Seasons of Creation

Zoom LInk:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87935930592?pwd=qZlKA506MIS9okXQQxBkaKsyhsZJDV.1

Presider: Rev. Penny Donovan

Responses: Linda

 

Opening hymn: Sing Out Earth and Skies

 

Linda: Beloved community, welcome to this sacred gathering as we begin  our celebration of Seasons of Creation 2025. It is a time to remember who are and to whom we belong. Whether you arrive with joy or with burden, with clarity or with questions, know this: there is space for you here. In the heart of the Creator, in the body of Christ, in the breath of the Spirit—you are home.

Together, we lift our hearts to the One who breathed life into all things: to the Creator of stars and soil, of rivers and redwoods, of hummingbirds and humanity. Let us come as we are—honoring the beauty of creation, lamenting its wounds, and seeking healing, renewal, and right relationship with all beings.

 

We begin in the name of our Creative God, our brother Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

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

 R] And also with you

 

Gratitude

Teresa U: Creator God, You have entrusted the human family with the richly diverse gifts of creation, asking us to receive them with gratitude and care for them wisely and well.      

 R] We thank you for the gift of appreciation.

 

Teresa U:: Christ Jesus, You have entrusted us with a mission to warn those whose actions abuse and are destructive of Earth, its life, and its peoples, and to invite them and ourselves to more loving, protective and life-giving ways.

     R] Word of God, thank you for the gift of courage

 

Teresa U:: Holy Spirit of God, You are at work in us and among us making us more conscious of the sacredness of all creation, raising up global movements in these times to care for Earth and each other.  R] We thank you, Spirt of God for the gift to make wise choices.

Opening Prayer

Penny: Creator of all, You are the breath that stirred the deep, the flame that kindles stars, the voice that sings through forest and field. We gather today in awe of Your wild and wondrous world—
giving thanks for earth beneath, sky above, and all the beloved beings who  share this home with us.

 

In this Season of Creation, open our eyes to the beauty we too often overlook. Open our hearts to the groaning of the Earth and the cries of all who are harmed by our neglect. Open our hands, that we might be healers, justice-seekers, and faithful stewards
of the sacred gifts You have entrusted to our care.

Meet us in this space, Holy One. Bless this gathering with Your presence. Renew us in love, restore us in hope, and reawaken us to the deep truth: we belong to one another, and we belong to You.
R] Amen.

 

More Light by Christopher Gundy 

https://youtu.be/a8XaUlqb8t0

  

Liturgy of the Word

  

Rita: Renowned author on child and human development, Joseph Chilton Pearce has written, "We must accept that this creative pulse within us is God's creative pulse itself." Our creativity, this desire to imagine and create something new, is not only God-given, but also an attribute of God generously shared with us.

Examples of God's creativity surround us; God blessed us with a world that both cares for and delights us. Flora and fauna purify our air while also providing beauty and vibrancy to our world. Each sunset and sunrise paint the sky with colors that brush the edge of our imagination, reminding us not only of the rhythms of our day, but also of something beyond.

Similarly, the beasts of the field and forest and the delicate insects and birds of the air capture our imaginations in their patterns and design. Wings, as thin as a whisper, lift insects in unfathomable flight, giraffes crane their gorgeously printed necks to claim the highest leaf, and penguins dance a ballet of dips and dives.

God's hand in all of creation indicates an imagination, a sense of whimsy, that surpasses our understanding.

Our Earth was created by an artist who delights in this creation and finds beauty in each and all of it.

Humankind, likewise, was crafted by this loving cosmic artist.

Each of our appearances and interior lives were made to be unique and lovely, our paths designed as a maze of the unexpected.

 

God's creativity extends to asking us to imagine a new world in Christ; a world turned on its head, where the last shall be first and the first shall be last, where beggars are given seats of honor, where God becomes human to die and rise again to save God’s beloved creations.

Now we are tasked with living in this creative new world. Our own journeys are often fraught with plot twists, but God asks for our trust. To look at the stories of Scripture, open our hands and move forward with hope.

God's creativity teaches us the wonder of the unexpected and asks for our patience in allowing beauty to gradually unfold.

This same creativity widens our perspectives to see beyond the world's order and envision our future with courage.

These are the inspired words of Joseph Chilton Pierce, and we affirm them by responding: R] Amen

 

Responsorial Psalm

R] In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing; in God’s hand is the breath of all humankind.

 

Lucia: But turn to the animals and let them teach you;

The birds of the air will tell you the truth. 

Listen to the plants of the Earth and learn from them; the fish of the sea will become your teachers.

Who among all these does not know that the hand of Yahweh has done this?

R] In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing. in God’s hand is the breath of all humankind. 

Lucia: Can you uncover the mystery of the divine? Can you discover the limits of our God?

They are as high as heaven – what can you do?

R] In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing; in God’s hand is the breath of all humankind. 

 

Second Reading  Romans 8:14-28

Cathy W:Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. For the Spirit that God has given you does not enslave you and trap you in fear; instead, through the Spirit God has adopted you as children. And if we are children, we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing in Christ’s suffering and sharing in Christ’s glory.

All creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. We know that from the beginning until now all of creation has been groaning in one great act of giving birth.

The Word of God.   R] Thanks be to God.

 

Alleluia: 

 https://youtu.be/FUHVCvC-7kk?si=ymbGUJUxvcCKvbIV

 

Gospel:  Matthew 6: 24 - 34

"No one can serve two superiors. You will either hate one and love the other or be attentive to one and despise the other. You cannot give yourself to God and money. 25

That's why i tell you not to worry about your livelihood, what you are to eat or drink or use for clothing. isn't life more than just food? isn't the body more than just clothes?

26 "Look at the birds in the sky. They don't sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet our God in heaven feeds them. Aren't you more important than they? Which of you by worrying can add a moment to your lifespan? And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the way the wildflowers grow. They don't work; they don't spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in full splendor was arrayed like one of these. 30 If God can clothe in such splendor the grasses of the field, which bloom today and are thrown on the fire tomorrow, won't God do so much more for you —you who have so little faith?

Stop worrying, then over questions such as, “What are we to eat,’ or what are we to drink,’ or ‘what are we to wear?’ Those without faith are always running after these things. God knows everything you need. Seek first God’s reign, and God’s justice, and all these things will be given to you besides.

The Gospel of Jesus the Christ. R] Glory and praise to you, Jesus.

 

Homily

Statement of Faith

Kathy N: We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.

John: We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.

Kathy N: We believe that we are called to follow Jesus

as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.

John: We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.

Kathy: We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen. R] Amen

 

 

 

Intercessory Prayer

 

 Gerry: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to the table our prayers and intentions.

 

Presider 1: We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen. 

 

SIGN OF PEACE: Marita

Christ Jesus, you said to your friends: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our failings, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom where you live for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

The peace of Christ be always with you.

R:  And also, with you.

 

Let us offer each other a sign of Christ’s peace.

 

Offering of the Gifts

Chrys: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this bead to offer, Fruit of the Earth, work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

R] Blessed be God forever

Gina: Blessed are you, God of all creation! Through your goodness we have this wine to offer. Fruit of the vine, work of human hands, it will become for us the cup of life.

 R] Blessed be God forever

 

Juanita: Pray sisters and brothers that our gifts may please our generous God.

R] May God accept this offering from our hands for the praise and glory of God’s name.

 

 

Eucharistic Prayer

 

Juanita: The world is alive with your goodness, Holy One, and we praise you for your embodied love. We open ourselves to your presence that we may love you and care for you in all things. 

In the blessed abundance of creation, we gather to celebrate Your nourishing gift of life. May our hearts be open as You invite us to participate in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation. 

 

Patti: Creator of the whole universe, we glory in the environment, especially forests, that surround us. May we have the vision and strength to protect all forest ecosystems and the whole of Your creation, which have been corrupted by human exploitation, pollution, and destruction, so that the whole of creation may be renewed and made whole,
We join with the earth and with each other, to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air. 

 

Jay Cee: We join with the earth and with each other to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures.
We join with the earth and with each other to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the universe:

 

Holy Holy Holy

  https://youtu.be/CSKmJ0yV0WI?si=9yoMgNdxuLLw0k4i

 

Barbara: We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of life. We join together and call the Spirit upon the gifts of the Earth, bread and wine, as we bless them and remember our call to be the Body of Christ in the world. 

Penny: We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us. We invoke your Spirit anew upon these simple gifts of bread and wine, that they that they may become for us the + Body and Blood of Christ.

On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet, so that they would re-member him. 

When Jesus returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave himself to all gathered there as he is giving himself to each of us saying: 

All: Take this all of you and eat it: for this is my body. 

When the meal was over, he took a cup of wine, and again gave thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples and to us saying: 

All: Take this, all of you and drink from it, for this is the cup of my Blood, the sign of the new and everlasting covenant. Do this in memory of me. 

Nick: We give thanks for Jesus of Nazareth, who loves us so greatly and taught so clearly and courageously. He was able to set people free from images and religious practices that bound them in fear and a false sense of separation from the Source of all life and from one another

Karla are grateful for Your Spirit whose breath inspired the primal waters, calling into being the variety and abundance we see around us. Your Spirit sustains and animates our every endeavor, inviting us to act in wisdom and in truth. We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table and we are grateful for this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world. 

Karen: We thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as God-With-Us, revealing us as one with you, and all creation. 

We pray for all of us gathered here and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, at this time and always. 

ALL: Amen! Alleluia! Amen!

 

John: Eternal Spirit, Earth Maker, pain bearer, Life -Giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Mother and Father of us all, Loving God in whom is heaven: The hallowing of Your name echo throughout the universe! The way of Your justice be followed by the peoples of the world. Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come upon Earth.

 

   Cathy P With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another forgive us. In times of temptation and stress, strengthen us. From trials to great to endure, spare us.  From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love. Amen

 

Penny: Behold, this is the Lamb of God who calls us to rejoice in God’s goodness and follow Jesus in faithful discipleship. Here and now, he gives us food and drink for the journey. How blessed are we who are called to the table of our God!

 

     All: Jesus, you make us worthy to receive you. By your word we are healed.

 

Communion Song

 Everyday God By Bernadette Farrell

https://youtu.be/f3an4O13BzE 

 

 

 

Final Prayer

 

Penny: Our loving God, You have nourished us with this sacrament. Support us with Your unfailing help that we may embrace Your ways, caring wisely and generously for the human family and the family of creation. In Jesus’ name we pray.     

R] Amen

 

Nick: We believe that all creatures come forth from the all-powerful hand of the Creator, evolving through time and space, filled with God’s presence and tender love. 

Juanita: May God awaken our hearts and minds to everything that is.  R] Amen

Penny: Through Christ, all things were made. Formed in the womb of Mary, Christ Jesus became part of this Earth, gazing with upon this world  with human eyes.  

 Penny: May Christ fill us with his love and appreciation for all God creates.   R] Amen

 Juanita The Holy Spirit guides this world toward the Creator’s love and accompanies it as it groans in travail.

  Penny: May this Holy Spirit bless, heal and enliven our common home and all it holds.   R]  Amen

And may our Triune God, wondrous community of infinite love, bless us all with justice, love, peace, and beauty, Creator, Word and Spirit.    R] Amen   

Dismisssal: Karla

Closing Song: All You Works of God. 

https://youtu.be/vCTyaOcB4xk