Liturgies - Introduction and Overview
Optional and Ecumenical
The liturgies for the season of Creation are designed to be ecumenical, adaptable and optional. Currently, two options are provided for Australian congregations, Version 1 offering a less liturgical format than Version 2. Further options are available for worshippers in the USA. Additional options are anticipated as other countries and communities join in celebrating the season of Creation.
There is also a special option entitled a Narrative Liturgy. This version has a series of notations or narratives at key points in the liturgy. These notations provide a brief biblical and/or theological basis for each major section of the liturgy. This version is for congregations that feel that this kind of educational tool would help facilitate the introduction of the season of Creation liturgy. The narrative notations are included in the liturgy for Forest Sunday but are suitable for inclusion at the appropriate points for any Sunday.
Liturgical traditions and practices of the Christian church differ greatly, and worship teams should feel free to modify, reorder or substitute sections or terminology of the liturgy. Before doing so, however, teams are invited to read through the Worship Guidelines on this website in order to appreciate the rationale for the current liturgical pattern, which is based on a traditional structure.
Worship Teams and Guidelines
It is recommended that congregations or parishes choose a small worship team to work through the Worship Guidelines when planning the season of Creation. These teams have an opportunity to create a worship setting that both reflects the local context of the worshipping community and also fits the orientation of the worshipping tradition.
In planning the liturgies and related activities, the worship team is urged to keep in mind that the season of Creation is designed to be a rich celebration with creation and with Christ at the centre of creation. The key components of the liturgy are summarised in the Charter for the season of Creation, given on the home page of the website.
The Worship Guidelines on this website enable worship teams to explore the options available for their congregations and to celebrate these liturgies in a rich and meaningful way.
Free Online
The season of Creation logo and the online materials are provided free of charge for use in study, worship and celebration. They are supported by the sponsoring churches as part of their mission to serve Christ through healing creation.
Where a company or congregation wishes to print, publish and distribute one of the texts of the liturgy, they need to obtain permission from the copyright holders listed on the website.
Overview
The liturgy options presented on the website are:
| Series A | Forest Sunday | Australian Version 1 |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 | ||
| Narrative Liturgy | ||
| Land Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 | ||
| Outback Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| Wilderness Sunday | United States Version 1 | |
| United States Version 2 | ||
| River Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 |
| Series B | Planet Earth Sunday | Australian Version 1 |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 | ||
| Humanity Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 | ||
| Sky Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| United States Version 2 | ||
| Mountain Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| Blessing of the Animals | United States Version 1 | |
| United States Version 2 |
The liturgy options still to come on the website are:
| Series C | Ocean Sunday | Australian Version 1 |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| Fauna Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| Storm Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 | ||
| Cosmos Sunday | Australian Version 1 | |
| Australian Version 2 | ||
| United States Version 1 |