This dramatic Call to Worship might be used during the Season of Creation (Creationtide) or on Earth Day Sunday (22 April).
Simplify the props or movements as needed. Any of the parts might be used separately from the whole.
Materials and arrangements:
- five candles on table at front, or in centre
- a large glass bowl filled with water
- four small bundles of greens each about 20 cm long, laid beside the bowl of water
- long strips of white and blue sheer fabric hanging in the worship space
- a fan, ideally hidden, underneath the fabric
- a gong or bell
- long white ribbons, one for each dancer – representing wind
Participants
- Four dancers – dressed in colourful garments representing the earth, (brown or green), wind, (white), fire, (yellow or orange) and water (blue).
- Speaker – dressed colourfully, representing the diversity of colour and beauty of nature.
Call to Worship
The gong/bell sounds seven times to represent the six days of creation and the day of rest. While the gong/bell is ringing, the speaker lights the centre candle.
The sound of wind is heard over the speakers as the fan hidden behind the worship table (altar) gently blows the hanging strips of fabric. If no recording of wind is available, the congregation might be invited to make ‘whooshing’ windy noises.
The four dancers move toward the front/centre waving long white ribbons. They propel the ribbons into the air in patterns like the wind. They continue to dance encircling the altar until the ribbons come to rest on the worship table at the end of the first prayer, ‘Holy Air’.
When the dancers appear, the speaker recites the following poem:
Holy Air
The Air,
the Air is everywhere.
Holy Air,
Stirring the waters of creation,
Sweeping across the desert.
Breathing life into humans.
Feel the Air, Holy Air,
like the rush of a mighty wind
awakening lost spirits.
Breathe the Air
source of life,
filling a new-born’s first cry.
Breathe deep, the Holy Air,
centring in your Presence.
Breathe on me,
breath of God.
Fill me with your love,
Your Holy Air.
The sound of the wind is replaced by the sounds of thunder and water, rain and running water, waves crashing, and drops of water. These effects are played over the sound system from a CD or digital file. The dancers move gracefully from the worship table (altar) towards the bowl of water. Each places a drop of water in the palm of their hand and dances forward to different parts of the congregation, reaching out with their hands and showing them the water.
They then return to the bowl and dip the bundles of greens into the water. In a ritualized dance, they flick the water out over the chancel area and the congregation, one in each direction. They re-dip and change direction four times while the following poem is read:
Sacred Waters
In the beginning
the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.
Sacred waters,
a drop which rests on the palm of my hand
a gift from God.
Sacred waters,
quenching parched lips,
nourishing our bodies
turning arid land
into a garden of life,
sustaining all its creatures.
Sacred waters,
nourishing our spirits,
a blessing sprinkled over us.
Sacred waters,
poured over our heads,
a symbol of our birth in you.
The bundles of greens are placed on the worship table.
The sound of water dies out and is replaced by the sound of wind chimes or light and ethereal bells. The dancers, one by one, in stylized movement light the four candles, using the centre candle to do so. After each one finishes lighting their candle, they dance to the back of the sanctuary and pick up an element of nature from the small table. (i.e., a large seashell, flowers, a beautiful rock, driftwood, a bird’s nest, etc.).
During the lighting of the candles, the following poem is read:
God’s Light
The light of God surrounded them:
God’s light
in flames of fire within a bush
telling Moses to take off his shoes
for he is standing on Holy Ground.
God’s light
in a pillar of fire
leading the Israelites to a promised land
during darkened nights in the desert.
God’s light
in tongues of fire
hovering over frightened disciples
baptizing them with the Spirit and new life.
The light of God surrounds us:
God’s light
igniting the flames in our hearts
for peace in a troubled world
inviting Christ to be with us in worship.
God’s light
letting the sunshine in
guiding us into God’s presence
filling our spirits with light and love.
The sound of chimes or bells might be replaced by an instrumental version of a hymn celebrating the earth, played softly.
The dancers, or a group of children/youth, process down the centre aisle, each carrying an element of nature, pausing several times presenting the object to the congregation on each side of the aisle. The elements are danced to the front and placed upon a table.
During this procession the following poem is read.
God’s Gifts
What is it about a gentle breeze
Is it the breath of God
stirring your senses?
What is it about the sound of birds
greeting the morning
that reminds you you are not alone?
What is it about the sound of rushing water
that soothes the soul –
washing away any negative thoughts
that are disrupting your peace?
What is it about the fragrance
of a rose, fresh cut grass,
that stops you in your tracks
for a spontaneous prayer of thanksgiving?
What is it about the touch of a four-legged friend
that warms your heart
or dries a tear?
What is it about the refreshing taste of cool water
on a hot day, quenching your thirst –
Is it a gift of God
replenishing your body?
What is it about the sight of the sky
ablaze with colour at the end of the day
that opens your eyes to God’s splendour?
What is it about a rainbow arching across the sky
that reminds us that all is well in God’s world
if only for a moment?
Each step, each breath,
brings us closer to the heart of God
where we are one with all of creation
and our Creator.
Stop
Feel
Listen
Smell
Touch
Taste
Look
Enjoy God’s gifts to us.
Each person in the procession dances back down the centre aisle and takes their seat in the congregation.
Photo: ‘Ascension’ window created by John Maine 2017, Hereford Cathedral – photo taken by Ana Gobledale