Earth Sunday & the Web of Creation

 

Opening Song

Then Let Us Sing #2 “A Strand in the Web of Life”

A strand in the web of life let me be 

a string on the harp that the Spirit plays

at one with the sky and the earth and the sea

in the web of life let me be, let me be

in the web of life let me be, let me be

Maria Case

This is Earth Sunday, the day on which many Christian congregations in the United Church acknowledge Earth Day, which is April 22nd. Before many denominations including the UCC began celebrating Creation Time/Creationtide/Season of Creation through September each year there was Creation Sunday. 

As a pastor I introduced Earth Sunday services of worship at least 30 years ago and in the early days I was on my own when it came to liturgical resources. Now the United Church provides them from year to year. Here are a few of the elements from this year's service which include a chorus from the recently published music resource Then Let Us Sing. 

While there is a lot of "mother" here -- can you imagine multiple references to "father"? -- I appreciate the creativity. And it's good to be reminded that as humans we are part of the astonishingly intricate and beautiful web of Creation. We are called to live with awareness and respect. 

The Call to Live with Respect

We, humans, are but one strand in a web of life, and only one being among many relations. The land and waters are not resources to be exhausted. Serious disruption and harm has been caused by colonization and extractivism in the material and the spiritual. 

We, as followers of Christ, seek balance, the repairing of relations and to live with respect in Creation today and for seven generations. And we call on all people to do likewise, for the sake of Mother Earth.

Opening Prayer

Our kin, the flora and fauna are calling,

The earth, the sea, and the sky join in,

Mother earth is hurting

they cry

We need you to act with us

they call

We need you to join us in the restoring Creation

So that our mother may flourish once more.

We need you, they plead.

Discerning God,

How do we faithfully respond to these calls?

[moment of silence]

What would you have us do?

How would you like us to act?

Guide us, we pray and lead us towards transformative actions.

Amen.