Taize Prayer Service for the Season of Creation Adapted from Taize prayer for COP21 songs from Taizé - music: J.Berthier - (c) Ateliers et Presses de Taizé.

Laudate, Omnes gentes Laudate Dominum Laudate Omnes Gentes Praise him all you people, praise the Lord Taize chant: http://www.taize.fr/spip.php?page=chant&song=464&lang=en

Father, we praise you with all your creatures Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love. Praise be to you! Teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty Praise be to You Pope Francis Laudato Si

O Lord, how numerous are your works, wisely you accomplished them all, Psalm O Lord, how numerous are your works, wisely you accomplished them all, your fulness covers the earth, the whole creation hopes in you. Bless the Lord, my soul And Bless God’s holy name Who leads us into life Taize chant http://www.taize.fr/spip.php?page=chant&song=256&lang=en

You send out your creating breath, you renew the face of the earth. For ever the glory of the Lord! May the Lord be glad in his works! Bless the Lord, my soul And Bless God’s holy name Who leads us into life

All my life long, I will sing for the Lord, while I live, I will praise my God; may the Lord take pleasure in my words, since all my joy is in God. Bless the Lord, my soul And Bless God’s holy name Who leads us into life from Psalm 104

Readings: inviting people to praise God for the Creation. Jesus said: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [...] And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:27-29

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

Ubi caritas Et amor Deus ibi est Wherever love is, God is there Taize chant http://www.taize.fr/spip.php?page=chant&song=504&lang=en

Litany for the Creation Loving God, you are present in the universe and in the smallest of your creatures, surround with your love all that exists. Kyrie, kyrie eleison, Kyrie kyrie eleison Creator God, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, where everything speaks of you. Kyrie, kyrie eleison, Kyrie, Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy) Taize chant http://www.taize.fr/spip.php?page=chant&song=364&lang=en

God of love, you make us the world’s protectors, teach us to contemplate the Creation. Kyrie, kyrie eleison.. Creator God, awaken our praise and gratitude, give us the grace to feel ourselves intimately united with all that exists. Kyrie, kyrie eleison…

God of love, enable us to help the abandoned and the forgotten of this world, who have such value in your eyes. Kyrie, kyrie eleison Creator God, you are with us every day; support us in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Prayers for current situations and places Our Father who art in heaven…

Time of personal commitment around the cross. Candles can be lit

Nada te turbe, Nada te espante Quien a Dios tiene, nada le falta Solo Dios basta Nothing can trouble, nothing can frighten Those who seek God shall never go wanting Only God fills us Taize chant http://www.taize.fr/spip.php?page=chant&song=483&lang=en

Goodness is stronger than evil; Love is stronger than hate; Light is stronger than darkness; Life is stronger than death; Victory is ours through Him who loves us. Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Send me Jesus, send me Jesus Lead me Jesus Fill me Jesus Thuma mina, thuma mina, thuma mina, Somandla. Send me Jesus, send me Jesus Lead me Jesus Fill me Jesus Thuma mina, Somandla Song in Zulu – South Africa Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eik2HK7u9xA

This we know: the earth does not belong to us. Commissioning This we know: the earth does not belong to us. The earth is the Lord’s and so are all its people This we know: we did not weave the web of life. The earth is the Lord’s and so is all that breathes on it. This we know: we are called to till and work the earth. The earth is the Lord’s and so are all who work the land.

This we know: that we are called to take care of creation. The earth is the Lord’s yet we have polluted and abused it. This we know; that whatever befalls the earth Befalls the sons and daughters of the earth This we know: that the earth is the Lord’s And so we will serve Him in it Amen Prayer adapted by Bishop Eric Pike

Final blessing May God give bread to those who are hungry May God give a hunger for justice to those who have bread And may the Creator God bless you That you might be a blessing to others. Amen