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Worship: Season of Creation (September-St Francis of Assisi) & Blessing of the Animals

resources from judicatories, including re-opening guidelines and online worship videos; online hospitality & participation; engaging children, youth, and intergenerational; lectionary & preaching; liturgy, music & liturgical arts; tech & copyright helps;

Liturgical Elements

Via Creationis: The Way of Creation

Like a Stations of the Cross, this practice invites participants into prayers and readings at a series of stations that focus on creation. The link includes a guide and sample liturgy. The guide indicates that it was originally written for Roman Catholic communities and “can be freely adapted to other denominational settings.”

While our liturgical calendar is ordered by sacred seasons, it is also sprinkled with special days—days set apart for celebration, honor, awe, unity, and justice. That’s why A Sanctified Art has crafted their Special Sundays collection with liturgy, art, and poetry for:

These worship resources are intended to be meaningful, low-prep materials to add creativity and depth to each service.

Season of Creation is a combined series focusing on the Season of Creation written and compiled by Michelle Cook.

Four weeks of resources looking at Forest, Land, Wilderness and River – suitable for Year A Pentecost 14, 15, 16 and 17.

This is a free resource.

Prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5: 24) and so we are called to join the river of justice and peace, to take up climate and ecological justice, and to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity. 

As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice.

Season of creation 2023 Celebration Guide

Check out these FREE resources

Congregations/communities are invited to use these resources and share them to join the Season of Creation, and even spread the word to local media.

Aerial photo of Plainsong Farm in Michigan "Blessing the Fields”: A Liturgy for Community Farms and Gardens

With tips for Creating Your Own “Blessing the Fields” Liturgy

Your ministry might not take place at a farm, but wherever you are is a part of God’s creation too. How might you bless it, even as it has blessed you?

By Nurya Love Parish (she/her/hers); Feb 08, 2023

Lutherans Restoring CreationSeason of Creation: Focusing Worship on God as Creator

The Season of Creation started in the 1990’s and has multiple expressions. It is typically celebrated from the beginning of September until St. Francis of Assisi Day. Click here for updated liturgical and preaching resources such as:

A circular icon of creation on a black background.Blessing Animals at the Zoo - a liturgy adapted by the Rev. David Romanik from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services (pages 102-11), click here to download.

Music

Gather Together: 8 Intergenerational Events to Explore All Creation Sings

Gather Together: 8 Intergenerational Events to Explore All Creation Sings

Bring your entire congregation together to learn about All Creation Sings, worship, and spend time in community with this intergenerational guide. This will be a great addition to the worship life of your church. Participants will grow in faith, build relationships and have fun together.

Illustrated Ministry has released the chord charts and sheet music for each of their Compassion Camp songs; they’re available individually in their store here.

  • Their first single, “Welcome Home,” is great as a gathering any time, and especially for fall kickoff Sunday service!
  • Need a quiet, meditative, and Taize-like song for a worship service, check out “When We Breathe.”
  • Are you leading a service focusing on the vastness of God’s creation? “A Creation Hymn” is based on Psalm 104 and an earworm you will love! Grab the music today!

Multimedia

 Green Lectionary Podcast: Lent Edition

The Lent season of the Green Lectionary has officially begun streaming! Listen to the first episode anywhere you listen to podcasts, or via the website below. Episodes will drop weekly throughout Lent.

St. Francis Coloring Sheet St. Francis was a gentle tender of the earth and our more-than-human siblings as well as a tender of marginalized humans. But his origin story began in wealth and incredible entitlement. He was pretty much a frat boy in his time and aspired to little more than winning honor in war. It’s a dramatic tale that eventually teaches us about caring for the earth and all who live here.

Find the free St Francis of Assisi resource here.

Psalm 104 Poster Print: A beautiful print for your worship or classroom space.

St Francis of Assisi / Blessing the Animals

From Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints: a free, downloadable lesson, his book profile, and a coloring page based on St. Francis of Assisi.

A circular icon of creation on a black background.Blessing Animals at the Zoo by Corrie Cabes of BuildingFaith

Lutherans Restoring CreationReadings and Sample Service for Blessing of the Animals (thanks Pr. Sandi Olson-Decker)