1. How are we all? What are you doing tomorrow evening for the last time in a month?
2. For the beauty of the earth (from 7:22)
2. For the beauty of the earth (from 7:22)
3. Recognition of where we are. Listen as someone reads (join in bold):
A Psalm of lament and praise in a time of coronavirus
How shall we praise you, Lord, our God?
When we are locked down,
how shall we praise you?
When the doors to your house are barred,
and your people cannot assemble?
When those desperately in need of money and work
cannot even wait in the market-place
When we have to circle round people in the street,
and to queue for shops maintaining safe distance?
When we can only communicate
by hearing on the phone,
or seeing on the screen
or digitally messaging,
or even just waving through a window?
When we cannot meet our parents and children,
grandparents and grandchildren,
or other family members and friends?
When we cannot touch them in their flesh and blood,
to know they are really alive?
How shall we praise you?
How, like Thomas, shall we not see yet believe
that your son is raised among us?
How shall we praise you?
How can I praise you, Lord?
Are you plaguing us with this virus
to punish us because we have all done wrong,
or thought wrongly,
or felt wrongly,
or just been wrong?
If so, why do only some die,
and those, apparently, the ones who are the least worst or most caring amongst us?
Or are you trying to teach us a lesson?
If so, why is it so hard to learn?
And how are we to find the answer
when we do not even know the question?
Or are you still the same loving God,
coming to us in our sufferings
and opening up the way to new life in Jesus?
Lord, I will try to praise you.
Through gritted teeth,
I will try to praise you.
I will try to remember that you have created all things,
and this virus is part of your creation.
I will try not to hate it
but seek to mitigate its harm.
I will try to keep myself and others safe.
I will work to pray for them
and seek to help in whatever way I can.
Lord, when I cannot pray or worship
help me be aware of all your people
and your saints and angels
hovering around me,
lifting me up.
When I feel alone,
let me feel you near me,
even if only for a moment that enables me to go on.
Let me hear you say
“Peace be with you”
Lord, I will praise you.
Let all the peoples praise you.
A Psalm of lament and praise in a time of coronavirus
How shall we praise you, Lord, our God?
When we are locked down,
how shall we praise you?
When the doors to your house are barred,
and your people cannot assemble?
When those desperately in need of money and work
cannot even wait in the market-place
When we have to circle round people in the street,
and to queue for shops maintaining safe distance?
When we can only communicate
by hearing on the phone,
or seeing on the screen
or digitally messaging,
or even just waving through a window?
When we cannot meet our parents and children,
grandparents and grandchildren,
or other family members and friends?
When we cannot touch them in their flesh and blood,
to know they are really alive?
How shall we praise you?
How, like Thomas, shall we not see yet believe
that your son is raised among us?
How shall we praise you?
How can I praise you, Lord?
Are you plaguing us with this virus
to punish us because we have all done wrong,
or thought wrongly,
or felt wrongly,
or just been wrong?
If so, why do only some die,
and those, apparently, the ones who are the least worst or most caring amongst us?
Or are you trying to teach us a lesson?
If so, why is it so hard to learn?
And how are we to find the answer
when we do not even know the question?
Or are you still the same loving God,
coming to us in our sufferings
and opening up the way to new life in Jesus?
Lord, I will try to praise you.
Through gritted teeth,
I will try to praise you.
I will try to remember that you have created all things,
and this virus is part of your creation.
I will try not to hate it
but seek to mitigate its harm.
I will try to keep myself and others safe.
I will work to pray for them
and seek to help in whatever way I can.
Lord, when I cannot pray or worship
help me be aware of all your people
and your saints and angels
hovering around me,
lifting me up.
When I feel alone,
let me feel you near me,
even if only for a moment that enables me to go on.
Let me hear you say
“Peace be with you”
Lord, I will praise you.
Let all the peoples praise you.
| 4. Listen and reflect – everybody now. https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/f/2/3f2c78681eec831a/Everybody_Now.mp3?c_id=85965740&cs_id=85965740&expiration=1604433933&hwt=dc3c43b40a825ed541765bc8496fb24e 15.31 to 25.30
|  |
5. Prayers
We pray for the waters of the world, that they may be restored to health and filled with bountiful life.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for Earth’s soil, that its richness be protected to assure abundant harvests for all.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for all creatures who share Earth with us, that their beauty and diversity will be preserved.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for our siblings and friends around the world who have been and will be directly impacted by the effects of climate change.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for future generations, may they learn from our environmental irresponsibility, and be good stewards living simply and in harmony with all your creation.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for all human beings, that we will be filled with a spirit of concern for the future of our environment; bring an end to the exploitation of the earth’s scarce resources; and live as responsible stewards protecting and respecting this gift of creation God has placed in our hands.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for wisdom for decision makers in this place and around the world, that wealthy nations may make amendments for the harm they have done to the environment and find creative and just solutions to protect all of creation and ensure climate justice.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
For all of the intentions we hold silently in our hearts.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
6. Praise
Leader: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
People: You have set your glory high above the heavens.
Leader: When I look to the heavens, I see the work of your fingers.
People: In the heavens, you have established the moon and the stars.
Leader: What are human beings that you should pay attention to us?
People: Why would you care about us mortals?
Leader: You have made us a little lower than the angels.
People: You have crowned us with glory and honor.
Leader: You have given us dominion over the works of your hands.
People: You have put all things under our care,
Leader: All sheep and oxen…
People: The beasts of the field…
Leader: The birds of the air…
People: The fish of the sea.
Leader: All these things you have put under our care.
People: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
7. Action: house group trees?
8. Irish blessing
We pray for the waters of the world, that they may be restored to health and filled with bountiful life.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for Earth’s soil, that its richness be protected to assure abundant harvests for all.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for all creatures who share Earth with us, that their beauty and diversity will be preserved.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for our siblings and friends around the world who have been and will be directly impacted by the effects of climate change.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for future generations, may they learn from our environmental irresponsibility, and be good stewards living simply and in harmony with all your creation.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for all human beings, that we will be filled with a spirit of concern for the future of our environment; bring an end to the exploitation of the earth’s scarce resources; and live as responsible stewards protecting and respecting this gift of creation God has placed in our hands.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
We pray for wisdom for decision makers in this place and around the world, that wealthy nations may make amendments for the harm they have done to the environment and find creative and just solutions to protect all of creation and ensure climate justice.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
For all of the intentions we hold silently in our hearts.
Response: God of Creation, help us to respect and renew the Earth.
6. Praise
Leader: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
People: You have set your glory high above the heavens.
Leader: When I look to the heavens, I see the work of your fingers.
People: In the heavens, you have established the moon and the stars.
Leader: What are human beings that you should pay attention to us?
People: Why would you care about us mortals?
Leader: You have made us a little lower than the angels.
People: You have crowned us with glory and honor.
Leader: You have given us dominion over the works of your hands.
People: You have put all things under our care,
Leader: All sheep and oxen…
People: The beasts of the field…
Leader: The birds of the air…
People: The fish of the sea.
Leader: All these things you have put under our care.
People: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!
7. Action: house group trees?
8. Irish blessing
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