Stewards of the Earth - Earth Day Prayer Service

By:

 

 

St. Paul Interparochial School

Earth Day Prayer Service

Science Fair 2012

 

 

In Celebration of Earth Day

 

“God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’"

Genesis 1:28

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Leader:  Let us begin by singing “The Canticle of the Sun” by Saint Francis of Assisi

 

Chorus: The heavens are telling the glory of God,

and all creation is shouting for joy.

Come dance in the forest, come, play in the field,

And sing, sing, to the glory of the Lord.

 

Verse 1:  Praise for the sun, the bringer of day,

he carries the light of the Lord in his rays;

the moon and the stars who light up the way

unto your throne.

 

Chorus

 

Verse 2 : Praise for the wind that blows through the trees,

the seas mighty storms, the gentlest breeze;

they blow where they will, they blow where they please

to please the Lord.

 

Chorus

 

Verse 3 :  Praise for the rain that waters our fields,

and blesses our crops so all the earth yields;

from death unto life her mystery revealed

springs forth in joy.

 

Chorus

 

Verse 5:  Praise for the earth who makes life to grow,

the creatures you made to let your life show;

the flowers and trees that help us to know

the heart of love.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leader: Today we gather to give thanks to God for the gift and majesty of his creation. We cannot look upon the beautiful world and beyond into heavenly space without recognizing the love God has for each of us.

All: We love you, God our Creator, and thank you for our many blessings.

Leader: God, you are always there for us. We need not worry and walk in fear, for you are always there and will never leave us. (Read Matthew 6:25-33)

All: We love you, God our Creator, and we place our trust in you.

Leader: We thank you, God, for all who work to provide food and medicines. We pray that we will all work to protect the soil of the earth and preserve it from poisons, burning, and harm. May the oceans, rivers, and streams used by mankind be treated with respect to maintain life always.

All: We love you, God our Creator, and pledge to care for your gifts that nourish and heal us.

Leader: We thank you, God, for the animals of the earth and oceans. May they thrive rather than become endangered or extinct due to harm inflicted by humans. May we guard their habitats and change our habits to deter global warming.

All: We love you, God our Creator, and strive to preserve every living being.

Leader: And finally, Dear God, we thank you for the gift of each other. We are human and often fail in our dealings with each other, but we pray that you will give us the wisdom to love our neighbors around the world. Help us to tear down walls we have built in our hearts and minds through fear and prejudice. Let our eyes see the person inside rather than the color of skin. Put in our hearts a desire to protect everyone from before birth to old age, for all are precious in your sight.

All: We love you, God our Creator, and seek to appreciate and reach out to our neighbors around the Globe to share your love.

 

Leader:  Let us say the Stewardship Prayer and School Mission Statement

 

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Planting by Student Council Environmental Commissioners

 

 

Release of Butterflies by Kindergarten and 1st Grade

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leader:  Let us close by singing “Let There Be Peace On Earth” by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller

 

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our father

Brothers all are we.

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

 

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With every step I take

Let this be my solemn vow.

To take each moment

And live each moment

With peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin with me.