Develop a Discipleship System
Call to Worship
God, you call us from the corners of the Earth.
From the cities and the prairies, from the ghettos and the tables of the wealthy.
God, you sing to us from the corners of the universe.
In the gentle ocean breeze, in the colors that burst forth from our landscapes, in the faces of children ravaged by war.
God, you speak to us from the corners of the Earth.
To the east, to the west, to the north and to the south, above us, below us, and within us, your voice rings clear.
Send your voice to sing in us, we pray, as we worship this day.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
Opening Prayer
God of love, we bring our very selves to worship. Our triumphs. Our failures. Our vulnerabilities. Our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows. In this time set apart, may we hear the voice of Jesus urging us to feed and be fed, to love and be loved. Amen.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
A Litany for Survival
Leader:
For the times we have cast our nets in familiar waters, yet found no sustenance,
People:
We remember the call to cast our nets on the other side, trusting in abundance.
Leader:
For the times we have consumed without thought, taking more than we need,
People:
We seek forgiveness and commit to living in harmony with the Earth and all its creatures.
Leader:
For the times we have forgotten the wisdom of our ancestors who taught us to honor the land,
People:
We ask for the strength to learn from Indigenous ways of knowing so that we might walk gently on this earth.
Leader:
For the times when we have neglected the call to “feed my sheep,” focusing only on our own needs,
People:
We commit to nurturing all beings, recognizing our interconnectedness with the entire web of life.
Leader:
For the moments when we have seen the Earth as a resource to exploit rather than a gift to cherish,
People:
We pledge to protect and restore the lands, waters, and skies.
Leader:
For the times when our actions have harmed the Earth, the waters, and all living beings,
People:
We repent and turn toward sustainable and just practices that honor the sacredness of creation.
Leader:
For the times when we have silenced the voices of Indigenous communities,
People:
We vow to listen, learn, and stand in solidarity with those who protect Earth and its sacred ways.
Leader:
In the face of systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice,
People:
We commit to building new systems of care, reciprocity, and justice, guided by the wisdom of those who have come before us.
Leader:
As we envision a future where all of creation is united in praise,
People:
We dedicate ourselves to the work of food justice, ensuring that all beings have access to the nourishment they need to thrive.
Leader:
For the times when we feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task before us,
People:
We draw strength from Earth and trust its beings to help us.
Leader:
Together, let us move forward with courage,
People:
Committed to the flourishing of all life.
Leader:
In the name of justice, abundance, and peace,
People:
Amen.
Written by Dr. Geran Lorraine, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
Benediction
Let us go from this place, casting the net of God’s love wide.
May we live our lives with the compassion and care of the one who includes all, the one who breathed the creation into being and looked around and declared it good.
Very, very good. Go in peace to do likewise.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
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
Communion Liturgy
In the beginning, Breath poured forth,
and goodness was born,
bringing light from darkness,
life from chaos,
birth from the Womb of Creation.
Circling round the fire,
from the beginning of humanity,
people gathered to tell their story and to give thanks,
for the gifts of the Creator:
promise of seed,
hope of new life,
wholeness of heart,
sacredness of all that lives and breathes.
And all the creatures, in their own language, spoke their gratitude:
The whole world is full of your goodness and mercy.
We give thanks today, tomorrow, and always.
In the fullness of time,
goodness was once again born,
and the world came to know our brother Jesus,
born of woman, whole in heart and Spirit,
dedicated to the way of God
who invited all to the table of grace and continues to invite us now
to this circle of healing and hope.
As he gathered his disciples in his time,
we come now to remember and seek to become
the body of Christ in our own time.
This bread, gift of earth, promise of seed, is prepared for all to share.
Eat with thankful hearts and hope of life renewed.
This wine, gift of the Vine that connects us all,
is offered with joy and celebration.
Seed and fruit to feed our hunger and quench our thirst.
These offerings bind us together in this eternal life-giving act.
Creator, Christ, Sacred Spirit,
fill this meal and this circle with the gifts of life
so we may be seed and fruit for one another and all creation,
for the nourishment of all.
With all creation, we continue to say:
The whole world is full of your goodness and mercy.
We give thanks today, tomorrow, and always.
As Jesus remained true to the goodness and mercy planted within him,
even till death,
may we live lives that help to feed the hunger
and quench the thirst of the world.
May we also offer ourselves, as Jesus did,
as gifts of healing through our words of love and acts of praise.
O God, may we continue to welcome to the circle all who are in need
and share in our awe and thanksgiving, saying:
The world is full of your goodness and mercy.
We give thanks today, tomorrow, and always.
Let us pray together:
Our Creator,
who dwells in heaven and earth,
sacred are all your names.
May your circle of mercy and care be present this day and
your will for all creation bring us into your light,
even as we are held by your great love throughout time.
Feed us today with the gifts of your goodness
and bathe us in your mercy,
as we offer acts of justice and love to all we meet.
Help us to turn from all that leads us from your way
and save us from all that destroys life.
For this creation is yours,
full of awe and beauty and mystery,
today, tomorrow, and always,
may it be so, Amen
Serving the meal:
Cup bearer blessing: The cup of life and new creation.
Bread bearer blessing: The body of Christ, eat, live, and believe.
Written by Sally Johnson, United Methodist Creation Justice Movement
Prayer following Communion
(The following prayers were updated and adapted by Rev. Richenda Fairhurst from #557 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 beans 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 fat 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. 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.
Dr. Geran Lorraine (they/them) is the Associate Director of the Center for Ecological Regeneration at Garrett-Evangelical. They received their M.Div. from Union Presbyterian Seminary and Ph.D. in Ethics and Society from Vanderbilt University, with a minor in Indigenous Studies. They work out of a rich background in academic, administrative, non-profit, and advocacy work, including as a community organizer with Virginia Interfaith Power and Light and a co-founder of a gender-affirming care voice clinic as well as a non-profit affordable community school. As a scholar-activist, they draw on Indigenous, Ecological, Womanist, Black Feminist, Linguistic, and Queer thought in their writing and speaking, while engaging in grassroots movements like Occupy, Freedom to Marry, Black Lives Matter, Standing Rock, Line 3, and the Poor People’s campaign.
