Seasons of Creation
Introductory Powerpoint
Download the introductory PowerPoint to promote the season to your congregation. Click here
TextWeek
| The table and links below are from TextWeek ( http://www.textweek.com ) and are a great starting place to explore resources. | ||
| Year B: | Creation 1B | Earth |
| Creation 2B | Humanity | |
| Creation 3B | Sky | |
| Creation 4B | Mountain | |
Resources for Year B themes
Photos to enliven your PowerPoint slideshow from Unsplash
Unspash.com is a source of freely-usable images. This is a great place to search for photos to illustrate the themes.
Royalty free photos available from https://unsplash.com
Short Videos from Nature is Speaking
Nature Is Speaking is Conservation International’s invitation to the human race to listen to nature. There are a series of short videos, voiced by famous actors which can be used to for a variety of purposes in a worship service or discussion group.
Nature is essential to every aspect of human life and well-being — we want to make sure it’s included in the conversation. People are taking more from nature than it has to give, and as a result, we’re putting our own lives on the line.
Nature’s message to humanity is simple: Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature. https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking
Arctic Moon
This is a pretty cool short video taken during the day between Russia and Canada in the Arctic, when the moon appears in this big size for 30 seconds and after blocking the Sun for 5 seconds disappears. Obviously they have usesd a zoom lens to create the effect. But still pretty neat to see. DOWNLOAD
Earth Sunday
Week 1 Sunday 5th Sept – The Earth and its Soil
Photo by Earthrise—the rising Earth greeted the Apollo 8 astronauts on December 24, 1968 as they came from behind the Moon after the fourth nearside orbit
Full Service PowerPoint and recording
Joan McRae led the Waranga Cluster Zoom Service on 5th Sept.
PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD
Recording: VIEW RECORDING
Video suggestion 1: Home
https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/reese-witherspoon-is-home?ytVideoId=mkjwxmcdb0E
Video suggestion 2: The Soil
https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/Edward-Norton-Is-the-Soil?ytVideoId=Dor4XvjA8Wo
Resources from WA UCA Sustainable September
Worship Resource: DOWNLOAD
Powerpoint: DOWNLOAD
A French Parable – Cooperation
From “One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World” by Margaret Silf.
This parable could be used for either Earth Sunday or for Humanity Sunday. DOWNLOAD
Humanity Sunday
Week 2 Sunday 12th Sept – Humanity
Full Service PowerPoint and recording
Brian Spencer led the Waranga Cluster Zoom Service on 12th Sept.
PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD
Recording: VIEW RECORDING
Resources from WA UCA Sustainable September
Worship Resource: DOWNLOAD
Powerpoint: DOWNLOAD
A French Parable – Cooperation
From “One Hundred Wisdom Stories from Around the World” by Margaret Silf.
This parable could be used for either Earth Sunday or for Humanity Sunday. DOWNLOAD
Sky Sunday
Week 3 Sunday 19th Sept – Sky
Video suggestion: The Sky
https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/joan-chen-is-sky
Full Service PowerPoint and recording
Gereldine Leonard led the Waranga Cluster Zoom Service on 19th Sept.
PowerPoint: DOWNLOAD
Recording: VIEW RECORDING
Resources from WA UCA Sustainable September
Worship Resource: DOWNLOAD
Powerpoint: DOWNLOAD
Mountain Sunday
Week 4 Sunday 26th Sept – Mountain
Video suggestion: The Mountain
https://www.conservation.org/nature-is-speaking/lee-pace-is-mountain?ytVideoId=NJHcdKf5iHs
Hymns Index
Here are some hymns that have been suggested by our PNEV workgroup.
Norman Habel has written anumber of songs that are suitable for the Seasons of Creation. A pdf of this collection of hymns “Songs for Celebrating with Creation” can be found here.
| Title | Author | Tune | Hymnal | Themes | Suggested by |
| Wake, Now My Senses | Thomas J S Mikelson | Slane 10.10.10.10 | TiS 547 (tune) | Senses, Justice, Vision, Compassion | Joan McRae |
| Learn from all the songs of earth | Thomas Troeger |
Audio on this link $2.50 cost |
https://kjos.com/learn-from-all-the-songs-of-the-earth.html | Joan McRae | |
| We’re standing here on holy ground | JBrown. (Adapted – Verses 1-2, 4-6) | Ellacombe(2), 86 86D | TiS 453 (tune) | Australian imagery, respect, indigenous, land, justice | Joan McRae |
| For the Beauty of the Earth | F S Pierpoint/adapt | Dix, 77 77 77 | SLT 21 | Praise, thanksgiving, earth, humanity | Joan McRae |
| The Universe in God | George Stuart | Praise my soul”, 87 87 87 | TiS 179 (tune) | Creation, Universe, God in all | Joan McRae |
| Song of healing | Norman Habel | Bunessan (Morning has broken) | TiS 156 | Ocean, Earth, Peace, Healing | Joan McRae |
| God who formed the mighty ocean | Timothy Dudley-Smith | Ode to Joy | TiS 152 | Ocean, wind, sky, | Joan McRae |
| Morning Opens wide before us | Kathy Galloway, Iona | Regent’s Square | TiS 142 | Earth, Peace, Grace | Joan McRae |
| Don’t Fear, You Good Earth | Carolyn Winfrey Gillette | FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 | TiS 578 | Earth, Animals, Seasons | Joan McRae |
| Inspiring Love | Rev Dr Sarah Agnew | Hyfrydol | TiS 217 | Creation, plains, mountains, sea, sky | Joan McRae |
| Touch the earth lightly | Shirley Erena Murray | Video clip available on YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnWUglp7unQ | Joan McRae | |
| God of Seasons God of Change | Brenton Prigge ©2021 | Amazing Grace | TiS 129 | Sea, Sky, Earth, Seasons, Change | Joan McRae |
| Praise for the depths of space | Rev Ally Barrett | Love unknown | TiS 341 | Space, science, humanity | Joan McRae |
| Creation Sing Out | David MacGregor ©2021 | David direct for the music Together to Celebrate | Creation, moon, stars, mountains, forest, animals | Joan McRae | |
| Blessing | John Bell | Download here | Earth, heavens, rivers, oceans, peace | Denise Naish |
Hymn Words
Learn from all the songs of earth
(Thomas Troeger) Audio on this link
Wake, Now My Senses
(Tune: Slane, 10 10 10 10, 547 TiS)
Wake, now my senses, and hear the earth call;
feel the deep power of being in all;
keep, with the web of creation your vow,
giving, receiving as love shows us how.
Wake, now my reason, reach out to the new,
join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;
honour the beauty and wisdom of time;
suffer your limit, and praise the sublime.
Wake, now compassion, give heed to the cry;
voices of suffering fill the wide sky;
take as your neighbour both stranger and friend,
praying and striving their hardship to end.ß
Wake, now my conscience, with justice your guide;
join with all people whose rights are denied;
take not for granted a privileged place;
God’s love embraces the whole human race.
Wake, now my vision of ministry clear;
brighten my pathway with radiance here;
mingle my calling with all who will share;
work toward a planet transformed by our care.
(Words: Thomas J S Mikelson)
“We’re standing here on holy ground”
(Tune: ‘Ellacombe(2)’, 86 86D, 453 TiS)
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land your hand has made;
Your art displayed in timeless rocks,
in purple haze and space;
Its mighty gums and feathery ferns
your beauty magnify.
Tread softly then, in awe reflect,
and listen to the land.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land which ancients trod.
They wrote your law in hills and streams
in rocks and caves and trees;
A law to tell us who we are,
to guide and make us strong.
Tread gently then, respect the earth,
remember whence we’ve come.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land that toil has shaped.
Its fertile plains will feed us all,
when tilled with care and love.
But mindless greed and drought and flood
wreak havoc in the land.
Then let us tread with love the earth,
that’s fed us faithfully.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land we long to share,
Where each has space and equity,
and neither want nor fear
But demons fierce are dancing here
of race and greed and hate.
Engrave upon our wills, we pray,
your ancient covenant law.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
we seek your rule on earth;
Your will be done in politics,
in law court, market, church;
Your gentleness among us reign,
and each one dwell secure;
May generations yet unborn,
live here in harmony. © JBrown. (Adapted – Verses 1-2, 4-6)
For the Beauty of the Earth
(Tune: ‘Dix’, 77 77 77) 21 SLT
For the beauty of the earth,
for the splendour of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies:
Refrain:
Source of all,
to thee we raise this
our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight:
Refrain:
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light:
Refrain:
For the joy of human care,
sister, brother, parent, child,
for the kinship we all share,
for all gentle thought and mild:
Refrain:
Source of all,
to thee we raise this
our hymn of grateful praise.
(Source: FSPierpoint/adapt)
The Universe in God
(Tune: “Praise my soul”, 87 87 87. 179 TiS)
All creation sings a story
Of great splendours to declare.
When we contemplate its beauty
We are called forth into prayer.
We, enchanted, stand in silence;
God discovered everywhere.
When we stumble on new knowledge,
When new insights help us grow,
We are quick to re-discover
Just how much we do not know.
But the Universe smiles gently,
As our theories come and go.
Outer space and inner being
Both have secrets they conceal.
Galaxies so grimly awesome,
Deep emotions that we feel –
All in God are judged as sacred;
It is God they all reveal.
Ageless mysteries still excite us;
Time and space we must explore.
God the ‘Presence’ and ‘Surrounding’,
God the ever wondrous ‘More’
Is not found by science labours,
But in praise when we adore.
(Source: George Stuart)
Song of healing
(Words: Norman Habel. Tune: Morning has Broken)
Healing is flowing, deep in the waters,
Flowing from Eden, flowing from old.
All through creation, God sends forth waters,
Oceans of healing, for all the world.
Healing is rising, fresh with the morning,
Healing is rising, bursting with grace.
Christ, our rich healing, deep in creation,
Heal Earth’s deep wounds and rise in this place.
Healing is offered, leaves from the life tree,
Healing is offered nations at war.
Come, wounded Healer, torn by the violence,
Rise from the grave, bring peace to our shore.
Healing is given, flows from forgiveness,
Healing is given, flows from our faith.
Christ, give us heart to love your deep healing,
Living forgiveness, even in death.
Healing is rising, free in Christ’s body,
Healing is flowing, free with Christ’s blood.
May this deep healing pulse through our bodies,
Heal the world’s wounds still bleeding and red.
God who formed the mighty ocean
(Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith, tune: Ode to Joy)
God who formed the mighty ocean,
loosed the winds upon their ways,
gave the circling planets motion
in their round of ceaseless praise,
hear our thanks for hearts that love us,
for the hour that gave us birth,
heirs of starry skies above us
and the seas of all the earth.
Hold within your care unsleeping
all who face tempestuous seas,
harvests from the waters reaping,
God be thanked for such as these.
Earth is rich beyond all measure,
may we prize her gifts the more,
we who find our work or pleasure
on the seas or by the shore.
Guard, when stormy waves are breaking,
those who cross the oceans wide;
share with them their watchful waking,
be with them through wind and tide.
Christ our Savior, friend unfailing,
as the seas of life we roam,
chart our course and guide our sailing
safe to harbor and to home.
Morning Opens wide before us
Words” Kathy Galloway, Iona
Tune: Regent’s Square (praise my soul the King of heaven)
Morning opens wide before us
like a door into the light.
Just beyond the day lies waiting
ready to throw off the light,
and we stand upon its threshold
poised to turn and take it’s flight.
Now the earth in all its glory
springs to meet the rising sun,
warms to all who walk upon it,
cradling all that will be done.
All our labour, all our living
mingle and become as one.
We receive God’s graceful moment,
while the day is fresh and still,
ours to choose how we will greet it,
ours to make it what we will.
Here is given perfect freedom,
every hope in love to fulfil.
As we take first step together,
passing through the door of day,
may the love of Christ the Creator
give us peace in all that we say,
heart for all that lies before us,
grace to guide us on our way.
Sing praise to God and mountain tops
(sample: music and lyrics on Hymnary)
Don’t Fear, You Good Earth
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 (“How Firm a Foundation”)
“Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!… Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield…” Joel 2:21-23
Don’t fear, you good earth; now rejoice! Have you heard?
The Lord has created you by his own word.
Don’t fear, all you fields for God sends you the rain.
The farms overflow with the wine, oil and grain.
Don’t fear, all you creatures who live in the field;
The pastures are rich and they give their full yield.
You creatures, now sing— for the meadows are green;
Around us, good gifts of creation are seen!
O God, as the prophet proclaimed long ago,
You care for your earth and your gifts overflow.
Though sin leads to things that disrupt and destroy,
You work to redeem and to bring life and joy.
This season, we gather to thank you and say:
O God, you continue to bless us today!
May we who’ve been blessed by the gifts of your hand
Now care for the water, the air and the land.
Tune: Traditional American melody (“How Firm a Foundation”)
Text: Copyright © 2018 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
Inspiring Love
[tune: ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ – HYFRYDOL. Could also sing to Blaenwern]
Love divine, all love inspiring,
joy of heav’n on earth is known;
you, the heart of all that’s living,
you, the breath, the mind, the soul.
All creation sings your praises,
plains and mountains, sea and sky;
we will join the sacred chorus,
we will sing your love through time.
Jesus come to dwell among us,
Holy love personified.
Wisdom of the broad wide cosmos,
timeless star dust in your eyes.
With your touch you healed and welcomed,
with your words you showed us your way;
now we follow your path of justice,
spread your peace more day by day.
Breath of Life, breathe ever hopeful,
liberate from tyranny.
Blow, wind, blow, and carry onward
humans into unity.
Help us weave our threads together,
vibrant, strong, community;
we are one, one body in Spirit;
found in wonder, love, are we.
(Words: Rev Dr Sarah Agnew, in loving memory of her father David)
God of Seasons God of Change
Music: Amazing Grace
O God of Sea, of Sky, of Earth
Come hear our broken cry
Creation’s cry for life, re-birth
Oh, heal us! Breathe new life!
O God of seasons, God of change
God in both drought and rain
come change our hearts to end this pain
renew the Earth again
We’ve ravaged species, land and sea
We’ve squandered all your gifts
We have not lived in harmony
Oh change us! Lord, forgive!
We’ve broken lives and bio-zones
With broken hearts we cry
Come heal our broken, dying home
Forgive us! Breathe new life!
Creating God, Incarnate Lord!
You’ve shown us how to be
life-giving! Living, breathing life!
Amen! So let us be!
O God of Sky, of Sea, of Earth
Of seasons and of change
come change our hearts to bring re-birth
renew your Earth again.
Words by Brenton Prigge © 2021
Praise for the depths of space
Praise for the depths of space,
its endless scope and scale:
in such a vast embrace
our words and numbers fail.
For what are we,
that mortal mind
should seek and find
infinity?
Praise for the rules that show
the patterning of time,
creation’s ebb and flow
expressed in reason’s rhyme.
Can these great laws
contain our awe,
a formula
for wonder’s cause?
Praise for the complex codes
each spiral strand conveys,
as chemistry explodes
to life in myriad ways.
Can we compare
what’s ours alone
if we are known
through all we share?
Praise for the drive to know;
from human nature springs
a need to learn and grow,
to understand all things.
Yet wisdom’s prize
is never won:
from all that’s done
new questions rise.
Praise to the one whose Word
breathed purpose into chance,
for whom all matter stirred
to join creation’s dance.
For love made known
in every thing
in praise we sing
to You alone.
(Tune: Love unknown; Words: Rev Ally Barrett)
Creation Sing Out
(inspired by Psalm 148)
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!
Sun, moon and stars
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!
Praises sing from the depths of the oceans
The creatures of water cry forth
Fire and snow, every stormy wind
Sing praises, all the earth!
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …
Praises ring from the mountain, the hillsides
The forests and everything grown
You animals, birds – you wild, you tame
Creation praise God’s name!
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …
Praises sing out from young and from older
All nations, yes – everyone
God’s name is highest over all
Creation sing as one!
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …
David MacGregor © 2021 Willow Publishing
(contact David direct for the music Together to Celebrate
Blessing
From Guatemala comes this beautiful blessing which, as regards the text, could almost have come from the ancient British Celtic traditions.
It was noted down by a former musician at Iona Abbey and member of the Wild Goose Worship Group who worked as a volunteer for a year in Guatemala.
It may be sung once or repeatedly as members of an assembly bless each other as they leave.
The peace of the earth be with you,
the peace of the heavens too;
the peace of the rivers be with you,
the peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you;
God’s peace growing in you.
Download music sheet (Click Here)