Welcome to our 2nd Sunday of Easter/Earth Week worship service! Everyone is welcome here! Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. Welcome guests. We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people, committed to healing relations among all peoples.
Altar Flowers
Call to Worship (liturgist – teach “Alleluia!” response)
Dear Ones, we dwell among all manner of creatures and natural forms of life. We are Beloved Siblings among Beloved Siblings. Let us welcome the Risen Christ together:
O shining sun and recent showers, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
O leafing trees and flowering plants, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
O singing birds and busy bees, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
O companion animals and wild creatures, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
O unseen and essential elements, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
O Beloved Siblings of every species, let us praise the Risen Christ: Alleluia!
Light The Christ Candle (liturgist or pastor)
Welcoming Those Not Physically Present (pastor will speak, then light votives)
Votive Lighting Music (Ian)
Children’s Message “The Goldfinch and Jesus Christ” (pastor; children stay with family) (resources: cc, iliam)
Passing the Peace (everyone shares gestures and words of peace)
We Rest in God’s Grace
Prayer and Silence (pastor)
Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)
Be still. (Breathe slowly)
Be. (Breathe slowly)
(Breathe in silence)
Amen.
Assurance of Grace (pastor) Dear Ones, The Creator most wonderfully designed all living beings to be interconnected. St Basil, in the 4th century, wrote a prayer that includes these lines: “O God, enlarge in us the sense of communion with all living things; our brothers and sisters the plants and animals. You have given them the earth as their home in common with us.” (gotc)
On this 2nd Sunday of Easter, as we observe Earth Week, let us savor the grace of dwelling in constant community with all living beings. God designed us to live well together. May it be so. Amen.
Special Music (Ian)
We Listen
Scripture: Psalm 96 (liturgist; version: The New Testament and Psalms)
O sing to God a new song; sing to God, all the earth.
Sing to God, bless that holy name; tell of God’s salvation from day to day.
Declare God’s glory among the nations, God’s marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Most High, and greatly to be praised; indeed, to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Most High made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before God; strength and beauty are in God’s sanctuary.
Ascribe to God, O families of the peoples, ascribe to God glory and strength.
Ascribe to God the glory due that holy name; bring an offering, and come into God’s courts.
Worship God in holy splendor; tremble before God, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “God is sovereign! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. God will judge the peoples with equity.”
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before God; who is coming to judge the earth, and who will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with truth.
May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.
Sermon: “Creation’s Christ” (pastor) As we continue celebrating Christ’s Resurrection – let us consider our fellow creatures and God’s redemptive activity for the well-being of all beings.
Special Music (Ian)
We Pray
Pastoral Prayer (pastor) Resurrected Christ, we continue to sing “Alleluia” for all You have done and are doing to tend Creation. As we celebrate the liberation Your sacrifice offers humanity, may we also sacrifice for the well-being of all beings. This second week of Easter, we ask Holy One, to be more like You. Give humanity the compassion, courage, and commitment to do what is ours to do to save life on earth. Amen.
Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The God’s Prayer (pastor)
Offering of Praise “Doxology” (Ian; all) Before worship, please leave donations in the basket in the entryway or mail to the church.
Announcements (pastor) Holy Week/Easter thank you’s! Singing inside – masks on, softly
Closing Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King” Chalice Hymnal #22, all four verses(organ, Ian, congregation sings softly)
Benediction (pastor) Dear Resurrection People on this 2nd Sunday of Easter let us recommit ourselves to the essential work of taking good care of planet earth and all our sibling species. Let us join all Creation in praising the Risen Christ – Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The service is concluded.
Worship Resources:
(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.
(cc) Canterbury Cathedral broadcast. Easter Monday morning prayers, Dean Robert told the story of the Goldfinch’s (European) care of Christ during His Passion. Begins at 7:25 min. https://youtu.be/l-d0cGLiwCA
(gotc) http://www.webofcreation.org/Worship/services/greenthecross.htm
(iliam) https://islandlife-inamonastery.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-goldfinch-savior-bird.html
(TNTP) The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version. Oxford University Press ©1995.
Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceeded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!
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Online Publishing Date: April 19, 2022.
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in the big love 