Lectionary Texts
Consider using psalm 148 instead of the lectionary Psalm. A slightly abridged version is below.
Prayer
Leader: Creator God, we celebrate your gift of Earth, your gift of all Creation.
All: We give thanks that you embodied your love in Jesus,
made your compassion real with the dust of the earth,
and so blessed our lives, our breath and our bodies.
Loving Creator, we renew our reverence for your gift.
We look to Earth not as a “resource,” for our use, but a temple of your presence,
a living being that we are part of and in relationship with.
God, we, praise you; we confess our self-centeredness.
We open our hearts to your Spirit, that we may love as you have loved us.
Prayer of Confession
Creator God, we confess we have not honored your Creation;
we have not loved it as you have loved us.
We have thought ourselves separate, not part of your Creation.
Forgive our ignorance and arrogance,
our greed and destructiveness.
Bring us again into the oneness of your Creation;
forgive us, heal our fears and transform our desires,
and shepherd us to be good stewards
of the gift of life.
Reading
From Psalm 148
Praise God! Praise the Holy One from the heavens;
praise God in the heights!
Praise God, sun and moon;
praise God, all you shining stars!
Let them praise the name of the Creator,
who commanded and they were created.
Praise the Eternal One from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps!
Fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling God’s command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Rulers of the earth and all peoples!
People of every gender, age and race together!
Let them praise the name of the Loving One,
for God’s name alone is exalted.
God’s glory is throughout earth and heaven.
Praise God!