September 19, 2021 (Creationtide III) — Our First Two Assignments
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Praise God, all you people of the earth. Blessed be God forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting blessed be God forever.
As high as the tree soaring above the forest, as beautiful as the river flowing through many lands, as rich as the ecosystems of an abundant earth, as close as the smallest creature on the ground, so good is the God of all creation. Blessed be God forever.
(Kathy Galloway, Iona community)
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
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,
Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Genesis 1: 26-31
PRAYER
O God, enlarge within us
the sense of fellowship with all living things,
our brothers and sisters the animals
to whom you gave the earth as their home
in common with us.
We remember with shame that in the past
we have exercised the high dominion
of humanity with ruthless cruelty
so that the voice of the earth,
which should have gone up to you
in song, has been a groan of travail.
May we realize that they live not for us alone,
but for themselves and for you,
and that they love the sweetness of life. amen.
(St. Basil the Great, 4th century)
Our First Two Assignments
Rev. Liza B. Knapp
INTERLUDE
Impression No. 1
Marc Dancer, organ
SHARING OF GIFTS
OFFERTORY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below,
God’s praise ye host on high proclaim, who doth create, redeem, sustain.
PRAYER
God of all the world, we give thanks for the Earth and for the diversity of life which flourishes upon it. We offer these small gifts to you, aware that you are the source of all our gifts. May we neither hoard nor squander, but faithfully tend and generously share the abundance of your creation. amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav’n reflect thy rays;
Stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee!
BENEDICTION
Go in peace, and be witnesses to hope.
May God bless us with strength to seek justice.
May God bless us with wisdom to care for the earth.
May God bless us with love to bring forth new life.
Amen.
(Iona Community)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today at 3 pm – The Brick Church Music Series presents The New World Trio, in a program of Mozart, Dvorak, and Piazzolla. Free (suggested donation $10-20).
Sunday, October 3 at 12 pm – Blessing of the Animals on the Brick Church lawn.
The First Church of Deerfield
an inclusive, inquisitive congregation of
the United Church of Christ
and the Unitarian Universalist Association
Rev. Liza B. Knapp, Pastor
deerfieldpastor@gmail.com
office@firstchurchofdeerfield.org.
Dr. Thomas Pousont, Director of Music Ministry
Tom Mershon, Sexton
Pat Auchard, Office Administrator
Ann Hallstein, Pastor Emerita
If you wish to make a donation in support of our ministry,
text “GIVE” to (413) 307-3730 or click below:
https://fcd.breezechms.com/give/online.
