Continue reading »]]> Day One

Let us pray today for: trees, plants, crops, and forests.

“… the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirty fold.” Matthew 13: 23

Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of trees, plants, crops and forests. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley

Day Two

Let us pray today for: water, oceans, rivers, streams and ponds.

“Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply will live, and there will be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes, the sea will be made fresh. Everything will live wherever the river flows.” Ezekiel 47: 9

Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of water, oceans, rivers, streams and ponds. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” C. McAuley

Day Three

Let us pray today for: air, wind, climate and weather.

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were…And they were all filled with the holy Spirit…” Acts 2: 1-2, 4

Creator God, we thank you for your gifts of air, wind, climate and weather. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley

Day Four

Let us pray today for: sun, clean energy and prevention of global warning.

“O radiant dawn, shine forth in glory! Christ has burst forth from the tomb. Give praise, O peoples of the earth. Death is overcome, God triumphs. Alleluia!” Morning and Evening Prayer of the Sisters of Mercy

Creator God, we thank you for your gift of the sun. We repent the abuse we have given to this your creation. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley

Day Five

Let us pray today for: animals, especially endangered species.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea creatures, you wild beasts and all tame animals, you creeping things and you winged fowl. Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven…” Psalm 148: 7, 10, 13

Creator God, we thank you for your gift of all the varied species of animals. We repent the abuse we have given to these your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” C. McAuley

Day Six

Let us pray today for: humankind.

“I will make you a new heart, breathe new spirit into you. I will remove your heart of stone, give you back a heart of flesh. I will give you my own spirit to lead you in my ways, faithful to what I command.” Ezekiel 36: 26-27

Creator God, we thank you for your gift of life. May we always remember our roles as stewards of your creation and sisters and brothers to each other. We repent the sins we have committed against all of your creations. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley

Day Seven

Let us pray today for: recycling and moderate personal consumption.

“Jesus said to them, ‘There is no reason for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.’ …Taking five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied…” Matthew 14: 16, 19-20

Creator God, we thank you for the abundance of resources with which we are blessed. We repent the abuse and overuse of these gifts. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley

Day Eight

Let us pray today for: proper use of chemicals and disposal of toxic waste.

“The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness” Romans 1: 18

Creator God, we thank you for your gift of chemicals which improve our lives. We repent our abuse of them and our improper disposal of toxic waste, which pollutes our earth and your creations. We now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” C. McAuley

Day Nine

Let us pray today for: Earth and unity.

“Let us seek to know the Lord, whose coming is sure as dawn, who descends like the rain, spring rain renewing the earth.” Hosea 6: 3

Creator God, we thank you for creating such a wondrous and magnificent home for us. We repent all our sins against creation. We now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth.

“O, my merciful Savior, you know my weakness. Vouchsafe to assist me with your powerful grace.” Catherine McAuley
Concluding Prayer

“God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6: 8

Creator God, we thank you for all of creation. We ask your forgiveness where we have failed to be just stewards. And we now ask for your guidance in restoring the face of the earth. May we learn to live in harmony, safety and just sharing of resources among all so that we achieve the kingdom of God.

“We should be as shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” Catherine McAuley
Blessing

Peace be to this community. Amen.
Peace be to this land. Amen.
Peace be to this people. Amen.

Continue reading »]]> Today we recognize that the earth provides for all of us, and we commit ourselves to caring for it. We take only what we need, and we replenish what we take.

Food, including the ingredients for bread, is one thing that the earth provides for us. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid recommends the following daily allotments: 6-11 servings of grain, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-4 servings of fruit, 2-3 servings of dairy foods, and 5-7 ounces of meat or fish or the equivalent in beans or nuts. Fat and sugar should be eaten sparingly.

Evaluate your family’s diet. Celebrate Earth Day by resolving to take only what you need!

Continue reading »]]> God of wisdom, we see your love in the rising sun and waning tide,
you grace Earth with life in mysterious variety.

Earth Day - Star Ledger Photo

Every thing has meaning, is blessing; each of us is charged with their care -
from the smallest creature to the ocean’s depth.

Grant us wisdom to know your ways of love and gentle kindness.
Give us the mind to learn what we do not know but long to understand
so that we may honor and nurture all that makes us one with you. Amen.

-Diane Lopez Hughes

Continue reading »]]> Did you know that one tree in its average 50-year lifetime can clean-up $62,000 of air pollution? Trees and people keep each other alive. While trees give off oxygen for us to breathe, they inhale carbon dioxide, which trees thrive upon. Trees do other wonderful things, too; they recycle water, prevent soil erosion, and provide homes for animals and birds.

Planting a tree is great fun, and one of the best things you can do to save the Earth. The tree will reduce the carbon dioxide in the air, provide beauty and shade and attract wildlife. Every year, you and your tree will grow, proud to know you are both helping the earth.