Opening Hymn Is God’s Wondrous World” (VU 296) “This God You Gave Us Life” (MV 27) “Creator Prayer of Confession We confess to you, Sacred Creator, that we have not always taken care of our environment. We are sorry for the ways we’ve abused it: wasting it, hoarding it, destroying it, taking it for granted. Forgive our foolish ways. (A moment of silence for private confession) For these and all our foolish ways, we pray, forgive us, loving God. Guide us to work diligently with our beloved Earth. With faith and assurance may we find ourselves in new relationships with all of your Creation. Amen. Assurance of Pardon God is always willing and ready to forgive us and to guide us. As we strive to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit, our daily work and play yield abundant fruit for all. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen. Children’s Time This is an active children’s time. Invite the children to pretend they are: flowers, birds, trees, the sun, stars, and grass. For each invitation and as they move and dance around, have them sing “Halle Halle Halle” or an appropriate similar refrain. Then chat with the children about being those parts of creation, e.g., What would it be like to be a flower? What would a flower like? What would a flower not like? End with a brief prayer of thanks for the challenge God gives each of us to have compassion and love for all creation and to work hard to help other people feel that way. Scripture Suggestions Matthew 13:1–8, Isaiah 55:10-11 or Ecclesiastes 3
Opening Hymn “This Is God’s Wondrous World” (VU 296) “Creator God You Gave Us Life” (MV 27) Prayer of Confession We confess to you, Sacred Creator, that we have not always taken care of our environment. We are sorry for the ways we’ve abused it: wasting it, hoarding it, destroying it, taking it for granted. Forgive our foolish ways. (A moment of silence for private confession) For these and all our foolish ways, we pray, forgive us, loving God. Guide us to work diligently with our beloved Earth. With faith and assurance may we find ourselves in new relationships with all of your Creation. Amen. Assurance of Pardon God is always willing and ready to forgive us and to guide us. As we strive to live in harmony with the Holy Spirit, our daily work and play yield abundant fruit for all. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen. Children’s Time This is an active children’s time. Invite the children to pretend they are: flowers, birds, trees, the sun, stars, and grass. For each invitation and as they move and dance around, have them sing “Halle Halle Halle” or an appropriate similar refrain. Then chat with the children about being those parts of creation, e.g., What would it be like to be a flower? What would a flower like? What would a flower not like? End with a brief prayer of thanks for the challenge God gives each of us to have compassion and love for all creation and to work hard to help other people feel that way. Scripture Suggestions Matthew 13:1–8, Isaiah 55:10-11 or Ecclesiastes 3
worship-ideas_creation_yeara_03.docx