Creation Tide Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
September 19, 2026 - Third Week of Creation Tide
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 pause your conversations and 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)
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.(Psalm 19.2)
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
And Blessed be His kingdom, now and forever.
Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
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.
Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Sung Worship (standing together)
King of My Heart
Verse 1
Let the King of my heart, be the mountain where I run
The fountain I drink from, oh He is my song
Let the King of my heart, be the shadow where I hide
The ransom for my life, oh He is my Song
CHORUS
You are good, good, oh, oh
You are good, good, oh, oh
Verse 2
Let the King of my heart, be the wind inside my sails
The anchor in the waves, oh He is my song
Let the King of my heart, be the fire inside my veins
The echo of my days, oh He is my song
Bridge
You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down
You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down
CHORUS
You are good, good, oh, oh
You are good, good, oh, oh
THE LESSON (standing together)
A reading from the letter to the church in Philippi (Philippians 3: 13b-21)
…this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sung Worship (continues, standing together)
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
I will bless the Lord at all times
I will bless the Lord
THE GOSPEL (standing together)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 9: 30-37).
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ
*Children are dismissed to their formation classes - parents please check your kids in at their class room. Thanks!
The Message Cn Tim Clayton
(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 teem 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.
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, Wildfire and many other relief efforts.
Details on our Missions Page
Here Together
On our News Page you’ll find updates on:
- Take a moment to read our latest update on our News page
*Parents: Following the announcements, parents please pick up your kids at their class room. Thanks!
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 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
Beautiful Scandalous Night
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for all
Chorus
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
Verse 3
On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side
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; May the Sacrament of unity which we have received, O Father, increase communion with you and with our brothers and sisters, so that, as we await new heavens and a new earth, we may learn to live together in harmony with all creatures, through Christ our Lord.
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
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
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 Jen Keifer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Ian Clayton, production, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals
Juniper Mahnke, vocals
sung worship during Creation Tide:
Rain Down, written by Stuart Gerard and Martin Smith
King of my Heart, written by Sarah and John Mark McMillan
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, the Mass “For the Care of Creation” promulgated by decree of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Catholic), the Church of Kenya (Anglican), the Church of New Zealand (Anglican), the Church of England’s Times and Seasons for the Agricultural Year and a prayer from Prayers for Children, compiled by Christopher Herbert.
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.
