Opening Sentence
The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills gird themselves with joy; the meadows clothe themselves with flocks; the valleys deck themselves with grain; they shout and sing together for joy. (Psalm 65:12-13)
The Invitatory and Psalter
Officiant This is the day the Creator has made.
People Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Glory to the Source, Wisdom, and Breath of Creation *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Creation is speaking: Come, let us listen.
Psalm 33 Sung by the Cantors arr. Paul Inwood
The Lessons
A Reading from St.Teresa of Avila(1515-1582)
If we learn to love the earth, we will find labyrinths, gardens, fountains and precious jewels! A whole new world will open itself to us. We will discover what it means to be truly alive.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to all God’s Creation.
Canticle D: A Song of the Wilderness Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
A Reading from “God Has A Dream” Archbishop Desmond Tutu(1931-2022)
The first law of our being is that we are set in a delicate network of interdependence with our fellow human beings and with the rest of God’s creation.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to all God’s Creation.
Hymn Morning has broken Bunessan
- Morning has broken like the first morning,
blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word! - Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass. - Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Suffrages A
V. Show your creatures mercy, O Creator;
R. And grant all Creation your restoration.
V. Clothe your beloved ones with all goodness;
R. Let your creatures sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Creator, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in harmony.
V. Keep every tribe and community under your wing;
R. And guide us in the way of universal communion.
V. Let your way of love be known upon earth;
R. Your uniting wholeness among all divisions.
V. Let not those in need, O God, be lost;
R. Nor the hope of the endangered be taken away.
V. Put in us new soft hearts of flesh, O God;
R. And inspire us with your Holy Breath who sustains us.
Collects
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the 240th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Connecticut for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed are you, God of growth and discovery; yours is the inspiration that has altered and changed our lives; yours is the power that has brought us to new dangers and opportunities. Set us, your new creation, to walk through this new world, watching and learning, loving and trusting, until your kingdom comes. Amen.
Hymn Here I am, Lord
- I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain:
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
- I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain) - I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
(Refrain)
Intercessions and Thanksgivings
(Adapted from The Episcopal Church Season of Creation Resources)
This Season, and particularly at this Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, we pray with and for God’s whole Creation. We pray that humanity might learn to love and honor the rest of the natural world, to grieve and turn away from our selfish and destructive acts, and to work together to transform human hearts and human civilization so that all living beings might flourish.
We pray for all Creation and the Holy Assemblies of all faithful people, especially for the faithful in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut gathered this weekend.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
Grant that every creature and all Creation may truly and humbly serve you and one another…That your Glory may be known by all creatures.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for all bishops, priests, deacons, and all spiritual leaders…That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments in all Creation.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for all who lead and hold responsibility in the nations and organizations of the human world. We pray especially for this nation as we experience the impact of a presidential election campaign.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
Give us grace to do your joyful desire in all that we do and refrain from doing.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
Have compassion for all your creatures who suffer from any grief or trouble. We especially for those who have requested our prayers.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
Give to all departed creatures eternal rest.
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of all Creation.
(Silence is kept.)
Creator of the Universe,
Hear our prayer.
The officiant says the following collect
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and remembering the account that we must give one day, grant that we may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Concluding Sentence
All things came into being through the Word, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. Amen.
(John 1:3-4)