Centering Practice
During this season of Eastertide, we’ll be exploring the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection for all of God’s creation
- Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths
- Visio divina means “sacred seeing” — it is a way to let visual art guide us closer to God. Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out.
- Ask God to open the eyes of your heart so that we might see what God wants us to see
- Look at the picture — notice where your eyes are drawn to
- How is God speaking to you? Why do you think God drew your attention to this part of the picture? Is there an invitation? A call? Is there a word that comes to mind as you look at the picture?
- What is your response to God?
- Look at the picture once again and say a prayer in response to what God has revealed to you through looking at the picture.
Call to Worship
The Lord is our Creator,
the Beautiful Maker of a wondrous world
and all the wonders it contains.
God created us and placed us on the earth
to be caretakers of all living things.
We proclaim God’s glory, saying:
How wonderful is the work of Your hands! Amen.
Worship Songs
Let Everything That Has Breath
Praise You in the morning
Praise You in the evening
Praise You when I’m young and when I’m old
Praise You when I’m laughing
Praise You when I’m grieving
Praise You every season of the soul
If we could see how much You’re worth
Your power, Your might, Your endless love
Then surely we would never cease to praise
Let everything that
Everything that
Everything that has breath praise the Lord
Praise You in the heavens
Join with the angels
Praising You forever and a day
Praise You on the earth now
Join with creation
Calling all the nations to Your praise
If they could see how much You’re worth
Your power, Your might, Your endless love
Then surely they would never cease to praise, to praise
I will worship, I will worship
I will worship You with every breath
Prayer of Confession
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
You save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
Water, earth, and sky are Yours;
We confess the ways we’ve failed
to care for and protect Your beautiful creation.
Forgive us, O God, we pray:
— Moment of silent prayer —
Lord, may all creation rally and thrive,
revealing to all Your wise, redemptive love;
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Prayers of the People
After each phrase, the congregation will reply with one voice:
Lord, have mercy.
For those suffering from violence, hatred, and war…
For Your creation, groaning under the weight of waste & sin…
For habitats and creatures who need safeguarding and protection…
For ourselves and our loved ones who are facing health challenges or illness…
For our friends who need to know Your love
and the friendship of our Anchor & Hope community…
Amen.
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Mira Mesa Prayer Walk: Our next prayer walk is Saturday, May 4th at 9:00 am here in this neighborhood!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Let’s Get a Little Crazy
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
All Creatures of Our God and King
All creatures of our God and KingAm
Lift up your voice and with us sing
O praise Him, Alleluia
Thou burning sun with golden beams
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu —- ia
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along
O praise Him, Alleluia
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu —- ia
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, Alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu —- ia
Scripture Reading
Psalm 145 & Proverbs 12:10
1 I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
. . .
10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Gospel for All Creatures
Pastor Dan So
Reflection Questions:
- If you have a pet: How do you bless your pet? How does your pet bless you?
- What is Good News/restoration for the animal kingdom? How can we be a part of that?
Worship Song
God of Wonders
Lord of all creation — of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, You are holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, You are holy
Lord of heaven and earth…
Early in the morning — I will celebrate the light
As I stumble through the darkness
I will call Your name by night
Hallelujah… to the Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah… to the Lord of heaven and earth
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, You are holy
Precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
You are holy, You are holy
Lord of heaven and earth…
Anchor & Hope Church 