For out of the ground you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ~Genesis 3:19b
God’s People Gather … Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship:
Voice 1: Because you have eaten of the tree from which I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed.
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 2: Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 3: You will be a fugitive and wanderer on the earth.
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 4: The Human One will go into the heart of the earth.
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 1: Surely has the grace of God given freely in the life of Jesus become abundant for many!
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 2: Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright at the day!
All: Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Voice 3: For God so loved the world...
All: Amen
Hymn: VU 229 God of the Sparrow
God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
God of the neighbour God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
God of the ages God of the hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home.
Words: Jaroslav J. Vajda music: Carl F. Schalk. Words copyright © 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Music copyright © 1983 GIA Publications Inc. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A-720359 words (#05148) and music (#01556).
Healing Prayer: Creator God, we come before you today;
as creatures of the land you created. Earth, our home, cares for us and witnesses our actions, as you do. We pray to be grounded and guided as people who are earthly and joyful, practicing our oneness with the earth. Amen
Storytime: “Land Reflections”
To Hear God’s Word
1st Reading: Genesis 3:14-19; 4:8-16
Psalm 126
2nd Reading Matthew 12:38-40
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “When the Land Cries”
Offertory Hymn: MV 42 Praise God for This Holy Ground
Praise God for this holy ground,
place and people, sight and sound.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.
Praise God in whose word we find
food for body, soul and mind.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.
Praise God who through Christ makes known
all are loved and called God’s own.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.
Praise God’s Spirit who befriends,
raises, humbles, breaks and mends.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.
Though praise ends, praise is begun
where God’s will is gladly done.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God’s goodness is eternal.
Words and music: John L. Bell, words and music copyright © 2002 by WGRG, Iona Community, Scotland; GIA Publications. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net License #A-720359 (#12415).
The Doxology: VU 541 “Praise God From Whom . . .”
Offertory Prayer
Prayers of the People
In our Shared Ministry Church Cycles of prayer, we pray for…
The church / The authorities
The World / The Local Community
Those in need / The departed and those who grieve
O Lord, guard and direct your Church in the way of unity, service, and praise.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Give to all nations an awareness of the unity of the human family.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Cleanse our hearts of prejudice and selfishness, and inspire us to hunger and thirst for what is right.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach us to use your creation for your greater praise, that all may share the good things you provide.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Strengthen all who give their energy or skill for the healing of those who are sick in body or in mind.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Set free all who are bound by fear and despair.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Grant a peaceful end and eternal rest to all who are dying, and your comfort to those who mourn.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Collect
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn: VU 232 Joyful, Joyful We Adore You
Joyful, joyful, we adore you,
God of glory, life and love;
hearts unfold like flowers before you,
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All your works with joy surround you,
earth and heaven reflect your rays,
stars and angels sing around you,
centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
sound their praise eternally.
You are giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Source of grace and fount of blessing,
let your light upon us shine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o'er us,
joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life.
Words: Henry van Dyke 1907 Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824. Words, Music, Adaptation: Public Domain.
The Blessing
Threefold Amen
Announcements:
Reprinted and podcast with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-720359. All rights reserved.
- Mission Focus this month is Kairos Canada
- Bible Study 5pm Tuesday at the church and via Zoom
- September Diocesan Post available online, and also 3 paper copies
- Orange Shirts available for a suggested donation of up to $20 limited sizes M to 2XL
Reflection on the Land (Seasons of the Spirit UCC)
Land Sunday can help Christians reconnect, re-member what has been dis-membered: our kinship with the living soil, with the creatures who share it, and with the wisdom of Elders in caring for it. Like other prophets, Jesus identified with am ha’aretz, the “people of the land.” Many who heard Jesus were dispossessed by Rome and by Jewish collaborators. Their identity was stolen like the soil their ancestors tended. Jesus gave them a grounded hope: these meek “shall inherit the earth” – because the meek understand earth as their true lineage.
Do our actions demonstrate common cause with the people of the land, or are we complicit in its theft and degradation? Are we on the side of Jesus, or of Rome?
Whatever our past choices, we can reclaim our identity as Earth creatures, as people of the land. We can hear Earth’s cries again and respond in loving kinship. We can honour those who care for land, and nurture their wisdom. We can confess to abusing the land from which God shaped us. We can hear Earth’s voice in scripture and begin to ache in answer. We can stand alongside Indigenous people and oppose their dispossession. We can find ways to use soil that preserve its health and ours. This is an act of deep praise and prayer.
