Scripture Reading for 4 pm Worship Serivce September 15, 2019
Genesis 1: 1-2:4a
A poetic reading of the first Creation Story in Genesis and a prayer adapted from Philip Newell’s Celtic Treasure.
READER 1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Before that there was only empty darkness and the deep eternal waters.
But in the dark, a wind began to stir.
It was God saying, ‘Let there be light.’
And there was light.
God saw that it was good.
There was a time for light and a time for darkness.
The light was called day and the darkness night.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s first day.
READER 2
On the second day the storm kept stirring.
It was the wind of new beginnings.
God was saying, ‘Let there be a space for creation.’
And the wind carved out a hollow in the deep waters.
It was a cradle for life.
Above, beneath, and on every side of it were the everlasting waters.
God saw that it was good.
It was a place for birth and abundance.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s second day.
READER 1
On the third day God said, “Let the firm earth appear.”
So the wind gathered together the waters of life.
The waters were oceans and the dry land was earth.
]the wind blew over its dark soil.
Earth grew green.
Flowers in their freshness opened.
Colour and goodness burst forth from the earth.
Young bushes budded.
Trees were heavy with fruit and earth’s seed was strong.
God saw that it was good.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s third day.
READER 2
On the fourth day God said, ‘Let there be lights in the heavens.’
So the wind carried fire on its wings and scattered light through the skies.
There was a great light to rule the day and a gentler light to rule the night.
And there were glittering galaxies beyond number.
The sun, the moon and the stars moved in harmony.
They guided the seasons.
They marked the days and the years.
They shone on earth as signs of heaven.
God saw that it was good.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s fourth day.
READER 1
On the fifth day God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth living creatures.’
So the wind awakened the waters into life.
Gleaming fish swarmed the seas.
Winged birds of every kind rose out of the waters.
Creeping things crawled from the sea.
Wild animals ran free.
And cattle roamed the grasslands.
God saw that it was good.
Earth was alive with its creatures.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s fifth day.
READER 2
On the sixth day God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image.’
So the wind grew strong over the swelling sea
and from the moist earth humanity was born.
Spirit and flesh were formed in the likeness of God.
Male and female came forth together.
And the words of heaven were spoken on earth,
‘Be fruitful and multiply.
The earth is yours and you are the earth’s,
the seeds, the seas, the creatures,
everything that has breath and every plant that grows.
Be strong in my likeness and guard the unity of life.
God saw all that had been created and it was very good.
The relationship of earth and woman and man had begun.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s sixth day.
READER 1
On the seventh day there was silence in heaven.
The mighty wind of life was still.
The sea was calm.
The morning stars glistened.
The earth slept.
The work was finished.
Creation had been born
and the Creator of all things rested.
It was a holy day.
The heavens and the earth were well.
God saw its fullness.
And there was evening and morning, creation’s seventh day.
READER 2
Blessed are You in the heights and depths, O Holy One.
Blessed are You in earth, sea, and sky.
Blessed are You in the in the soul of humankind.
Let everything that has life and breath, praise You.
Amen.