Another Longer one

Greeting and Welcome

Officiant         Blessed be the God of all creation.

People And blessed be God’s holy Name forever.

A Song of Creation (adapted)

Officiant         Let the earth glorify the Lord,
People             Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth,
Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, O whales and all that move in the waters.

Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,

Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, and all you flocks and herds.
Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
Praise and exalt our Creator forever.

The Officiant says to the people

            The Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

Officiant         Let us pray.

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading                                                                                                                                 Luke 12:22-32

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you— you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Reader            The Word of the Lord

People             Thanks be to God

Litany for Creation

Officiant         In peace, let us pray to the Lord

Leader             Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,

PeopleHave mercy upon us.

Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world,

Have mercy upon us.

Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,

Have mercy upon us.

Grant that all your creatures may serve you with thanksgiving;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Grant favorable weather, temperate rain, and fruitful seasons, providing food and drink for all your creatures;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Open our eyes to the wonder of creation, that we may see you in all your works;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Stir in us the desire to care for your creation;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Make us wise and faithful stewards of creation, caring for the earth, the waters, the air, and all that live therein;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Forgive us when we waste and pollute your creation and strengthen us to restore what we have disregarded;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Look with compassion on those that are abused and mistreated, show us their dignity in your creation;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Remember those creatures that have died yet remain dear to us that, that they may rejoice in your new creation;

We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.

Officiant

Holy Immortal One: no sparrow falls without your knowing it; nothing dies but is remembered by you; nothing comes into being that you do not see. Give us courage and resolve to build up the common good, holding fast to the hope of a new creation in which all shall dwell eternally, through Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior. Amen.

Confession of Sin

Officiant

Let us confess to God our sins against creation.

Officiant and People

God of compassion, we confess that we have squandered your creation, and mistreated those you give into our care. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may care for all that you have made, according to your will and in the fullness of your love; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Officiant

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Officiant

God’s animals inhabit the skies, the land, and the sea; we share the earth with them, and like them rely on God’s blessing to sustain and preserve us. We gather today in communion and friendship with Francis of Assisi who preached to animals and moved throughout the known world sharing God’s unconditional love for all beings. As we offer prayers for the animals of the Abilene Zoo, may Francis’s love for all creatures strengthen our resolve to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Officiant         Let us go forth in peace.

People             In the name of Christ. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the first exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

Almighty God, by gathering in flocks, flamingos provide one another mutual health and support. Grant that, as we gaze upon these flamingos, we may be reminded of the ways that we are connected to one another, and may recognize that we are stronger and more resilient when we work together in community, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the next exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

Everliving God, alligators have been on this planet for millions of years. Grant that, as we consider the life of this alligator we might recognize the brevity of our time on earth, that we might apply our hearts to wisdom that leads to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the next exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

God of justice and compassion, macaws call attention to themselves by the beauty of their plumage and the insistence of their call. Grant that we, who give our attention to this macaw, may also be attentive to those in need, and heed your call to care for those who cannot care for themselves, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the next exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

O God, giraffes lift their heads far above the ground, enjoying a broader perspective on the world. Grant that, as we give thanks for these giraffes, we may lift our hearts above our divisions and see the world as you see it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the next exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

Almighty God, who holds all souls in life, lions and hyenas prey on other animals, yet remain vital parts of their environments. Grant that, as we offer prayers for these predators, we may be aware of the impact that we have on our environment, and do what we can to allow other creatures to flourish, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please follow the procession to the next exhibit.

V. O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;

R. The earth is full of your creatures.

Gracious God, rhinoceroses are both powerful and vulnerable. Grant that, as we pray for this rhinoceros, we might acknowledge our own frailty, even as we gain confidence in our ability to protect the world in which we live, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Officiant          Let us pray.

God of all creation: we give you thanks and praise for the animals of the Abilene Zoo, and for all the animals with whom we share this life. Open our eyes to see your hand at work in all creation. May your bountiful blessing be upon us all, God our Redeemer, now and for ever. Amen.

The Officiant then says to the people

                        The Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

Officiant         Let us pray.

Officiant and People

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Officiant may bless the People with these or similar words

Apprehend God in all things, for God is in all things. Every single creature is full of God, and is a book about God. Every creature is a word of God. The blessing of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

Officiant         Let us bless the Lord

People             Thanks be to God