The Tree of Life

Call to Worship

In the beginning, the voice that whispered us into being still whispers, saying…
Let there be light!
In the wilderness, the voice that fed us from the heavens still feeds us. saying…
Let there be light!
In the story we share with this God of mystery and amazing love, the voice calls to us each and every morning, saying…
Let there be light!

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Opening Prayer

God of the stars and galaxies, God of the seed and Earth, we thank you that you continue to come to us, to amaze us, to laugh with us, to cry with us, to comfort us, and to show us that your love shines through us and your creation, bringing light to a darkened world. May this beauty and peace be reflected in this sacred circle. In the name of the Christ-presence, we pray. Amen.

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Pastoral Prayer

Empowering Spirit,
God of our mothers and fathers,
Creator and Redeemer of all life,
We pray to you for your love-grounded peace.

We ask you to open our minds, free our hearts, bless our bodies,
and grace all our relationships.
We ask this of you because you have promised to help us,
just as you illumine in Revelation's prophetic vision.
You come to make a good world, a new creation-place where we can enjoy health, decency, safety, and even joy.
We pray to you, O God, to inspire us into this daringly just world.
We pray for new creation where love is greater than jewels
and more luminous than the sun or moon.

Let that love be shared around the tree of life.
Bless us again in your image and free our frightened souls.

So, shall we gather at the river?
Shall we soak in the river of many healings?
Shall we make every place where nature communes with humanity a temple for your creation?
Yes, O God, we shall gather at your river and your tree of life.
We shall bless the tree and the river and all living things.
We pray in the name of Jesus, in the way of love-grounded peace.
Amen

Written by Rev. Cooper Wiggin, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Benediction

Peace…peace I leave with you.
Peace…peace I offer you.
Peace…as we walk into the world to be the presence of the Holy to all we meet.
Peace…peace…peace…peace.

Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

A Thanksgiving For A New Creation

Confession

Creator God, Your Eden flowed with mountain-fed rivers into lush valleys with orchards of pomegranates, grapes, and honeybees. The rain fell at the right time in the right amount. Even just a few decades ago, summertime was the season of shared community celebrations, weddings, parades, picnics, and growing crops. That has changed. This is not the Earth that Eden would recognize. Creator God, forgive us for our carelessness. Comfort those who suffer. We repent of this destructive path. Turn the hearts of those who would continue to do harm to this planet. Let us believe as you have taught us, that all things can be made new. Amen.

Written by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement

Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. In the times we turned away and our belief was tested, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our God, brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, and set before us the way of life.

And so, with your people and your creatures on earth, and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus who is the Christ. By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection, you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit for the whole of creation.

It was the waters of Earth that flowed as he was baptized. It was the form of a dove and the shape of the wind that blew to establish the presence of the Holy Spirit! It was the wilderness of this Earth where Jesus was tempted and refused temptation. It was the coolness of the cave and the freshness of the gardens, alive with palms and flowers and butterflies that greeted Jesus on Easter morning. And when the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always, heaven and Earth together, a new creation.

It all happened right here.

On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, God of all Creation, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples and all the people and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples and all the people, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my Life, a new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine/juice. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

By your spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we share the heavenly banquet, believers together in this New Creation.

Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.

Amen.

Written by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, using resources from the United Methodist Book of Worship. including:

• United Methodist Book of Worship, 66-67, The Great Thanksgiving for Easter Day or Season, with adaptation
• 557, United Methodist Book of Worship by Fritz Pawelzik with updates and adaptation.

Lord’s Prayer

Serving the meal:
Cup bearer blessing: The cup of life and new creation.
Bread bearer blessing: The body of Christ, eat, live, and believe.

Final Prayer following Communion

(The following prayers were updated and adapted by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst from 557 United Methodist Book of Worship by Fritz Pawelzik. Choose one to celebrate Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East or Australia/New Zealand. Extend the season and read the other variations next Sunday for Pentecost.)

Africa

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we tilled the soil, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew mango and sorghum out of the clay. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and butter fish. Healthy and fat buffalo, crested guineafowl, red goats, and Sanga cows graze on the green sea of the savanna. The yam is fat; the cassava melts on the tongue; guavas burst bright pink inside their peels. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

Asia

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we tilled the soil, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew tugi root and mung bean out of the rich soil. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and catfish. Healthy and fa, bison, junglefowl, and black goats graze near green oceans of rice. The fuzzy melon grows fat; the banana melts on the tongue; coconuts crack juicy and sweet out of their shells. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

The Americas

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we tilled the soil, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew jeweled corn and red tomatoes out of the rich soil. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and the water wolf. Healthy and fat bison, turkeys, elk and alpaca graze under green and gold mountains. The potato grows fat; the cassava melts on the tongue; berries burst sweet juice in their clusters. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

Europe

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we tilled the soil, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew apples and wild oats out of the rich soil. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and weed eels. Healthy and fat bison, graylag geese, mouflon sheep, and wild rabbits graze in the heather valleys. The turnips grow fat; roasted hazelnuts melt on the tongue, and round black currants leak red-purple juice over green leaves. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

Middle East

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we tilled the soil, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew chickpeas and wheat out of the rich soil. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and tilapia. Healthy and fat Arabian oryx, sparrows, shami goats, and honeybees live and graze in the high plains and deserts. The figs grow sweet alongside olives and almonds; soft, syrupy dates cluster under green palms. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

Australia/New Zealand

Almighty God, Creator of all things, God of sun and Earth, you created us with your breath. You are here with us. As we planted, you opened the seed. Your rain watered the ground; your sun drew youlk potato and button grass out of the warm soil. Your mercy showered blessing after blessing over the land, its humans, and living things. Creeks flowed into rivers; wetlands fed turtles and ray-finned fishes. Healthy and fat kangaroo, brush-turkeys, bellbirds and kiwis forage through the bush. The wild, peachy quandong grows plump; the macadamias melt in a soft crunch, and the riberries bring a showcase of red, purple, and bright pink clusters. Creator, Provider, we will care for this good Earth. In the name of Jesus who is the Christ, Amen.

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.

Rev. Cooper Wiggen spent 43 years in ministry with the Minnesota Annual Conference and continues to be deeply engaged with the Earthkeeper movement both in Minnesota and beyond. Cooper is part of the Creation Collective at Hennepin Ave UMC in Minneapolis.

Rev. Richenda Fairhurst works at the intersection of climate, community, and connection. She serves alongside others with the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, including as part of the Movement Cafe team. She is a member of the Pacific Northwest Conference and lives in Southern Oregon, where she serves on the board of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, chairing the Creation Justice Committee and Oregon Interfaith Power and Light. Find her on substack at justcreation.org.