Gathering Song: Morning Has Broken Morning has broken, like the first morning Blackbird has spoke, like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning. Praise for them springing fresh from the Word Words: Eleanor Farjeon, Gaelic Melody Westminister/John Knox Press. CCLI license No

Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlight from heaven Like the first dewfall, on the first grass Praise of the sweetness of the wet garden Sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning Born of the one light Eden saw play Praise with elation, praise every morning God’s recreation of the new day

Morning has broken, like the first morning Blackbird has spoke, like the first bird Praise for the singing, praise for the morning. Praise for the springing fresh from the Word

Blessing (in unison) Blessed are you, God of mercy, creator of heaven and earth, the seas and rivers and all they contain. We ask you TODAY to keep this life-giving source of water always flowing freely and clearly through our land for our needs of cleansing and refreshing, for our needs of cooking and baking, for our needs of plant life, for our corn, our squash, our melons, and all our gifts from the breast of Mother Earth.

This water is our recreation and a beauty for our eyes to see. May we use it wisely and never take it for granted. May this water always be a grace and never a cause of harm or hurt. May we always respect this gift of water as we ask you to bless it today, and may this life- giving water (which continually returns to you and which you continually return to us) remind us of the very gift of life itself that comes from you and returns to you.

May our lives and the reflections of this day be an echo back to you of your love for us. Amen.

A Note about the Call to Confession It’s from the Ecumenical Water Network’s Seven Weeks for Water Campaign for World Water Day (March 22)