Present: Rolf, Jerrty, Jane, Julian, Jan, Muriel, Leslie (excused Judy, Pam, Pat)
1. Lunch and Learn
Rolf brought along two handouts: Alternate Fuel Programs, with pluses and minuses of bio-fuels, wind poqwewrm siolar power, more nuyclear power, clean coal programs; and Individual responses to global warming with pluses andf minues of energy efficient apploiances and lightingm, better MPG cars and light trucks, support piublic transit, energy-effricient homes/buildings, and buy locally grown food. We addedf carbon offset purchase to this, for which Julian provided a 2-sided habndout. We will put Rolf’s two sheets back to back when they are finalized and use them as part of his presentation.
Judy had said she would be willing to do the part of the program where we ask attendees what they are doing, so we decided to start with this, as discussed at our last meeting, while people are getting places and beginning their lunch, writing responses on a tablet in the front. Leslie will confer with Judy about this, also about asking Judy to introduce the program and start it off. Then Rolf will present the problem (very briefly) and his sheet on alternative fuel programs (I suggest he take questions during this section that are specific to the programs, not leave questions to the erndf), then he’ll go to the individual responses and we can again ask those people who did not have a chance to participate in opening to offer answers here again. We can end with Julian’s carbon offset sheet and the website/survey that Judy found about carbon footprint.
Julian, will you present these two?
Let’s also mention that our committee will be coming to the congregation with an all-church suggested action maybe in May, as we discussed at our March meeting. We can determine this at our May meeting.
Food for Lunch and Learn: We are planning for about 30 people. Leslie will confer with Pat about what Pat has in mind for food. Leslie feels the meat/cheese platter ftom CUB that peacemakers has ordered in past is too heavy on meat and is too big, a lot is leftover. Thus far we have the following: Jan, deviled eggs and brownies; Jerry, 3 loavers of good bread; Rolf, juices; Leslie, potato salad, butter. We need another salad or two, maybe some cookies, plus some kind of platter (a smaller one from maybe a more organic place?).
Leslie will check with Nancy Lund about whether we have to wash plates if we use the kitchen ones.
2. Earth Day Sunday service
Leslie brought along a printout of last year’s Earth Day service, with the places we had provided text etc.--preparation, call to worship,opening hymn , littany of confession, assurance of pardon, time with children, scripture, huymn, moment for mission, ritual of friendship, hymn, benediction (mockup printed below). Leslie also brought an illustration for the front of the bulletin.
Pam could not be present but sent Leslie suggestions for a Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Prayer of Repentance, Assurance of Pardon,and bible passages: Joel 2:21-24, Mark 4:26-32 (mustard seed), and Luke 8:4-8 (seeds on rocky ground).
We liked the prayers but felt the call to worship was perhaps too human centered, also wondered if a more earth-centered prayer of confession could be found. The bible readings, especially Joel, are excellent. Jane will work further on call to worship and a prayer. Julian will work on the Moment for Mission, which will be something about mistreating the soil, losing soil, etc. We will ask Pam to be the liturgist, and either Judy, Dale Thompson, or our intern to do the children’s sermon also on how alive soil is and the need of the creatures for healthy soil. We can suggest hymns to Curt but he may already have some in mind, Leslie spoke to him a week or so ago.
Leslie will look for some appropriate sounds to accompany the service (insects, frogs, other?).
We have one more Sunday to firm this up and get it to the office on the following Tuesday.
MACALESTER PLYMOUTH UNITED CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) AND UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
APRIL 22, 2007
EARTH DAY WORSHIP
PEACEMAKING GRAPHIC WITH GEN 1:24 UNDERNEATH IT. (RETURN TO LESLIE REINDL “OR ELSE”—SHE SAID!
Committed to peacemaking, inclusivity and the care of God’s glorious creation.
Macalester Plymouth United Church
Presbyterian Church (USA) and United Church of Christ
1658 Lincoln Avenue, St. Paul MN 55105 651.698.8871, www.macalester-plymouth.org Heidi Vardeman, Tom Ewald and Jim Dahlgren, pastors
Earth Day Worship We celebrate God’s creation and explore issues pertaining to caring for God’s creation. Leaders for today’s service are members of Caring for Creation, a group that meets in the Plymouth Room on the first Sunday of the month immediately following worship.
April 22, 2007 10:30 a.m.
Upon entering the sanctuary, you will hear a recording of animal noises.
PREPARATION Job 12:7-10 Julian Sellers But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Whom among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breadth of every human being.
PRELUDE
WELCOME
SILENT PRAYER
INTROIT XXX XXX
CALL TO WORSHIP Jerry Storck
One: The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and all that dwells therein.
All: We live in God's world, we are not alone. We share this life with the heavens and the earth, with the waters and the land, with trees and grasses, with fish, birds, and animals, with creatures of every form, and with all out brothers and sisters.
One: God saw all that was made, and behold, it was very good.
* HYMN I Sing the Almighty Mighty Power of God #152
To be discussed re: hymns—what about that environmental stewardship hymn from the hymn contest?
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Leslie Reindl
From the World Council of Churches 7th Assembly, 1991
One: Giver of life, in the midst of a plundered earth we groan with creation.
All: Have mercy on us.
One: Giver of life, in the midst of poisoned waters we groan with creation;
All: Have mercy on us.
One: Giver of life, in the midst of polluted air we groan with creation.
All: Have mercy on us
One: Giver of life, in the midst of changing climate and dying species,
All: Have mercy on us.
One: Giver of life, in the midst of a world at war we groan with creation;
All: Have mercy on us.
One: Giver of life, we who are made in the image of God have gone astray, and creation groans with us,
All: Have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
RESPONSE (in unison) (music inside back cover of hymnal)
You are the Lord, the Author of mercy,You are the Christ, the Pattern of mercy,You are the Lord, who holds us in mercy.
*ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: The good news is this: In Christ we are reconciled and re- created.
All: Praise be to God.
One: Let us this day take the time to enjoy our relationship with our Creator, made possible in our Savior Jesus Christ, and to appreciate the goodness of all of creation.
All: We declare this day to be a Sabbath unto God, a day of rest for all.
*RESPONSE (in unison) (music inside back cover of hymnal)
Sing to the glory of the God who creates us, Sing to the glory of the Christ who redeems us,Sing to the glory of the Holy Spirit who sustains and comforts us; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,World without end, world without end, world without end. Amen.
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
As forgiven people, let us share the peace of Christ, by saying,
“Peace be with you.”
ANTHEM XXX XXX
TIME WITH CHILDREN Dale Thompson
SONG All God’s Creatures Got a Place in the Choir
Kirsten Cacokski, leader
Please print words here (Leslie R. says she’ll get them to Heidi)
(Children are excused: Children three years old through first grade are invited to attend Enrichment in the Preschool wing. First grade through third grade are invited to go to Children’s Choir in the Lower Level. Children remaining in the service may sit with their parent(s) and use worship bags that are provided.)
MINUTE FOR MISSION Global Climate Change Julian Sellers
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (in unison)
Strengthen us in your goodness, loving God, to hear, understand and respond to your holy word. Amen.
FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES Genesis 1:28
FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Acts 9:1-19
MEDITATION
* HYMN God of the Sparrow
RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
Tom Ewald
MUSICAL PREPARATION FOR PRAYER (in unison)
May your words to us, O Holy One, be planted in our hearts and blossom in our lives. May our words to you, O Listening One, find harmony in your will. For we pray in the name of the Living One, our companion and savior, Jesus Christ.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE After each intercession, congregation responds: Lord, hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY #95
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above, ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
* HYMN to be discussed at Wednesday’s worhip planning meeting"Let All Things Now Living" or "Circle of Life" (by Marty Haugen) (First verse (of 4): "One great circle of life, living circle of love, plants and trees, seas and rivers, and the blessed sky above. Creatures great, creatures small, one the web that weaves us all, all in the circle of life.) (Last verse: "With the whale and the eagle, with the turtle and the deer, With the forest and the prairie and the waters fresh and clear, In a great, living circle that embraces all the earth, We are moving in a holy dance of life and death and birth.)
CLOSING PRAYER Jerry Storck
All: We join with the earth and with each other.
One: To bring new life to the land, the restore the waters, to refresh the air.
All: We join with the earth and with each other.
One: To renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures.
All: We join with the earth and with each other.
One: To celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars.
All: We join with the earth and with each other.
One: To recall our destiny, to renew our spirits, to reinvigorate our bodies.
All: We join with the earth and with each other.
One: To recreate the human community, to promote justice and
peace, to remember our children.
All: We join with the earth and with each other. Amen!
*RESPONSE (in unison) (music inside back cover of hymnal)
May God’s blessing shine upon us, may we go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. Amen, Amen.
POSTLUDE
Macalester Plymouth United Church
1658 Lincoln Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105
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