Environment Sunday 2007
This year for Environment Sunday (Sunday 3rd June 2007) Sage took part in a special service at St. Margaret's, Lewknor in collaboration with The Chiltern Gateway Project. This page is intended to give you an idea of what happened, and may be helpful if you want to try to do something similar elsewhere. The service was quite an ambitious one, starting with an open air service at nearby Aston Rowant Nature Reserve, then going down to the church for tea and cakes, and finally having an indoor service in the church. Details of the plan are below:
Open Air Service Order
Introduction: Chiltern Gateway welcome.
Where we are, creation as our place of worshipCeltic Prayer
Hymn: All creatures of our God and King (645 Songs of Fellowship)
Psalm 19: 1-6
Meditation on the senses
Round/chant: In the beginning God created, and it was good; consider the lilies.
Willow weaving dressing: collective activity
The weaving will be brought to church, theme will be continued in there.
End with ‘environmental beatitudes’.
Drive to St. Margaret’s from Cowleaze carpark OR walk down past Hill FarmTea and cakes set out in churchyard.
Indoor Service Order
Bringing in the willow weaving and mentioning its symbolismIntroduction to evening celebration in St. Margaret’s
Thomas Merton: A Spring Morning
Hymn: O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder (425 Songs of Fellowship)
Reading: Genesis 2, 4-20
Litany of praise
Hymn by the choir: For the Beauty of the Earth (112 Songs of Fellowship), music by Rutter
Reading: Matthew 25, 14-30 The parable of the talents
Sermon: ‘Stewards of Creation’ (Dave Bookless)
Prayers: Trinity prayer- Thanksgiving, repentance, intercession.
Final hymn: I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (830 Songs of Fellowship)
Iona Blessing and dismissal
There were over 100 people at the services, and the weather was wonderful (phew!). The service planning group were Simon Brignall, Jane Pendlenton, Ann Persson, Clare Newgass and Martin Hodson. Dave Bookless was an excellent speaker. Lots of people helped with cakes, tea, music and in all sorts of ways.
