Gathering (east doorway of church)
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.
I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land, so that they may live in the wild and sleep in the woods securely. I will make them and the region around my hill a blessing; and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. The trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase. They shall be secure on their soil; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and save them from the hands of those who enslaved them. They shall no more be plunder for the nations, nor shall the animals of the land devour them; they shall live in safety, and no one shall make them afraid. I will provide for them a splendid vegetation so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the insults of the nations. They shall know that I, the LORD their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord GOD. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture and I am your God, says the Lord GOD.
Here ends the reading.
Procession
The procession will go through the Memorial Garden, to the corner of Church and West Streets, across the front of the property to the parking lot in front of the chapel. The procession will stop three times (outside the Memorial Garden, front walk and chapel), for a prayer for the gifts of creation. The Canticle will be said during the procession.
Canticle Benedicite
1 Let the whole creation bless the Lord:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
2 Bless the Lord you heavens:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
3 Bless the Lord you angels of the Lord:
bless the Lord all you heavenly hosts;
4 bless the Lord you waters above the heavens:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
O heavenly Creator, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works, that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness, for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
5 Bless the Lord sun and moon:
bless the Lord you stars of heaven;
6 bless the Lord all rain and dew:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
7 Bless the Lord all winds that blow:
bless the Lord you fire and heat;
8 bless the Lord scorching wind and bitter cold:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
9 Bless the Lord dews and falling snow:
bless the Lord you nights and days;
Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas especially this state of Vermont; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and water from which these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name. Amen.
10 bless the Lord light and darkness:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
11 Bless the Lord frost and cold:
bless the Lord you ice and snow;
12 bless the Lord lightnings and clouds:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
13 O let the earth bless the Lord:
bless the Lord you mountains and hills;
14 bless the Lord all that grows in the soil:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
15 Bless the Lord you springs of water:
bless the Lord you seas and rivers;
16 bless the Lord you whales
and all that swim in the waters:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
17 Bless the Lord all birds of the air:
bless the Lord you beasts and cattle;
18 bless the Lord all you dwellers on earth:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share in the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
19 Bless the Lord you people of God:
bless the Lord you priests of the Lord;
20 bless the Lord you servants of the Lord:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
21 Bless the Lord all you that are upright in spirit:
bless the Lord you that are holy
and humble in heart.
22 Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit:
praise and exalt our God for ever.
Blessing of Plants , etc.
Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon these seeds, seedlings, and grant that they may serve to your glory and the welfare of your people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Final Blessing and Dismissal [in front of the chapel]
May you be a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ shall send you, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always. Amen.
Grace be with you. Thanks be to God.
Now THAT's doing church. I included Rogation Sunday in my sermon but we had sadly not planned far enough ahead. Blessings!
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