WORSHIP SERVICE OUTLINE David Kai ©2006  “Caring for Creation”  

NOTES
In keeping with our mission theme, this service focuses especially on caring for and  conserving water. This service invites us and hopefully will inspire us to care for creation  as a Christian community. Feel free to adapt or use portions of these service materials as  you see fit. 

PREPARATION

• Invite people of all ages to be readers and other participants in the service. Reader  designations are given (e.g. R1, R2) but feel free to subdivide parts in order to use more  readers if they are available. Strive to achieve an intergenerational mix of worship  leaders. 
• Gather props for the Litany of Confession if you will be using them (see below).  -Invite people to bring “rain-makers” to use during “Celebrating the Rain”. You could  also have the construction of “rain-makers” as an activity leading up to this service; this  activity could even be a work station for children before and during the first part of the  service. 
• You may wish to get a head start of the idea of a “Creation Care Club”. See Option B for  details.
• Gather Water Symbols if this option is to be used (see Option C).
• If you are using the “Pledge for Creation” option, have slips of paper inserted in the  bulletin and pencils and pens available. The slips of paper might be printed with the  heading “My pledge for creation” with suitable artwork.

CALL TO WORSHIP  

One: This is the day that our God has made.  

Many: We will rejoice and be glad in it!  

One: This is the world that our God has made.  

Many: We will rejoice and take care of it!  

All: Let us worship God together! 

HYMN
“This it the day” (Voices United #412)  

CREATION LITANY
(from Genesis 1 and 2, focussing on aspects of creation related to water) 

R1: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,  

All: …and the Spirit of God was moving over the water.  

R2: God commanded, “Let the water below the sky come together so that the land will  appear”,  

R1: And God named the land “Earth”, and named the water “Sea”,  

All: …and God was pleased.  

R2: Then God commanded, “Let the water be filled with many kinds of living beings…”  R1: So God created all kinds of creatures that live in the water  

All: …and God was pleased. 

R2: Then God planted a garden in Eden. A stream flowed in Eden and watered the  garden; beyond Eden it divided into four rivers.  

R1: Then God placed the human in the Garden of Eden to care for it and guard it.  All: And it was all very good!  

R2: Let us join in a hymn which celebrates creation and the first garden, hymn #409,  “Morning has broken.”  

HYMN
“Morning has broken” (Voices United #409)

A LITANY OF CONFESSION
(actions and props optional; props needed: asphalt sealer bucket, clear garbage bag of  recyclable materials, large model car, water hose)  

R1: God our Creator, we are called to “live with respect in creation”, but we confess that  we not always done well in caring for your world. You have given us a beautiful garden  of Earth to care for  

R2:…and we keep paving it over to make more parking lots.  

All: Forgive us, Creator God.  

(participant brings in an empty or simulated container of asphalt topping, places it on the  chancel and stands behind it)  

R1: We have figured out ways to recycle and conserve the world’s resources  R2: …but we complain that it is too hard and too messy to sort out items for recycling  and composting.  

All: Forgive us, Creator God.  

(participant brings a clear garbage bag full of recyclable materials, places it on the  chancel and stands behind it)  

R1: We use automobiles when we could easily cycle, run or walk to where we need to go  R2: …and add to global warming and the pollution of our air.  

All: Forgive us, Creator God.  

(participant brings up a large scale model car, places it on the chancel and stands behind  it)  

R1: We waste water by letting taps run and drip and over watering lawns  R2: …and pollute our water with chemical spills and runoff.  

All: Forgive us, Creator God.  

(participant brings in a coiled water hose, places it on the chancel and stands behind it) 

All: Holy God, forgive us for the ways that we have spoiled your creation. Help us to  make a fresh start for the good of your world and for the sake of future generations that  will live in it. Amen.

SOLO
“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell (use only the first verse, the second verse  referring to trees and the verse referring to DDT.)

Other songs that might be used here or elsewhere in the service are: 
“Take, take off your shoes” by Jim Manley  
“Pollution” by Tom Lehrer (for a humorous/satirical point of view)
“Spirit of God in the clear running water” by the Medical Mission Sisters
“Joy is like the rain” by the Medical Mission Sisters

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
(from Psalm 51:10, Hebrews 10:22 [lection for the day]) 

R1: Confessing our sins to God is a lot like cleaning out our homes and taking out the  garbage.  

R2: We know that God can take out what is polluted in our lives and give us a clean heart  and fill us with a new and right spirit.  

R1: The book of Hebrews tells us that we can “come near to God with a sincere heart and  a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies  washed with clean water.”  

R2: Through God’s love in Christ we are made clean and forgiven.  

All: Thanks be to God.  

(participants leave the chancel, removing the garbage bag and other props)

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Here are some appropriate scriptures for use with this theme. Questions for reflection are  included that could form the basis of a theme conversation. Feel free to choose as many  as appropriate or to substitute different readings.  

Exodus 17: 1-7 Moses brings drinking water from a rock
In what ways has God provided water for us? It what ways is this miraculous?  

Isaiah 24:4-6 The earth dries up and withers… The earth lies polluted under its   inhabitants
In what ways is our care of the earth a faith issue? What happens to our connection with  God when we mistreat the earth?  

John 4: 5-14 Jesus offers living water
In what ways is living water/faith as essential to us as regular water?  

For those using the lectionary for this Sunday, the passages are:  

• I Samuel 1:4-20 Hannah, Eli and the birth of Samuel
  or Daniel 12:1-3 judgement in the end times 
• I Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah’s prayer
  or Psalm 16 confidence, security in God 
• Hebrews 10:11-25 cleansed from sin by Christ
• Mark 13:1-8 signs of the end times

Some ideas for using these lections with the caring for creation theme:  the Daniel and Mark readings regarding end times and judgement might be linked to the  danger that we are quickly approaching an environmental “end-time”; however, care  must be used to present a message that contains hope and does not promote only fear;  the Hebrews passage regarding cleansing from sin might be used to address the question  of whether we can cleanse the environmental sins that have been committed against the  earth.  

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD  

Option A: CELEBRATING THE RAIN 
This activity will simulate the sound of a rainstorm, one of the key ways in which God  brings water to us and to the land. It would be a good idea to have rehearsed this with a  smaller group beforehand.
Ask the children to come forward and sit where they can see the leader. Children can bring forward “rain-makers” that they have made or brought.  The leader could easily be a child or youth, and should be visible to the whole  congregation. The leader explains that we will be simulating the sounds of a rainstorm by  making our own noises, and the group and congregation are to follow the leader’s  actions. The leader begins the following cycle of actions, which build in volume and then decrease:  

• rubbing palms together, gradually speeding up; 
• snapping fingers, gradually growing louder; 
• slapping thighs, gradually growing louder; 
• stamping feet on floor; 
• slapping thighs, gradually growing softer; 
• snapping fingers, gradually growing softer; 
• rubbing palms together, gradually slowing down to a stop. 
• Those with rain-makers add their sounds according to the general volume of the other  actions.  

After the simulation, engage the congregation in questions such as:  

• Why is the rain so important? Do they remember a time in your community when there  was very little rain? What was the effect on the community? 
• Have they heard about areas of the world that have suffered from drought and famine?  How has your church or the church as a whole responded?  

You might stress that our neglect of the environment is leading to changing the world’s  climate and leading to drought in some areas, and too much rain in others.  (Note: the song, “Joy is like the rain” by the Medical Mission Sisters would be a good fit here)  

Option B: CREATION CARE CLUB  
Speak to the congregation about being a part of a “Creation Care Club.” (feel free to make up and use another name).
Members of the club pledge to carry out actions that will  help the environment. They could meet regularly to share actions taken, or a review of  the club’s actions could be integrated into the conversation with the children in worship  or in Sunday School gathering times.  

Here are some sample activities that focus on issues concerning water.  

• prevent pesticide/herbicide use by controlling dandelions and other broad-leafed  weeds by digging them out or using household vinegar sprayed on their leaves (boiled down vinegar is more effective; do an internet search for more details). Organize teams to  patrol the church grounds or to travel to different homes to control weeds.
• have members be a part of a “drip patrol” to identify leaking/dripping faucets and  toilets in the church and at home and bring them to the attention of the owners.
• plant trees which help to hold soil, prevent runoff, cleanse their environment and  moderate temperatures.  
• provide convenient and attractively packaged “doggie bags” to the congregation so  that people can more easily clean up after their pets. 
• promote water conservation by encouraging shorter showers and less wastage while  brushing teeth, washing hands, etc.  

Other projects might include: a creek clean up, and others not directly linked to water  such as litter collection on church property and neighbourhood or responding to the  “One-Tonne Challenge.” If you have already formed such a club, report on what  activities have already been undertaken.  

Option C: WATER SYMBOLS  
Symbols/objects needed: large, clear water jug with water, basin with towel, baptismal  font (or bowl from the font), clear drinking glass, shallow bowl with small toy boat,  fishbowl (with optional fish).  

These symbols highlight the importance of water in our lives and in the church.  The symbols could be placed across the chancel or on a low table; they should be low  enough for a child to easily pour water into them. The symbols could also be held by the participants. 
Participants bring the symbols to the chancel and stand behind them (two people stand  behind the font). One person comes forward with the jug of water. The readers could be the ones standing behind the symbols, or the readers could be off to the side at a lectern.  

R1: Water is important to us in so many different ways. We give thanks to God who is  the maker of all things, the source of life and the source of water.  

R2: Water is needed for cleaning. Our parents often tell us to wash our hands before  eating. Washing our hands with soap and water helps to kill germs and keep us healthy  and happy.  

(one with the water jug pours water into the basin and over the hands of the one standing  behind the basin, who then dries hands with the towel)  

R3: Water is needed for baptism. Baptism shows that we are a part of a community that is  cleansed and forgiven by God.  

(one with water jug pours water into the font. One person dips fingers into the font and  puts a few drops of water on the other’s forehead)  

R4: Water is needed for drinking. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and we  need to take in about 2 litres of water each day. We also need water to make up the many  different drinks that we enjoy so much.  

(water is poured into the glass; person takes a sip from the glass)  

R5: Water is needed for fun and recreation. We swim, splash, dive and play in the water.  (water is poured into the bowl so that the boat floats; person moves the boat in the water)  

R6: Water, clean water is needed by all the living creatures that live in our oceans, lakes  and rivers. 

(additional water is poured into the fish bowl; if there is a real fish in the bowl, distilled  or de-chlorinated water should be used. Person holds up the bowl to observe the fish)  

R1: We give thanks to God for the gift of water.  

All: May we use that gift gratefully and wisely.  

Option D: PLEDGE FOR CREATION  
Invite the congregation to take a minute and use the slip of paper provided to write down or draw a picture of one way that they will act in order to help God’s creation. Collect the slips during the offering, perhaps in separate baskets; the worship leader will select some  of the slips to be read during the Prayers of the People.  

HYMN
“Come let us sing” #222
(see also the list below)

OFFERING
(perhaps have another solo during the offering, using one of the selections  suggested above)

OFFERTORY PRAYER  
Holy God, Creator of all: we thank you for all the gifts that you have given us; with  thankful hearts we offer our gifts for the care of your creation and the healing of your  world. Use our gifts and bless all that they may touch, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(include thanks for pledges of action received in the offering, naming some specifically)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN
p.884 “You shall go out with joy” (Isaiah 55)
(see also the list below)

COMMISSIONING AND BENEDICTION  
Let us go from here as a people committed to care for all of God’s creation.  And may the blessing of God the Creator, of Christ the Creative Word, and of the Spirit  who brooded over the waters of creation be with us now and always. Amen. 

OTHER HYMNS ON THE THEME OF CREATION from Voices United 
For the beauty of the earth 226,
God of the sparrow 229,
Joyful, joyful 232,
O Lord my God (How great thou art) 238,
Let all things 242,
Praise to God 243,
Long before the night 282,
Hymns 291 – 312
Theme: Creation and Providence