A Creation Season

A follow-up to my previous note about celebrating the creation in Sunday worship.

Several years ago, a number of Episcopal churches throughout the country began to set aside the last eight Sundays of Pentecost as a "Creation Season." The period begins with the first Sunday after the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Oct. 4), that great medieval lover of God's creation, and ends with the last Sunday in the period, dedicated to Christ the King. Those who follow this practice may use an approved Eucharistic liturgy that focuses on the creation. Others use the Communion services in the Book of Common Prayer but in addition include special prayers that celebrate creation and select from the many hymns that sing the creation. Some use psalms and Bible lessons that specifically refer to the creation. These Sundays also provide opportunities for preaching on the creation. The "Prayers of the People" provide an opportunity to exhort us to love the creation and become better stewards of it.

Also, throughout the year, there are four Eucharistic prayers in the Prayer Book which thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation, offer the gifts of bread and wine, recall Christ's saving acts, and call upon the Holy Spirit to bless the bread and wine. Two begin with praise of the Creator:

Eucharistic Prayer C:
    Priest: God of all power, Ruler of the universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
    People: Glory to you, for ever and ever.
    Priest: At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space; galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
    People: By your will they were created and have their being.
    Priest: From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
    People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
    (The prayer goes on to tell the story of salvation.)

Eucharistic Prayer D:
    Priest: We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures.
    (The prayer goes on to tell of our disobedience, and God's salvation through Christ.)

In the prayer books of other denominations there are many wonderful prayers in celebration and thanksgiving for the creation.

These are opportunities to celebrate God's creation in worship without using worship to advance a theo-political agenda.

Robert J. Schneider
187 Sierra Vista
Boone, NC, 28607
828-264-4071

"Science and Faith"
community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/
Received on Thu Jun 1 14:58:41 2006