Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
September 14, 2025 - Third Sunday of Creationtide
cre·a·tion /krēˈāSHən/
noun: the bringing into of existence of the universe, especially when regarded as an act of God. "the big bang was the moment of the Creation, and therefore the work of God"
”the creation”-noun: everything so created; the universe.
Instrumental prelude -Each week we take a few moments for silent prayer and reflection during the instrumental prelude. We invite you to join us in quiet prayer; to enter this place with quietness and trust before the Lord.
Call to worship: (standing together)
It’s living waters we desire to flood our hearts with holy fire
Rain down, all around the world we’re singing
Rain down, can you hear the earth is singing
Rain down, my heart is dry but I’m still singing
Rain down, rain it down on me
THE ACCLAMATION (standing together)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth;
And deemed them to be good.
By his wisdom God made them all;
All beings join in God’s praise.
Blessed be God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
And Blessed be His kingdom, now and forever.
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Sung Worship (standing together)
Center
You're the center of the universe
Everything was made in You, Jesus
Breath of every living thing
Everyone was made for You
You hold everything together
You hold everything together
Chorus:
Oh Christ be the center of our lives
be the place we fix our eyes
be the center of our lives
We lift our eyes to heaven
we wrap our lives around Your life
we lift our eyes to heaven to You
THE LESSON (standing together)
A reading from the book of Genesis ( 17: 1-8):
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.’
Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.
I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.’
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sung Worship (continues, standing together)
TILL I SEE YOU
Verse 1:
The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And 'til I see You face to face
And grace amazing takes me home, I'll trust in You
Verse 2:
With all I am I live to see Your Kingdom come
And in my heart I pray you'd let Your will be done
And 'til I see You face to face
And grace amazing takes me home I'll trust in You
Chorus:
I will live to love You
I will live to bring You praise
I will live a child in awe of You
Verse 3:
You are the voice that called the universe to be
You are the whisper in my heart that speaks to me
And 'til I see You face to face
And grace amazing takes me home, I'll trust in You
Bridge:
You alone are God of all
You alone are worthy Lord
And with all I am my soul will bless
Your Name
THE GOSPEL (standing together)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (5: 1-13).
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
The Message Mother Jen Keifer
(please be seated)
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (kneeling or seated as you’re able)
(A Litany for the Environment from our sister churches, the Anglican Church of Kenya and the Church in New Zealand)
Celebrant:
O Lord of all creation, who viewed all you had created
and concluded it was all very beautiful,
grant that your people, whom you created in your image
would seek to safeguard and cease to harm your beautiful creation.
We thank God for the beauty of His creation
Intercessor:
Creating and Redeeming God,
we thank you for your gifts in creation:
for our world,
the heavens tell of your glory;
for our land, its beauty and its resources,
for the rich heritage we enjoy.
We pray:
for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth,
that we may use your gifts responsibly;
for those who work on the land and sea, in city and in industry,
that all may enjoy the fruits of their labors and marvel at your creation;
for artists, scientists and visionaries,
that through their work we may see creation afresh.
Silence is kept
May the shaved hills be reforested,
And turn flourishingly green again.
May the forests grow denser and greener,
May the encroachment of the deserts be averted.
May the rivers stay in their courses,
And be safeguarded against pollution.
May the fields yield a hundredfold,
And people be well fed.
May the herds and flocks ever find green pasture and cooling streams,
May our seas, oceans, and lakes team with aquatic life.
May all wildlife be protected,
May it be safeguarded against poaching and fire catastrophes.
May water gush forth in the deserts and springs in the wastelands,
May creation harmony be furthered and all humanity be truly good stewards.
Silence is kept
We pray:
for all who are deprived of fulness of life,
for prisoners, refugees, and those who are sick;
for those in politics, medical science, social and relief work, and for your Church,
for all who seek to bring life to others.
Silence is kept
We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation.
Give us reverence for life in your world.
Glory be to the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end.
Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Celebrant:
In these perilous days of escalating tension and violence in our society, we pray for the human family:
O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Celebrant
God of hope, shape our dreams.
As we put our trust in you may your hopes and desires be ours,
and we your expectant people.
Amen.
THE NICENE CREED (standing together)
Let’s stand and recall together the narrative summary of God’s love story:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION OF SIN (kneeling or seated as you’re able)
celebrant:
Let's kneel together and recall our sins and those things that prevent our being filled with love for God and our neighbors:
silence is kept
Consider the birds of the air;
they do not sow or gather into barns,
yet our heavenly Father feeds them.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they do not toil nor spin,
yet even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Let’s put our trust in Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, who reminds us:
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Matthew 6.26,28-30,33
together:
Father, you have made the world very beautiful.
Teach us to love your world that you have shared with us,
and to treat it with reverence and care,
for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.
God, the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, brings you new life, forgives you.
Take hold of this forgiveness and live your life in the Spirit of Jesus, forgiving others and showing grace as you go.
Amen.
THE PEACE (standing together)
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with your spirit.
(Let’s greet one another with a sign of peace)
Announcements and Upcoming Events -
more details on our Events Page
Garden of Eden, by Ivanka Demchuk
The Joseph Fund - ARDF Relief Support for the People of Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Mozambique, Turkey, Syria and many other relief efforts.
Details on our Missions Page
New Baby, Take Them a Meal!
Congratulations to Sophie and Toby Clayton-Gross! Ladies and gentlemen, Mila Anne Clayton-Gross!
From time to time we have wonderful opportunities to help our families at Trinity. 🌠
Check out our Take them a Meal Page to help out!
They are grateful to have this community support!
News
Community Conversation, Baptisms, Confirmation Classes, Annual Meeting and more!
Take a moment to read our latest update on our News page
Sung Worship/Offering: we worship together with our hearts in song and in giving
the opportunity to worship through giving is available online here.
There is also a giving area near the welcome table. Look for the box shaped like a church building on the table near the lawn entry.
Made for You
Every corner of my heart
This was made for You
Every corner of my soul
This was made by You
Lord of every Song
I am held by You
Like the stars and the sea in the moonlight
We were made by You, for You
CHORUS:
Lord of all Light
I was made for You
Lord of all Creation,
I was made for You
For You, for You, for You, for You
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
All things come from you, O Lord,
And of your own have we given you.
THE SURSUM CORDA (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
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 him thanks and praise.
It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is your living Word from before time and for all ages; by him you created all things, and by him you make all things new. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
THE SANCTUS
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
(kneeling as you’re able or sitting)
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.
On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: by him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
your Name be hallowed,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
as in heaven, also on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9–13)
THE FRACTION
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia!
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(for those with us online)
Lord Jesus, truly present in the Holy Sacrament: come spiritually into my heart and give me yourself, for I love you above all else, and I desire to be united with you within my soul.
Amen.
Reminder Communion Instructions: Prayer and Blessing Opportunities are available from a member of the prayer team as you return to your seat after receiving the bread and wine. Personal and Confidential Prayer is available following the service.
Sung Worship
This is My Father’s World
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong
Seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav'n be one.
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER (standing together)
Most loving God, Creator and Redeemer, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and together with all your saints, we offer ourselves and our lives to your service. Send us out in the power of your Spirit, to stand with you in your world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the servant, who became for us our friend and brother. Amen.
THE FINAL BLESSING
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honor everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Alleluia, alleluia: go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God, Alleluia, alleluia.
SUNG WORSHIP
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
May the Peace of God be with you today
*Personal and Confidential Prayer is available at the back of the chapel, look for the “prayer” signs.
Canon Timothy Clayton, lead pastor
Mother Wendy Dixon, clergy
Mother Jen Keifer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Christian Erickson, keyboards, vocals
Ian Clayton, production, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals
Juniper Mahnke, vocals, Reader/Intercessor
sung worship during Creationtide:
Rain Down, written by Stuart Gerard and Martin Smith
Beautiful Scandalous Night, written by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong
All Creatures of Our God and King, written by St. Francis of Assisi 1225 based on Psalm 148, translated by William Henry Draper a priest in the Church of England set to the tune of "Lasst uns erfreuen", a German Easter hymn published by Friedrich Spee in 1623 in his book Auserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng
Let Everything that has Breath Praise the Lord, written by Willie J Williams
Future Past and King of my Heart, written by Sarah and John Mark McMillan
Made for You, written by Michael J Pritzl
Doxology, written by Thomas Ken in 1674
How Great Thou Art, based on an original Swedish hymn entitled "O Store Gud" the original text and song came from a Swedish preacher, Carl Boberg, who wrote his lyrics after a unique experience on the southeast coast of Sweden.
All Hail King Jesus, written by Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Dawn Gretzinger, Ran Matthew Jackson, Peter Benjamin Mattis
Cannons, written by Phil Wickham
God of Wonders, written by Marc Byrd and Steve Hindalong
Maker of the Stars, written by Michael Pritzl
Till I See You, written by Joel Timothy Houston / Jadwin Gillies
Center, written by Matt Redman
This is My Father’s World, Lyrics by Maltbie Babcock 1901; Tune: "Terra Beata" arranged by Franklin Sheppard 1915
Today’s liturgy is from the BCP 2019, with a litany from the Church of Kenya (Anglican), the Church of New Zealand, and lessons from the First Nations Version (of the NT), An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Eastern Orthodox) proposed in 1989 that September 1st (the first day of the Orthodox Church year) should be observed as a day “of protection of the natural environment”. In 2016, Pope Francis declared 1 September an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This was expanded in Europe to be a season — Creationtide — going from September 1st until October 4th (the Feast of St Francis), and has been adopted in many churches around the world, including some in the Anglican Communion.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We all live on Indigenous land. We would like to acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe: the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken their name. We would like to pay our respect to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historical Massachusett Tribe territories to this day.
We are grateful to Thomas Green, VP of the Massachusett Tribe, for providing this paragraph. https://massachusetttribe.org/the-tribe
”Trinity”, and “Appearance of Christ” artwork by Ukrainian Icon Artist, Ivanka Demchuk,
be·gin·ning
/bəˈɡiniNG/
noun: the point in time or space at which something starts.
mer·cy
/ˈmərsē/
noun: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
