This is part of the worship series,
"Grief Over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness”
Introduction
Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5
Palm/Passion Sunday | Good Friday | Easter Sunday
WEEK TWO: MISUSE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
We centered this service around creation care, the climate crisis, and our call to fill the earth and subdue it. We opened the service with our delight in the beauty of creation, joining the song of all creation praising the Creator. We lamented how we often neglect our task of caring for the earth as all creation groans in eager expectation for Christ’s return. Then we turned to trust and hope that God will redeem this world and make all things new.
Gathering
Welcome
Call to Worship
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
All creation joins in praising:
great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and women, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
—adapted from Psalm 19:1 and Psalm 148:7–12 NIV
God Greets Us
God’s People Greet Each Other
Songs
How magnificent it is for us to reflect on
how God’s Word spoke creation into being,
how God’s Spirit breathed life into every living creature.
We join our voices in concert with the symphony of praise
sung by trees and fields on earth, and saints and angels in heaven.
“Rejoice in All Your Works” Kimbrough
“Creation Sings the Father’s Song” Getty and Townend
Renewal
Call to Confession
Made in God’s image
to live in loving communion with our Maker,
we are appointed earthkeepers and caretakers
to tend the earth, enjoy it,
and love our neighbors.
God uses our skills
for the unfolding and well-being of his world
so that creation and all who live in it may flourish.
—Our World Belongs to God, st. 10 © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids, Michigan, www.crcna.org. Reprinted with permission.
Yet often we neglect our task.
Recalling our task leads us to confess our sin
and to yearn for God’s forgiveness.
Prayer of Confession and Song
“This is My Father’s World (Beauty Birthed from Strife)” Babcock, additional verse Tai and Dost
[Congregation sings stanza 1:]
This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world;
I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.
—Babcock, P.D.
[Spoken prayer of confession:]
Creator God, we confess that all too often
we have ignored and denied your lordship of the land entrusted to us
by assuming the right to do with it as we please,
by taking more from it than we have returned to it,
by taking for granted its productivity,
by denying justice to many who have labored on the land,
by wanting food for less than it costs to produce.
We have indulged our appetites with little consideration for others.
We have been more interested in our neighbor’s land than in our neighbor.
We have harbored bitterness and resentments
because of economic problems.
We are not reconciled to some who have hurt us,
even members of your body.
—from “Prayers for the Earth,” by Betty Voskuil, Reformed Worship 10:24 © 1988, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.
[Congregation sings stanza by Tai and Drost:]
This is our Savior’s world,
though justice has not come.
We wait in angst and groan in pain
till Jesus’ kingdom come.
God will redeem this world!
From the ashes shall come life.
We will believe though we cannot see
the beauty birthed from strife.
—Julie Tai and Eben Drost © 2019, Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial-ShareAlike.
[Prayer continues:]
Lord of the church, have mercy on us.
Grant us peace with you and with each other in Christ.
—from “Prayers for the Earth,” by Betty Voskuil, Reformed Worship 10:24 © 1988, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.
[Congregation sings stanza 3:]
This is my Father’s world;
oh, let me not forget
that, though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world;
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad.
—Babcock, P.D.
[Prayer continues:]
Lord of all creation,
you have given us this day of beauty,
full of your handiwork.
Open our eyes wide
to see your Spirit’s artistry in all that happens.
Open our hearts
to the surprising ways of your creative goodness.
Then grant us grace to reflect your glory,
through the transforming power of Christ, your Word,
who beckons us into life abundant. Amen.
—from “Praising God the Maker,” by Christine Jerrett, © 2026 ReformedWorship.org. Used by permission.
Assurance of Pardon
In a moment we are going to sing together “Is He Worthy?” The chorus references the moment in Revelation 5 when the prophet asks, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” He looks around along with all the hosts of heaven, and when no one is found who is worthy, he weeps bitterly.
But then one of the elders says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able.” And then the Lamb, looking as if it has been slain, appears at the center of the throne and takes the scroll. At once all the heavenly hosts sing praises: “You are worthy!”
When facing injustice, we can feel despair. But though we see the brokenness in our lives and the world around us and we hear creation groaning, we know that there is still one who is worthy. Christ is worthy, and through Christ we are assured of redemption. Redemption from our sin and all the injustice and brokenness of this world. One day all will be redeemed, and creation will groan no more.
Song: “Is He Worthy?” Peterson and Shive
Children are dismissed for Children’s Worship.
Word
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture
Psalm 104; Matthew 6:25–34
Message
“Seeking Justice for Creation”
Song of Response
“For the Beauty of the Earth” Pierpont
Prayer of the People
We Give Our Offerings of Thanks
Sending
Call to Discipleship
Teach us again to live in sync with your creation.
May your Spirit move in the hearts of leaders,
giving courage in the face of the climate crisis.
May your Spirit move in the voices of youth
who call on us to consider future generations.
May your Spirit empower the poor with resilience
to weather storms, drought, and floods.
May your Spirit lift the conscience of the church to do what is right.
May our actions bear witness that our world belongs to God.
—from “Prayer for the Restoration of Creation,” Climate Witness Project © 2016, CRCNA, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Reprinted by permission.
God’s Parting Blessing
Song
“Lord, Most High” Harris and Sadler
Postlude
WEEK TWO: Additional Song Ideas
“Hosanna! (Will You Rise?)” Wardell et al.
“All Creatures Lament” Wardell et al.
