Earth Day Third Sunday of Easter

Transcription

1 April 19, 2015 Earth Day Third Sunday of Easter Welcome Visitors! We re glad you are with us today. Please sign in on the YES! Sheet and pass it to the center aisle. If you would like to request a prayer to be read during worship, write it on the back. An usher will pick it up during the Hymn of the Day. Rev. Kathy Nolte Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 611 Randolph Oak Park, Illinois churchoffice@goodshepherdlc.org Embracing the diversity of God s creation and celebrating our oneness in Christ.

2 Gathering Earth Sunday Worship ELW=red book hymnal Congregation responses are bold Prelude Announcements Confession and Absolution All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. In the name of God, who creates planets, the name of Jesus Christ, born on planet Earth, and in the name of the Spirit who envelopes our planet. Take the fragrant herb that you received at the door, rub it between your fingers and think of a special memory of the Earth as a planet that stirred your sense of wonder. Gracious God. We remember our excitement when we first saw the orb of Earth, the mystery of a living green and blue planet, a fragile speck of stardust made into a magnificent home. We remember and rejoice Thank you, God, for the privilege of seeing Earth anew as a gift from you. As we hold our fragrant symbol tightly, we remember and confess that we have become alienated from Earth and too often view this planet\ as disposable, a source of endless resources, a mere stopping place en-route to heaven. Silent meditation 2

3 Gracious God, we are sorry. We have polluted Earth s waters with toxins. We have turned our greed into global warming. We have helped cause artic regions to melt. We have loved progress more than the creation you called blessed. We are sorry. We are sorry. Through Christ, God hears your confession and forgives your sins against Earth and all creation. Celebrate the Earth as your home and God s sanctuary. Treat others as beloved. Opening Hymn "Song of Earth" words by Norman Habel (sung to Jesus Christ is Risen Today) Hail the Earth that first appeared. When a word from God was heard. Let the Earth arise and be. Filled with living mystery. Hail the rainbow flying high. Spun by God across the sky. Giving Earth a solemn word. Never to unleash a flood. Hail our body made with clay. Given breath to praise and pray. Then clay honored by God s birth, As a human life on earth. Hail the planet blue and green. Where the face of God is seen. Christ redeeming all the Earth. Celebrating every birth. 3

4 Greeting Presiding Minister: Hymn of Praise The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. 4

5 Prayer of the Day Presiding minister: Let us pray... Creator God, as we reflect on the mystery of our fragile planet, we celebrate the wonders of Earth as our home. Teach us to sense your presence pulsing through all of Earth as a living green blue sanctuary. Teach us to love Earth as our home. In the name of Christ, the Word of God in flesh. 5

6 Word First Reading Genesis 1:1-25 Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Psalm 33:1-9 (spoken) 1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous. Praise befits the upright. 2 Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings. 3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. 4 For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. 6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. 6

7 Second Reading Romans 1:18-23 Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation Gospel Luke 12:22-34 Before the gospel: After the gospel: Glory to you, O Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Gathering Song & Mini-Meditation for Children Children are invited to come forward during the song. Soon and very soon we are goin to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin to see the King, Hallelujah, hallelujah, we re goin to see the King! 7

8 Hymn of the Day "Touch the Earth Lightly" ELW 739 During the music, the YES! Sheets are collected. Sermon Silence for reflection Affirmation of Faith Let us affirm our faith together We believe that God creates all things, renews all things and celebrates all things. We believe Earth is a sanctuary, a sacred planet filled with God s presence. We believe that God became flesh and blood, an Earth creature, a human being called Jesus Christ, who lived an breathed and spoke among us, suffered and died on a cross, for all human beings and for all creation. We believe that the risen Jesus is the Christ at the core of creation, reconciling all things to God, renewing all creation and filling the cosmos. We believe the Spirit renews life in creation groans in empathy with a suffering creation, and waits with us for the rebirth of creation. We believe that with Christ we will rise and with Christ we will celebrate a new creation. Prayers of Intercession Let us pray. Have mercy, O God. Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. 8

9 Meal Offering Gifts are gathered as the table is prepared. Offering Prayer Assisting Minister: Let us pray God, our Creator, through your love you have given us these gifts to share. Accept our offerings as an expression of our deep thanks and our concern for those in need, including our fellow creatures on planet Earth. Great Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise Eucharistic Prayer Presiding Minister: It is indeed right to give thanks and praise to you, Almighty God, creator of all that is. Your spirit covered the face of the deep; your voice called light forth from darkness; your words fixed the stars, carved the earth, filled the seas and fashioned creatures of every kind; your breath gave life to woman and man, bearers of your own image......bring your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine that they might be the presence of your Son. Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, by the unity of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. 9

10 Lord s Prayer Presiding Minister: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Invitation to Communion Jesus said, "I am the true vine. Abide in me as I abide in you." Communion Please come forward as the ushers direct. You will receive the bread and be invited to either intinct (dip) the bread in the wine, or you may eat the bread and drink the wine. The silver cup has wine; the oversized pottery cup has grape juice. We have gluten free bread as well. After you commune, feel free to kneel at the altar rail in silent prayer. 10

11 Communion Songs "Now the Green Blade Rises" ELW 379 "We Come to the Hungry Feast" ELW 479 After all have returned to their places, please remain seated. Presiding Minister: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Prayer after Communion Assisting Minister: Let us pray Gracious God, you have given us much this day: the wheat and grapes which found our feast, the wit and will to be transform them into bread and wine, and the precious presence of your Son who transfigures and redeems all that we have broken and lost. Send us out now to care for this fragile earth, our island home. Grant us the wit and will to transform the toxic, irreverent ways we live, and the saving presence of your Son Jesus Christ who goes before us and call us into this world you love. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit be honor and glory, now and forever. Sending Blessing Presiding Minister: Hold again the fragrant symbol in your hands and breathe in its scent. Christ calls you to be his disciples, To serve him with love and compassion. To care him by caring fill you with the knowledge of God s presence, that you might be sense the pulsing of Christ within you. 11

12 Sending Hymn "O Sing to God Above" ELW 555 Dismissal Assisting Minister: Alleluia. Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. The copyright for the season of Creation materials produced in Australia is held jointly by Norman Habel and the Justice and International Mission unit within the Commission for Mission of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. This unit was the initial sponsoring body for these materials. These season of Creation materials are available for duplication and distribution in congregational worship and workshops free of charge without payment of any royalty. They are regarded as part of the mission work of the church. Pastor Rev. Kathryn Nolte Council President Robert Hann Council Vice President Beth Houle Dir. Christian Education Deac. Debbie Rank Speer Music Director Jonathan Oblander Communications Jeanne Peppler Office Administrator Vicki May Custodian Tali Melani Sunday Nursery Attendants Elois Gardner, Ruth Collins printed on 30% recycled paper 12