Stewardship of the earth has always been part of the calling of the people of God. Today is Earth Day. What are you doing to care for all of God's creation?

Take a moment to ponder these poems and prayers.

Earth Day Opening Prayer

Good God, Creator of the world, draw us into prayer and celebration as we gather to remember the gifts of your earth and the stewardship you have entrusted to us as tillers and tenders in your image.

We know that in the gathering of the people, power is present among us; your Holy Spirit stirs and moves and gives us courage to remember that all good gifts come first from you.

We praise you for this creation in the words of the Psalmist, sung by our ancestors in faith for generations:

"God speaks: the heavens are made;

God breathes: the stars shine.

God bottles the waters of the sea

and stores them in the deep

All earth, be astounded,

stand in awe of God."

Keep us faithful to this gathering in faith and "bless this vine your right hand has planted." Now and forever, Amen.

Taken from liturgy materials used on Earth Day 1997 at Seattle University. Provided by Earth Ministry.

Consider Creation

All people of the earth, each and every nation

Arise and rejoice at the continued creation

Of beauty, of springtime, the yearly rebirth

Of our protector, our home, our own Mother Earth!

Who despite our apparent lack of care

Creates bountiful splendor for all to share

From mountain tops to the deepest sea

All wonderful earthly miracles bursting free!

Yet this miracle of renewal requires the helping hand

Of the people to replenish and renew the land

From the largest of cities to the most remote farms

To unite in spirit and with the strongest arms.

Become a midwife to the birth of each flower

A guardian of our resources hour by hour

We must learn to take time to appreciate

The miracles of which we did not create.

For God has given this wonderful treasure

And its preservation will be the measure

Of people who recognize and will celebrate

The birth of each season before it's too late.

In citizenship, in willingness to toil

We must bend our backs and tend to the soil

In stewardship, arise and applaud the worth

Of the wondrous marvel of our Living Earth!

Consider creation. . . . Consider it now.

Source: http://www.letallcreationpraise.org/liturgy/prayers

Service from August 1992, "Coming to See"