Collect
Gracious God, Creator of all, you made us your stewards of this planet earth; enlighten us that we may care for and share its resources. Nourished in body and soul by your creation, may we lift our hearts and voices, joining the chorus of all creation as we praise you: creator, sustainer and redeemer.
Amen
Readings
A Reading from the first chapter of Genesis
In the beginning God created the sky and the earth.
Then God said “Let there be light” and there was light. Then God said “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters.” And God said “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear”. And it was so.
Then God said “Let the earth produce plants—some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds. Every seed will produce more of its own kind” and it happened.
And God said “Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days and years and give light to the earth.” And it was so.
Then God said “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly in the air above the earth.” God created large sea animals and every living thing that moves. He also made every bird. God blessed them and said :” Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let birds multiply on the earth”
The God said “Let the earth be filled with animals each producing more of its own kind: livestock, creeping things, and beasts and let each produce more of its own kind”. And it happened.
Then God said “Let us make human beings in our own image and likeness, male and female.” God blessed them and said “Have many children and grow in number”.
And God saw everything he had made and it was good.
Then God planted a garden in the east and called it Eden. God caused every beautiful tree and every tree with fruit to grow. And God put the human beings in the Garden to care for it and till it.
A Reading from the 12th chapter of the Book of Job
Ask the animals and they will teach you or ask the birds of the air and they will tell you. Speak to the plants of the earth and they will teach you, or let the fish of the sea tell you. Every one of these knows that the hand of the Lord has done this.
The life of every creature and all living things and the breath of all people are in God’s hand.
Mark 12:28-34a