Songs and Worship
We look to the God who is the source of life for the whole of creation. ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,’ Psalm 24 tells us. We are assured that creation is God’s gift to us and to future generations. It is not our entitlement, or ours to abuse. It is in such a reorientation of our imaginations and our lives that we shall find hope.
Do we use words / songs in our services which portray nature, and people of all sorts, as God’s beloved creation? Do we use words / songs that do not reinforce the theology of human domination over nature, but emphasise stewardship, care for God’s creation and the joy of nature?
Explore contemporary songs about creation
Worship Together is a helpful online resource. You can type in key words like ‘creation’ and search for songs that focus on that theme. There are also videos that show you how to play the songs. The Worship Together website also features a list of songs that celebrate the divine creativity and power of God: God’s Creation. Here are some examples of popular contemporary songs about creation that you can find on Worship Together.
A New Kind of Day - From a Kiwi songwriter, Malcolm Gordon writes music for the church that blends the ancient with the contemporary and bridges the divide between personal faith and social action. Check out this song about climate change.
Examine hymns on creation
Here are some well-known hymns that focuses on creation.
All creatures of our God and King (St Francis of Assisi)
All things bright and beautiful (C. F. Alexander)
For the beauty of the earth (F. Pierpoint)
O Lord my God, when in awesome wonder | How great Thou art (Stuart Hine)
Here are some discussion questions on popular hymns and what they can teach us about creation care presented by Steven Muir at an A Rocha conference exploring sustainability and Christian faith in Christchurch in 2018.
Doxecology
Doxecology is a new album from Resound Worship featuring 13 new songs on themes of creation, ecology and Christian hope.
The accompanying thirteen-chapter study guide includes contributions from leading scholars and practitioners in the fields of environmentalism and worship, plus three service plans with new resources created by engageworship.
Here’s a video telling us more about engageworship, Resound Worship and the songs in the Doxecology album.
Renew Our World
Renew Our World released a worship anthem to invite Christians around the world to join hands, hearts, and voices in solidarity to pray, lament, heal, worship, and raise our voices for the renewal of our world.
A Rocha USA Arts Programme
A Rocha Arts originated in Nashville, Tennessee in 2013 with a group of songwriters and musicians who were inspired by A Rocha’s story of restoring specific people and places. They gathered to write songs that reflected that story, and their own stories of love and care for people and place. With hymn-writer Sandra McCracken leading the effort, two albums were produced:
Both albums are available on NoiseTrade, iTunes, and Bandcamp. All proceeds benefit the work of A Rocha.
Other lists of songs and hymns on creation
Operation Noah - Hymns on the theme of creation
A Rocha At Your Service - The Tree of Life and the Life of Trees - Songs and Hymns
Renew Our World - Songs of Creation
Engage in worship in God’s world
Worship in the outdoors can help our sense of being close to the earth and to God. Outdoor Worship by Sara and Sam Hargreaves is a resource book of ideas an inspiration to help mixed-age groups, families and churches engage with God in his world. This 52-page, full colour A5 book features space for your own ‘field notes’, plus biblical reflections and articles on how we can better relate to the earth.
The Church of England has created a page of resources for Outdoor Worship - while this was put together with COVID-19 restrictions in mind, it is full of useful questions, principles and resources to guide you through the process of taking church activities outdoors. Check them out!
Consider music for listening rather than just singing
Worship doesn’t mean we need songs to sing. Sometimes it’s even more inspiring and uplifting just to listen.
Creative (all ages) worship
Worship can be enhanced by incorporating symbolic acts such as tree planting, using local water, soil, mud, rocks, timber, leaves and flowers.
In this example, the liturgy of the elements, written by Silvia Purdie for a family service celebrates the elements of creation: earth, air, fire and water - using tangible elements during the worship.
This resource is from Salal + Cedar in British Columbia, Canada but has ideas that are useful and can be customised for the Aotearoa NZ context. Their Wonder Box Curricula are designed for multi-age groups with the intention of growing children's love of God's creation. They bring together inspiration and wisdom from Messy Church, Godly Play and Forest Schools. The materials are organised for a 90 minute session and small parts can be used for a 30 minute Sunday School lesson or a 5 minute children's talk.
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action to protect creation. It is celebrated by Christians of all traditions, and the leaders of faith traditions have encouraged the faithful to participate. The season begins September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis, who is the patron saint of ecology in many traditions. The suggested theme for 2020 is “Jubilee for the Earth”. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are on a pilgrimage to better care of creation. Download the celebration guide here.
Check out Season of Creation’s denominational resources here.
Climate Sunday service resources - An ecumenical resource created for Creation Time 2020.
Green Communion resources - A communion service that celebrates the wonder of God’s earth.