Season of Creation

Season of Creation (1st September – 4th October) is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to listen and care for our common home, the Oikos of God.
Click here for more information about Season of Creation.

2024 Events online
September 1 – Opening prayer service for Creation Day led by the Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee on Youtube live (11pm AEST) or to view later. Youtube link is here.
September 1st, Day of Creation, is also known as Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation or Feast of Creation, and opens the Season of Creation 2024. Faith leaders from around the globe will lead this time of prayer and reflection as we celebrate the start of the Season of Creation, on this year’s theme, “To hope and act with Creation”.

September 10 – Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) webinar
The ecumenical community has recognized that “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God … in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay” (Rom. 8:19-20), and because “we know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now” (Rom. 8:22). In this Season of Creation, we are called to take action by endorsing the Faith Letter, urging our governments to develop and implement the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT). The FFNPT would establish an international framework to address a deeply inequitable global problem by promoting economic measures that keep oil and coal reserves in the ground, uniting leaders on the issue, and ensuring that the energy transition is fair and aligned with international standards. It also calls for support from wealthy nations to assist in the energy transition, encourages diversification away from dependence on coal and oil revenues, and seeks to generate international and national attention to foster greater leadership on this critical issue. This webinar aims to amplify the unique voices of faith actors and governments to encourage the global ecumenical community to endorse the Faith Letter calling for the FFNPT and to take further action.

Resources
Season of Creation website
Pacific Conference of Churches (includes ecumenical prayer service liturgy
Green Anglican Church resources (including links to many other excellent resources)
Common Grace’s special five-part Season of Creation Bible Study Series exploring Creation and Climate justice.
For the Love of Creation (Canadian resources)
The Queensland Churches Environmental Network has produced a visually stunning ecumenical daily devotional for the Season of Creation which can be accessed here.
Worship resources website.

Music Resources
Touch the Earth video 2024 David MacGregor
Every blade of grass video
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s website has songs for Creation and Creation Care
Singing from the Lectionary – Season of Creation
Season of Creation 1B Earth (1 September 2024)
Season of Creation 2B Humanity (8 September 2024)
Season of Creation 3B Sky (15 September 2024)
Season of Creation 4B Mountain (22 September 2024)
Season of Creation 5B Blessing of the Animals (4 October 2021, St. Francis Day)

Where Wide Sky rolls Down – video with words
Creation Sings video Words by Shirley Erena Murray (traditional Irish melody)
Touch the Earth Lightly video

God of creation watch here on Youtube
(tune: Bunessan ‘Morning has Broken’; words: Craig Mitchell)
God of Creation
Gentle life-giver
Present at birth, and
all through our days
Author of sunrise
Song in the night sky
Here in this place, we
offer our prais

Jesus, Companion
teacher and healer
friend of the grieving,
suffering, the poor
Stand with your people
whisper among us
promise of mercy
goodness for all

Spirit of Comfort
blow through Creation
stir up new life, breathe
peace through our world
Healer of hearts, and
hope for tomorrow
weave all our sorrows
into new dawn

Here we give thanks for
life in its fullness
blessings received
your gifts to us all
Make us a people
filled with compassion
selflessly giving
serving your world

God walks with us in shimmering heat
Lyrics: Leigh Newton (c) 2022; Tune: ‘Repton’ (TIS 598) Charles H.H.Perry (1848-19-18)

God walks with us in shimmering heat and thundering skies of grey,
In nature’s wildest alchemy,
And stone of regal majesty,
Such glory on display. Such glory on display.

In banksia shades of sunset bloom, in Gouldian Finch array,
The artist’s joy seen unashamed,
From pallet bright and unexplained,
What wonders in our day! What wonders in our day!

God hovers ‘round this captured rock, and all the universe,
Yet Christ comes here to show God’s face,
To make the holy common-place,
To let God’s voice be heard. To let God’s voice be heard.

God sings to us from in the soil, from in the rain and air,
This fabric on which we depend,
We hardly, barely understand,
This web in disrepair. This web in disrepair.

Now fire and flood and brooding storm fragment this Earth, our home,
As summer lengthens year by year,
And precious waters disappear,
We pray your call be known. We pray your call be known.

Come, Jesus walk with us each day, forgive our blinkered ways.
Bring hope when storms assail the land,
Turn hearts and hands to work your plan,
Inspire us all our days. Let love lead all our ways.

Song: Learn from all the songs of earth (Thomas Troeger)
Audio on this link

Wake, Now My Senses (Tune: Slane, 10 10 10 10, 547 TiS)
Wake, now my senses, and hear the earth call;
feel the deep power of being in all;
keep, with the web of creation your vow,
giving, receiving as love shows us how.

Wake, now my reason, reach out to the new,
join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;
honour the beauty and wisdom of time;
suffer your limit, and praise the sublime.

Wake, now compassion, give heed to the cry;
voices of suffering fill the wide sky;
take as your neighbour both stranger and friend,
praying and striving their hardship to end.

Wake, now my conscience, with justice your guide;
join with all people whose rights are denied;
take not for granted a privileged place;
God’s love embraces the whole human race.

Wake, now my vision of ministry clear;
brighten my pathway with radiance here;
mingle my calling with all who will share;
work toward a planet transformed by our care.
(Words: Thomas J S Mikelson)

“We’re standing here on holy ground” (Tune: ‘Ellacombe(2)’, 86 86D, 453 TiS)
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land your hand has made;
Your art displayed in timeless rocks,
in purple haze and space;
Its mighty gums and feathery ferns
your beauty magnify.
Tread softly then, in awe reflect,
and listen to the land.

We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land which ancients trod.
They wrote your law in hills and streams
in rocks and caves and trees;
A law to tell us who we are,
to guide and make us strong.
Tread gently then, respect the earth,
remember whence we’ve come.

We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land that toil has shaped.
It’s fertile plains will feed us all,
when tilled with care and love.
But mindless greed and drought and flood
wreak havoc in the land.
Then let us tread with love the earth,
that’s fed us faithfully.

We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land we long to share,
Where each has space and equity,
and neither want nor fear
But demons fierce are dancing here
of race and greed and hate.
Engrave upon our wills, we pray,
your ancient covenant law.

We’re standing here on holy ground,
we seek your rule on earth;
Your will be done in politics,
in law court, market, church;
Your gentleness among us reign,
and each one dwell secure;
May generations yet unborn,
live here in harmony. © JBrown. (Adapted – Verses 1-2, 4-6)

For the Beauty of the Earth (Tune: ‘Dix’, 77 77 77) 21 SLT
For the beauty of the earth,
for the splendour of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies:

Refrain:
Source of all,
to thee we raise this
our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight:
Refrain:

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:
Refrain:

For the joy of human care,
sister, brother, parent, child,
for the kinship we all share,
for all gentle thought and mild:
Refrain:
Source of all,
to thee we raise this
our hymn of grateful praise.
(Source: FSPierpoint/adapt)

The Universe in God
(Tune: “Praise my soul”, 87 87 87. 179 TiS)
All creation sings a story
Of great splendours to declare.
When we contemplate its beauty
We are called forth into prayer.
We, enchanted, stand in silence;
God discovered everywhere.

When we stumble on new knowledge,
When new insights help us grow,
We are quick to re-discover
Just how much we do not know.
But the Universe smiles gently,
As our theories come and go.

Outer space and inner being
Both have secrets they conceal.
Galaxies so grimly awesome,
Deep emotions that we feel –
All in God are judged as sacred;
It is God they all reveal.

Ageless mysteries still excite us;
Time and space we must explore.
God the ‘Presence’ and ‘Surrounding’,
God the ever wondrous ‘More’
Is not found by science labours,
But in praise when we adore.
(Source: George Stuart)

Song of healing
(Words: Norman Habel. Tune: Morning has Broken)
Healing is flowing, deep in the waters,
Flowing from Eden, flowing from old.
All through creation, God sends forth waters,
Oceans of healing, for all the world.

Healing is rising, fresh with the morning,
Healing is rising, bursting with grace.
Christ, our rich healing, deep in creation,
Heal Earth’s deep wounds and rise in this place.

Healing is offered, leaves from the life tree,
Healing is offered nations at war.
Come, wounded Healer, torn by the violence,
Rise from the grave, bring peace to our shore.

Healing is given, flows from forgiveness,
Healing is given, flows from our faith.
Christ, give us heart to love your deep healing,
Living forgiveness, even in death.

Healing is rising, free in Christ’s body,
Healing is flowing, free with Christ’s blood.
May this deep healing pulse through our bodies,
Heal the world’s wounds still bleeding and red

God who formed the mighty ocean
(Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith, tune: Ode to Joy)
God who formed the mighty ocean,
loosed the winds upon their ways,
gave the circling planets motion
in their round of ceaseless praise,
hear our thanks for hearts that love us,
for the hour that gave us birth,
heirs of starry skies above us
and the seas of all the earth.

Hold within your care unsleeping
all who face tempestuous seas,
harvests from the waters reaping,
God be thanked for such as these.
Earth is rich beyond all measure,
may we prize her gifts the more,
we who find our work or pleasure
on the seas or by the shore.

Guard, when stormy waves are breaking,
those who cross the oceans wide;
share with them their watchful waking,
be with them through wind and tide.
Christ our Savior, friend unfailing,
as the seas of life we roam,
chart our course and guide our sailing
safe to harbor and to home.

Morning Opens wide before us
Words” Kathy Galloway, Iona
Tune: Regent’s Square (praise my soul the King of heaven)
Morning opens wide before us
like a door into the light.
Just beyond the day lies waiting
ready to throw off the light,
and we stand upon its threshold
poised to turn and take it’s flight.

Now the earth in all its glory
springs to meet the rising sun,
warms to all who walk upon it,
cradling all that will be done.
All our labour, all our living
mingle and become as one.

We receive God’s graceful moment,
while the day is fresh and still,
ours to choose how we will greet it,
ours to make it what we will.
Here is given perfect freedom,
every hope in love to fulfil.

As we take first step together,
passing through the door of day,
may the love of Christ the Creator
give us peace in all that we say,
heart for all that lies before us,
grace to guide us on our way.

Song: Sing praise to God and mountain tops (sample: music and lyrics on Hymnary)

Don’t Fear, You Good Earth
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 (“How Firm a Foundation”)
“Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!… Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield…” Joel 2:21-23

Don’t fear, you good earth; now rejoice! Have you heard?
The Lord has created you by his own word.
Don’t fear, all you fields for God sends you the rain.
The farms overflow with the wine, oil and grain.

Don’t fear, all you creatures who live in the field;
The pastures are rich and they give their full yield.
You creatures, now sing— for the meadows are green;
Around us, good gifts of creation are seen!

O God, as the prophet proclaimed long ago,
You care for your earth and your gifts overflow.
Though sin leads to things that disrupt and destroy,
You work to redeem and to bring life and joy.

This season, we gather to thank you and say:
O God, you continue to bless us today!
May we who’ve been blessed by the gifts of your hand
Now care for the water, the air and the land.

Inspiring Love
[tune: ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ – HYFRYDOL. Could also sing to Blaenwern]
Love divine, all love inspiring,
joy of heav’n on earth is known;
you, the heart of all that’s living,
you, the breath, the mind, the soul.
All creation sings your praises,
plains and mountains, sea and sky;
we will join the sacred chorus,
we will sing your love through time.

Jesus come to dwell among us,
Holy love personified.
Wisdom of the broad wide cosmos,
timeless star dust in your eyes.
With your touch you healed and welcomed,
with your words you showed us your way;
now we follow your path of justice,
spread your peace more day by day.

Breath of Life, breathe ever hopeful,
liberate from tyranny.
Blow, wind, blow, and carry onward
humans into unity.
Help us weave our threads together,
vibrant, strong, community;
we are one, one body in Spirit;
found in wonder, love, are we.
(Words: Rev Dr Sarah Agnew, in loving memory of her father David)

God of Seasons God of Change
Music: Amazing Grace
O God of Sea, of Sky, of Earth
Come hear our broken cry
Creation’s cry for life, re-birth
Oh, heal us! Breathe new life!

O God of seasons, God of change
God in both drought and rain
come change our hearts to end this pain
renew the Earth again

We’ve ravaged species, land and sea
We’ve squandered all your gifts
We have not lived in harmony
Oh change us! Lord, forgive!

We’ve broken lives and bio-zones
With broken hearts we cry
Come heal our broken, dying home
Forgive us! Breathe new life!

Creating God, Incarnate Lord!
You’ve shown us how to be
life-giving! Living, breathing life!
Amen! So let us be!

O God of Sky, of Sea, of Earth
Of seasons and of change
come change our hearts to bring re-birth
renew your Earth again.
Words by Brenton Prigge © 2021

Praise for the depths of space,
its endless scope and scale:
in such a vast embrace
our words and numbers fail.
For what are we,
that mortal mind
should seek and find
infinity?

Praise for the rules that show
the patterning of time,
creation’s ebb and flow
expressed in reason’s rhyme.
Can these great laws
contain our awe,
a formula
for wonder’s cause?

Praise for the complex codes
each spiral strand conveys,
as chemistry explodes
to life in myriad ways.
Can we compare
what’s ours alone
if we are known
through all we share?

Praise for the drive to know;
from human nature springs
a need to learn and grow,
to understand all things.
Yet wisdom’s prize
is never won:
from all that’s done
new questions rise.

Praise to the one whose Word
breathed purpose into chance,
for whom all matter stirred
to join creation’s dance.
For love made known
in every thing
in praise we sing
to You alone.
(Tune: Love unknown; Words: Rev Ally Barrett)

Through Devastating Storms
LEONI 6.6.8.4 (“The God of Abraham Praise”)
Through devastating storms, through times of heat and drought,
through fire and flood, creation mourns and so cries out.
As hot and cold extremes cause overwhelming need,
the earth bears witness to the cost of human greed.

We’re always wanting more; we spend and build and buy.
To meet our wants, we hurt the poor — till many die.
The world that we have built is one we can’t sustain,
and all around us, God’s creation cries in pain.

Creator, by your grace, you give the gift of life —
You entered into time and space in Jesus Christ.
Your Spirit makes us strong to tend and heal and lift —
and helps us see creation as a sacred gift.

There’s no time left to wait! May we be bold to give.
May we plant trees and advocate and gently live —
God, as we love the earth and love each other, too,
may we bring hope and healing to this world with you.

References: Romans 8:22-25; Isaiah 58:6-10; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-21
Text: Copyright © 2021 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

Creation Sing Out (inspired by Psalm 148)
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!
Sun, moon and stars
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!

Praises sing from the depths of the oceans
The creatures of water cry forth
Fire and snow, every stormy wind
Sing praises, all the earth!

Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …

Praises ring from the mountain, the hillsides
The forests and everything grown
You animals, birds – you wild, you tame
Creation praise God’s name!

Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …

Praises sing out from young and from older
All nations, yes – everyone
God’s name is highest over all
Creation sing as one!

Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God …