Family Reunion, Margaret Wohler
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." Luke 12:27
Welcome to Church!
Holy Eucharist
8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
1608 Russell Road
The Rev Joan L. Peacock is Sunday's celebrant.
Margaret Wohler, parishioner & naturalist, is guest preacher.
Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall
11:00 a.m.
Emmanuel at Home Morning Prayer
The portable version of the liturgy continues
with links to music and a homily detailed below.
Faith Resources for Families & Children
🌺🦋🌞🪴🐇
A Celebration of Creation
adapted from the
Book of Occasional Services
Presider Blessed be the God of all creation.
People And blessed be God’s holy Name forever.
Presider Bless your Creator, all animals of the land.
People Praise and exalt our Creator forever.
Presider Bless your Creator, all birds of the air.
People Praise and exalt our Creator forever.
Presider Bless your Creator, all creatures of the sea.
People Praise and exalt our Creator forever.
Presider Bless your Creator, all children of God.
People With all of creation, we praise your name.
Presider God be with you.
People And also with you.
Presider Let us pray.
God of Mystery, you made the universe with its marvelous order and chaos, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures. We marvel at the mysteries of creation and ask that you increase our curiosity, wonder, and joy, that we may come to know you more truly, and serve you more humbly; in the name of Jesus Christ, your Wisdom and your Word. Amen.
The Readings
A Reading from the Book of Job Job 12:7-10a
But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this? In
his hand is the life of every living thing.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 104:10-25
You, LORD God, send the springs into the valleys; *
they flow between the mountains.
All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them, *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the air make their nests *
and sing among the branches.
You water the mountains from your dwelling on high; *
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.
You make grass grow for flocks and herds *
and plants to serve humankind;
That they may bring forth food from the earth, *
and wine to gladden our hearts,
Oil to make a cheerful countenance, *
and bread to strengthen the heart.
The trees of the LORD are full of sap, *
the cedars of Lebanon which God planted,
In which the birds build their nests, *
and in whose tops the stork makes a dwelling.
The high hills are a refuge for the mountain goats, *
and the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.
You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows the time of its setting.
You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest prowl.
The lions roar after their prey *
and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they slip away *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
People go forth to their work *
and to their labor until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
The Gospel Luke 12:22-32
The Holy Gospel of Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you— you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Presider The Gospel of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Litany for All Creation
Let us pray for the revealing of the reign of God in the world, now and always.
In the beginning,
God was.
Here and now,
God is.
In the future,
God will be.
Creator of earth, sea, and sky, kindle the fire of your Spirit within us that we may be bold to heal and defend the earth, and pour your blessing upon all who work for the good of the planet. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Breath of life, receive our thanks for the beauty of our local habitat and all who dwell in it, and grant us the wisdom and will to conserve it. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Source of life, heal and redeem the wounds of your creation, and visit the places and people who suffer from our indifference, neglect, and greed. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Lovers of all you have made, we thank you for the wondrous diversity of your creatures, and we pray for their well-being. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Author of the book of nature, receive our gratitude for places of restoration and healing, and continue to bless those places that feed our lives and spirits. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Wise Creator, whose works are full of mystery, give us wonder and appreciation for your creatures with whom we find ourselves in conflict. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Giver of all good gifts, awaken us daily to our dependence upon your bounty, and make us always thankful for the abundance of your blessings. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Divine Physician, heal our communities, especially those where neglect, greed, or violence inflict suffering upon people and other creatures. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Comforter of all the earth, sustain the people of this congregation who desire or need your presence and help especially Joanne, Christian, Eric, Steve, John Michael, Alice, Amy, Patti, Susan, Diane, Jean, Cindy, Tony, Pat, Julie, Frank, Nancy, Jeff, Zachery, Jane, Michael, Bucky, Peter, David, Audrey, Nancy, Tefft, Vicki, Genesis, Mary Anne, Elizabeth, Matt, and Suzanne. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Rock and refuge of all your creatures, receive into everlasting mercy all those who have died especially Peggy Liwosz, sister of Janie Piemonte. God, Giver of life, hear our prayer.
Eternal God, the light of all who know you, come and fill our hearts with your love. Help us speak when many keep silent, help us stand for what is right when many sit in indifference. Increase our faith and charity, until your kingdom comes and heaven and earth rejoice in everlasting glory; through your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Confession of Sin
Let us confess to God our sins against creation.
Silence may be kept.
God of compassion, we confess that we have
squandered your creation,
and mistreated those you give into our care.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
Fill us with your Spirit,
that we may care for all that you have made,
according to your will and in the fullness of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
A prayer of acceptance for God's forgiveness
Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ,
strengthen us in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Collects of the Day
A Prayer by Walter Rauschenbusch
Enlarge within us the sense of fellowship
with all living things,
our brothers and sisters the animals to whom you gave this earth
as their home in common with us.
We remember with shame that in the past
we have exercised the high dominion of humans
with ruthless cruelty,
so that the voice of the Earth,
which should have gone up to you in song,
has been a groan of travail.
May we realize that they live, not for us alone, but
for themselves and for you,
and that they love the sweetness of life even as we,
and serve you in their place better than we in ours.
We pray through our Savior Jesus Christ,
who lifts up and redeems us all. Amen.
A Prayer by Meister Eckhart
Apprehend God in all things,
for God is in all things.
Every single creature is full of God,
and is a book about God.
Every creature is a word of God.
If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature— even
a caterpillar—
I would never have to prepare a sermon,
so full of God
is every creature. Amen.
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is discord, union;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
The Offertory
Let us with gladness present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord. Amen.
Blessing & Dismissal
Rejoice and be glad,
for Christ is resurrection,
and reconciliation for all Creation.
We shall all be one in Christ,
One in our life together.
Praise to God who created us,
Praise to God who has accepted us,
Praise to God who sends us into the world.
People Thanks be to God.
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