Springs of Living Water

Call to Worship

The God of day and darkness moves among us…
We are the people of Living Water.
The God of hope and promise lives among us…
We are the people of Living Water.
The God of the lost and lonely calls us by name…
We are the people bathed in the Living Water of Creation, God’s kin, traveling toward home and a love that will not let us go.

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Opening Prayer

Holy One of the morning, we come together to remember who we are and whose we are. Open our hearts to the nudging of your Spirit that moves among us, empowering us to listen, to nurture, and to care for all creation. Give us eyes to see when you break into our lives through all you have made and wash us once again in your life-giving waters. Amen

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Pastoral Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We gather in awe before you, inspired by the vision from Revelation 7:9-17, where a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language stands before your throne, delivered from hunger, thirst, and scorching heat. We thank you for this promise of restoration and hope amid our current trials.

Lord, we recognize the deep and profound ecological injustices that mar our world today. We see the suffering of communities, particularly in vulnerable regions, who endure the harshest impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to its causes. We pray for your mercy and intervention in these times of hardship.

Help us to embody the vision of inclusivity and justice seen in Revelation. Guide us to advocate for policies that uplift and protect those most affected by ecological degradation. Inspire us to work toward a world where every voice is heard and every need is addressed, aligning our actions with your promise of relief and renewal.

Teach us to live sustainably, reducing our impact on the environment and embracing practices that honor your creation. Let our lives reflect the purity and victory symbolized by the white robes of the multitude in your heavenly vision. May we be diligent in our efforts to support and uplift those who are suffering from environmental injustices, through both direct relief and systemic change.

Empower us to foster a culture of compassion and justice. Instill in our hearts a deep commitment to care for the Earth and one another, knowing that our actions echo your love and justice. Strengthen our resolve to advocate for meaningful change and to build networks of support that enhance resilience and hope in every community.

As we strive toward ecological justice, let us remain mindful of your promises, trusting that you are with us in our efforts and that a future free from suffering and hardship is within our reach.

In your holy name, we pray, Amen.

Written by Shamiso Winnet Mupara, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Benediction

God’s hand holds us fast and will never let us go.
Let us leave this place in sure and certain faith that we swim in the love of our Creator, to the east, the west, above us, below us, and within us.

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Rev. Sally Howell Johnson is a retired deacon in the United Methodist Church. She has written and led liturgies in the tradition of Creation and Celtic Spirituality for over 30 years and is the author of two books: Barefoot Zone: Walking the Sacred Path and The Practicing Life: Simple Acts. Sacred Living and writes a blog, Pause, at sallyhowelljohnson.com.

Shamiso Winnet Mupara is an environmentalist and climate justice expert from Zimbabwe.Her work is centered on climate justice and reforestation in communities in Zimbabwe where women and children are the main beneficiary of her projects. She envisions communities that sustainably manage their natural resources for economic development, building community resilience in the process. Her work has had a ripple effect outside Zimbabwe including several African countries, Middle East, USA and United Kingdom.