Liturgy
The structure of our communal life lies in the heart of Christian worship. The ways we structure our worship life resonates beyond the walls of the sanctuary. You are invited to use this prayer and liturgy as a way to begin integrating climate resilience into your worship service.
Call to Worship
Like Job in the Whirlwind, or Jonah in the storm at sea, we come before you in awe of your power, God.
We recognize that today’s storms and whirlwinds are not your judgment on your people, but the distortion of natural systems through our own sin and hubris.
As the storms and whirlwinds of the climate crisis accelerate around us, may our sanctuary be a place of refuge and resilience, where all of God’s creation might be protected and sustained, and from which we People of God might be sent forth to bring healing and justice.
Responsive Reading
Adapted from Psalm 18
I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
My God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
The earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled. In my distress I called upon the Lord.
From his temple he heard my focus and my cry to him reached his ears
He reached down from on high, he took me; he drew me out of mighty waters
He delivered me, because he delighted in me.
This God’s way is perfect;
God is a shield for all who take refuge.
Prayers of the People
Leader: For all those around the world who have lost their homes, livelihoods, or communities to the climate crisis.
Congregation: Lord, hear our prayer.
For our nonhuman siblings whose habitats are destroyed by the effects of greed and accumulation.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For decision-makers, that their choices might create a more beautiful, whole, resilient world.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our own church, that we might be bearers of hope and resilience in our community, a place of refuge in the midst of crisis and disaster.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Prayer of Confession
The climate crisis calls out for urgent repentance and conversion. We are beckoned to rediscover a biblical vision and a new understanding of ourselves and God’s creation. The only future foreshadowed by the present crises, both spiritual and ecological, is massive suffering, both human and nonhuman. “Giver of Life--Sustain your Creation!” is our prayer; we should pray it without ceasing. (Adapted from WCC Prayer, Earth Gospel p 86)
Creator, we disfigure your world.
Lord, have mercy
Redeemer, we reject your redemption and crucify you daily.
Christ, have mercy
Giver of life, we too often choose death
Lord, have mercy
Prayer of Absolution
Creator, forgive us for our sins against you and your Creation.
In your name, may we turn from our sins and work towards a new creation, one in which all creatures are freed from the bondage of greed and accumulation and are able to flourish into their creatureliness.
May this church be a site of redemption, resilience, and hospitality; an extension of your love to all who are affected by the climate crisis.
In this land, this structure, this community, this worship, may we love you more fully by seeking justice for our neighbors.
Amen.