Creationtide

Creationtide starts on 1 September and goes through to 4 October.It is a time to pray for the sustaining of creation, the protection of vulnerable ecosystems and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.It is a time to appreciate afresh the beauty and wonder of what God has made.

By wisdom God founds the earth;
by understanding God upholds the heavens;
by God’s knowledge the deeps opened up,
and the clouds drop dew.
[Proverbs 3:19-20]

Spirit of God hover over our unformedness,
Word of God speak wholeness into our unfruitfulness
Source of all being; remake us and renew us by Word and by Spirit.
Pause to open ourselves to God…
Listen! Words of Wisdom, let’s focus and take to heart.
Psalm[s] and reading[s]. There may be a time of quiet and/or shared reflection. A framework for reflection, using the pattern of the Lord’s prayer may be used.

From the creation of the world, God’s eternal power and nature, though invisible, have been perceived and grasped through the things God has made.
[Rom.1:20]
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you made all things,
by your will everything persists
and was created
[Rev.4:11]
The heavens tell out God’s glory;
and the skies proclaim God’s handiwork.
Day streams data to day,
and night declares knowledge to night.
This is not speech; there are no words;
their voices are not heard;
and yet their forthtelling propagates through the whole earth,
and their words to the world’s end.
[Ps19:1-4]
We recognise and celebrate God’s loving greatness…
So with angels and atoms,stars and saints, earth and sky and sea.
We hallow your name, joining with the eternal song of heaven
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory,
hosanna in the highest.

Creator God, release your Spirit to brood over as yet unspent nature and enflourish the the deep viridity[i] of the world.
Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

Sustainer of all, in the searing of uncaring trade and the smearing of human toil let there grow renewal, justice and peace.
Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

Loving and out-reaching God, as you touch and woo every heart, let there grow a reverence for all you have made and freedom to respond to your grace.
Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

…prayers or biddings may be added here, the leader ending with:
Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.
May we know your comfort and provision as we seek your will for life and cosmos
…prayers or biddings asking for God’s provision may be added here the leader ending with
Send forth your Spirit:
And renew the face of the earth.

We are debtors to the ecosystem you have provided for our nurture.
We have trespassed on the resources you made for others to use.
We have abused your hospitality and befouled the earth.
Send your Spirit forth
And renew the face of our lives
We have pointed fingers at others yet refused to be held accountable
Send your Spirit forth
And renew the face of our lives
We are debtors to mercy and heirs of grace. Thank you for bearing our disgrace. We are forgiven in your determination to bless.

Lead us into gracious and merciful living;
generous and respectful in all you have made.
As we contemplate your creation, O God,
we see wildness and order,
chance and necessity,
Freedom and limits.
Grant us to use lovingly our freedoms
to be wise in using the order of things
And wary of our vulnerability to misleadings.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Now and forever, amen

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[i] Viridity is a term from Hildegaard of Bingen, a medieval mystic, writer and artist who led a convent. It comes from the Latin for ‘greenness’ and so captures nature’s sign of health and growth.