This bulletin includes the order of service as well as the readings for The Season of Creation. The items in bold italics are intended for audience response.
Prelude – Sounds from Nature
Opening Hymn
Opening Acclamation
Blessed be our God, Creator of all.
And blessed be God’s creation, now and always.
A Prayer for Joy in God’s Creation
O heavenly Creator, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song of Praise
O give thanks to our God who is good:
Whose love endures forever.
You sun and moon, you stars of the northern sky:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
Sunrise and sunset, night and day:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
All mountains and valleys, grassland, glacier, avalanche, mist and snow:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
You oak and pine, hickory and maple, mosses and ferns:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
Whales and whitefish, seal and crab, peeper and salamander, frog and turtle:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
Rabbit and cattle, moths and dogs, robin and sparrow, hummingbird and hawk:
Give to our God your thanks and praise.
You people of all nations, all who inhabit this gift of earth:
We give to our God your thanks and praise.
All you simple saints and disciples, who follow God’s way:
We give to our God our thanks and praise.
We give to our God our thanks and praise.
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Ministry of the Word
Old Testament
Genesis 1:1-10
A reading from the book of Genesis
First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.
God spoke: “Light!” And light appeared.
God saw that light was good and separated light from dark.
God named the light Day, he named the dark Night.
It was evening, it was morning—
Day One.
God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!”
God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky.
And there it was: he named sky the Heavens;
It was evening, it was morning—
Day Two.
God spoke: “Separate! Water-beneath-Heaven, gather into one place;
Land, appear!” And there it was.
God named the land Earth. He named the pooled water Ocean.
God saw that it was good.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm
We follow the responsive recitation method for the Psalm, where the leader alternates verses with the congregation. The items in bold italics are intended for audience response.
Psalm 19
God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
Their words aren’t heard,
their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Epistle
An Excerpt from The Great Work, by Fr. Thomas Berry
A reading from Fr. Thomas Berry
The universe is not a collection of objects, but a communion of subjects. We are not placed here in isolation from the rest of the created order but are intrinsically linked to it. Every element of the natural world has its own role to play in the grand liturgy of the cosmos. The stars, the trees, the mountains, and the animals are all part of a sacred community, a community in which we as humans share a deep responsibility.
Religious faith calls us to recognize the divine presence in every part of creation. The universe, in its vastness and complexity, is not a lifeless mechanism but a manifestation of the sacred. The awe we feel when we gaze at the night sky or listen to the wind in the trees is a form of communion with this larger, sacred reality. Our religious traditions, when viewed in the light of the cosmos, invite us into a profound relationship with the Earth and the wider universe, challenging us to live in harmony with all that exists.
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
John: 1
The Word was first,
the Word present to God, God present to the Word.
The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.
Everything was created through him;
nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him.
What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn’t put it out.
The Life-Light was the real thing:
Every person entering Life he brings into Light.
He was in the world, the world was there through him,
and yet the world didn’t even notice.
He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him.
But whoever did want him,
who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves.
These are the God-begotten,
not blood-begotten,
not flesh-begotten,
not sex-begotten.
The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
An Environmental Creed
Now let us recite a creed, an affirmation of our faith:
We believe that the world belongs to God, the Creator, the One and Triune God, Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer, who in holy mercy has revealed God’s own self to humanity in the universe and in Jesus Christ.
We believe that God the Creator sustains and loves all creatures, that each human being is a unique and integral part of the community of life on Earth and has a special responsibility to care for life in all its forms. We believe God wants us to live in a way that preserves Earth’s natural life processes and respects all species and their habitats.
We believe that God wills that every human being has the right to a healthy environment and access to the fruits of the earth. We believe we have a duty to work to make these rights a reality for present and future generations, and for all life. As we follow Christ, we realize that we are trapped in structures that spread injustice, violence, waste, and destruction. We also believe that Jesus is the Truth, and that Christ’s truth will set us free.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who can empower us beyond the paralyzing idea that no one can make a difference. The Spirit causes us to persist in the conviction that justice can be done, peace can be established, the Earth can be protected and defended.
And that we are empowered to do so. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The Leader and People pray responsively. During the silence after each bidding, the people offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.
As we gather in the Season of Creation, let us pray for all communities of faith everywhere, the world, and all of God’s creation.
Creator, you made the world beautiful and sustain it with your love. We pray for the Earth and all its creatures. Help us to care for the land, water, and air, and to live in harmony with all living things.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for those who suffer the effects of climate change: those facing extreme weather, rising seas, and loss of their homes and livelihoods. Empower us to work for climate justice and protect those who are most vulnerable.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for leaders and governments around the world. Grant them wisdom and courage to make decisions that honor your creation and protect the Earth for future generations.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for the Church, that we may be a beacon of hope and a voice for justice in the world. Help us to live out our calling to care for creation in all that we do.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for ourselves, that we may be mindful of our impact on the Earth and strive to live more sustainably. Give us the strength to become publicly active in a way that honors your creation.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for those we love, human and beyond human. For family and friends, pets, and plants, for all who suffer from illness, pollution, greed and violence. Heal them all, relieve their suffering. Renew your image in everything that exists. We pray for those we name now, silently or aloud.
People name family or friends, animals or places for which they want to offer a prayer.
We believe you can help us, God.
We pray for those who have died, for those family members and friends, for beloved pets, and for species lost to extinction. We remember them all, silently or aloud.
People name family or friends, animals or species for which they want to offer a prayer.
We believe you can console us, God.
Prayers Reader is now done, the Minister/Celebrant continues:
Creator, you made all things and called them good. Hear our prayers, and grant us the grace to work for the healing and renewal of the Earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession of Sin
Celebrant: God is love and we are God’s children. Love welcomes honesty as the path towards wholeness. Let us confess our sins in open honesty, as a step towards being made new.
Christ, forgive my sins.
Forgive the sins that I can remember, and also the sins I have forgotten.
Forgive the wrong actions I have committed, and the right actions I have omitted.
Forgive the times I have been weak in the face of temptation, and those times when I have been stubborn in the face of correction.
Forgive the times I have failed to protect your creation, and those times I have failed to boast of your works.
Forgive my harsh judgments of others, and the leniency I have shown to myself.
Forgive the lies I have told to others, and the truths I have avoided.
Forgive me the pain I have caused others, and the indulgence I have shown to myself.
Have mercy on me, and make me whole.
Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us all your sins through our Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen your body, mind and spirit, and keep you close to the heart of God. Amen.
The Peace
Peace be in your thinking. Peace be in your hearts. Peace with creation. Peace with one another. The Peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements and Offering
The Holy Communion
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
During the Offertory, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
Doxology
(Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), para. of Psalm 117; Music: Old 100th, melody from Pseaumes octante trois de David, 1551, alt.; harm. after Louis Bourgeois (1510?-1561?); Licensed for Use: CCLI Copyright License 20716203; CCLI Streaming License 20716210
Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the Altar. The people stand while the offerings are presented.
At the Presentation
All things come of you, O Lord;
And of your own have we given you.
The Great Thanksgiving
God is with us.
God is present here.
Rejoice! Lift up your hearts.
We lift our hearts to the Creator of the Universe.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.
We praise you, God, Creator of this beautiful earth and this awe-inspiring universe. From atoms to galaxies you have created all. We are a strand in your creation, living in our strange and wonderful home, the open sky above, the stars and planets, and unfathomable galaxies beyond us. You have blessed us with a world of infinite variety and beauty, a land of mountains and meadows, oceans and deserts. We praise you here in Secaucus where the Hackensack River expands through Meadowlands before meeting the Atlantic Ocean, home to eagles and egrets, coyotes and cattails, Snake Hill, Schmidt’s Woods and Sam’s Club. We praise you knowing that the body of earth is broken again and again, and resolved to protect our island home.
We give thanks for our place in the story of salvation. Our ancestors journeyed with you in creation and migration. They depended on the land, were displaced from the land and displaced others from their lands. They knew you in tents and cities, on mountains and by wells, in families and in dreams, and through wilderness prophets who spoke of cedars and listened to ravens.
Together with angels and ancestors, with red winged blackbirds, crows, herring gulls, and horns on the New Jersey Turnpike, we join our voices with all creation in this ancient honor song:
Holy, Holy, Holy God, source of power and strength, here and beyond are filled with Your Glory. We believe that you can bring us alive, O God!
The people stand or kneel.
We give thanks to you for Jesus, whose first bed was a feed trough. He was baptized in a river, tested in the wilderness, traveled in fishing boats and told parables of farmers and seeds, labor and wages, yeast and bread.
On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, food of the poor, the work of field and hearth. He gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his friends saying: Take and eat, this is my body, given for you, do this to remember me.
Again after supper he took the cup of wine, fruit of the land and the work of human hands, gave thanks and gave it to his friends saying: This is my blood, which is shed for you. When you do this, do it in memory of me.
Remembering Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and awaiting his coming kingdom, we offer you this bread and this cup.
Creator, send your Spirit on these gifts so that we know Jesus in them and are gathered together with everyone who shares this sacred meal of community and justice.
Fill us with Jesus’ courage and love, that we may strive for what is right, respect the dignity of every human being, and safeguard the integrity of creation.
Bring us with all your saints to your commonwealth of sparrow and lily, child and beggar, galaxy and black hole – a commonwealth suffused with your love which is both now and yet to come.
All honor and glory are yours, Creator, Christ, and Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
An Ecological Lord’s Prayer
Our Creator, who art in all things,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy ecosystem of love come, thy will be done,
On Earth, as it is in the heavens.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who harm your creation.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the destruction of our Earth.
For you create an extended kinship of love, filled with your power and glory,
Now and forever, here and everywhere.
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
As we break this bread and drink this cup, we remember the body of Earth that sustains us. The grains of the field, the fruits of the vine, the waters of life, all are gifts from our Creator, shared with us in love.
May this broken bread remind us of the brokenness in creation. May this cup of blessing stir in us a commitment to heal and restore the Earth.
Though we are many, we are one body, connected with all of creation. As we share in this meal, may we be strengthened to care for the Earth and all who dwell upon it.
We partake in this feast with gratitude, honoring the Earth and all that it provides. Amen.
(AT THE COMMUNION: We encounter the Real Presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this Sacrament of Holy Communion. All who desire a closer relationship with God are encouraged to come forward: for a Blessing or, if you are baptized, for the Bread and Wine.)
Post-Communion Prayer
Holy, gracious, and loving God, through the fruits of the Earth you have drawn us to your heart, nourishing us at your table with holy food and drink, the Body and Blood of Christ. Now send us forth to be your people in the world, to proclaim your truth, and to health your precious planet. Amen.
Blessing
The blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all, be with you now and always. Amen.
Closing Hymn
Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers and text for this service drawn from:
https://vivatdeus.org/library/prm0145/
https://newcreationliturgies.org/seasonofcreation/#_idTextAnchor019
https://www.staidan.org/documents/greenfaith/SA%20Eco-service%20(Rogation,%20St.%20Pat’s%20Creed,%20New%20Zealand)%205-29-11%20bulletin.pdf