Rural Ministries

	Worship
	Resources

	compiled by

	THE RURAL MINISTRIES COMMITTEE
	of
	Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska

	December, 1999

	The Rural Ministries Committee
	of
	Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska
	215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 411
	Lincoln, NE  68508-1888
	Telephone:  (402) 476-3391
	Fax:  (402) 476-9310
	email:  im50427@alltel.net

The Rural Ministries Committee of Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska is representative of the following denominations:

CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN NEBRASKA
  The Rev. Richard K. Markland, Lincoln

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA, NEBRASKA SYNOD
  Ms. Donna Kaiser, Gothenburg
  The Rev. Gretchen Ritola, Cozad

HOMESTEAD PRESBYTERY, SYNOD OF LAKES & PRAIRIES, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
  Mrs. Janet Goble, Lincoln
  The Rev. Stephen Nofel, Panama
PRESBYTERY OF CENTRAL NEBRASKA, SYNOD OF LAKES & PRAIRIES,
    PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
  Dr. Wanda Mindt, North Platte, chairperson

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF GRAND ISLAND,
    RURAL CATHOLIC LIFE CONFERENCE
  Father Neal Nollette, Elm Creek

INTERCHURCH MINISTRIES OF NEBRASKA (IMN) Staff:

  Marilyn Mecham, Executive (8/15/99)
  Fred E. Loder, Interim Executive
  Sharon K. Kalcik, Administrative Assistant

	FOREWORD

The Rural Ministries Committee of Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska is a "proactive" committee with the following "Mission Statement":

		"The Church, as the Body of Christ, is called to reach out and witness to God's presence in our midst and the life and hope that God's presence brings.
		
		In response to this, the Rural Ministries Committee of Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska seeks to empower congregations to grow in outreach ministry within their community so that not only the congregation themselves will be re-vitalized, but the entire community as well."
		
Following extensive prayer and discussion over a period of many months, the Committee agreed that one of the ways in which we could assist rural churches of our denominations was by collecting and publishing in loose-leaf notebook format materials submitted to us by denominations and persons having an interest in rural celebrations and rituals.

God bless your ministry as you serve the people living in rural Nebraska.

		"Ultimately, all of the Universe is part of a single family with God as our Father, the earth as our Mother (all life as we know it springs from the earth by the creative will of our Heavenly Father), and all the created order as siblings.  Such a world view points to love, mutual respect, ecological concern, harmony, beauty and balance." (Native American)

	TABLE OF CONTENTS
	
SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS  (Creation, Stewardship of Creation, Earth, Air, Water,
  Harvest/Fruits, Obedience to God-Punishment/Reward), Conflict Management)	1
ORDERS OF WORSHIP
   A Service For the Blessing of Animals	 2
   Blessing of Seeds, Missioning of Farmers	 3
   Order of Service for the Consecration of a Major Farm Implement	 4
   An Order of Dedication of Seed, Soil, and Sowers	 6
   Order for the Blessing of Seeds at Planting Time	 8
   Festival of Sharing Worship Service	11
   An Experience of Christian Worship	16
   An Order of Worship for Thanksgiving Day	19
   Thanksgiving Day - An Order of Worship for Thanksgiving Day	21
   An Order of Thanksgiving for Harvest, Land, and Liberty	22
   Festival of the First Fruits	25
   Harvest Service	25
   Harvest Thanksgiving Service	28
   Praise God for Bread - A Rural Life Sunday Service	28
   Order for the Blessing of Fields and Flocks	30
   Vigil Service - For Those Who Love and Work The Land	32
   Rogation Sunday	34
   Seven Days of Farming - 7 Liturgies Celebrating the Cycle of Growing Food	36
   Rogation Procession	42
   Rogation Days	43
     Prayers for Divine Help:  A Human Impulse	43
     The Development of Rogation Days	43
     Rogation Days Today	44
   Novena in Honor of St. Isidore	44
     Story of St. Isidore and S. Marie De La Cabeza	44
   Rural Life Sunday	50
   An Order of Service for Rural Life Sunday - Theme:  "Celebration of our Sense of Community	55
   Rural Life Sunday "Preparing the Ground"	57
   Drought - Resources and Suggestions for a Time of Drought
     Sermon Topics and Texts	56
   Creed of the Soil Conservationist	59
   An Affirmation Binding Urban and Rural	59
   Morning Worship "Daring to be Intimate"	60
   Celebrating Smallness	60
   Celebrating the Awakening	62
   Order of Worship (Saint Paul School of Theology)	63
   The Bell & The Plow	64
   The Way of the Cross - For Those in Rural Life (Fourteen Stations)	66
SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS
   Selected Scripture Passages	74
   Ambassadors	75
   "Faith in a Great God"	76
   The Gift of Rain	76
   Getting Acquainted	76
   The Country is My Life	77
	i

SERMON SEEDS PERTAINING TO RURAL LIFE	79
   Genesis 7:18-23	Topic:  Water	79
   Genesis 39:9		Topic:  "A Young Man's Religion"	79
   Exodus 15:23		Topic:  Marah	79
   Exodus 15:27		Topic:  Temptation to linger at Elim	79
   Numbers 35:34		Topic:  "God's earth is cared for	79
   Deuteronomy 10:12-14                  Topic:  "When God Prays"	79
   Deuteronomy 8:11-18	Topic:  "Truths to Pass On"	79
   Joshua 14:6-14	Topic:  "Look To The Hill Country"	80
   The Book of Ruth	Topic:  Loyalty	80
   Proverbs 16:3		Topic:  "A Time for Work"	80
   Proverbs 25:13	Topic:  "A Time for Communication"	80
   Proverbs 28:19	Topic:  "The Farm Days"	81
   Ecclesiastes 5:9	Topic:  "The Farm Is The Foundation"	81
   Isaiah 9:6		Topic:  "A Time for National Concern"	81
   Isaiah 11:6-9		Topic:  "Beyond Eden" (A Rural Life Sunday Topic) 	81
   Isaiah 43:19		Topic:  "A Time for Discovery"	82
   Jeremiah 2:7		Topic:  "Defiling"	82
   Jeremiah 2:13		Topic:  "Ignoring"	82
   Jeremiah 4:3		Topic:  "Break up your fallow ground... What "fallow ground"	82
   Ezekiel 17:8		Topic:  Rural people, generally, resist change	83
   Matthew 13:3		Topic:  "When God Sows"	83
   Matthew 13:1-23	Topic:  The state of the hearer's soul	83
   Matthew 22:21		Topic:  "A Time for Stewardship"	83
   Matthew 25:33		Topic:  For Christ to work, we need to be sheep	83
   Mark 4:26-30		Topic:  Growth of a human parallels the growth of grain, etc.	83
   Luke 12:15		Topic:  "Is Bigger Better"	83
   Luke 15:12		Topic:  "Give me now my share..."	84
   Acts 17:24-28		Topic:  It is our role to search for God	84
   Romans 8:18-25	Topic:  "The Glorious Hope"	84
   Romans 8:28		Topic:  "A Time for Cooperation"	84
   Romans 8:22-25	Topic:  "Now hope that is seen is not hope	84
   2 Corinthians 5:7	Topic:  "Finding God"	85
   Galatians 6:9		Topic:  "Ecology and the Church"	85
   Hebrews 11:1-2	Topic:  "A Time for Faith"	85
LITANIES
   All of God's creation praises God	86
   Harvest Rosary	87
   The Planting of a Tree (Based on Psalm 95, 96)	90
   Drought (Psalm 51:10-12)	90
   Creation Will be Set Free (Psalm 104)	91
   Litany Prayer	91
   A Litany (Psalm 150)	92
   Seasonal Hymns of Praise (A Litany...Just for Fun)-Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter	92
   Thanksgivings	93
   Canticle of the Three Youths:  A Litany	93
   Litany	94
   Rural Life Litany	94
PRAYERS   
   Daily Bread to Eat; The Wonder of Wind; Blessings of Good Things	96
   Space to Live with Change	97
	ii

   Prayer Service for May 15th - The Feast of Saint Isidore	………………………………………………………………………………………97
   Rogation Days Prayers for a Family - Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer	100
   Calendar of Blessings - Introduction	102
     January - Blessing of Silence and Rest; February - Blessing of Newborns	103
     March - Blessing of the Wind	104
     April - Blessing of Seeds and Rain	105
     May - Blessing of All Who Work with the Land; June - Blessing of the Land	106
     July - Blessing of Visitors and Guests; August - Blessing of First Fruits	109
     September - Blessing of Change and Letting Go; October - The Blessing of Animals	110
     November - Blessing of Food; December - Blessing of Night	111
   Prayers for Creation - Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi for All Created Things	112
   Psalm of the Woodlands	112
   Prayer Before a Council Meeting	113
   Prayer As a Parish is Closing	113
   Prayer at a Rural Life Celebration	113
   Prayer of the Christian Farmer	113
   Blessing for Someone Moving from the Parish	113
   Prayer of a Rural Family	114
   Prayers for a Good Harvest - For Those Who Suffer Hunger	114
     For Our Common Good	114
     For Fine Weather	114
     For Rain	114
     For Productive Land	114
     For Safety in Storms	115
     Children's Prayer	115
   Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi	115
   Pilgrims Co-create - "The 'steward-ship'"	115
   Prayer for Seeds	115
   Prayer for The Soil	115
   Prayer for Rain	115
   Prayer for Animals	116
   Prayer for Justice	116
   Prayer for Rainfall	116
   Morning Prayer	116
   Prayers for Rogation or Rural Life Sunday (Fifth Sunday after Easter)	116
   A Prayer of Thanksgiving for God's Blessings	117
   Prayer for Farming and Harvest	117
   Blessing Before Meals	117
   Blessing After Meals	117
   A Prayer for All Seasons	117
   Prayer of Confession	118
   A Call to Prayer	118
   A Prayer of Awareness	118
   Prayer When Losing a Farm	118
   Prayer When Moving Off the Farm	118
   Prayer For Those Who Have Lost A Farm	119
   Prayer at a Family Reunion	119
   Prayer for a Rural Family	119
   Prayer When a Farm is Passed on to the Next Generation	119
   Prayer for Farm Families in Crisis	119
iii

   Prayers and Thanksgivings	120
   For Joy in God's Creation	120
   For Towns and Rural Areas	120
   For Knowledge of God's Creation	120
   For the Conservation of Natural Resources	120
   For the Harvest of Lands and Waters	120
   For Rain	120
   For the Harvest	120
   Prayers for the Soil	121
   Prayers of Healing	121
   A Prayer of Gratitude	121
   A Closing	122
   Benediction	122
   Giving Thanks for All Creation	122
HYMNS
   Earth and All Stars!	123
   The Harvest, The Bounty	123
   Praise and Thanksgiving	123
   Some Bibliography	123
   List of Suggested Hymns for Rural Worship	124
   God Who Touchest Earth	126
   Earth is the Lord's	126
   Popular songs among Catholics that aren't specifically rural	126
POETRY
   Ribbons of Green	127
   God's Good Earth-and Ours	127
   The Legend of the Spider and the Silken Strand Held in God's Hand	127
   There is an Appointed Time for Everything	128
   Consider Living Waters	128
   The Miracle of Life	128
   Consider Tenacity	129
   The Legend of the Raindrop	129
   Canticle of Brother Sun	129
   Autumn	130
   The Earth is the Lord's	 131
STEWARDSHIP (Conservation) of Natural Resources
   Provision of Living Creatures; Provision of Water	132
   Provision of Land	133
SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES	134
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS	138

	iv

	SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS
	
This section of the Rural Resources for Worship consists of passages of scripture which are relevant to themes one finds for rural worship.
	Creation:

Genesis 1:27-31			Nehemiah 9:6				Genesis 3:17-18
Isaiah 40:8			Psalm 65				Sir 1:2
Romans 1:19-20			Romans 8:19,22				Genesis 1
Wis. 7:31			Matthew 13:31-32				Acts 10:25-35
Romans 1:25			Genesis 1:20, 24, 25			Revelations 21:1-5
Sir 40:22				Matthew 13:1-9				Genesis 2:19-20

	Stewardship of Creation:

Hebrews 11:3			Psalm 107:28-43			Leviticus 26:3-4, 6
Psalm 8:1-3, 9			John 1:3				Matthew 25
Ezekiel 34:17-18			Psalm 24

	Earth, Air, Water:

Amos 3:5			Isaiah 40:12				Isaiah 55:12-13
Acts 17:25		Psalm 65:9,10				Isaiah 24:3-13
Proverbs 30:4		Sir 1:2		
Job 30:28			
	Harvest/Fruits:

Joel 1				Joel 2:21-24, 26-27			Luke 12:15-21
Sir 11:22				Isaiah 40:8				Psalm 65:11-13
Psalm 103:15			Matthew 7:16				Psalm 67
Amos 8:4-8					
	Obedience to God

Micah 6:8			Isaiah 11:6-10				Matthew 15:21-28
John 12:23-25			Hosea 4:2-6				Ephesians 1:3-10
II Samuel 11:26,12:10, 13-15	Deuteronomy 27:1, 28:1-12			Luke 10:25-37
II Chronicles 7:11-15		Isaiah 60:1-3				Luke 13:25-30
Proverbs 31:10-31			Hebrews 10:23-24				Luke 5:3-11
Leviticus 26:18-20			Isaiah 58:1-14				Luke 16:10-13
1 Timothy 6:6-11, 17-19

	Conflict Management:

	Matthew 5:22-26
	Matthew 7:1-5
	Amos 6:12

	ORDERS OF WORSHIP

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  The International Consultation on English Language.  Congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson, provided the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.)

	A SERVICE
	FOR THE BLESSING OF ANIMALS

A Blessing of Animals, in many congregations, witnesses to God's and the Church's love, care, and concern for creation.  As we recognize our mutual interdependence with God's creatures, the Church's witness of stewardship of creation is strengthened.  It is also a service with special appeal to children.

The Blessing is best celebrated during daylight in the outdoors--in the churchyard or in a park.  It may be celebrated at any time of the year, especially in early spring, or on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4.  Make allowances for the arrival of larger animals such as horses or other livestock.  The space may contain a table on which the Bible or musical instruments may be placed.  Music is best led by instruments that work well outdoors--trumpets, accordions, drums, and guitars.  Bulletins are awkward and should be used only to provide the texts of hymns to be sung.

GATHERING AND GREETING

When most animals and their friends have arrived, the leader invites all to form a large circle around the table.  The leader begins:

The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea.
They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life.
God, who confers gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them reminders of the gifts of salvation.
Animals were saved from the flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah.  (Genesis 9:9-10)

The paschal lamb recalls the passover sacrifice and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
(Exodus 12:3-14)

A giant fish saved Jonah;  (Jonah 2:1-10)

Ravens brought bread to Elijah;  (1 Kings 17:6)

Animals were included in the repentance of Nineveh;  (Jonah 3:7)
Animals share in Christ's redemption of all God's creation.  We, therefore, invoke God's blessing on these animals.

As we do so, let us praise the Creator
  and thank God for setting us as stewards
  over all the creatures of the earth.

HYMN (Suggestions)

All Creatures of Our God and King
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Cantemos al Senor
  (Let's Sing unto the Lord)
The Friendly Beasts
God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale
I Sing the Almighty Power of God
Many and Great, O God
This Is My Father's World

SCRIPTURE Suggested lessons and psalms:)

Genesis 1	The creation
Genesis 6:17-22	Animals on the ark
Isaiah 11:6-9	The wolf and the lamb
Psalm 8		The work of your fingers
Psalm 148	Praise the Lord for creation.

PRAYER
(The following, or St. Francis' Prayer for All Created Things)

God created us and placed us on the earth to be
stewards of all living things, therefore let us proclaim the glory of our Creator, saying:	
O God, how wonderful are the works of your hands.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe;
you give us food from animals to replenish our energies.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; for the sake of our comfort; 
you give us domestic animals as companions.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe; you care for us; 
even as you care for the birds of the air.

Blessed are you, O Lord of the Universe;
you offered your Son to us as the passover lamb and in him willed that we should be called your children.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

The leader says the following prayer with hands outstretched or may touch and bless each animal.  The animals may form a procession to be blessed.

Bless, O Lord, this (these) creature(s), and fill our hearts with thanksgiving for its (their) being.

HYMN (See suggestions on page 2)

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

May God, who created the animals of this earth, continue to protect and sustain us all, now and for ever.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	BLESSING OF SEEDS

(from The CHURCHES' CENTER FOR LAND AND PEOPLE, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin)

We encourage every congregation to ask God's blessing on this new season through rituals and blessings for our fields and gardens and those who tend them.  These two prayers will help you in your planning.

Presider:
Creator God, we thank you for the gift of seeds
through which you show your love for us.
  Right:  Let everything growing from the earth                bless our God
  Left:  Praise and exalt God above all forever.

Presider:
O god Most High, you have taken the gift of life
and folded it into a tiny seed 
  Right:  Let everything growing from the earth
            bless our God.
  Left:  Praise and exalt God above all forever.

Presider:
O Provident God, in each seed is a promise for the future as you continue to care for us.
  Right:  Let everything growing from the earth
            bless our God.
  Left:  Praise and exalt God above all forever.

Presider:
Empowering God, you call us to enter into your creation by enabling us to join you in calling forth the gift of life from these small seeds.
  Right:  Let everything growing from the earth
            bless our God.
  Left:  Praise and exalt God above all forever.

Presider:
We ask you God, our Source of Hope, to be with these seeds and with us in the process as we plant and cultivate them.

Grant that they might be fruitful to nourish us.
Grant that they might redeem us, moving us to share that all may have the fruit of your benevolent love.

We ask in Christ's name and through the power of your Spirit.
All:  Amen.
	* * * * * *

	MISSIONING OF FARMERS

(from The CHURCHES' CENTER FOR LAND AND PEOPLE)

This prayer can be used just prior to the closing blessing of Sunday worship.

[Farm families are invited to stand around the alter, also those with ag-related businesses.]

Presider:
    God, you have created us in your image and further dignified us by making us co-workers with you in caring for your creation.
    We bring to you in prayer this day, the farmers, and ag businesses you have entrusted to our community.
    We ask that you watch over them with a parent's love during this season of growth.  
    Place love for the earth and for one another within their hearts.  And put your skill and tenderness into their hands.
    Grant that their work may serve them today and their children tomorrow.
    Give them a just return for their labor, and help them to be fair and just and compassionate to all.
    Let the rhythm of your creation teach them your divine wisdom.  May the mystery of your love make sacred their lives and their work.
    O God we ask you to send your Spirit upon these your people.  Guide and direct them in the manner of Christ who lives and reigns with you now and forever.  All:  Amen.

The farm families and those with ag-related businesses return to their places.

Presider:
    Go in peace to extend the Eucharist into your living and working together.
All:  Thanks be to God.

	* * * * * *

	Order of Service for the
	Consecration of a Major Farm Implement

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, Summer, 1998)

One of the tasks of the local church is the happy task of celebrating with its members the major events in their lives.  With them we celebrate birth and death, baptism and marriage, anniversaries and other occasions.  The purchase of a large farm implement is a major event in the life of a farm family, and the following service is designed to recognize and celebrate that fact.  It is suggested that:
* The service be held on Sunday, with the implement parked at the church, and the membership gathered around it.
* The service could be held between Sunday School and worship, or following worship, as a part of the total worship experience.
* If desired, it could be a special service at the farm house, with the congregation invited.
* If possible, those persons mentioned in the liturgy should be present.

Opening Statement:  Dear friends in Christ, in the eyes of God the production and delivery of food to God's children are sacred activities.  In both the Old and New Testaments God is revealed as One with special concern for the hungry.  Jesus took the faith and concern of a small boy with loaves and fishes and fed a hungry multitude.  In his parable of the Last Judgment Jesus promises a special reward for those who have fed the hungry.  It was food from the common table - bread and wine - that became the sacred host at the Last Supper.  When Jesus returned to walk with his friends after the resurrection it was in the breaking of bread around a campfire that they came to now him.

The production of food is sacred because the life that God creates is sacred, and food is necessary to sustain that life.  If the production of food is sacred, then the tools and implements necessary to produce that food are sacred implements, just as the chalice used in communion takes on a special value because of the host it contains.

________(names) are producers of food that helps sustain the lives God creates.  They have found it necessary in their farming operations to 
purchase a _________,  We are here today to 

celebrate with them this purchase, and to consecrate that implement to the sacred purposes of God.

A Prayer:  (by all)
     Almighty God and Creator, who spun the world into being, who causes the dry land to become fertile soil, who blanketed the earth with rain-bearing clouds, who set the sun in the sky, we praise and thank you for these acts that made the life of plants and animals possible.
     We thank you for your Son and our Lord, who was ever mindful both of hungry people and of fields white for harvest.
     We are grateful, O God, for the part farmers have in the sustaining of human life.  Enable us today to understand the sacredness of our tasks.  Help us to see the mystical relationships that are present between ourselves, our machines, and You.  In these sacred moments, as we consecrate this food producing machine, we pray you to break the Bread of Life for us, that we might go forth to our tasks with new education and understanding.  Amen.

	The Litany of Consecration

L:  The production of this machine began millions     of years ago as God laid down the
    foundations of Earth, with its vast resources of
    minerals and energy, and with its life both
    plant and animal.
P:  We praise God for the act of Creation!
L:  Machines first appear within the minds of
    engineers, and upon their drawing board. 
    Models are created and tested.
P:  We praise God for the calling of
    engineers to the sacred task of designing
    machines for food production!
L:  Minerals must be dug from the earth, smelted
    and made into steel.  Those who work in
    assembly plans must turn that steel into this
    finished machine.
P:  We praise God for those who dig rocks
    from the earth and melt them into steel,
    and for those who turn that steel into food
    producing machines!
L:  The dealer who sold this machine is an
    important part of the process of food
    production.  Through his business machines
    and repair parts are made available.
P:  We praise God for those who sell the 
    machines that plant, cultivate and
    harvest!
L:  This machine is intricate and expensive, and
    will be dependent upon the skills of the
    mechanics who will keep it in repair for years
    of service.
P:  We praise God for those called to be
    mechanics!
L:  Machines like this are costly, and those who
    buy them must often look to financial
    institutions for credit.
P:  We praise God for those with faith to
    finance the complicated business of food
    production!
L:  This machine would be powerless and
    useless were it not for those who drill for and
    deliver the fuel it consumes.
P:  We praise God for those who pull from
    deep in the earth the resources to power
    this machine, and deliver it.
L:  The food producing chain is complete only
    when the farm and his/her family, with the
    talents and knowledge they have nurtured
    through experience, put this machine to work
    in the fields of their farm.  It is through their
    dedication and commitment that this machine
    turns the resources of the earth into life-giving
    food.
P:  We praise God for the _________ family,
    and for those who work on their farm. May
    they use this machine in good
    stewardship of the resources of the soil,
    to the end that more of God's children
    may be fed.
L:  Members of the _________ family, we are
    about to consecrate this machine.  What
    statement would you like to make before we
    do so?
Family:  We commit ourselves to use this machine in good stewardship of the resources of the soil, so the earth may be preserved for future generations.  We commit ourselves to follow the rules of safety so that our lives and bodies will be protected.  We commit ourselves to following the best known farming practices, so that food will be produced as efficiently as possible, and more of God's children will have life-giving food.

L:  Let us consecrate this machine to its sacred task:
All:  We consecrate this machine to the sacred task of helping provide food for a hungry world.  May those who had any part in its production, maintenance, financing and use be blessed with the knowledge of the sacredness of their task.  May its years of service be many, and may those who use it live in safety and fulfillment.  Amen!

	* * * * * *

	An Order of Dedication of
	Seed, Soil, and Sowers

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1944-1945)

Let the service of worship begin at time appointed.  Let the people kneel or bow in silent prayer upon entering the sanctuary.

PRELUDE  The people in devout meditation.

HYMN  The people standing.

CALL TO WORSHIP
The minister, the people responding.
    Dearly beloved, as we learn from the Scriptures, in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and caused the sun to shine, the rain to fall, the plants to grow, and the earth to give forth her increase.  Then God said, Let us make man in our image, and let him have dominion over everything upon the earth.
    It is meet, right, and our bounden duty to recognize God's ownership and his providence in the fruition of the earth and the return of the seasons.  He is the giver of life in the seed, in the soil, and in the sowers.
    We are therefore now assembled for the purpose of dedicating the seed that shall be planted, the soil that shall be cultivated, and the sowers that labor to the service of God and for the good of mankind.
    The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.
    For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

    Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
    He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul into vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
    He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
    This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face.
    Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors.
    And the King of glory shall come in.
    Who is this king of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
    Lift up your heads O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors.
    And the King of glory shall come in.
    Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

GLORIA PATRI

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON  Luke 8:5-15

PASTORAL PRAYER  Followed by the Lord's Prayer.

OFFERTORY  The dedication of gifts and tithes.  An offertory sentence may be said or sung.

ANTHEM

HYMN

THE SERMON

THE DEDICATION OF SEED, SOIL, AND SOWERS
  The minister shall say:
    Life is a unity and is a result of the co-operative activity of the trinity of God, man, and nature.  Without the gift of vital life, man and nature would not be able to produce food and complete processes whereby man is sustained.  Without man, God would not bring forth from nature that which glorifies himself and bring companionship unto him.  Without nature, God and man would not have the structural basis for growth of human personality.  This trinity is ever dependent one upon the other, and this dependence is here today realized again and recognized for the humility of man and to the glory of God.  Let us now consider our responsibilities.

[Then a person appointed to present seed shall say:]  This seed is symbolic of the various types of seed that shall be planted in this community.  When sown it shall bring forth fruit, food, and fiber, so that little children may eat and become strong, so that men and women shall be nurtured and nourished, so that the wheels of industry may turn, and so that life may be maintained among both man and beast.  This seed is holy, for it contains life, and all seed shall be counted as holy in the sight of God.  It shall be planted in a spirit of reverence, and that which comes of it shall be cultivated and harvested in a true spirit of recognition and thankfulness, we being fully mindful of its high origin and destiny.

[Then a person appointed to present soil of the earth  shall say:]   This soil is symbolic of the earth of this community, in which seed shall be planted in hope, and from which the harvest shall be anticipated with joy.  This soil, this earth, is the result of the creative activity of God.  It was created by God for man and beast.  It contains the minerals, salts, and fertilizers necessary to nourish the seed and bring forth sturdy plants capable of producing food for both man and beast.  This soil will be watered by the rains of God.  It will be warmed by the sunshine of God.  It will be as a home to the seed, so that the seed and plants may develop and bring forth an abundant harvest.  This soil is holy earth and shall be cultivated and cared for as a gift of God.

ACT OF DEDICATION  Then shall the minister receive the seed and the soil of the earth, lay them upon the altar, and place the open Bible upon them.  The people shall stand and join the minister in saying:
     and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
    Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein; I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, and for a light.
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
    I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION  The minister.  Here let the people kneel or be seated and bow in prayer.

Let us pray.
    Almighty God, creator of life and sustainer of seed and soil, thou who hast by thy mighty arm brought forth this world and given it unto us for a heritage and a home, thou who has given unto us life through thy Son Jesus Christ, thou who hast granted unto us the high and holy task of propagating thy faith and serving thee in this day and generation; unto thee we come in this act of dedication and blessing.
    We recognize that thou art the giver of life.  We recognize that thou art the sender of rain, sunshine, and fertility.  Without thee we should not be able to maintain life or creature existence.  To thee we come in this hour seeking to dedicate all the seed that shall be sown in this community this year.  We bless it in thy name.  We pray that it may fall in good ground, and that it may be cultivated and bring forth harvest for a hungry world.  Multiply it by thy creative power, and let it bring forth manyfold.
    We recognize in this act our dependence upon thee for the life hid within the seed and the soil.  As they join in partnership to bring forth fruit, may we join in partnership with thee to preserve the soil and cultivate the fruit of the seed to thy glory and our good.  We dedicate and bless this seed in thy name.  We dedicate and bless this soil in thy name.  We dedicate and bless the sowers of this seed and cultivators of this soil in thy name.  Grant unto them strength, wisdom, and power, that they may do that which is right in thy sight.  This we ask in the name of him who was the sower of good seed in the soil of the life of mankind, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ACT OF COMMITMENT  The people.

    We are the sowers of the seed and the tillers of the soil.  We recognize the holiness of the seed and the sacredness of the soil.  We acknowledge our responsibility to plant this seed with reverence and to cultivate this soil with care.  We will not waste the seed in wanton scattering.  We will not destroy the soil by allowing erosion to wash it off nor weeds to sap its vitality.  We will husband our resources of seed and soil and guard them with our lives.
    We recognize the sacred task that is ours; we recognize the high calling that is ours; we recognize the purpose for which we plant the seed and till the soil:  that man and beast may be fed, and that life may be maintained for the glory of God and the good of mankind.
    We commit ourselves to these tasks, and to the privilege of working together as children in the family of God in the high and holy duty of growing food for the distant members of the community of the family.
    We dedicate ourselves, our lives, and our sacred honor to the discharging of these duties, knowing that life is of God and that God will never fail those who go forth in his name to do his will.

Here let the minister and the people unite in saying:
    O God, our seed and our soil in this act we have committed unto the security of thy providence.  While the earth turns, we will be about our tasks, confident of thy power to quicken, grow, and make fruitful that which shall ultimately be used for the good of mankind and to the glory of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
HYMN  The people standing.

SILENT PRAYER

BENEDICTION
    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and evermore.  Amen.

POSTLUDE
	* * * * * *

	Order for the Blessing of
	Seeds at Planting Time

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)

Introduction -- At the beginning of the planting season it is customary for farmers to seek God's blessings on their crops.  As the seeds are planted, God is asked to protect them from disease and destruction and to bring forth from them an abundant yield.

This order may be used for the blessing of seeds or for young plants before planting.

The blessing is used by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister.

Order of Blessing

The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a lay person, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.

Introductory Rites

When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung.  After the singing, the minister says:

    In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All make the sign of the cross and reply: All: Amen.

A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following or other suitable words, taken mainly from sacred Scripture.

  The grace, the love, and the mercy of God be with you all.  And all reply:  And also with you.

A lay minister greets those present in the following words: 
  Let us praise God, who plants the seeds and reaps the harvest.
Blessed be God for ever.  R:  Blessed be God for ever.

Introduction

In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing.

   Today we seek God's blessing on these seeds and the crops they will produce.  Christ reminds us that, unless the seed is planted in the earth and dies, it will not yield fruit.  As these seeds grow and are cared for, may they be signs of the new life that comes from God.

Reading 

A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:35-39  The seed you sow does not germinate unless it dies.

Brothers and sisters, let us listen to the word of Paul to the Corinthians.
Or:
Genesis 1:27-31  Creation.
Isaiah 55:10-13  God gives seed to the one who sows.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10  God will increase the harvest.
Matthew 13:31-32  Parable of the mustard seed.
Mark 4:26-29  The seed and the kingdom of God.
John 12:16-21  Be rich in what matters to God.
John 12:23-25  Unless the grain of wheat falls to
                 the earth and dies.
As circumstances suggest, one of the following responsorial psalms may be sung, or some other suitable song.

Psalm 126:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5, 6
R.  5  those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Psalm 65:1-2, 9-10, 11-12, 13
R.  To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God, in Zion.

As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of celebration.
Litany

The litany is then said.  The minister introduces it and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the invocations.  From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other invocations that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.

The minister says:
The Lord of the harvest sustains us, let us call upon him:
Response (R):  Deliver us, O Lord.

Assisting minister:
   From despair in times of drought:  R:  Deliver us, O Lord.
Assisting Minister:
   From wastefulness in times of plenty:  R: Deliver us, O Lord. 
Assisting Minister:
   From neglect of those in need:  R:  Deliver us, O Lord.
Assisting Minister:
   From blindness to your presence in our work:  R: Deliver us, O Lord.

Assisting Minister:
   From hunger and thirst:  R: Deliver us, O Lord.

Lord's Prayer

After the litany the minister, in the following or similar words, invite all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer. 

Remember us Lord in your Kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father...

Prayer of Blessing

A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

   Lord of the harvest, you placed the gifts of creation in our hands and called us to till the earth and make it fruitful.

  We ask your blessing as we prepare to place these seeds (seedlings) in the earth.  May the care we show these seeds (seedlings) remind us of your tender love for your people.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  R.  Amen.

Concluding Rite
   A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by saying:  May God nourish you and care for you, now and for ever.  R.  Amen.
Then he blesses all present:
   And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R.  Amen.
	* * * * * *

FESTIVAL OF SHARING
	WORSHIP SERVICE

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, November, 1987)

GATHERING TIME

HYMN SING

CALL TO WORSHIP

Liturgist:  Rejoice, people of God!  Celebrate the life within you, and Christ's presence in your midst!
Congregation:  Our eyes shall be opened!  Our ears shall be unstopped!  The present will have new meaning, and the future will be bright with hope.
Liturgist:  Rejoice people of God!  Bow your heads before the One who is our wisdom, our strength, and our steadfast love.
Congregation:  We place ourselves before this God, that we may be touched and cleansed by the power of God's spirit.

(This call to worship is adapted from Bread for the Journey by Ruth C. Duck, Pilgrim Press, 1981)

HYMN	"COME YE THANKFUL PEOPLE"

	Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of  harvest home;
	All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin;
	God, our Maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied;
	Come to God's own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home.

	All the world is God's own field, Fruit unto God's praise to yield;
	Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown;
	First, the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear;
	Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

	For the Lord, our God shall come, And shall take God's harvest home;
	From God's field shall in that day All offenses purge away;
	Give God's angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast,
	But the fruitful ears to store In God's garner evermore.

	Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home;
	Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin;
	There forever purified, In thy presence to abide;
	Come, with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home.  Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

All:  Gracious and generous God.  The excitement of joy of this day surrounds us.  Laughter comes easily to our lips.  How long we have prepared for this day!  Help us remember that it is not our own doing that brings us here, but only your grace and love.  Your love has surrounded us from our birth even when we have not seen it.  Your love has been present in your word and in the words and acts of others.  For this we give you thanks.

Liturgist:  Teach us to walk gently in your path of love,
Women:  Seeking justice,
Men:  Making peace,
Children:  Feeding the hungry,
Clergy:  Clothing the naked,
Laity:  Searching for the lost and receiving them in the fold,
Men:  Setting free the oppressed and the abused,
Women:  Caring for the sick, the lonely and the weary,
Children:  Cherishing the earth and one another.
All:  Enliven our imaginations that we can see through present ills to future newness. Embolden us with your love, that we may live now as if the new had already come.  In joy we offer you our praise.  Amen.  (This prayer is adapted from Flames of the Spirit by Ruth C. Duck, Pilgrim Press, 1985)

SOLO  "My Tribute"

OLD TESTAMENT  Joel 2:19-32
  (New International Version written in episodic form)

The Lord will reply to them:

"I am sending you grain,
  new wine and oil,
  enough to satisfy you fully;
Never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.	

I will drive the northern army far from you,
  pushing it into a parched and barren land,
  with its front columns going into the eastern sea and those in the east
     into the western sea.
And its stench will go up;
  its smell will rise."

Surely God has done great things.
Be not afraid,
  O land;
Be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things.

Be not afraid,
  O wild animals,
  for the open pastures are becoming green.
  the trees are bearing their fruit;
The fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

Be glad,
  O people of Zion,
  rejoice in the Lord your God,
  for God has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.

God sends you abundant showers,
  both autumn and spring rains,
  as before.
The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
  the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--
  the greatest locust and the young locust,
  the other locusts and the locust swarm--
  the great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat,
  until you are full,
  and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
  who has worked wonders for you;
Never again will my people be shamed.

Then you will know that I am in Israel,
  that I am your God,
  and that there is no other;
Never again will my people be shamed.

And afterward,
  I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men (and women) will dream dreams,
  your young men (and women) will see visions.
Even on my servants,
  both men and women,
  I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth,
  blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before
  the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved;
For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance,
  as the Lord has said,
  among the survivors whom the Lord calls."

ANTHEM -- "Thank You Jesus"

THE GOSPEL:  John 21:15-19

THE HOMILY:  "PARTNERS - not patrons; CO-WORKERS - not caseworkers"

THE OFFERING

THE OFFERTORY HYMN -- "What Gift Can We Bring"

LITANY OF REMEMBRANCE AND THANKSGIVING (adapted from Psalm 105 and 106, Jeremiah 31, Isaiah 61, Ruth, 1 Kings 17, Exodus)

Liturgist:  O give thanks to the Lord, call on God's name, make known God's deeds among the
 	    peoples!
Congregation:  Sing to God, sing praises to God, tell of all of our Creator's wonderful works!
Liturgist:  Glory in God's holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Congregation:  Seek the Lord and God's strength, seek God's presence continuously!
Liturgist:  Remember the wonderful works that God has done, God's miracles, and the judgements that
	    God has uttered.
Women:  The Lord is our God:  God's judgements are in all the earth.  Remember the
	    covenant that God established long ago.
Congregation:  Remember that God said "I will go with you throughout the journey of your life.  I am your God and you are my people.  I will write this upon your hearts."
Voice 1:  Remember that God has set the Israelites free from bondage in Egypt.
Voice 2:  Remember that the people of Israel asked for food and God brought the quail and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.  God opened the rock, water gushed forth; it flowed
	    through the desert like a river.
Voice 3:  Remember God has cared for and protected Ruth who was a sojourner.  Her baskets were
	    filled with gleanings of grain from Boaz' fields, so that she and her mother-in-law Naomi
	    would not perish.
Voice 4:  Remember Elijah the Tishbite who was nourished by bread and meat that God commanded
	    the ravens bring him, both in the morning and in the evening; and he drank from the brook.
Men:  Remember the widow of Zarepath and her son and how God provided enough food from the small amount of oil in the flask and handful of grain for many days.  The bread
	fed the widow, her son and Elijah the Tishbite, just as he told her the Lord God said
	it would send rain upon the earth.
Liturgist:  Remember that Jesus came to set free the oppressed, feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
	    bring tidings to the afflicted, bind upon the broken hearted.  Jesus also said "...Anyone who
	    believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will that person
	    do, because I go to the father."
Congregation:  And so, as we remember Your gracious and mighty acts throughout history,
	    we offer ourselves and these gifts of food to your use and service. May they be
	    signs of hope to the hungry, and the powerless.  May they remind us of your
	    Judgement on the fulfilled and powerful.
Liturgist:  Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here that we may be one with Christ, one with each
	    other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we all feast
	    at his heavenly banquet.

 	   Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your Holy Church, all honor, and glory
	     is yours, Almighty God, now and forever.  Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

THE SENDING FORTH

HYMN	"Feed My Sheep
	(words and music by Pat Carson)

	CHORUS:	Alleluia, feed my lambs, Praise the Lord!
			Alleluia, tend my sheep, Praise the Lord!
			We can give, we can care,
			We have plenty, we can share,
			Alleluia, feed my sheep, Praise the Lord!

	VERSE 1	Said the Lord to Simon Peter,
			"Do you love me more than these"?
			"Do you care enough to show me"?
			"Do you really want to please"?

			CHORUS

	VERSE 2	Simon Peter said to Jesus,
			"You now that I love you",
			"You know my deep devotion",
			"Please tell me what to do",
	
			CHORUS

	VERSE 3	Jesus said to Simon Peter
			"There's so much that you can do",
			"There's a way to show you love me",
			"There's a way you can be true".

			Alleluia, feed my lambs, Praise the Lord!
			Alleluia, tend my sheet, Praise the Lord!
			We can give, we can care,
			We have plenty, we can share,
			Alleluia, feed my lambs, Alleluia, tend my sheep,
			Alleluia, feed my sheep, Praise the Lord!

BENEDICTION WITH BLESSING

CLOSING

	* * * * * *

	AN EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)
	
(Suggested Bulletin Cover)  The Earth is the Lord's and the Fullness Thereof

A lone planet hurling through space encased in a narrow pocket of air enriched with a few inches of fertile topsoil endowed with a delicately cycled flow of water...

Precariously balanced at just the right distance from and angle to the sun rotating harmoniously
to alternate periods of light and darkness in proper proportion...

Such is the EARTH with its marvelous conjunction of intertwined elements that make up
that incredible combination of conditions essential to human life.

How fragile, unreal, impossible it all seems when viewed from the astronaut's perspective.
the startling truth is that this delicate globe is manned!

While prelude music is being played show a series of slides lifting up the beauty of God's natural creation.  Members of the congregation can provide slides from their vacation trips.	

PRELUDE MUSIC

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader:  Good morning!  Who are you, and why are you here?
People:  We come as those created from the dust of the earth--to bow in worship before the One who created us.
Leader:  Then why are not there other animals here--the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.  He created them also.
People:  Because He breathed into man a special breath of life--the Holy Spirit.  It is that Spirit that draws us together and to Him.
Leader:  Good!  Let us give thanks to God in song, for creating us as both body and spirit.

OPENING HYMN:  "For the Bounty of the Earth"
While the song is being sung show slides that illustrate it, phrase by phrase.  These, too, can be taken from slides members of the congregation already have.	

GATHERING IN GOD'S NAME (A unison prayer)

  Our Father and Creator of all the universe, we come today remembering that through you all things were made and without you nothing could have been created.  We gather to share our concerns because our earth is being spoiled and its laws and limitations are not being obeyed. Because we can yet stand in awe of your overwhelming creation we pray to become aware of the damage being caused, some repairable, some irreplaceable.  We look to you to guide us in a new environmental stewardship, to help us appreciate the earth and all it holds, and to practice the measures so desperately demanded to save it, in the Spirit of Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

A REMINDER OF OUR BEGINNINGS:  Genesis 1 to 2:4 inclusive

Have a class or group within the church develop this as a choral reading--using alternations of light and heavy voices with solo readings, etc.	

A LITANY OF CONFESSION:

Leader:  Let us confess unto God what we have done with his garden.
People:  Amen.  We have sinned.
Leader:  We have turned our rivers into sewers and our lakes into fetid cesspools.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  The air in some cities has been polluted to the point where breathing it for 24 hours is comparable to smoking two packs of cigarettes.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  The U.S. inundates itself under 3.5 billion tons of garbage a year.  As a result a city like New York has as many rats as people--over 8 million.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  More than four/fifths of our original forests have been chopped down and numberless acres of our vast plains have been turned into dust bowls.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  With over 280,000,000 acres of our crop and range land already destroyed the trend goes on at the rate of 3,000 acres a day, as land gives way to concrete and blacktop.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  In the West, a million buffalo a year were slaughtered between 1872 and 1875, so they were all but extinct a decade later.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  North Africa, once the garden of the Roman Empire, today is a land of dead cities, buried under silt and sand.  Overgrazing by livestock, uncontrolled deforestation and erroneous farming techniques led to massive erosion of the precious topsoil.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  St. Paul's birthplace of Tarsus, once a port city, is now ten miles inland, and the whole province of Anatolia provides one of the most appalling examples of erosion to be found anywhere in the world.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  Ancient Greece, cradle of Western civilization, was once graced with forested hills, ample water and fertile soil.  So badly used was the land that not more than two percent of its original topsoil remains, all of its wildlife has been destroyed, and its hillsides stand desolate.
People:  God forgive us.
Leader:  The list could go on and on.  We have turned God's garden into an eroding and ugly slum, and we go hungry of body and spirit because of it.  We are most fortunate that our God is a forgiving God, and that there is yet time to turn to Him and His ways, and work with Him to begin the process of healing and re-creation.  Amen and Amen.
People:  Praise God.  Amen.
 
THE ANTHEM BY THE CHOIR (or other special music)

THE OFFERING:  of resources (money) and commitment (promises)
Each person shall be handed a plain white 3 by 5 card as he enters the building.  They shall be instructed to write on this one thing they intend to do to improve the quality of life on this planet--this week.  This shall be placed in the offering plate with the money.

As a witness, volunteers might be asked to share what they intend to do, before the doxology is sung.	

THE DOXOLOGY:

THE HYMN:  "This Is My Father's World"

THE SERMON:  Genesis 25:24-34 and Luke 15:11-32

THE CLOSING HYMN:  "A Charge To Keep I Have"

THE SENDING FORTH:

Leader:  Beloved, you have heard how God has created the earth as a rich garden, full of beauty, abundance, and promise.  You have heard how man has sinned, and has sold out his birthright for a mess of pottage.  You have heard and received the forgiveness of God for this, and you have been called to a responsible and creative stewardship  Now what would you do?
People:  We want to go forth as caretakers of God's earth, tenders of the garden, stewards of a sacred trust, concerned for our children's children for the ages to come.
Leader:  Praise God!
People:  We not only want to cure pollution, we aim to expand the quality of living.
Leader:  Praise God!
People:  We not only want to preserve great natural treasures; we aim to improve our farms and forests, our schools and streams, our homes and highways.
Leader:  Praise God!
People:  We not only want to restore; we want to create--new towns and lakes, new gardens and flowers, new parks and forests, new havens for wildlife and fields for corn.
Leader:  Praise God!
People:  We would join God in His continual process of making all things new.  And in the midst of all of this we would hold high the Lord of life, Jesus Christ Himself, that life might hold both quality and quantity for all.
Leader:  Then go in His power, and go quickly. For the task is great, and the time is short.

POSTLUDE
	* * * * * *

	An Order of Worship for
	Thanksgiving Day

(from the United Methodist Church Rural Life Fellowship.  The Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1944-1945)

Let the service of worship begin at the time appointed.  Let the people kneel or bow in silent prayer upon entering the sanctuary.

PRELUDE (The people in devout meditation)

PROCESSIONAL HYMN  (The people standing.  If there be no processional, let the first hymn follow the Call to Worship.)

CALL TO WORSHIP
  Minister:  God be merciful unto us, and bless us.
  People:  And cause his face to shine upon us.
  Minister:  Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of
 	   holiness.
  People:  Let us worship him in spirit and in
	   truth.  Amen.

(Here let the people kneel or be seated and bow in prayer.)

INVOCATION  The minister.

Let us pray.
    Most gracious God, by whose appointment the seasons come and go, and who makest the fruits of the earth to minister to the needs of men; we offer thee our thanksgivings that thou hast brought us through the circuit of another year, and that according to thy promise seedtime and harvest have not failed.  At the remembrance of thy bounty we offer unto thee the sacrifices of our thanksgiving, and pray that thou wilt feed our souls with the Bread of Life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING  (Here let the people unite with the minister in prayer.)

    O God, we praise thee, we give thanks unto thee for thy bountiful providence, for all the blessings and all the hopes of life.  Above all we praise and adore thee for thine unspeakable gift in thine only Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Let the memory of thy goodness, we beseech thee, fill our hearts with joy and thankfulness to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
    Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

ACT OF PRAISE  (Here let the people stand and, after the singing of each stanza by the choir, unite in singing the response.)

	For the beauty of the earth,
	for the glory of the skies,
	For the love which from our birth
	Over and around us lies:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.

	For the beauty of each hour,
	Of the day and of the night,
	Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
	Sun and moon, and stars of light:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.

	For the joy of ear and eye;
	For the heart and mind's delight;
	For the mystic harmony
	Linking sense to sound and sight:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.

	For the joy of human love,
	Brother, sister, parent, child,
	Friends on earth, and friends above;
	For all gentle thoughts and mild:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.

	For thy Church, that evermore
	Lifteth holy hands above,
	Offering up on every shore
	Her pure sacrifice of love:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.

	
	For thyself, Gift Divine!
	To our race so freely given;
	For that great, great love of thine,
	Peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
	Lord of all, to thee we raise
	This our hymn of grateful praise.  Amen.
LITANY OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION 
The minister, the people responding.

Let us pray.
    We thank thee, O God, for thy blessings.

    For all thy blessings in creation, for the beauty of earth and sea and sky, for thy manifold works, and the wisdom with which thou hast made them all,
    We thank thee, O God.
    For the happiness of our earthly life, for peaceful homes and healthful days, for our powers of mind and body, for faithful friends, for the joy of loving and being loved,
    We thank thee, O God.
    For the revelation of thy love and for newness of life in our Saviour, for the blessings brought to us by thy holy Church, and for our fellowship with thee in Christ,
    We thank thee, O God.
    That it may please thee to bless with wisdom and courage thy servant the President of the United States, and all who bear with him the responsibility of the nation, and to give thy guidance and blessing to all the councils of the people;
    We humbly beseech thee, our Father.
    That it may please thee to strengthen and encourage all those who by reason of temptation, hardness of circumstances, or personal loss find it difficult to be thankful and to praise thy holy name,
    We humbly beseech thee, our Father.
    That it may please thee to solace all who have lost those whom they most loved, to uphold all who are sick and suffering, to protect such as have lost the kindly light of reason, and to supply the needs of the blind, the deaf, and the dumb,
    We humbly beseech thee, our Father.  Amen.

ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE

The minister, the people standing. 

    May the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the splendor of the eternal light, remove from our hearts all darkness.  Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks;  unto thee do we give thanks for thy great mercy toward us:  for our creation, preservation, and redemption; for the pardon of sin; for the manifold gifts of thy love; and for the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Saviour.

RESPONSE   The people.
    Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying:  Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory.  Glory be to thee, O Lord most high!  Amen.

THE RESPONSIVE READING

GLORIA PATRI

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON

PASTORAL PRAYER (The people seated and bowed, or kneeling.)

ANTHEM OF PRAISE

THANKSGIVING OFFERING

RESPONSE  (The people standing).

  Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

HYMN OF PREPARATION

THE THANKSGIVING SERMON

AN INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

HYMN   (The people standing.)

SILENT PRAYER

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE 
	* * * * * *

	THANKSGIVING DAY
	An Order of Worship for Thanksgiving Day

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  A Book of Church Services, Pilgrim Press)

Let the service of worship begin at the time appointed.  Let the people be in silent meditation and prayer upon entering the sanctuary.

PRELUDE

PROCESSIONAL HYMN   The people standing.  If there be no processional, let the first hymn follow the
  call to worship.

CALL TO WORSHIP
Minister:  God be merciful unto us, and bless us,
People:  And cause his face to sine upon us.
Minister:  Let us worship the Lord in the beauty of
	 holiness.
People:  Let us worship him in spirit and in
	truth.

INVOCATION  By the minister, the people seated and bowed, or kneeling.

Let us pray.
    Most gracious God, by whose appointment the seasons come and go, and who makest the fruits of the earth to minister to the needs of men:  We offer thee our thanksgivings that thou hast brought us through the circuit of another year, and that according to thy promise seedtime and harvest have not failed.  At the remembrance of thy bounty we offer unto thee the sacrifices of our thanksgiving, and pray that thou wilt feed our souls with the bread of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING   Here the people unite with the minister, saying,
    O God, we praise thee, we give thanks to thee for thy bountiful providence, for all the blessings and all the hopes of life.  Above all we praise and adore thee for thine unspeakable gift in thine only Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Let the memory of thy goodness, we beseech thee, fill our hearts with joy and thankfulness to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
    Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

THE PSALTER OR OTHER ACT OF PRAISE   May be read responsively or in unison, the people standing; then shall be sung the Gloria Patri.

Here let the people be seated.

LITANY OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION   The minister beginning, the people responding.

Let us pray.
    For all thy blessings in creation, for the beauty of earth and sea and sky, for thy manifold works, and the wisdom with which thou hast made them all, we thank thee, O God.
    For the happiness of our earthly life, for peaceful homes and healthful days, for our powers of mind and body, for faithful friends, for the joy of loving and being loved, we thank thee, O God.
    For the revelation of thy love and for newness of life in our Savior, for the blessings brought to us by thy holy Church, and for our fellowship with thee in Christ, we thank thee, O God.
    That it may please thee to strengthen and encourage all those who by reason of temptation, hardness of circumstances, or personal loss find it difficult to be thankful and to praise thy holy name, we humbly beseech thee, our Father.
    That it may please thee to solace all who have lost those whom they most loved, to uphold all who are sick and suffering, to protect such as have lost the kindly light of reason, and to supply the needs of the blind, the deaf, and the mute, we humbly beseech thee, our Father.
    That it may please thee to inspire all who are seeking to improve the conditions of our industrial life, and to give courage and devotion to all who do the work of every day, and to restore ordered prosperity and peace to our world, we humbly beseech thee, our Father.

    That it may please thee to bless with wisdom and courage thy servant the President of the United States, and all who bear with him the responsibility of the nation, and to give thy guidance and blessing to all the councils of the people, we humbly beseech thee, our Father.
    That it may please thee to direct the minds of all to whom thou hast committed the responsibility of leadership in the nations of the world.  Give to them a vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and peoples may work together in true brotherhood, and thy Church may serve thee in unity and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, we humbly beseech thee, our Father.  Amen.

ANTHEM

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH    The people standing; then may be sung as doxology.

PASTORAL PRAYER  The people seated and bowed, or kneeling.

OFFERTORY  (Here parish notices may be given.)
    The minister may read Scripture sentences before the offering is received.  An anthem may be sung during the receiving of the offering.  Following the presentation of the offering a prayer of dedication may be said or sung.  At the discretion of the minister, the offertory and prayers may follow the sermon.

HYMN   The people standing.

THE THANKSGIVING SERMON "AN INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP"

HYMN   The people standing.

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE  The people may be seated for silent prayer.

	* * * * * *

	An Order of Thanksgiving for
	Harvest, Land, and Liberty

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  The Book of Worship for Church and home, 1944-1945)

Let the service of worship begin at the time appointed.  Let the people kneel or bow in silent prayer upon entering the sanctuary.

PRELUDE  (The people in devote meditation.)

HYMN  (The people standing.)

CALL TO WORSHIP  (The minister, the people responding.)

   We learn from Scriptures that holy men of old took the first fruits of the harvest into the temple and presented them unto Almighty God in humble thanksgiving for his blessings and mercies.  By this act of devotion they declared allegiance unto him and expressed gratitude for harvests and for liberty.  Our nation's founding fathers, in similar manner, gathered to give thanks unto Almighty God for deliverance from famine and for freedom of worship.
    Therefore it is just, right, and our joyful duty that we should recognize God's gracious providence in granting unto us this harvest from our labors on lands of his creation.
    We are therefore now assembled for the purpose of giving thanks unto Almighty God for this harvest, for the land on which it was grown, for the liberty of worship which is ours, and for the nation in which we live.
    O come let us sing unto the Lord:  let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
    Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
    For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
    In his hand are the deep places of the earth:  the strength of the hills is his also.
    The sea is his, and he made it:  and his hands formed the dry land.
    O come, let us worship and bow down:  let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
    Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
    Serve the Lord with gladness:  come before his presence with singing.

    Know ye that the Lord he is God:  it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
    Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:  be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
    For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;  and his truth endureth to all generations.
    Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

GLORIA PATRI

THE SCRIPTURE LESSON  Mark 4:26-32.

PASTORAL PRAYER (followed by the Lord's Prayer.)
OFFERTORY  (the dedication of gifts and tithes.  An offertory sentence may be said or sung.)

ANTHEM
HYMN
THE SERMON

THE THANKSGIVING FOR HARVEST, LAND, AND LIBERTY
The minister shall say:
  In the gracious providence of God this world came into being.  God is the source of all life:  the land was created by his might; fertility was developed in the soil by his wisdom; the sun was caused to shine by his power; and the rain was given to parched lands by his mercies.  Man was created and placed in dominion over all things upon the earth.  Man has at all times and in all places recognized his dependence upon God for food, for faith, for fellowship, and for freedom.  Man the creature is an eternal debt to God the creator.  Mortal man becomes immortal spirit through the life of God within him, and man's highest privilege and greatest pleasure is to work for the good of mankind and to the glory of God.  This nation, under God, has been granted life that the free spirit of man might find a home and the will of God find expression in the life of a people.  We are here today as a result of God's blessings and mercies.  Let us consider God's goodness and give thanks for his providence.

Then a person appointed to present fruits of the harvest shall say:

    These fruits of the harvest are symbols of the gifts of God in response to the labors of man.  Whether it be the glint of the gold in the grain, the white of the cotton boll, the tawny tan of the pumpkin, the brown of the shock of corn, or the russet of the leaves in the woods, each reflects the handiwork of God.  In the spring we plowed the fields with hope and planted the seed in expectation.  In the summer we cultivated our crops by faith.  This autumn we reaped our harvest in joy.  We have not been disappointed in the abundance of the yield, an evidence of the providence of God.  In the sowing and the reaping we have known the grace of God.  To him who is the author of life we give thanks.  And in humble recognition of his providence we present these fruits of the harvest as a symbol of our dependence and gratitude.  We pray that the harvest from our fields may be used for the benefit of man and the growth of God's kingdom.

Then a person appointed to present soil of the earth shall say:
    This soil is a symbol of the earth from which this harvest was gathered; it is a symbol of the land in which we live, and our presence here is evidence of our liberty.  Without the radiant energies of the sun given to earth there would be no growing crops, no fruitful harvest.  Without the fertility of the soil, God's gift of life, there would be no increase from planting seed or labor of man.  Without land man is homeless, and without man the land is desolation.  There is an eternal partnership of God, man, and land.  To the meaning of this partnership we have been faithful this year and are grateful for the mercies of God.  When man is faithful to land he has a country, and his nation is secure.  Our liberty of life is dependent upon our nation, and our nation is dependent upon our land.  These are dependent upon the love of God made manifest in the life of man.  We present this soil as a symbol of our love of the land, our love of our nation, and our love of liberty.

ACT OF DEDICATION.  Then shall the minister receive the fruits of the harvest and the soil of the earth, lay them upon the altar, and place the open Bible upon them.
    The people shall stand and join the minister in saying:
    In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over all the earth.  And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.  Thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION  The minister.  Here let the people kneel or be seated and bow in prayer.

Let us pray.
    Almighty God, creator of the universe and sustainer of the laws of seed and soil; unto thee we come with hearts full of thanksgiving because of the abundant spiritual and material blessings thou hast given us.  Thou hast given us the soil; thou hast given us seed with life; thou hast given us wisdom to seek scientific knowledge with which to cultivate; thou hast crowned our labors with an abundant harvest of food and fiber.  Thou hast given unto us bountifully for ourselves, for our neighbors, and for those dependent upon us.  For all of these things we humbly thank thee.  Thou hast given to us providential blessings of freedom, grace, and mercy which we this day enjoy.  We recognize thy goodness unto us and again renew our allegiance unto thee and proclaim our dependence upon thee.  Guide thou us, we pray, in this our thanksgiving for harvest, for land, and for liberty; and lead this nation to acknowledge its dependence upon thee for food, for faith, and for freedom.  This we ask in the name of him who was the sower of good seed in the soil of the life of mankind, even Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

ACT OF THANKSGIVING  The people   We are the harvesters of the fields and the gatherers of the grain.  We are those who live on land and labor for liberty.  We are thankful for the privilege of toil.  Our ability to produce food and fiber for man and beast gives us a sense of achievement and adds meaning to life.  We are thankful for the land on which we live.  We love its slopes and its hills.  The mountains speak of God, and the valleys tell of his virtues.  The green of the grass is a reminder of the eternal strength of God.  The freshness of dawn breathes a promise of life.  The barrenness of winter is but a silent rest after a year of labor, an interlude in the continued symphony of life.  This land is ours.  We have learned to preserve its treasures and restore its vitality with returned humus and retained rain.
We have not allowed our land to be lost through erosion or weakened through misuse.
    We are thankful for the harvest of this year, which we planted in hope and cultivated in faith.  We are thankful for the nation of which we are a part.  We are proud of its historic past.  We rejoice in its glorious present.  And we pray for is righteous future. We count our liberty a thing to be highly prized and are thankful to God for the experience of freedom.  In recognition of his goodness and our dependence upon him we now renew our allegiance to him in this order of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Here let the minister and the people unite in saying:
    Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying:  Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory.  Glory be to thee, O Lord most high!  Amen.

HYMN  The people standing.

SILENT PRAYER

BENEDICTION
    The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.  Amen.

POSTLUDE
	* * * * * *

	Festival of the First Fruits

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)
    This festival has its counterpart among many of the primitive tribes of Indian farmer folk, who always offer some of the first fruits of the field or garden to their deities.  The Hebrews made it one of their most joyous feasts.  As a means of helping to make all the daily life of our farmer Christians religious and God-centered, it is a useful service.
    It should be observed at the beginning of harvest.  On the appointed day all should gather in the place of worship, each bringing something of the first fruits of field or garden--baskets of grain, sheaves, or fruit.

Leader:  Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
People:  Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Leader:  The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season.
People:  Thou openest Thy hand, and satifiest the desire of every living thing.
Leader:  The Lord is righteous in all His ways; People:  And holy in all His works.  Psalms 103:1-2; 145:15-17.
Leader:  Let us give thanks to God (Prayer of thanksgiving)
Responsive Reading - Psalm 67

Hymn - "We Plough the Fields and Scatter"

Bible Reading:  Leviticus 23:9-14. Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23.

Short Message - (talk by the leader, on the dedication of first fruits to God).

Offering of first fruits to God - Read Prov. 3:9-10.
    (While a hymn of consecration is being sung, each person will
    bring forward his first-fruits offering and lay it on the altar or
    table.)
Then the leader will read Malachi 3:7-12.

Doxology - All standing, will join in singing.

Dedicatory Prayer

Benediction - The Lord bless thee and keep thee; The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give the peace.  Amen.

	HARVEST SERVICE

(This service was written by Rev. Craig Swenson, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Minonk, Illinois, and Bethany Lutheran Church, Winona, Illinois, as published in "Worship from the Ground Up. A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregations. Studies in Rural Ministry III An Occasional Series, Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries, Dubuque, IA  1995)

    The emphasis of a harvest worship service is thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and for those who labor to produce these fruits.  As you plan for a harvest worship service, there are several things you can do to make this a festive occasion.  For example, use symbols of the harvest--shocks of corn and beans, bushel baskets of grain.  Arrange them at various locations throughout the church, especially near the altar.
    The offering plates can be placed at the back of the sanctuary so that the collection of gifts takes place from the people, and not as a collection taken on behalf of the church.  The communion elements of real wheat bread and a flagon of wine (grape juice as well if you use it) may be presented at the same time as the collection plates are brought forward.
    Consider making a collection for your local food pantry on this occasion.  Place large baskets in the back of the church or in the narthex for food items.  These baskets may be brought forward with the presentation of the gifts.  (Note that some food pantries are not able to accept perishable food items.)
    Emphasize the World Hunger Appeal at this time.  We are able to give from our abundance to those who struggle to live day by day through their poverty.

[ABBREVIATIONS:  P = Presiding Minister;
A = Assisting Minister; C = Congregation.
U = Unison  The parts marked for the Assisting Minister may be spoken by the Presiding Minister.]

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  C:  Amen.
P:  God of all grace, you know our hearts, nothing is hidden from you.  We know that you desire us to live renewed by your grace and not burdened by our own self conviction.  We pray that you would send your Holy Spirit into our hearts and thereby wipe away the stain of our guilt and free us to love you, each other and ourselves with joyful and thankful hearts.
C:  Amen.
P:  If we admit that we are free from sin then we are not being honest with God, with each other nor with ourselves.  But if we make confession of our bondage to sin, our good and grace-filled God has promised to forgive us and renew us in faithful service.

C:  We confess to you, O God, and to one another that each day, try as we might, we fail to keep our promise to love you and one another as we should or even as we are able.  We are captives of sin and are not capable of getting ourselves free. 
   We continually fall short of loving you in the things we do and say as well as through the very thoughts of our minds.  And not only that, but we are even convicted as guilty by the very   things that we fail to do.  Even in this season of harvest we confess that we do not live according to your will in caring for the land that we till, the air that we breath and the distribution of the fruits through which we have been blessed.  We have polluted the air and the streams.  We have become selfish in sharing out of our wealth.  We have been negligent in caring for your creation and all the people of this world.  Forgive our selfishness and our continual desire to put ourselves first. 
   Help us to see the broader picture of life and our responsibility of being faithful stewards.  Hear our confession and help us to lead a life that bears witness to our Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
P:  Rich in mercy, God has heard the people's cries and, for our sake, has given Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son to die for our sins. 
   By his power and authority, Jesus has given us the responsibility to declare  that forgiveness.  Therefore I declare to you, you are forgiven. 
   Your faith in Christ has made you clean.  Live in accordance with that faith.  C:  Amen.

ENTRANCE HYMN - "O Creator, God of Glory"

GREETING
P:  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Lord of the harvest, the love of God--the God of creation, and the communion of the empowering and ever present Spirit, be with you all. C:  And also with you.

OPENING DIALOGUE

A:  We come together in peace to offer our prayer and praises to the Lord. C:  We praise you, O God.
A:  With thankful hearts we pray for the peace that only comes from God who has provided us with life and salvation.  C:  We praise you, O God.
A:  We earnestly pray for peace in our homes, peace in our land and peace in this world. C:  We praise you, O God.
A:  We pray for the one holy catholic and apostolic church.  May it be inspired by your Spirit in an effort to unite us in the one true faith in Jesus Christ and proclaim your Word of truth. C:  We praise you, O God.
A:  In this time of gathering and harvesting we pray for this holy place of worship and all those who have gathered here to offer their prayers and praises.
C:  We praise you, O God.
A:  Be ever present among us as a Helper, A savior, a Comforter, and a Defender, O God.  C:  Amen.

PSALM OF PRAISE - Psalm 104

PRAYER OF THE DAY
U:  God of all seasons, we give you thanks for the beauty of creation and especially, this day, for the fruits of the earth that abound.  May we ever be mindful that all good gifts come from you and may we ever give thanks for the fruits of the Spirit that lead us forth in faith for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

FIRST LESSON		Isaiah 66:10-14
PSALM			Psalm 145:8-13
SECOND LESSON	Galatians 6:1-10, 14-16
GOSPEL		Luke 10:1-12, 16-20

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY "The Harvest, The Bounty"

APOSTLE'S CREED/NICENE CREED/CONFESSION OF FAITH

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Conclude each petition with the following:
P:  Lord of the harvest, C:  We give you thanks.

THE PEACE IS SHARED
P:  The Peace of the Lord be with you always.
C:  And also with you.

OFFERTORY HYMN - "For the Fruit of All Creation"

THANKSGIVING PRAYER

P:  It is with thankful hearts that we present these gifts to you most gracious God, giver of all things.  Help us to remember that we are merely stewards of your creation and do not own the gifts of the earth.  We offer now these gifts in return for the bounty with which you blessed us.  Receive them as our offerings of praise returned to you.  Send the blessing of your Holy Spirit upon these gifts so that they might be used to feed those who are hungry in body, mind, and spirit.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
P:  The Lord be with you.  C:  And also with you.
P:  Life up your hearts. C:  We lift them to the Lord.
P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C:  It is right to offer thanks and praise to God.
P:  It is indeed both right and honorable that we
should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, the Holy One, through Christ our Lord; who sent your people forth to gather the faithful into our Lord's harvest so that all might be gathered into the granary of everlasting life and spared from being forever lost as chaff blown away in the wind.  So it is with joyful hearts that we join
with the whole church on earth and all the heavenly hosts in praising your name above all things saying...
C:  Holy, holy, holy are you, all mighty and all
     merciful God.  Heaven and earth are full of
     your glory.  Hosanna in the highest heaven.        Blessed is the one who comes in the
     name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P:   On the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
     Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:  This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people and for the forgiveness of sin.  Do this for the remembrance of me.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

FRACTION AND INVITATION  (Face the congregation while holding up bread.  Break it in half and say:)

P:  Come and share the meal our Lord has provided for us.  We are fed with good things so that we might be satisfied with the bounty of
God's everlasting goodness.

COMMUNION

BLESSING
P:  May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen and keep you in God's grace.  C:  Amen

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE - Psalm 92:1-4, 11-14
P:  It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord,
C:  And to sing praises to your name, O Most
     High; 
P:  To tell of your loving kindness early in the
     morning 
C:  And of your faithfulness in the night season;
P:  On the psaltery, and on the lyre,
C:  And to the melody of the harp.
P:  For you have made me glad by your acts, O
     Lord;
C:  And I shout for joy because of the works of
     your hands.
P:  The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree,
C:  And shall spread abroad like a cedar of
     Lebanon.
P:  For those who are planted in the house of the
     Lord
C:    Shall flourish in the courts of our God;
P:    They shall still bear fruit in old age;
C:    They shall be green and succulent;
P:    That they may show how upright the Lord is;
C:    My rock in whom there is no fault.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
U:  We give you thanks, O God, for this
       healing gift of life.
   Through your goodness you continue to restore life to all of creation.  Go with us now as we leave this place into the Lord's harvest with confidence knowing that we have been renewed and empowered to do your will and gather the fruits of your bountiful Spirit.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

BLESSING
P:  May the God of creation who established the seasons and provided a seed-time and harvest, a time of growth and a time of fallow, bless you and provide you with every good gift to do God's will now and forever.  Amen.

DISMISSAL
P:  Our worship has ended.  Let the service begin.  Go in peace and serve the Lord with thankful hearts.
C:    Thanks be to God.

	* * * * * *

	Harvest Thanksgiving Service

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)
    The harvest festival should be observed soon after the main season's crops have been harvested.  In some sections of India this may be at Divali or Dasserah time, in others as late as January or February.  It may be a movable festival, to be observed according to the needs and appropriate time for each village church.  It is a time for recognizing our stewardship of God's good gifts given us through the soil and the trees, a time for the dedication of our year's toil, and its fruits to God.

    The program given below was given at Pendra Road, C.P., in 1936 and is a beautiful and appropriate service which can be followed in any village church.  The place of worship was decorated beautifully with flowers and leaves, fruits and sheaves of grain.  Over the entrance was a banner inscribed with the words, "Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving."  Long before the hour appointed for the service, the people began to come from every side, carrying their gifts of baskets and bags of grain, some bringing it in carts. Children came carrying eggs, fruit, vegetables, and baskets of rice.  Many brought gifts of cash which they had earned.  The cash offering amounted to about Rs. 225, and 108 bushels of grain were given, besides fruits and many other products.

	The Order of Service

CALL TO WORSHIP -- O give thanks unto the Lord;
   for He is good;  For His Mercy endureth forever.
	Psalms 136:1.
PRAYER OF INVOCATION.

HYMN OF THANKSGIVING-(Psalm 136 set to music.)

RESPONSIVE READING OF THANKSGIVING SCRIPTURES -- Read by students.

(The following are appropriate Scriptures which may be read:  Deut. 8; Psalms 8, 23, 63, 65, 67, 103, 104, 107, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 150; Ezekiel 34:25-31; Luke 12:13-21.)

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING HYMN.

THANKSGIVING PRAYER.

HYMN -- "We Plough the Fields and Scatter"

RESPONSIVE READING ON STEWARDSHIP -- Read by the congregation.

(The following or other appropriate Scriptures may be read:  Psalms 24, 72. Malachi 3;7-12.  Matthew 6:19-34.  II Cor. 8:1-9; 9:6-15)

THANKSGIVING HYMN - (Composed by a village man, and sung by a group of village people, accompanied by drum and cymbals.)

THE THANKSGIVING MESSAGE -- Text: Psalm 116:12-13.

PRAYER.

THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING - (At this time the hymn, "O Lord of Heaven, Earth, and Sea was sung.  During the singing, every worshipper came forward in an orderly manner and laid his gift in the place provided for the gifts.  Cash and small articles were laid upon a table.)

PRAYER OF DEDICATION.

DOXOLOGY -- Sung by entire congregation, standing.

BENEDICTION
	* * * * * *

	PRAISE GOD FOR BREAD

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Prepared and published by: Christian Rural Research and Resource Service, Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada 3/81)

	A Rural Life Sunday Service

MUSICAL PRELUDE (organ and/or other instruments)

CALL TO WORSHIP - Here in this house of prayer we come to rest from daily tasks, seek restoration for our souls, direction for the opening week and reassurance of the continuing presence of God.

INVOCATION PRAYER - O God, nothing we have done makes us worthy to come into your holy presence, but because of your great mercy and love, revealed to us through Christ, your Son, we wait in humility before You.  We offer thanks and praise for the earth that sustains our lives because seedtime and harvest never cease.  Teach us to plan and reap in accordance with your good laws that none of your people may hunger.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.  Amen.

Psalm 67 (may be read by a young person)

HYMN - (tune "Aurelia" or any 7676D)

	O God of love and beauty,
	Your care is over all;
	Your hand still clothes the lily
	   and marks the sparrow's fall.
	Give grace to us, your children
	That we may feel your care.
	When for our needs we worry
	Or for our life we fear.

	Be your wise plan, our Father,
	There's life within a seed--
	It grows and buds and flowers,
	Bears food for human need.
	O God, we ask your pardon
	For greed and waste of food--
	Use us to help the needy
	To know your laws are good.

	O God, the great Creator
	Of stars and worlds and space,
	To people you give knowledge
	  to aid the human race;
	For all whose minds are eager
	And all whose hearts are true
	Resource and tool are offered
	To recreate with You.

Psalm 65 (may be read responsively led by another person)

PRAYER - Gracious and eternal God, we acknowledge You again as our Father.  We are only dust of the earth until your living Spirit is breathed into us.  You are the Potter--we are the clay--it is your mind and love that shaped our earth and our very lives.  We pray that we may discover once again how we can be your children, and we offer our love and obedience in this act of worship.  Breathe your cleansing Holy Spirit upon us now, and enable us to be refreshed, recharged, and, by Your wondrous grace, reborn.  Amen.

CHORAL SELECTION

SCRIPTURE - I Kings 17:8-16 or John 6:1-14

LITANY PRAYER
Leader:  The sun and the rain help unwrap the sleeping seeds as spring replaced winter, O God.  We marvel again at your great creation.
People:  We offer our praise and thanks.
Leader:  What is in the tiny seed, our Father, that causes it to grow?  We cannot make a seed or a plant and fill it with the spark of life as You can.  Only your wisdom can cause a dry seed to grow and bear more of its kind.
People:  We thank you, God, for seeds that become our bread.
Leader:  We wonder why you care so much about us, that we are blessed with food that nourishes our bodies and also our souls.
People:  Help us not only to eat and be strengthened, but also to share our food with some who cannot grow or buy any.
Leader:  We know there are people who have no soil to plant and who are completely dependent on others for food.  Help us not to withhold bread from anyone.
People:  Help those who farm to produce quality food, and grant that those who buy will be willing to share fairly of their means.
Leader:  We pray for all who work in the food chain.  May all be treated fairly for their labor, and we pray that the day will come soon when no one will use food for personal riches.
	* * * * * *

	Order for the Blessing of Fields and Flocks

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Parish Service)

Introductory Rites

When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung.  After the singing, the minister says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All make the sign of the cross and reply:  Amen.

A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following or other suitable words, taken mainly from sacred Scripture.
  May God, who is wonderful in all his works, be with you all.

All make the following or some other suitable reply.
  And also with you.

A lay minister greets those present in the following words.
  Let us together praise the Lord, from whom we have rain from the heavens and abundance from the earth.  Blessed be God now and for ever.
R.  Amen.

In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing.

    Let us bless God, whose might has created the earth and whose providence has enriched it.  He has given us the earth to cultivate, so that we may gather its fruits to sustain life.
    But as we thank God for his bounteousness, let us learn also, as the Gospel teaches, to seek first his kingship over us, his way of holiness.  Then all our needs will be given us besides.

Reading of the Word of God
A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture.

Genesis 1:1, 11-12, 29-31  God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good.

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the book of Deuteromy:

or:

Matthew 6:25-34  Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow.

Mark 4:26-29  The seed sprouts and grows without the man's knowing what happens.

As circumstances suggest, one of the following responsorial psalms may be sung or said, or some other suitable song.

Psalm 65:10, 11-12, 13-14
(R. v. 6 you answer us, O God our Savior.)

Psalm 104:1-2a, 14-15, 24, 27-28
(R.v.24c  The earth is full of your creatures, O Lord.)

Psalm 107:35-36, 37-38, 41-42
(R.v.1b  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.)

As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration.

Intercessions

    As circumstances suggest, the prayer of blessing may be preceded by the intercessions.  The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions.  From the following intentions those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.  The intentions are followed immediately by the prayer of blessing.

The minister says:
    The Lord and Father of us all, looking with benign providence on his children, gives them nourishment and growth by blessing the earth with the fruitfulness that sustains human life.  As children of this Father, let us pray to him, saying:  R:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Assisting Minister:
    You have called us, as Saint Paul says, a field under your cultivation; grant that by doing your will in all things we may remain always close to you. (For this we pray:) R: Lord, hear our prayer.

Assisting Minister:
    You have told us that Christ is the vine and we are the branches; grant that by living in your Son we may produce much good fruit.  (For this we pray:) R:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Assisting Minister:
    You bless the earth and abundance flows in its pastures; grant that by your blessing our fields may yield the food we need.  (For this we pray:) R: Lord, hear our prayer.

Assisting Minister:
    You make the wheat grow that provides our daily bread and the gift of the eucharist; give us a crop made rich by abundant rain and fertile soil.  (For this we pray:) R: Lord, hear our prayer.

When there are no intercessions, the minister, before the prayer of blessing says:
Let us pray.

As circumstances suggest, all may then pray for a moment in silence before the prayer of blessing.

Prayer of Blessing

A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

All-holy Lord and Father, you have commanded us to work the land and cultivate it.  Your devoted people now pray that you will grant us an abundant harvest from our fields, vineyards, and orchards.
In your goodness protect our lands from wind and hail and let a rich crop grow from the seeds we plant (today).  We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
R:  Amen.

Or:

O God, from the very beginning of time you commanded the earth to bring forth vegetation and fruit of every kind.  You provide the sower with seed and give bread to eat.  Grant, we pray, that this land, enriched by your bounty and cultivated by human hands, may be fertile with abundant crops.
Then your people, enriched by the gifts of your goodness, will praise you unceasingly now and for ages unending.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R:  Amen.

Concluding Rite

A minister who is a priest or deacon concludes the rite by saying:

May God, the source of every good, bless + you and give success to your work, so that yo may receive the joy of his gifts and praise his name now and for ever.
R:  Amen.

A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:

May God, the source of every good, bless us and give success to our work, so that we may receive the joy of his gifts and praise his name now and for ever.
R:  Amen.

It is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.

(Editor's Note:  If this blessing is celebrated during Mass, it may begin after the Prayer after Communion with the Introduction.  The Prayer of Blessing may then follow.  During this service, small wooden crosses may be blessed and distributed to the congregation, who may then place them in their own fields and gardens.

If wooden crosses to be placed in gardens and fields are to be blessed, the following prayer, adapted from the Roman Ritual, may be added:

Leader:  God of all consolation, through the passion of your Son Jesus Christ bless these crosses which your people will set in their gardens and fields.  Protect the land from the crushing hail, the violence of tornadoes, the power of storms, and from every disturbance.  May their produce be brought to full ripeness, and gathered in honor of your name by those who trust in the power of the holy cross of the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  All:  Amen.

(The crosses may be sprinkled with holy water.)

	VIGIL SERVICE
	For Those Who Love and Work The Land

(from the National Catholic Rural Conference Parish Service)

Introduction
    The following resource is to be used for the Vigil Service when someone has died.  The National Catholic Rural Life Conference presents this in response to the numerous requests for prayer and worship resources that are sensitive to rural life.  The Vigil Service is to be used when someone who worked with the land has died.  It is intended for the Vigil Service according to the rite of Christian Burial.  It supplements the prayers and readings which the Rite provides.
    While the Rite of Christian Burial is used in the Roman Catholic community, the simple format provided will be useful for other Christian communities as well, or the occasions when those gathered to mourn are from diverse religious backgrounds.
    This material suggests readings, including a number of psalms, with imagery of creation, farming, and stewardship of the land and animals.  These are intended to assist the prayer and the preaching for the Vigil Service, especially when the one who has died worked with the land, plants, and animals throughout his or her life.  In this way, the life and labor of all who farm and ranch become a source of prayer and reflection.  It helps us celebrate the legacy of faith to which the Scriptures pay ample attention--to work with creation as a farmer or rancher, as a gardener or laborer is a privileged task, and becomes an encounter with the creative God whose love takes many forms.

OPENING SONG:

Introduction and Welcome:
    Our God is the creator of all things.  The living God made the sky and the earth and all living things.
    Perhaps no one shares more intimately in God's creative work than one who has lived on the land and planted the seed, nurtured the plant, and harvested the fruit of that work.  Surely, love of the land, and care of God's gifts brings one into an intimate relationship with God.  We now pray that God will bring into the kingdom _________________ who shared in God's creative power.

PRAYER:  Let us pray.

    O God, as the seed is planted in the ground to grow and produce a rich harvest, so was the seed of your life and love planted in the heart and soul of __________________.  May (his/her) good work in life and faithfulness to your call be rewarded with a place in your heavenly kingdom.  We give thanks and praise for the gift of eternal salvation which comes to us through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.  All:  Amen.

Suggested Old Testament Readings

Genesis 1:27-31:  So God created humankind in God's image.

Deuteronomy 8:6-10:  "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land."

Deuteronomy 11:10-17:  "The land you are crossing over to occupy is...a land that the Lord your God looks after."

Deuteronomy 32:1-14:  "Remember the days of old, when the Most High apportioned the nations."

Sirach 6:18-20:  Come to wisdom like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest.

Sirah 17:1-9:  The Lord created human beings out of earth and makes them return to it again.

Micah 4:1-4:  The mountain of the Lord's house shall be the highest of the mountains...and the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares.

Micah 6:8:  What does the Lord require but to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with your God?

Suggested Psalm; Responsorials or Readings

(One of these psalm texts may serve as the responsorial psalm for the liturgy, sung or recited in the usual manner.  One of the psalm texts may also be proclaimed by the lector as one of the readings for the liturgy.)

Psalm 1:  Happy are those who delight in the law of the Lord.

Psalm 8:  What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?

Psalm 19:1-7:  The heavens are telling the glory of God.

Psalm 23:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 24:1-6:  The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it.

Psalm 26:  I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Psalm 40:1-11:  I waited patiently for the Lord, who inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 62:  For God alone my soul waits in silence; from whom comes my salvation.

Psalm 63:109:  O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you.

Psalm 65:  O you who answer prayer!  To you all flesh shall come.

Psalm 92:  It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 104:  You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth.

Psalm 121:  I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come?

Psalm 148:  Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens.

Suggested New Testament Readings

Romans 5:1-11:  Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:18-23:  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.

1 Corinthians 4:5:  Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28:  For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2:  For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Ephesians 4:11-16:  We must no longer be children,...but we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

Philippians 1:3-11:  I am confident that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

Suggested Gospel Readings

Matthew 6:19-21:  Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:25-34:  If God so clothes the grass of the field, will God not much more clothe you--you of little faith?

Matthew 10:26-33:  Even the hairs of your head are all counted.  So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 13:1-9:  He told them many things in parables, saying:  "Listen!  A sower went out to sow."

Matthew 13:24-30:  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field."

Matthew 20:1-16:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard."

Matthew 24:32-35:  "From the fig tree learn a lesson:  as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near."
 
Mark 3:1-20:  Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him.

Mark 3:30-34:  And looking at those who sat around him, Jesus said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!"

Mark 12:1-11:  "When the season came, the owner sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard."

Mark 13:24-31:  "So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates."

Luke 6:27-36:  "I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."

Luke 6:43-45:  "no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit."

Luke 20:9-17:  He began to tell the people this parable:  "A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time."

John 10:1-11:  "When the shepherd has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice."

John 14:1-8:  Thomas said to him,"Lord, we do not know where you are going.  How can we know the way?"

John 14:25-31:  "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."

John 15:1-9:  "I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit."

HOMILY
INTERCESSIONS
LORD'S PRAYER:  Our Father, who are in heaven...
All:  Amen.

Closing Prayer:

    Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds to with them.
    Lord, you are attentive to our prayer.  As you have nourished us and sustained us in this life with your presence, now bring into your eternal presence ____________________ who served you faithfully and shared in your creative work.  We thank you for the blessings you gave to him/her.  They are signs of your love for all of us.  We ask through Christ the Lord.

Leader:  Eternal rest give to (him/her), O Lord.
All:  Amen.
Leader:  May the Lord console and bless us and keep us ever faithful to his call now and forever.
All:  Amen.

Suggested Songs

For the Beauty of the Earth (tune:  Dix)
Bread That Was Sown (Weston Priory)
Jerusalem My Happy Home (tune:  Land of Rest)
Lord of All Hopefulness (tune:  Slane)
For the Fruits of His Creation
  (tune:  AR HYD Y NOS)
God of Day and God of Darkness
  (tune:  Beach Spring)
Shepherd Me O God (Marty Haugen)
Parable (M.D. Ridge)
Come to Me (Weston Priory)
(These songs and melodies are widely known and are easily 
available through several music sources.)

	* * * * * *

	ROGATION SERVICE

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Most of the hymns in this service are found in Hymns of the Rural Spirit, published by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.  This order of service was prepared by Miss Cornelia Russell, Woman's Division of Christian Service of the Board of Missions of the United Methodist Church.  The Invocation and Responsive Readings are taken from the Proposed Revision for the Book of Worship for Church and Home, Nashville, The Methodist Publishing House, 1960)

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP
  Praise the Lord, all nations!  Extol him, all peoples!
  For great is his steadfast love toward us; and the
  faithfulness of the Lord endures for ever.  Praise 
  the Lord!

HYMN
  "All Creatures of Our God and King" - Lasst Uns
   Erfreuen, or "The Spacious Firmament on High" -
   Creation.

INVOCATION
    O Lord from whom all good things do come; grant to us, thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

ANTHEM

RESPONSIVE READING

Minister:  There is one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in you all.

People:  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Minister:  Come, walk in the way of the Lord with songs of gladness and joy.

People:  The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Minister:  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!
People:  Sing praises to God, sing praise unto the Lord!
Minister:  As thy name, O God, so thy praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
People:  This is God, our God for ever and ever.  He will be our guide forever.
Minister:  Honor and majesty are before him, strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
People:  Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord!  Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
Minister:  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.
People:  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us.
Minister:  Lift up your hearts.
People:  We lift them up unto the Lord.
Minister:  Let us worship and give thanks unto him.
People:  He is the way, the truth, and the life, both now and forever more.  Amen.

GLORIA PATRI

SCRIPTURE LESSON

PASTORAL PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

HYMN - "God of the Fertile Fields" - Kirby Bedon. (or America) 6.6.4.6.6.6.4.

God of the fertile fields,
Lord of the earth that yields
Our daily bread;
Forth from thy bounteous hand
Come gifts thy love has planned,
That men through all the land
Be clothed and fed.

We would thy stewards be,
Holding in trust from thee
All thou dost give;
Help us in love to share,
Teach us like thee to care,
That earth may all be fair
And men may live.

As grows the hidden seed
To fruit that serves men's need,
Thy Kingdom grows.
So let our toil be used,
No gift of thine abused,
No humblest task refused,
Thy love bestows.

God of the countryside,
Dear to our Lord who died
To make men one;
We pledge our lives to thee,
To serve thee faithfully
Till in eternity
Our day is done.  Amen.

("God of the Fertile Fields" is found in Fourteen New Rural Hymns, published in 1955 by The Hymn Society of America)

SERMON

HYMN
  "Take My Life" -- Messiah, or
  "God Who Touchest Earth with Beauty" - Geneva

BENEDICTION

SILENT PRAYER (Congregation seated)

POSTLUDE
	* * * * * *

	SEVEN DAYS OF FARMING

("Seven Days of Farming" is provided to congregations by the Lutheran Church World Hunger Program.  Congregations are encouraged to duplicate it according to their own needs and purposes.  The liturgies were written by the Rev. Ewald J. Bash, a pastor of the Lutheran Church.  They were prepared for publication by Charles P. Lutz)

Seven Liturgies Celebrating the Cycle of growing food, by Ewald J. Bash

    This worship is not for farm people alone.  It is for all Christians, especially in the United States where much of the world's food is produced.  The liturgies identify with the farming function of the human family. We must all be part of planting, tilling, nourishing, harvesting our food, lest our mind's eye lose track of the fundamental mystery:  why seed falls in the ground and dies to rise and feed us.  Equally, we must all pray and work for equity in distribution of that food.  No one should go hungry in an age of abundance.
    Surely our Lord felt the mystery in his bones.  His parables abound in farm/food imagery.  Those images become a way of expressing grace.  In the end, he too is placed in the earth--dead, only to rise again.  Blessed be his Name!

USE "SEVEN DAYS"...

1.  On seven (7) successive Sundays in public worship, or on seven        (7) worship occasions to correspond with the season cycle
      during one year.  (Begin at any point in the cycle.)
2.  For daily worship in church camps, retreats, vacation church
      school. Try to use the full 7 liturgies to reflect the wholeness of
      the cycle.
3.  In group settings (women, youth, men's club, church school
      class) with individuals remembering the group as they use the
      other 6 days in the week to follow.
4.  For 7 days of family devotion.
5.  For 7 days of personal devotion.
6.  In world hunger education/action workshops.
7.  In food producer/consumer dialogue gatherings.

DAY ONE:  THE DAY OF CONTEMPLATION

The Winter of the Earth

Leader:  Lord God of the good earth, come into this Age that seems to much like winter.  Be not silent like the land in the grip of cold wind or ice and snow.  Yet teach us the meaning in the sleep of earth that gives so richly in the spring of its life. Give us grace to understand death as the constant companion.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.
All:  Man that is born of woman is of few days
      And full of trouble.
      He comes forth like a flower and withers;
      He flees like a shadow,
      And continues not.
      A voice says,
      And I said, "What shall I cry?"
      All flesh is grass
      And all its beauty is like
      The flower of the field.
      The grass withers, the flower fades
      When the breath of the Lord blows upon it.
      Surely the people is grass.
		(Job 14:1, 2; Isa. 40:6, 7)

The Days of Waiting (individuals in the group may pray these prayers in turn.)
    There is so little we can do.  The chores are short and we must wait for spring.  Teach us the grace of patience.  Let not the time for meditation be a brooding weariness.
    God of the communal life, we thank you for the quietness of home, our outside communion with the world through TV, the silences of the family when it's out of talk. Refine our words that talk may not be cheap.
    Living together with time on our hands is not always easy, Lord.  Our idling makes us irritable and the closeness is sometimes unbearable.  Give us "spaces in our togetherness."
    Sometimes winter is as full of work as summer, Lord, and there isn't any rest as once there was.  We thank you for winter work, 4'Hs, churches, the ways we sort our loneliness into fellowship.

(Free prayers may be said.)

The Word of Life

L:  All look to you to give them their food in due season.  When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.  (Ps. 104:27, 30)

Lessons:  Job 14:7-14; or 1 Kings 17:1-7; or Psalm 24)

Redemption and New Hope

L:  The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own.

A:  The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God's purposes it has been so limited--yet it has been given hope.
L:  And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay.
A:  And have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God.  (Rom. 8:19-23, Phillips)

A Word for the Winter

A:  The Lord is at hand.  Don't be anxious (Phil. 4:5,6)
    This is the day of Resurrection.

DAY TWO:  THE DAY OF PREPARATION

The Blade of Our Discontent

Leader:  Lord, we put our blade to the ground, disturbing the life there--worms and bacteria and all small things.  Let the earth be aroused that we may be blessed with its fruits.
All:  Let the long days of preparation begin.
L:  There is a worker or two or a thousand in cities someplace who have made our implements.  Once plows were sticks and people were beasts of burden.
A:  Bless them, Lord.  Give them a living from the earth as well as us.
L:  Somewhere are truckers and railroad workers who will carry our produce.
All:  Bless them, Lord.  Give them a living from the earth as well as us.
L:  Marketers will advertise in newspapers and sell the fruit of our ground.
All:  Bless them, Lord.  Give them a living from the earth as well as us.
L:  Heal distrust of the farm toward the city.
All:  End contempt of the city for the farm.
L:   Set down the blade of the plow.  Speed the discing and harrowing.

All:  Bless us, Lord, that the others may be blessed.

The Gamble (individuals in the group may pray these prayers in turn.)

    O God, it isn't easy to know when to set in the blade, or which soils to conserve.  How much should we grow and where will the markets of the earth lead us this year?
    Has spring really come?  Or will winter return?  Lord, you know our servantship, our care of the earth. Give us sensibility for the task. Grant us wisdom in farming that the land may be rich and fertile for our children's children for generations to come.
    It is time for soil enrichment and nourishing that has been placed in our care.  Teach us the meaning of lowly things as we spread the smelling fertilizer on the earth.
    We thank you for the goodness of being tired.  Yet the long hard days are ahead.  And the whole family will have to work like men before the summer is through.  Refresh us for the task.

(Free prayers may be said.)

A Word for This World

Lessons:  Matt. 25:14-30; or Matt. 25:1-11; or Luke 9:57-62

The Plowing and Discing and Harrowing of Life

L:  A voice cries:  In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.
All:  Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
L:  Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;
A:  The uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain.

A Word for the Preparation

L:  And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
A:  And all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.  (Isa. 40:5)
L:  For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
A:  A time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted.  (Eccl. 3:1,2)

DAY THREE:  THE DAY OF PLANTING

God of Weather and Whether (Psalm 29)

Leader.  Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
All:  Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
L:  Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name
A:  Worship the Lord in holy array.
L:  The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.
A:  The God of glory thunders, the Lord, upon
      many waters.
L:  The voice of the Lord is powerful.
A:  The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
L:  The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
A:  The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
L:  The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
A:  The voice of the Lord shakes the
      wilderness.
L:  The voice of the Lord makes the oaks to whirl
A:  And strips the forests bare; and in his
      temple all cry, "Glory!"
L:  The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
A:  The Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
L:  May the Lord give strength to his people!
A:  May the Lord bless his people with peace!
L:  Glory be to God the King.
A:  Glory be to God the Servant.
L:  Glory be to the God whose kingliness is in being
      a Servant.
A:  To the Age of Ages. Amen.
A:  Lord of the rain that floods fields and
      washes away the work of human hands,
      God of the warm rains that water the
      thirsting seed, we pray your blessing and
      sow now our seed in the name of the
      Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
      Amen.

The Seed in the Ground

L.  The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field.  It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. 

A:  Lord, you saw the miracle here; let us see it as we plant.  Open our eyes to the abiding wonder of your gifts of earth to us.
L:  For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move hence to yonder place," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
A:  Lord, at moments life hardens around us like granite stone.  As the seed pushes aside the mountain rock of overwhelming weight, so let our faith spring up to overturn the rocks, that life may be softened to humanness and that our lives may not be afraid of the strength of evil.

(Free prayers may be said.)

A Word for This World

Lessons: Matt. 13:1-9; or Psalm 107:33-38; or Psalm 34:1-10

Grace for the Sower from the Sower

L:  Be not anxious about tomorrow,
A:  For tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Let
      the day's own trouble be sufficient.
      Matt. 6:34)

DAY FOUR:  THE DAY OF GROWING

The Question To Us

Leader:  But ask the beasts, and they will teach you,
All:  The birds of the air and they will tell you;
L:  Or the plants of the earth, and they will teach
      you,
A:  And the fish of the sea will declare to you.
L:  Who among all these does not know
A:  That the hand of the Lord has done this?
L:  In his hand is the life of every living thing
A:  And the breath of all mankind.
L:  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.
A:  They toil not, neither do they spin.
L:  Yet Solomon in all his glory
A:  Was not arrayed like one of these.

The Fellowship of Farm Folk Working (Individuals in the group may pray these prayers in turn.)

    Let these hard days of helping plants live be an occasion for helping each other live.  As we serve the ground and its fruits, let us serve each other also.  Let not the length of our tiredness overshadow our relation in the family and among fellow workers.
    Lord, it is a different time and farming has become a huge enterprise.  The old ways seem to be going.  Some are owners and others tenants.  Prevent such divisions from separating us from each other, lest management of the farm become only a manipulation of those who must be hired.  Let not human hands become mere farm implements.
    Lord Jesus Christ, who came as a migrant wandering in a hostile land, help us to see your face in the lowliest servant of the ground.

(Free prayers on behalf of fellow workers may be said.)

The Otherness of Nature

L:  For plagues of insects and from drought
A:  Good lord, deliver us.
L:  From lightning and hail storms
A:  Good Lord, deliver us.
L:  From all calamity by scorching heat or to much
      rain
A:  Good Lord, deliver us.
L:  In the time of our depressions
A:  Help us, good Lord.
L:  In the times o four prosperity
A:  Help us, good Lord.

Kinship with Nature

A.  Praise the Lord of growing things,
    Praise him from the ground.
    Grain and pigs and tasseled corn,
    Praise with murmuring sound.
    Praise him weeds and muscled arms,
    Tractors, days and nights,
    Praise him all you fields and farms,
    Praise God in the heights.

The Word for This World

Lessons:  Matt. 13:24-30; or Eph. 4:11-16

Exaltation--A Word for the Days of Growing

L.  And he said, The kingdom of God is as if a man
      should scatter seed upon the ground.
A:  And should sleep and rise night and day,
      and the seed should sprout and grow, he
      knows not how.
L:  The earth produces of itself, first the blades, then
      the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
A.  But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts
      in the sickle, because the harvest has
      come.  (Mark 4:26,29)

DAY FIVE:  THE DAY OF HARVEST

Exhaustion

Leader:  Lord, we have worked till we are
exhausted.
All:  We fall in bed at night without thought.
L:  Yet the roar of the tractors and machines rumbles through the night.
A:  For there is no rest at harvest.
L:  Let not our work be in vain.
A:  Still the storms that would keep us from harvest.
L:  Open our eyes
A:  That we may see you reaping another kind of grain.
L:  Grant that our lives may not be chaff, driven by wind.

A:  Let us be rich plants, nourished by rivers of water, bringing fruit in the right season.

Grain Bins and Sacrament

One Person.  Lord, our gifts are beyond our deserving.  And the world sits hungry before us.  There are temptations to ignore.  We invite you to the table, and with you all humankind.  Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is spent.

Another.  Lord Jesus, sit with us at our supper of grain and of the fruits of the earth.  Give of our produce to the world that your presence may be known in all the earth.  Keep us from selfishness.  Keep us from despairing at how to get food to all peoples.
All.  And when the hour came, he sat at the table, and the apostles with him.  And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.  And he took a cup and when he had given thanks he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves.  (Luke 22:14-17)

A Third Person.  Lord, you have sent your sun's warmth to the just and the unjust and your rain on the evil as well as the good.  People live, whether they know all things come from you, or not.  Your mercy is new every morning.  Let us share your gifts to us with all people.

L:  Black people eat at our tables, Lord.
A:  Nourish their lives.
L:  Yellow people eat at our tables, Lord.
A:  Nourish their lives.
L:  White people eat at our tables, Lord.
A:  Nourish their lives.
L:  Red people eat at our tables, Lord.
A:  Nourish their lives.
L:  Brown people eat at our tables, Lord.
A:  Nourish their lives.

A Word for This World

Lessons:  Matt. 13:24-30; or Luke 14:15-24; or Luke  13:6-9; or John 4:31-38

Joy at the Harvest

L:  These all look to you
A:  To give us our food in due season.
L:  When you give to us
A:  We gather it up.
L:  When you open you hand
A:  We are filled with good things.
L:  When you send forth your Spirit, they are
      created.
A:  And you renew the face of the ground.
      (Ps. 104:27,30)

DAY SIX:  THE DAY OF MARKETING

Bargaining

Leader:  Their lives depend on these days,
All:  As do ours.
L:  Grant us wisdom in the bartering,
A:  For their good as well as ours.

L:  Give us just price,
A:  And give consumers a price they can pay.
L:  That all may be at peace with each other.
A:  Amen and amen.

Regulations of Market and Government (individuals in the group may pray these prayers in turn.)

    Lord, we cannot always understand why prices go up or down.  And we despair at uncertainties. We wonder about those who speculate with our product and always seem to make profit from it.  We are thankful for market devices that shelter us some from the storm of uncertainty.
    Governments always make us fearful, Lord.  We are afraid of their power over us and our land.  Let justice flow down like a stream in all governmental action.  Hinder all corrupt governmental practices and hinder our own manipulations.  But let us not forget our subsidies when the poor people receive their public sustenance.  Give us understanding hearts for all workers in every place of our society.
    Lord, in this time when the whole world has become a neighborhood where all live so close, strife is always at hand.  Let not the distance of our farms lull us into complacency over the crowdedness of cities.  Let us vote as their neighbors as well as for ourselves.  And help city people to know our problems.

(Free prayers may be said.)

The Covenant of Sale

L:  Lo, every one who thirsts, come to the waters.  And who has no money, come buy and eat.  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
A:  Lord, in every bargaining, let the good news of your transaction prompt our dealing and the dealing of the other party to the covenant. Help us to see the deeper significance in every testament of bargain, in the light of your New Testament, where he who has no money is nevertheless able to buy and to eat.
L:  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven And return not thither but water the earth, Making it bring forth and sprout, Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater--So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty.

A:  O heavenly Father, give our lips honesty in the deals we make.  And help that the other one's word be not empty.

A Word for This World

Lessons:  Acts 3:1-10; or Acts 6:1-6; or 1 Cor. 12:12-26

The Covenant of the New Age

L:  But this is the covenant which I will make, says the Lord;
A:  I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts.
L:  And I will be their God
A:  And they shall be my people.
L:  And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, Know the Lord.
A:  For they shall all know me, for I will forgive their iniquity.  (Jer. 31:33, 34)

DAY SEVEN:  THE DAY OF FULFILLMENT

The Hungry Speak  (the group divides into Parts I and II)

I.  The patriarch Jacob of the People of God in ancient times said to his sons, Behold I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain there that we may live and not die. (Gen. 42:1-2)
	II.  Lord, the ages have not changed that much.  And today, some do not even have money to buy the grain they need.

I.  Our spiritual ancestors cried out in the wilderness:  Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill us all with hunger.  (Ex. 16:3)
	II.  Lord, we celebrate that we have a direct hand in feeding the many, many hungry ones of today's world.

The Word of the Lord:  Exodus 16:1-21
All:  In this time of harvest, Come, for all is now ready.

A Vision of the World at Banquet (to be read by Leader)

    "Man is what he eats."  With this statement, a German philosopher thought he had put an end to all idealistic speculations about nature.  In fact, he was expressing without knowing it the most religious idea about man.  For long before...the same definition was given by the Bible.  In the biblical story of creation man is presented first of all as a hungry being and the whole world is his food...He is indeed that which he eats and the whole world is presented as one all-embracing banquet table for men.
  (from Alexander Schmeman)

A Litany of Granaries as Provision for God's Banquet

I.  Thou dost cause the grass to grow for the cattle.
	II.  And plants for man to cultivate.

I.  That he may bring forth food from the earth,
	II.  And wine to gladden the heart of man,

I.  Oil to make his face shine,
	II.  And bread to strengthen man's heart.  	(Psalm 104:14-16)

I.  Lord, in all things we are your servants.
	II.  We rejoice that the harvest is gathered.

I.  There are questions of marketing and middlemen 
and who controls.
	II.  But--Lord, let these matters not hinder the
 	     sharing of food in the world.

Prayer for Equity in Distribution

All.  Lord Jesus Christ, on the night you were betrayed you took bread and wine and shared everything equally with your disciples--even Judas the Betrayer.  Help us find a way to share bread with all people, even those we count to be our enemies. Because we are blessed in this land with agricultural abundance, we pray that you would especially give us a vision of ourselves as waiting on tables at your banquet.  Help us to persist and persist in seeking ways by which there may be an absolute, unconditional sharing of the bread, as your grace insists.

Hymn:  "Praise to the Lord" or "Now thank we all our God" or "All creatures of our God and King"

The Thanksgiving

All.  We thank you, God, that our lives may be so directly caught up in being part of your feeding of the earth.  Soon the circle of the sun's orbit will see the cycle happen again, as it has through all the ages past.  We will be at Rogate Sunday and planting time again, planting that summons your miracle to happen once more.  It is all too wonderful and mysterious; yet we participate.  Let our work be worship and grant us your peace in our labors.  In the name of him who lived close to the earth and was there buried and rose form it.  Amen.
	* * * * * * * *

	Rogation Procession
(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Parish Service)

    The Rogation Days are traditionally observed on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day.  They may, however, be observed on other days, depending on local conditions and the convenience of the congregation.
    Anciently, the observance consisted of an outdoor procession which culminated in a special celebration of the Eucharist.  In more recent centuries, the procession has frequently taken place on a Sunday afternoon, apart from the Eucharist.
    If the Rogation Procession is held on a Sunday or Principal Feast, it should take place apart from or following the Proper Eucharist of the Day.  Under these conditions the procession concludes with a suitable prayer and a blessing.
    Hymns, psalms, canticles, and anthems are sung during the procession.  The following are appropriate:

Canticle 1 or 12 (Benedicite)
Psalm 103 (Refrain:  "Bless the Lord, O my soul")
Psalm 104 (Refrain:  "Hallelujah").

As suitable places the procession may halt for appropriate Bible readings and prayers.

Any of the following passages are appropriate:

Genesis 8:13-23		Ezekiel 34:25-31
Leviticus 26:1-13(14-20)	James 4:7-11
Deuteronomy 8:1-10(11-20)	Matthew 6:25-34
Hosea 2:18-23			John 12:23-26

A suitable prayer:

    Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon this (seed, livestock, plough, forest, _________) and grant that it may serve to your glory and the welfare of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The following petitions may be inserted:
    That it may please thee to grant favorable weather, temperate rain, and fruitful seasons, that there may be food and drink for all thy creatures,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bless the lands and waters, and all who work upon them to bring forth food and all things needful for thy people,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
    That it may please thee to look with favor upon all who care for the earth, the water, and the air, that the riches of thy creation may abound from age to age,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

(At the conclusion of the Litany, after the Kyries, the Eucharist begins with the Salutation and one of the Proper Collects for Rogation Days.

If the procession cannot take place out of doors, the service may be in with the Great Litany, which may be sung in procession in the church.)

The following petition may be used:

For favorable weather, temperate rains, and fruitful seasons, that there may be food and drink for all your creatures, we pray to you, O Lord.

For your blessing upon the lands and waters, and all who work upon them to bring forth food and all things needful for your people, we pray to you, O Lord.

For all who care for the earth, the water, and the air, that the riches of your creation may abound from age to age, we pray to you, O Lord.

	* * * * * *

	ROGATION DAYS

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Parish Service, 1993)

Prayers for Divine Help:  A Human Impulse

    A period of prayer for God's protection and help in various normal or extraordinary situations was common in the early centuries of the Church.  Nor was this a uniquely Christian exercise, as pagans had similar intercessory practices devoted to their own gods.  The long-celebrated Ember Days, which older Catholics may recall, reveal this Christian and non-Christian impulse:  originally they were seasonal agricultural feasts for the pagans of Rome and its surrounding area; over time, the Church adopted and Christianized them.
    For Christians, it was customary that such penitential and intercessory prayer include a procession during which the intercession of the saints was sought.  To reflect the urgency of the need and the intensity of the prayer, the Litany was often repeated.  As with all such penitential days, fasting was required, and often abstention from servile work as well.
    The procession out into the streets or fields reflected the unity that existed between daily life and religion.  The Litany expressed the strong connection people felt with the heavenly church, our spiritual ancestors with whom we are still intimately bound.  The penitential aspect of such days was not so much an expression of personal sin as a way of dealing with original sin--that condition of brokenness which afflicts creation and into which we are born.  In this state of brokenness, it was important to clearly admit our dependence on God for help and protection.

The Development of Rogation Days

    Rogation Days are one expression of this human awareness of our need for God.  The name itself comes from the Latin word which means "to ask or seek."  Any days of intercession and prayer could be called "Rogation Days," but the name came to be applied specifically to the three days before Ascension Thursday.
    The origin of the days can be traced to St. Mamertus, the bishop of Vienne in France around the year 470.  The people of his city sought God's protection against the recurrence of an earthquake 
which had recently afflicted the city and left destruction and suffering in its wake.  This event helps us understand why Rogation Days occur somewhat clumsily in the midst of planting season in the northern hemisphere, at a time when those most apt to observe them have the least time available to do so!
    The fifth century was an age when rituals and liturgy were flourishing.  Different customs and prayers developed and spread form one area to another as one community "borrowed" a good idea from another.  These particular days of prayer established by St. Mamertus appealed to many Christians beyond the city of Vienne, and they spread far and wide to most Churches--everywhere but to the Church at Rome.  Rome resisted.
    This wasn't because the Roman Catholics rejected intercessory prayer of this sort.  Quite the contrary, the already-mentioned Ember Days, celebrated first three and then four times a year, were by now a regular part of life there.  Nor did the Roman church hesitate to borrow traditions from other places; often the church at Rome easily adopted liturgical innovations begun elsewhere.  Yet, it took almost 300 years for Rogation Days to be accepted in that city.
    The basic problem for the tradition-minded Romans was that Rogation Days were celebrated during the Easter Season and involved fasting.  According to the most ancient tradition, days of fasting and penitence were at odds with the spirit and practice of the Easter Season, which was already a well developed to-day celebration of Christ's passion, death, resurrection and gift of the Spirit to the Church stretching to Pentecost.  During these days, fasting and penitential posture (kneeling) were strictly prohibited.  Though all Christians once observed the Easter Season in this way, the spirit of this season had already begun to disintegrate in many places--not in Rome.
    Rome would eventually adopt the Rogation Days around the year 800 AD during the time of Pope Leo III (795-816 AD)--without the fasting.  In time, Roman liturgy held sway over all other local or regional traditions, as ritual was standardized over the course of the late Middle Ages and after.
    Thus, it was the Roman form of the Rogation Days which came down to us; prayer and intercession (The Litany of Saints) with procession, but without the requirement to fast.

	Rogation Days Today

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference)

    The Rogation Days were regularly observed for centuries.  Recognizing the need for such seasons or special days for prayer and intercession, the Second Vatican Council encouraged their continued observance but allowed local bishops more flexibility in scheduling them.  This flexibility made sense for a 20th century, worldwide Church; celebration prayers for planting would have little relevance in another hemisphere where Ascension Thursday falls in early winter.  Nonetheless, their focus remains the same:  "On Rogation and Ember Days the practice of the Church is to offer prayers to the Lord for the needs of all people, especially for the productivity of the earth and for human labor, and to give God public thanks."  (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, #45)
	* * * * * *

	NOVENA in honor of St. Isidore

(from The Catholic Rural Life Conference, as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  THE RURAL LIFE PRAYERBOOK by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J. Copyright c1956.)

The world "Novena means "9 days".  Hence, the Novena is prayed over a nine-day period.  It is customary to follow the format suggested for each day.  This is a typical format for a Novena:
Hymn:
Opening Prayer:
Prayer in Honor of St. Isidore: (suggested) 
ALL:  O God, who taught Adam the simple art of tilling the soil, and who through Jesus Christ, the true vine, revealed Yourself the husbandman of our soul, deign, we pray, through the merits of blessed Isidore, to instill into our hearts a horror of sin and a love of prayer, so that working the soil in the sweat of our brow, we may enjoy eternal happiness in heaven, through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.
Reflections:
Our Father/Hail Mary/Glory Be:
Litany of St. Isidore (suggested):
Lord, have mercy on us.  Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.  Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world...God, the Holy  Spirit...Holy Trinity one God...Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Isidore...St. Isidore, patron of farmers...St. Isidore, illustrious tiller of the soil,...St. Isidore, model of laborers...St. Isidore, devoted to duty...St. Isidore, loaded down with the labors of the field...St. Isidore, model of filial piety...St. Isidore, support of family life,...St. Isidore, confessor of the faith...St. Isidore, example of mortification...St. Isidore, assisted by angels,...St. Isidore, possessor of the gift of miracles, pray for us.

St. Isidore, burning with lively faith,...St. Isidore, zealous in prayer,...St Isidore, ardent lover of the Blessed Sacrament...St. Isidore, lover of God's earth,...St. Isidore, lover of poverty...St. Isidore, lover of fellowmen,...St. Isidore, most patient...St. Isidore, most humble,...St. Isidore, most pure,...St. Isidore, most just,...St Isidore, most obedient,...St. Isidore, most faithful,...St. Isidore, most grateful,...Jesus our Lord, We beg of You, hear us.

That You would protect all tillers of the soil,...That You would bring to all a true knowledge of the stewardship of the land,...That You would preserve and increase our fields and flocks,...That You would give and preserve the fruits of the earth,...That You would bless our fields,...That You would preserve all rural pastors,...That You would grant peace and harmony in our homes,...That You would lift up our hearts to You,...Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.

Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
From lightning and tempest, deliver us, O Lord.
From pestilence and floods,...From winds and drought,...From hail and storm,...From the scourge of insects,...From the spirit of selfishness,...Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ hear us.  Christ graciously hear us.

Let us pray:  Grant, O Lord, that through the intercession of blessed Isidore, the husbandman, we may follow his example of patience and humility, and so walk faithfully in his footsteps that in the evening of life we may be able to present to You an abundant harvest of merit and good works, who live and are King world without end.  Amen.

	The Story of St. Isidore and his wife, 
	S. Maria De La Cabeza

(Note: St. Isidore, the farmer, is the patron saint of farmers, ranchers, and rural people.)

St. Isidore, the Farmer, was born in Madrid, Spain, about the year 1110.  He came from a poor and humble family.  From childhood he worked as a farm hand on the De Vargas estate.  He was very prayerful and particularly devoted to the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.  He loved the good earth, he was honest in his work, and careful in his farming practices.  It is said that domestic beasts and birds showed their attachment to him because he was gentle and kind to them.  Master DeVargas watched Isidore at plowing 

and he saw two angels as his helpers.  Hence, the saying arose, "St. Isidore plowing with angels does the work of three farmers."

Isidore married a sweet and pious maid-servant by the name of Maria.  They had only one son who died in youth.  Both were most charitable and ever willing to help neighbors in distress and the poor in the city slums.

St. Isidore died on May 15, 1170 (his feast day), his saintly wife, a little later.  He was canonized on March 22, 1622.  The early remains of the holy couple are found over the main altar of the cathedral in Madrid, Spain.  S. Maria was not officially canonized, but is honored as saint throughout Spanish countries.  Her head (cabeza) is carried in solemn processions during times of drought.  By a special decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, dated February 22, 1947, St. Isidore was constituted as the special protector of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference and American farmers.

How beautiful and appropriate for the Catholic farm family to be devoted to this simple and saintly couple, who like farmers everywhere are "partners with God," in furnishing to the world food, fiber, and shelter.

First Day:  Partnership With God

HYMN...Psalm 8...Genesis 1:25, 2:15.

LET US PRAY.  Grant, we beg of You, O Merciful Lord, that through the intercession of blessed Isidore, farmer and confessor, we may forego the pride of worldly wisdom, and that, through his merits and exemplary life, we may, with all humility, ever perform works pleasing to You, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and is King and God with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  The farmer's is a sacred calling because he is a collaborator with God in the work of His creation.  In partnership with God he becomes to men a provider of the food, fiber, and shelter they need.  Let the farmer, then, no longer belittle himself in his own eyes.  The farmer's calling is among the noblest in all the world.  The Lord considered it so, and the farmer must think of it in the same terms.

With God he lives and works in the vast realms of His bountiful and beautiful nature.  He is not one of the millions who in thick formations swarm through factory gates.  He is a free man as he strides through his fields guiding a plow, sowing the seed, or harvesting the crop.  The farmer's calling is one that must command great respect.  Much knowledge and skill are required to manage well the farmstead with its land and fences, barns and granaries, tools and machinery.  Farming is among the greatest of human arts.  The farmer must be an artisan and a craftsman, a capitalist, financier, manager, worker; a producer and a seller.  He must know soil and seed, poultry and cattle; he must know when to till the soil, cultivate his fields, and harvest his crops.

In the presence of his Lord the farmer should recall all this, not in a spirit of vainglory or pride, but in grateful appreciation of the calling that God gave him as a tiller of the soil.  Praise and thanksgiving should rise in his
heart as he reflects on the high regard the Lord has showered upon him and his work.  (From PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD, by the Most Reverend Alosius J. Muench.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Second Day:  Family Life in Christ

HYMN...PSALM 128...PSALM 27:4-5.

LET US PRAY.  We offer You the sacrifice of praise, O Lord, and humbly pray that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, and of Saint Joseph, You may establish our families in peace and grace, through the same Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  Christian marriage is a union in Christ between man and woman.  It is a vocation of mutual love and fidelity in which each partner helps the other to draw closer to God, and the grace received by the husband and wife in the sacrament of matrimony strengthens them toward the achievement of this end.  Since the rural family is  the vary foundation of the vocation of farming, it is providential that God should have raised up a holy family, St. Isidore and his wife, S. Maria de la Cabeza, to be the patrons of rural people.  He wanted to teach us that the combination of the work of farming with the cares and obligations of family life can be a sure road to sanctity.  St. Isidore and S. Maria de la Cabeza exemplified the Christian ideal of land-home-family-work-worship in every aspect of their daily lives.

Moreover, the Church has traditionally regarded a home on the land as the ideal place in which to develop genuine Christian family life.  Pius XII gave expression to this belief in his address to farmers (November 15, 1946): "Your lives are rooted in the family--universally, deeply, and completely; consequently, they conform very closely to nature.  In this fact lies your economic strength and your ability to withstand adversity in critical times.  your being so strongly rooted in the family constitutes the importance of your contribution to the correct development of the private and public order of society."

Farming is a family enterprise which tends to weld the family together.  Mother and father are usually within calling distance of each other and see each other several times a day.  The children can be at their parents' side to watch them and learn to work with them.  There are many little tasks which children can perform that contribute to the family welfare and allow them to acquire experience and habits of responsibility.  It is not without reason that the rural home has been called the "natural dwelling place for the Christian family."

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Third Day:  Love of Neighbor

HYMN...Psalm 133...Romans 12:9-12.

LET US PRAY.  O God, You make all things work together unto good for those who love You.  Give to our hearts and abiding love for You, so that the desires we conceive by Your inspiration may ever remain unchanged in spite of every temptation, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  To express the unity of His Mystical Body, Christ chose the striking farm symbol of the vine and the branches.  And immediately thereafter, He reminded us of the hard farm reality that the barren plant must be destroyed:  "If anyone does not abide in me, he shall be cast outside as the branch and wither; and they shall gather them up and cast them into the fire, and they shall burn." (John 15:12)

Each profession has its own peculiar way of helping its members to manifest love for neighbor, and it is the honorable lot of the farmer to provide the basic food and fiber and shelter for man's daily needs.  From the example of St. Isidore we learn that our daily life is not to be a selfish quest for profit, but an opportunity to serve.  It makes us realize that we need the help of others to continue this way of life.  Rural people can well apply to themselves these words of Pope Pius XI:  "Al the institutions for the establishment of peace and the promotion of mutual help among men, however perfect these may seem, have the principal foundation of their stability in the mutual bond of minds and hearts whereby the members are united one with another.  If this bond is lacking, the best of regulations are useless.  And so, then only will true cooperation be possible for a single common good, when the various parts of society deeply feel themselves members of one great family and children of the same heavenly Father; we are one body in Christ, 'but severally members one of another,' so that 'if one member suffers anything, all the members suffer with it.'" 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Fourth Day:  Dignity of Work

HYMN...Psalm 127...2 Thessalonians 3:8-12.

LET US PRAY.  O Lord, let us follow the blessed farmer isidore's example of patience and humility, and walk so faithfully in his footsteps that by his intercession in the evening of life, we can offer You a rich harvest of merits and good works, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  St. Paul in his first epistle to the Thessalonians (4:11) says, "Strive to live peacefully, minding your own affairs, working with your own hands, as we have charged you, so that you may walk becomingly towards outsiders, and may need nothing."

The nobility of physical labor is praised both in the Old and New Testaments.  The humble workshop of Nazareth and the little hillside and stony field where the Holy Family worked and earned its sustenance are shining examples of the regard in which Christ Himself held physical labor.  "Christ took for granted the duty of labor.  His parables presuppose the law of work.  They have for their protagonist, a sower, a vineyard planter, a shepherd, a fisherman, a housebuilder, an employer, a housekeeper.  They allude to their work as something natural, something presupposed."  (The Attitude Towards Labor in Early Christianity and Ancient Culture, Geohegan)

Throughout the centuries the most prominent Church writers taught the nobility of labor while great saints, by their personal example, pointed the way for all of us to follow.  "Manual labor is absolutely necessary for the preservation of the human race.  The earth does not give up her many fruits except by the labor of men.  Since man needs the fruits of the earth to sustain life, it follows that he must work to get them."  (The Philosophy of Labor According to Thomas Aquina, Killeen.)

One of the greatest evils in the world today is the dislike for physical labor and the effort many people make to avoid it.  In so doing they go counter to the teaching and example of Christ, the saints, and the repeated urgings of our great Pontiffs in Rome.

Pius XII stated most emphatically, "As an indispensable means toward gaining over the world that mastery which God wishes, for His glory, all work has an inherent dignity and at the same time a close connection with the perfection of the person; this is the noble dignity and privilege of work, which is not in any way cheapened by the fatigue and the burden, which have to be borne as the effect of original sin, in obedience and submission to the will of God." 

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Fifth Day:  Walking in the Presence of God

HYMN...Psalm 1...1 Timothy 4:15-16.

LET US PRAY.  Breathe into our hearts, we beg You, O Lord, a desire for heavenly glory, and grant that we may come, bearing in our hands the sheaves of justice, to where the blessed Isidore is resplendent with You in glory, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  "In the realm of nature, the farmer lives and works with God.  He has abundant reasons to thank God for the independence and liberty granted him through the soil he calls his own.  He has the right to the genuine respect of others, for without him others cannot live.  And he ought to have a high sense of self-respect, based on the nobility of his work, which is so vital to humanity.  Living close to nature, rural people do not find it difficult to live close to God, the Author of Nature.  Moreover, they are blessed in this that they are free from so many occasions of sin and temptation which abound elsewhere.  Therefore, the supernatural life should flourish best in rural surroundings.  There men and women can best know, love and serve God, and save their immortal souls." (From Pastoral Letter of the archbishops and Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Toronto and Kingston, Canada.)

However, communion with God and high esteem for their work are not enjoyed by farmers without a constant effort.  Many of them seem to be unaware of the many beauties and advantages of rural living and consider their lives uninteresting and their work drudgery.  It is the purpose of novenas such as this, and other prayers and rural religious customs and practices, to inspire rural people anew with the dignity of their vocation and the fruitfulness of their work, so that they can continue to be worthy of being called collaborators with God.

My farm is not where I must soil My hands in endless, dreary toil. But where, through seed and swelling pod, I've learned to walk, and talk, with God.

Our Father, Hail Mary.  Glory be.

Sixth Day:  Stewardship of the Soil

HYMN...Psalm 65:10-14...James 5:7-10

LET US PRAY.  Pour down Your blessing, we beg of You, O Lord, upon Your people, and upon all the fruits of the earth, so that when collected they may be mercifully distributed to the honor and glory of Your name, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  The surface of the earth is particularly within the care of the farmer.  He keeps it for his own sustenance and gain, but his gain is also the gain of all the rest of us.  At best, he accumulates little to himself.  The successful farmer is the one who produces more than he needs for his support; and the overplus he does not keep; moreover, his own needs are easily satisfied.  It is of the utmost consequence that the man next to the earth shall lead a fair and simple life; for in riotous living he might halt many good supplies that now go to his fellows.

It is a public duty so to train the farmer that he shall appreciate his guardianship.  He is engaged in a quasi-public business.  He really does not even own his land.  He does not take his land with him, but only the personal development that he gains from it.  He cannot annihilate his land, as another might destroy all his belongings.  He is God's partner, the representative of society to guard and to subdue the surface of the earth.  He must exercise his dominion with due regard to all these obligations.  He is a trustee.  The productiveness of the earth must increase from generation to generation:  This also is his obligation.  He must handle all his materials, remembering man and remembering God.  (THE HOLY EARTH, by L.H. Bailey.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Seventh Day:  Rural Works of Mercy

HYMN...Psalm 112...Matthew 6:19-20.

LET US PRAY.  May the grace of the Holy Spirit, we beg You, O Lord, enlighten our hearts, and refresh

them abundantly with the sweetness of perfect charity, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  Although St. Isidore and his wife S. Maria de la Cabeza, were very poor, they gave of what they had to those who were poorer than themselves.  Every Saturday they would serve a meal to the poor whom they had met in their family visits to the churches of Madrid.  One day after all the food had been given out, a latecomer arrived, hungry and destitute.  Although St. Isidore know that his wife had already served all the food they had in the house, he asked her to look again into the kettle to see if there might not be just one more serving left.  S. Maria obediently lifted up the kettle to see if there were anything remaining, and was surprised to find that it was as heavy has if nothing had been taken out of it.

Works of mercy take on different forms in different times and countries.  In the frontier days in America, typical ways of helping one's neighbors were:  wholehearted hospitality to strangers and travelers; quick assistance to sick and bereaved families, even to the extent of doing the plowing or harvesting for them if necessary; helping other families with greater than family-size projects like barnraising or butchering; and special help at times of crisis like drought, hail, prairie fire, etc.  Many opportunities like these still occur in rural communities, but in addition, new ways of helping one's neighbor are constantly arising.  For instance, it may often be possible for older farmers to help inexperienced farmers in adopting new and better farming methods, or it may be possible to be of service to one's community as a whole by helping to organize a soil conservation district, improve the school system, or provide better roads or other means of communication.  A Christian farmer will also be on the alert to help his pastor in parish projects for adult education, recreation, or in expanding parish facilities.  Finally, many opportunities will arise for the modern farmer to give of his abundance to the less fortunate farmers, who comprise three-fourths of the world's population, in other lands.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Eighth Day:  Trust in Prayers

HYMN...Psalm 86:1-10...Philippians 4:47.

LET US PRAY.  O Lord Jesus Christ, You have said:  Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.  Grant, we beg of You, to us Your supplicants, the gift of Your most divine love, so that we may love You with our whole heart and in all our words and works, and never cease praising You, who live and are King, world without end. Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  A farmer daily sees the handiwork of God in the world of nature about him and recognizes that he is utterly dependent upon God's bounty for the successes of his harvest and deliverance from calamities.  It is therefore the most obvious and natural thing for him to call upon the Lord of the harvest to obtain His blessing upon everything he undertakes.  Trust in prayer was the most distinguishing trait in the life of St. Isidore.  It was his custom to rise before dawn and spend the early part of the day making visits to churches in and about Madrid.  The story is told that his employer, Master de Vargas, became disturbed about the amount of time St. Isidore was taking from his work, and decided to see for himself if reports which had come to him were as bad as they sounded.  One morning he hid himself in the field where the saint was supposed to be plowing.  When the saint returned even later than usual from his morning pilgrimage, the other workers had finished their jobs and had left the field, while St. Isidore's work was still untouched.  Master de Vargas was about to rebuke the saint, but something told him to wait and see what would happen.  The saint set to work and seemed to be making a great deal of progress.  As the employer watched, he saw the reason:  two angels were working side by side with the saint, each guiding a plow and racing in holy rivalry to see who could get the most done.  After that whenever anyone asked the Master de Vargas about St. Isidore's work, he would answer simply, "Angels are his helpers."

While rural people will follow St. Isidore's example of combining prayer with work, their religious life in general will be centered about the rural parish.  The parish church is the center of life's most important moments--baptism, confirmation, penance, marriage and above all, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion.  The cemetery recalls the labors of the pioneers who went before, and the catechism classroom is the place of training future workers for Christ.  Father of all, the rural pastor has been called "God's sacred gift to mankind sent by divine appointment on a mission whose field is not a given parish or diocese, but the world; whose end is the glory of God and the salvation of souls everywhere; whose means are the sacraments and the preaching of the Gospel; the object of whose teaching is everything knowable, from the deep things in God to all things outside of God." (Most Reverend William A. Griffin.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Ninth Day:  Sacrifice of Praise

HYMN...Psalm 23...Hebrews 10:12-14

LET US PRAY.  Protect us, O Lord, who offer holocausts to You, and sear our hearts with the flame of Your divine charity, so that they may be 
ever more fervently prepared for sacrifice, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. ISIDORE (see page 44)

REFLECTIONS:  A farmer can justly take pride in the fact that his work is a very special contribution to the Sacrifice of the Mass, and he should meditate upon this truth with humility and gratitude.  "The Lord used the product of wheat and of grapes, bread and wine, for the institution of the august sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.  Bread and wine are the substances changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of our blessed Savior.  Their sense appearances are the carriers of the most precious gifts of our Lord's love to us.  In the consecrated elements of bread and wine, Jesus Christ makes Himself present to be the spiritual food of men.  He is the bread that has come down from heaven, of which if men eat they shall not die.  With good reason, then, has Christian tradition used the sheaf of wheat and the vine with grapes, these precious products of the toil of the farmer, as the symbols of the Holy Eucharist.  Both adorn tabernacle and altar as symbols to give vivid expression to this great and loving mystery of our Catholic faith; both play their part in beautifying art and architecture; both enrich hymns and sacred songs composed to give honor to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  As he kneels in prayer before the tabernacle the farmer indeed has reason to glory in all this and to give profound thanks to his Lord and Master for having honored his calling in so exalted a manner." (From PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD, by the Most Reverend Alosius J. Muench.)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

	* * * * * *

	RURAL LIFE SUNDAY

(Evangelism and Church Development - National Ministries Division - Presbyterian Church (USA)

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader:   Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness. Come into God's presence with singing.
People:   For the Lord is a gracious God, whose mercy is everlasting; and whose faithfulness endures to all generations.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Holy and merciful God, in your presence we confess our sinful nature.  We do things that we know are wrong, and we do not do the works that we know are right.  As much as we try to be good stewards of the land and water, we fail to meet your standards.  We treasure clean air to breathe and the grandeur of a single tree, however, our life styles of power consumption betray our selfish desires.

Deliver us from the greed that exploits the labors of people and lays waste the land.  Forgive our indifference to the hurt that mother earth feels.  Have mercy upon us, O God, and reconcile us with your creation.  Enable us to be christlike in our caring for your blessings.  Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON:
Leader:  Who is in a position to condemn?  Only Christ, Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us; Friends believe the Good News.
People:  In Jesus Christ we are forgiven

MINUTES FOR MISSION:

"WONDERS OF WILDLIFE"
It was time!  In my absence, the lights on the big tree in front of my home had not burned out at Christmas time for two years.  Since the lights had not been removed, they grew up with the tree and stretched up to heights I never could have reached.  As the lights were being adjusted, some of God's wonderful creatures made their presence known by telling me that they were new tenants.

The scolding given by the squirrel who was joined, as in a duet, by a quail was both humorous and saddening.  Their domain was being invaded.  Chuckling grew into laughter as the conversation between us heightened and I felt this wonderful love of God pouring out to these "friends."  Assuring them of THEIR safety was a reminder of the promises of God.

Earlier, a quail stood quietly by the roadside as a car was approaching.  The car passed, the quail signaled in "quail-talk" and then this group, or covey, of little ones came out from under a bush and obediently followed as they were led across the road.  The protection of the quail's young was another reminder of the faithfulness of God and the words of Jesus when He said, "Follow me."

Wildlife can be enjoyed in urban as well as rural settings.  Observing the "little" habits can teach us so much about God.  Thank you, Lord, for the tangible, visual lessons taught by these blessings of your creation.  Help us to care for them.

"YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Do you remember the blizzards and flooding that hit the Northern Plains during 1997?  How about the ice storms that hit the northeast this past winter?  In both cases, many of the places affected by the disasters were in rural communities.  We will remember that people donated materials and money to assist with the 

clean up.  And a number of people volunteered their time and traveled to the communities to assist the residents.  But, eventually, the news reports faded and the volunteers went home. 

However, even now, many people in these rural communities continue to deal with the long-term effects of those natural disasters.  People still struggle as they reconstruct their health, homes, businesses, crops, and livestock.

Congregations, youth groups, or individual members may want to contact congregations, presbyteries or other community groups in these rural areas, or the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance office in Louisville to learn what needs continue to exist and find out how you might be helpful in assisting the people.  As you respond to these needs, you will be witnessing to your faith as you support these rural communities, and you will learn about the long term effects that natural disasters have on the lives of people and their communities.  You can make a difference.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession:

O Lord, our God, you are the creator of all life and we thank you for your many gifts.  On this day of Resurrection, we celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ, the light of the world.  We rejoice in your holy presence among us, nurturing our souls.  Claim us again as your holy people as we delight in the gift of new life in Jesus Christ our Savior.  We thank you for saving us for ministry in Christ's Church.  Grant to us wisdom and grace that we may be a light not hidden under a basket but giving light to the world.

On this Rural Life Sunday, we are grateful for the joy of rural life.  There is a great wonderment in our hearts as we experience the pleasures of the outdoors.  The sighting of a moose in a national park inspires our sense of your grand order of wildlife.  The presence of a white tail doe with her fawn grazing in our backyard is an awesome sight.  We thank you for the wonder of song and garden birds at our feeders.  Their delightful and colorful presence, be they large or small, reveals your creativeness.  As we are most grateful for your loving gifts, we pray for an intelligent imagination in managing the wildlife resources of our country.  We pray for the scientists and governing 
leaders who have the responsibility for protecting both public and private lands.

And, we offer prayers to you, O God, for people who live, work, and minister in rural communities.  We are thankful for the many blessings provided to the church and the nation by people living in rural communities.  We ask your special blessing for areas that have been devastated by storms, declining populations and economies.  We celebrate with rural areas that are growing and ask your blessing that we may reach out and welcome the stranger.

May your love shine through all of us, so that the peoples of the world may see the guiding light of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	An Order of Service for
	RURAL LIFE SUNDAY
	(5th Sunday After Easter-Rogation Sunday)

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  The Book of Worship, 1992)

THEME:  "Celebration of our Sense of Community"

CALL TO WORSHIP:  This is the day which the Lord has given us, another day through which we may experience the wonder of life and the created universe.  Today we are being encouraged to think about and to celebrate through our worship, the meaning of community.  Let us in prayer together ask for the help and presence of God's Spirit.

PRAYER:  (People and Leader)
O God, our Heavenly Father, we come to you today as a community of people who acknowledge that it is your world in which we live--we have not created the universe, nor are we able to keep it in balance; we acknowledge you to be the source, the power, and the loving Spirit behind all creation; the sustaining force behind all life in the world.

We wish to express our praise and gratitude that you have seen fit to place us within loving families and caring communities.  You have richly endowed us with resources, physical, mental and spiritual, by which we can live meaningful lives in the communities where we are situated.

We confess our need for your loving, forgiving and reconciling Spirit among us.  Without you we become hopelessly selfish, and waste or fail to use for good the resources of the world.  Without your guiding Spirit we become less than human and our community becomes a center of dispute and despair.

Bless us in this hour with the reality of your presence.  Reveal your Word to us, and enable us to respond so that we may feel the strength and joy of being friends and neighbors in our community, and brothers and sisters within the Community of Faith. Amen

Hymn:  "For the Beauty of the Earth"

Affirmation and Response (Congregation Seated)

L:  A Community is first of all a place, a geographical location in space-it has dimensions, boundaries and its own topography.

P:  We acknowledge that our community is a place on this continent of North America, in the United States of America, in the State of _______, our community is _________________(location).

L:  It is people who transform a geographical location, a place, into a community--people of all ages and experiences.  There are many places in Nebraska where people live, but where no real community is expressed.

P:  We are the people of the ____________ community, some of us young, some old, some in-between.  It is our living, working, and playing here that gives identity and meaning to this geographical location and changes from a "place in space" to a community.  We have our homes and families here -- it is here that we are known and recognized as neighbors and rightful members of the community. 
    We feel comfortable and "at home" here.  This is where we belong.  It is our community.

L:  Communities have roads, railroads, rivers and systems for communication.  They have their own institutions and voluntary organizations.  They have their own history and social bonds that hold the people together.

P:  We have our roads by which to travel, we have telephones by which to communicate, our postal service, our places to shop, institutions for education; we have our church, our clubs and organizations; we have places of employment where we can earn our living--we have the rich resources of the land, forests and water.

L:  The community is God's gift to us--it is the most immediate contact and relationship beyond the family that we have with the order of life which God brought into being and called "good."

P:  We are grateful for the gift of our community; we realize that we must take it seriously--we must do all we can to conserve, redeem and develop our community so that it will always be a delightful place in which to live.

L:  In recognition of the on-going creative process, we shall call upon appointed persons to come forward with symbols of the created earth, of healthy seeds, of life-giving water, and of human effort and dedication, and shall proceed with a ceremony of dedication.

Dedication of Seed, Water, Soil and Workers
(Persons appointed will approach the front of the Church carrying their appropriate symbols.)

Minister:  The planting season has arrived.  We shall proceed with the Ceremony of Dedication.  For centuries days of special prayer for agriculture have been observed in the springtime.  This observance was a forerunner of Rural Life Sunday, established
in 1929.  Today it is appropriately observed by denominations and inter-faith groups.  We are gathered for the purpose of dedicating the seed that shall be planted, the water that will nourish the seed, the soil that shall be cultivated, and the sowers that labor to the service of God and for the good of mankind. (Read Mark 4:3-9) (to youth with seed)  What have you brought to God's altar?

Youth:  (Presenting seed)  I have brought seed which represents various types of seed that shall be planted in this community.  When sown it shall bring forth fruit, food and fibre, so that little children may eat and grow strong, so that the wheels of industry may turn and so that life may be maintained among both man and beast.  This seed is holy, for it contains life, and all seed shall be counted as holy in the sight of God.  It shall be planted in a spirit of reverence and that which comes from it shall be cultivated and harvested in a true spirit of recognition and thankfulness, we being fully mindful of its high origin and destiny.  (Youth gives seed to minister who places it on the altar).

Minister:  (to youth with water) And what have you brought to God's altar?

Youth:  	The soil will be watered by the rains of God.  I have brought water as a reminder of its necessity for the growth of the seed and for life of man and beast.  Water is holy and it is necessary that we use our best knowledge in conserving it for agriculture, industry and all other uses.  (presents pitcher of water)

Minister:  (to youth with soil)  And what have you brought to God's altar?

Youth:	I have brought soil which represents the earth of this community in which seed shall be planted in hope, and from which the harvest shall be anticipated with joy.  This soil, this earth, is the result of the creative activity of God.  It was created by God for man and beast.  It contains the minerals, salts and fertilizers necessary to nourish the seed and bring forth sturdy plants capable of producing food for both man and beast.  It will be warmed by the sunshine of God.  It will be home to the seed so that seed and plants may develop and bring forth an abundant harvest.  This soil is holy and shall be cultivated and cared for as a gift of God.  (presents soil).

Minister:  (to fourth youth)  What have you brought to God's altar?

Youth:	I represent the sowers of the seed.  I have brought myself--my mind, my body, my talents, my heart, to be dedicated as God's co-worker in the sowing and cultivating of the 
	seed.  I represent not only myself, but all the 	youth of the world who hope for a peaceful 	world in which our talents may find their

 	fulfillment.  We dedicate ourselves to bringing 	about this kind of world.

Minister:  It is well that you have come, for a dedication of self is most important of all.  Let us dedicate ourselves.  Those of you who truly desire in your hearts to serve the Lord with gladness and with the firstfruits of all you have and are, will you join us in a prayer of dedication?

Minister   We thank you, O God, that you have given us the seed, the and water and the soil upon which all of us depend.  Fill our hearts

People: with a sense of the seriousness of our responsibility in caring for them.  Guide us as we sow in order that the seed may fall upon good ground.  Accept our dedication of the seed, the water, the soil and ourselves.  Consecrate us anew to your calling and bless the work of our hands.  May we ever be conscious of your presence as we work.  Amen.

HYMN:	"God, Whose Farm Is All Creation"

The Word of God  (Minister reads Exodus 6:2-8)

Minister:  You have heard these words--what do they say?  What do they mean?

People on Left:  They remind us that God revealed Himself to Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, and made them His People.  These are the forefathers of our faith.  God made a covenant with his people to give them property and land where they could become a community of people, if they would acknowledge Him alone as God.

People on Right:  The Israelites met trouble--they left the land of Canaan which God gave them, and went to Egypt where they hoped to earn a better living--but within a few generations they found themselves as slaves--they possessed nothing, they had no hope, life was hard for them.

Choir:	But God felt their sorrows and their groanings.  He remembered the covenant made with Abraham.  God set into action a plan by which to release his people.

Minister:  Yes, God said, "I will rescue you from slavery there.  I will redeem you and adopt you as my people, and I will be your God."

All:	Glory be to God who has shown the strength of His love and has redeemed His people in their distress.

Minister:  Let us read together a Psalm (or hymn of praise) which acknowledges our relationship as God's people.  (Read Psalm 100)

THE WORD OF GOD:  Hebrews 8:8-12

SERMON:  "God's Concern for Community" (or other appropriate title)

(balance of service can be planned as desired...)

NOTES:
1.  A rural church might include 4-H Sunday in this celebration.  A  Lord's Acre dedication might also be included.

2.  An urban church would do well to invite a small rural church to share with them for the Sunday, recognizing the tie between them, and the dependence of both upon the seed, soil, water, and labor.

	* * * * * *

	RURAL LIFE SUNDAY
	"Preparing the Ground"

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

CALL TO WORSHIP:  We come together to worship God on this day set apart.  He has blessed us with the returning season of spring, a time to plant and share in a new miracle  Let us together offer our praise and gratitude and seek His guidance.

DOXOLOGY:

PRAYER:  Great and eternal God, Creator and Provider, we offer our thanks for this season of spring and the new life in the soil that is appearing before our eyes.  We praise You that the seasons are constant, that after winter's rest, there is resurgence of life.  May your Spirit so touch our lives today that we may face life with new joy and hope.  Where we are able to take part in planting gardens or in forest renewal, may we be guided by your Spirit to act according to Your will.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

HYMN OF PRAISE:  Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 8:5-15

CALLING THE CHILDREN TO WORSHIP:  We have just listened to a story Jesus once told as he talked to a great crowd of people.  It was about seeds and the kind of ground they need in order to grow into plants.  It was about people like us--we need good places to live so that we may grow to be the people God hopes we will be.

CHILDREN'S HYMN OF PRAISE:  In God's House We Offer Praises

	In God's house we offer praises
	For the springtime's lovely days.
	Little seeds that we have planted
	Soon their tiny shoots will raise.

	Thank You, God, for sun and shower;
	Thank You for the fertile land.
	Jesus said You clothe the flower.
	All the world is in Your hand.

	Thank You that you care for children--
	Like the plants we grow each day.
	Thank You, God, for life within us;
	May we learn to live Your way.	
	--Marion Settle (1985)
(suggest tunes Newton Ferns or Cross of Jesus)

YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR OFFERING:

Leader:  How shall we be good soil?  How can we be the people God hopes we will be?

Young Person:  Jesus taught us to be "the salt of the earth"--wherever we go our presence and our influence can be for good.

Young Person:  Jesus asked us to be "the light of the world"--someone who is living in a poor environment may see God if we allow the light He has placed in us to shine.

Young Person:  Jesus said that we should love our enemies--we know this is hard to do, but with the help of His Spirit enemies may become friends and peace be established.

Leader:  So may it be that you and your young friends will choose to be good soil, so that many lives will grow from tiny seeds to be the people of God.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND INTERCESSION:
We come to you, O God, realizing that we have not always been the kind of people--the kind of soil You need us to be.  We stubbornly go our own ways--often the easy way.  We follow the crowd instead of letting our light shine on the path You have set before us.  Forgive us.  Many of us need that new birth about which Jesus and Nicodemus talked.  Help us to open our hearts and lives to the cleansing of your Spirit that no evil may remain that might keep us from doing Your will.  Thank you for your great forgiveness.

Hear our prayers as we think of those we love, those who are nearest and dearest to each one of us...Hear our prayers for the work of Your church in this community and as we seek under Your guidance to reach to the world beyond.  Hear our prayers for the sick and for those who have special needs.  If we have enemies, we pray even for them 
and for peace in our world.  In the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

CHOIR SELECTION:

MEDITATION:

PRAYER OF DEDICATION:

WORK OF THE CHURCH:  (Local announcements)

OFFERING

DEDICATION OF OFFERING:  Great and eternal God, we offer gifts to You today to show our love and thankfulness.  You have given us so much to make our lives on earth rich and fruitful.  You have given us the hope of life eternal through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept our gifts and accept our lives in Your service.  Amen.

HYMN:  Son of God, Eternal Saviour
BENEDICTION:

	OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR WORSHIP

The children might prepare beforehand with the help of parents or Sunday School teachers four kinds of soil as described in the scripture.  A large flat container divided into four sections might be used, or four separate flower pots--one with hard, compacted soil, one a flat rock with only a slight covering of soil over it, one with ordinary soil but with weeds, some sod or bush roots, one with good planting soil.  These could be planted with radish or some other fast growing seeds several weeks in advance.  Leader and children might talk about the growth during the children's time.

The offering of the young people could be from their place in the congregation if they can be clearly heard, or it might be best for each young person to come to the pulpit in turn.  Other suitable thoughts might be added by more young people.

A suggestion for a Choir Selection might be "God of the Fertile Fields" (found at No. 288 in The Hymnal of the Baptist Federation of Canada, 1973.  This was written by Georgia Harkness and sung to the tune "Italian Hymn".)

Another Hymn or Choir Selection might be "Hear Us, Our Father, as We Pray for Those Who Till the Soil."  (This was written by Walter H. Farquharson and is found at No. 380 in The Hymn Book of the Anglican and United Churches.  "Lanigan" is the tune shown but "St. Flavian" or "Irish" would be more useful to most choirs, or another 8686 meter.)

The Scripture -- For those who have the Daily Study Bible on the Gospel of Luke by William Barclay, great thoughts about this parable are found on page 99.  He suggests that farmers plant knowing that some seed will be lost, but that does not discourage sowing.  Jesus and His disciples, too, had their discouragements, but knew the harvest was sure.  The thought might be developed in the meditation that although this is often called The Parable of the Sower, it might well be The Parable of the Soil.

The Offering after the Meditation will probably include the usual monetary gifts.  It might also include a container of earth that has been well prepared for planting and a small container of seed.  They could be referred to as gifts from God to us--dedicated to His use together with our care and labor--symbols of our intention to work with God until the harvest is realized.

Decorating the church with symbols that represent rural living as well as products from the farm or forest is also a suggestion.  In fishing villages, symbols of fishing and its products could also be used effectively.

Date - some churches set a date for Rural Life Sunday--a particular Sunday each year.  Some make this service a special laymen's service.  It would seem appropriate that churches in cities and town celebrate Rural Life Sunday as well as the rural churches.  It is a time to be thankful for the resources from God that make the growth and production of food possible and to honor those who work closely with the Creator in providing that food.  It is a time for those who are primary producers to dedicate themselves and their resources to seedtime, cultivation and harvest.

An additional Hymn:  the following Hymn may be used in the service if it seems appropriate.
     "Clonmel"
Traditional Irish Tune

	THE WORLD IS TRULY BLEST
	BY GOD

	The world is truly blest by God
	With riches everywhere;
	With air to breathe and waters purse
	And sunlight bright and fair.
	The earth responds as warmth of spring
	Returns year after year.
	The trees and fields are clothed in green
	We feel God's presence near.

	Creator Wise, for us You've planned
	The seeds that we may sow,
	The miracle that starts the plant,
	The rain and winds that blow.
	And when we care for seed and plant
	According to Your will,
	The food supply will never cease,
	All needs You can fulfill.

	Forgive us, Lord, when careless greed
	Brings hunger, waste and pain.
	Restore the land, refresh the air,
	Make waters pure again.
	May we who tend your gardens here,
	By wisdom, love and prayer,
	Make life in fullness known to all
	Your people everywhere.  -- Marion Settle (1985)
		
	* * * * * *

	DROUGHT

	Resources And Suggestions
	for a Time of Drought

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowshp.  Drought, Resources for Response, Summer, 1988, Agricultural Chaplaincy in Ohio, Center for Town & Rural Ministries, Columbus, OH)

SERMON TOPICS AND TEXTS:

Noah - Genesis 7 through 9 with emphasis on 9:18-
          22
Pharaoh's Dream - Genesis 41 (Do not miss the 	theme of dispossession as a result of drought)
Rewards - Leviticus 26:2-5
Water from the Rock - Exodus 17:1-7
Elijah - I Kings 17:1-14
A Song - Psalm 65:9-13
Parable of the Sower - Luke 8:4-15
Signs - Luke 21:25-32; Revelations 11:1-10
Patience - James 5:7-11

	AFFIRMATION

  I believe in the God of fruittime and harvest who makes the land to bear gifts in its time and fills our tables with the bounty of His hand;
  I believe in Jesus Christ his Son, who was the firstfruit of those that slept, and brings us to spiritual tables where our cups are always full;
  I believe in the Holy Spirit, who causes us to remember all things for which we are grateful and teaches us to see a relationship between our gifts and the giver;
  I believe in the world as the arena of my spiritual life, where I am to share my hospitality with the stranger; for in so doing I shall fulfill the desires of him who have given my everything, and of his Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
	John Killinger, Lost in Wonder, Love & Praise

"The Most High found them wandering through the desert, a desolate wind-swept wilderness.  He protected them and cared for them, as he would protect himself.  Like an eagle teaching its young to fly, catching them safely on its spreading wings, the Lord kept Israel from falling  The Lord alone led his people without the help of a foreign god."
	--Deuteronomy 32 (TEV)

	In Need of a God-washing

	The dusty earth in my part of the country
	has needed a good washing for so long;
	it has cried out for some compassionate cloud
	to soak the thirsty soil with freshness.

	Today I awoke to a magnificent sound
	of raindrops-on-window begging to come in:
	they rolled along the lines of glass
	and thumped into miracle puddles below.

	The earth is coming alive this morning:
	its hard dried land is given another chance,
	baptized anew with showers of energy
	urged once again to fullness of growth.

	As I gaze upon these earth-born raindrops
	I am happied in their rinsing, washing touch.
	Sensing the freshness that is in their song.
	Hope-filled to now so much life is close at hand.

	And in my own life, Lord:  dried land.
	And in my own spirit, Lord:  dusty soil.
	And in my own heart, Lord hardened earth.

	I beg for raindrops of grace in my own life.
	The country of my heart needs a God-washing
	to rinse off the windows of unloving,
	to bless the fragments of a tired heart.

	Yes, the raindrops of this peaceful Sunday
	are more than a wetness in the weather.
	They are puddles full of possible rainbows
	looking for the dry hard places of my life.
	     -Joyce Rupp O.S.M.-Alive Now Jan/Feb '78

Drought and the lack of adequate credit have forced American farmers in some areas to reduce their activity, to sell part of their livestock and even their own farms and become employees in some cases.  Similarly, the nomad animal breeders of the Sahel, whose livestock were killed off by the lack of rain had to turn to credit from usurers and farmers in order to buy back their herds, often moved gradually from the role of owners-entrepreneurs to salaried workers.
-Dr. Filippo Cortesi-"Identity and Universality" Catholic Rural Life, July 1985

It is interesting to note that, according to the Jewish calendar, the day begins at sundown, not sunup.  All festivals and holy days begin at night.  The sabbath begins at sundown.  According to the Jewish tradition, this is of moral significance.  It is not difficult to have confidence in the day and to believe in the existence of light at sunup.  The Jewish day begins at night to symbolize the faith, even in darkness, that light will prevail and that a new morrow will dawn upon mankind.
	-William B. Silverman-Rabbinic Wisdom and Jewish Value

O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ has promised to all who seek thy kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life:  Send us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
	The Book of Common Prayers, The Episcopal Church, 1979

God is our support.  God is our security.  Nothing else is.

Being secure and supported doesn't mean we're not vulnerable.  God supports us, but he doesn't protect us any more than he protects the hungry of the world.  He doesn't stop the boss from laying us off, nor does he stop the bill collector from dunning us, nor does he stay the departing spouse.  But if we let him, he holds us together when outrage strikes.  If we root and ground ourselves in love, we'll begin to learn the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
	-George Sheridan- "Taproot", Seeds, August, 1984

Traditionally, in American culture, women are associated with the preparation of food.  Despite the many positive influences that have been affected by the woman's movement, they are still chained to tradition in the sense that they find themselves with a cultural double message.

We are to purchase and prepare food, but we are not to eat it - at least not too much of it!  We are expected to make food as delicious and appealing as possible, yet we are expected to maintain the slim, firm figures that are pictured in magazines, on TV, and in the movies.

Consequently, many American women have developed very ambivalent feelings about food because it is fraught with conflicting cultural messages.  Such ambivalence hinders women in many of the developed nations where this message prevails from taking the food issue seriously and uniting with women from underdeveloped countries to reduce widespread hunger and malnutrition among the female population of the world.
	-Kirsten Wenzel, "Tradition" The Causes of World Hunger

The following poem, written by an Indian named Appadura, concludes one of the chapters of the Report of the Presidential Commission on World Hunger:
	Decide, mother,
	who goes without.
	Is it Rama, the strongest,
	or Baca, the weakest
	who may not need it much longer
	or perhaps Sita?
	Who may be expendable?
	Decide, mother,
	kill a part
	of yourself
	As you resolve the dilemma.
	Decide, mother,
	decide
	and hate.

(Note:  Comments on world hunger are appropriate during this time of drought.  Two-thirds of the world's people are dependent upon a grain based diet.  The U.S. is traditionally the "residual supplier" of grain in the world market.  Our surpluses traditionally meet the short-falls of foreign harvests.)

A string of bluegills is a fine thing, a symbol of earth's abundance, a sign that (we) actually belong here.  That we are cared for.  What a wonderful thought, that we are not abandoned here on this dying planet, that the creative source of our being and the earth's actually feeds us, as a loving (parent) feeds its children.  Of course, any time I think about the abundance of the earth I also have to think about the question of scarcity, the unreliability of the earth to provide for everybody's needs all the time.  Especially the matter of food.  That's one thing everybody should have, it seems to me.  Why is the earth so fickle at times?  Why the famines and the droughts?  What is God up to?

I ponder this question, and I am aware that when I look at the whole picture, the cycles of the earth are an essential of the mystery of our human nature.  Without them, as harsh as they sometimes are, man would not be man.  But I still ponder, and can resolve my mind firmly about only one thing:  that nobody should have no more than his share of what the earth gives us.  That is something over which we have a degree of control.  I believe that God will provide for us. And I believe that what he gives is for all of us.

In Luke's Gospel is says: "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away."  Maybe the Messianic banquet will be a great fish fry at which the fat and prosperous people of the world will be cooks and waiters for those who have never had enough.  Maybe I'll be lucky and get the job of catching fish.  In that case, I'd go for bluegills.
	-Jonathan C. Sams-Reflections of a Fishing Parson

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.	--Romans 8:22-26 (RSV)

And the dry years would come and sometimes there would only be seven or eight inches of rain.  The land dried up and the grasses headed out miserably a few 
inches high and great bare scabby places appeared in the valley.  The live oaks got a crusty look and the cattle listlessly nibbled dry twigs.  Then the farmers and the ranchers would be filled with disgust for the Salinas Valley.  The cows would grow thin and sometimes starve to death.  People would have to haul water in barrels to their farms just for drinking.  Some families would sell out for nearly nothing and move away.

And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years, they lost all memory of the dry years.  It was always that way.	--John Steinbeck, East of Eden

Perhaps you have asked the question that the prophet Jeremiah asked 2,800 years ago.  "Why do good things happen to bad people?"  Jeremiah's question was prompted by his ill treatment when, as a young prophet, he was spokesman for the reforms of good king Josiah.  Jeremiah traveled throughout Judah urging people to obey the law of Moses and to tear down their local shrines and come to Jerusalem to worship.  He was nearly killed by a group who opposed this plan.  In his book Great Questions of the Bible, Fred M. Wood shares a story that may shed some light on Jeremiah's perplexing question.  An overbearing and non-religious farmer said to his neighbor: "I planted my crops on a Sunday and cultivated them on Sunday.  You went to church and I didn't.  Yet look at your crops.  This fall mine are abundant and yours are mediocre.  How do you explain it?  The Christian replied, "God doesn't settle his accounts in October."
	-Attributed to Elizabeth Achtemeier

You've got to prime the pump, you must have faith and believe.  You've got to give of yourself before you're worthy to receive.  Drink all the water you can hold, wash your face, cool your feet, but leave the bottle full for others; thank you kindly, Desert Pete.
	-Billy Edd Wheeler, Chorus from song "Desert Pete"

The local churches of the western world possess incredible potential.  They possess resources fully adequate to rescue persons in our society from the frustrations which are suffocating them and to deliver our civilization from the corruptions which can destroy it.	-Browne Barr, The Well Church Book

	Creed of the Soil Conservationist

    As a soil conservationist, I believe God created the earth by His divine processes for the benefit of man, not one man, nor one generation, but mankind for all time.
    I believe the Almighty gave man an inheritance of the earth, not to be hoarded as a miser guards his treasure, but to be used with wisdom and in the fullest for the perpetual benefit of all men.
    I believe all of mankind, regardless of race or creed are entitled to a fair and equitable share of the earth's bounty commensurate with their own efforts.  But in so believing, I hold the irrevocable conviction that man himself owes earth a debt of respect and fealty.
    I believe that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; that he who manages his fields, pastures, woodlands, and streams with respect and wisdom shall reap the bountiful harvest and so shall his descendants while he who uses them selfishly, thinking only of his own immediate gain, shall bring to grief his land, himself, and his children's children.

    Holding these beliefs to be true, I dedicate myself to the task of helping my fellow men realize their own personal responsibility in conserving the earth for the generations which follow them.  To this end I shall devote my best knowledge in guiding the efforts of those who till the soil so that the land which nurtures us shall be fruitful without end.
    For truly the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, but the responsibility for its stewardship is vested in man.	- C.W. Gee
	* * * * * *

AN AFFIRMATION BINDING URBAN AND RURAL:

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

We affirm the necessity for ______________ (denomination), a large proportion of whom live in town and rural areas, to lift up the interdependence of rural and urban citizens.  Energy, food production, and the acquisition of raw materials generally are associated with town and rural areas.  Survival needs of all people are dependent upon their common stewardship of life resources.  One the one hand, the values and decision-making of urban dwellers have a strong influence on rural people and their concerns.  On the other hand, the conditions of life in rural USA are significant keys to the quality of life achievable in urban USA.  We, therefore, commit ourselves to the disciplined pursuit which affirms all people, all resources, and all community life as gifts to be invested for the total good of all of God's people. Our concern with rural issues does not blind us to the problems of urban areas; we see them in relation to each other.

	Morning Worship
(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  William Willimon, from "Preaching and Worship in the Small Church.")

	"Daring to be Intimate"
[*stand]

*CALL TO WORSHIP
  L:  And God looked upon all that had taken form:  the heavens, the waters, the land, and all the varied forms of life that flourished across the face of a bountiful earth.

  C:  AND GOD SAID THIS IS GOOD; THIS IS
        ALL GOOD; I AM VERY PLEASED.
  L:  And God knelt upon the ground to touch, lovingly, the soil that would give nourishment to life.  And love took root in the soil and took form anew as the spirit of God invested it with life.
  C:  AND THE EYES OF THE CREATURES
        LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF THE
        CREATOR.  AND GOD SAID, YOU
        SHALL BE MY PARTNERS IN
        CONTINUING THE CREATION I HAVE
        BEGUN.
L:  You shall be the ones, shaped from the earth, who will share fully the earth with me and with each other, and sing with me through the ages.
  C:  IT IS GOOD; IT IS VERY GOOD.

*HYMN OF PRAISE FOR GOD'S CREATION
 "How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place" (in last verse, please change "man" to "one.")

MEDITATION ON INTIMACY  "You, Sitting in the Pew Next to Me"

MESSAGE  "What Does the Small Church Offer?"

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION

*HYMN OF UNITY  "Blest Be The Tie That Binds"

*BENEDICTION
  Almighty God,
    Who asks nothing more nor less from us than ceaseless praise and enjoyment of your presence in our world.
    Who sets in our hearts the love of your kingdom and the hope of its fulfillment.
    Who gives us the Christ, one like us, to come into our midst to reveal your Loving God.
    Who promised us that where only two or three gather in your name, there you will be also,
    Who brought us into your family by water and Spirit,
    Who was made known to us in the breaking of bread,
    Who showed us through Christ, a God who cares deeply for the one lost sheep, the one lost coin, the one lost boy, the lilies of the field, the things the world judges to be small and insignificant.
    Who called each of us by name, who gave us your family in which to belong and a task to do in your Kingdom--
  Bless we, pray, all those who labor for the gospel, all those whose lives and deeds faithfully witness to your love among us, that they may not weary in their efforts to serve you and your Word; so that, by their ministry and mission, your family will be ever more one.  Amen.  

	* * * * * *

	CELEBRATING SMALLNESS

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, Mel West, Director.  Prepared by the Christian Rural Research and Resource Center, 1976.  RR1, Debert, Nova Scotia)

CALL TO WORSHIP:  When God chose a people and a place to call His own, He by-passed the great nations and peoples and chose the smallest of all nations, Israel.

When God decided to come to earth in flesh, He chose, not a palace, but a stable--He came not in kingly greatness, but in the smallness of a babe.

Our Lord looked not to councils and people in positions of power for His disciples, but to the people of the land, fishermen, tax collectors, and people of small stature.

God continues to make His covenant with people in community, small places and groups.  He renews His covenant with us wherever two or three are gathered together.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION (by people)  O God, we come to worship in the wonder of your love -- in the wonder of a covenant of love you made with your people long ago -- a love that has continued through times of difficulty and joy, of disobedience and repentance.  You love us in our world of small things, small dreams, small commandments and small faith.  Yet we remember the teaching of our Lord that from the small grain of mustard seed a tree of greatness and refuge can grow.  We pray now that you will begin the growth of your spirit in our daily lives; enter our minds, our hearts and our wills; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today.  Amen.

HYMN:  "Jesus, Where'er Thy People Meet"

SCRIPTURE AND RESPONSE: (led by lay person) Proverbs 30:24-28 & James 5:3,4

Leader:  There are four things that are small but unusually wise:  Ants--they aren't strong, but store up food for the winter.
Response:  LORD, GIVE US THE WISDOM OF THE ANT.

Leader:  Cliff badgers -- delicate little animals who protect themselves by living among the rocks.
Response:  LORD, TEACH US HOW TO LIVE IN SAFETY, BOTH FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS.

Leader:  The locusts -- though they have no leader, they stay together in swarms.
Response:  LORD, TEACH US THE MEANING OF COOPERATION, OF SHARING AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. 

Leader:  The lizards -- they are easy to catch and kill, yet are found in king's palaces.
Response:  LORD, HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT IN SPITE OF THE PERILS AND RISKS BY WHICH WE LIVE OUR LIVES, WE ARE OFFERED A PLACE IN OUR FATHER'S HOUSE -- AS CHILDREN OF THE KING AND HEIRS TO THE PROMISE OF LIFE.

Leader:  A tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong.
Response:  JESUS, SAVIOUR, PILOT ME OVER LIFE'S TEMPESTUOUS SEA.

Leader:  The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.
Response:  TAKE MY LIPS AND LET THEM BE FILLED WITH MESSAGES FROM THEE.

Leader:  A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark.
Response:  COME, HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE, WITH ALL THY QUICKENING POWERS -- KINDLE A FLAME OF SACRED LOVE IN THESE COLD HEARTS OF OURS.

READING: (by a lay person)  Little things are the sweetest to hear; little charities fly farthest, and stay longest on the wing; little lakes are the stillest; little hearts are fullest; and little farms are the best tilled.  Little books are the most read, and little songs the dearest loved.  And when nature would make anything especially rare and beautiful she makes it little -- little pearls, little diamonds, little dews.  Agar's is a model prayer; but then it is a little one, and the burden of the petition is little.  The sermon on the Mount is little.  Life is made up of littles; death is what remains of 
them all.  Day is made up of little beams, and night is glorious with little stars.--from "Golden Nuggets", by Gertrude Settle)

HYMN:  "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild"

NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE:  Luke 16:1-17 or Luke 19:12-26

SERMON:  "Small is Beautiful" or some other appropriate topic.

PASTORAL PRAYER:  Prayer of appreciation for God's creation...repentance for having messed it up...conclude..."Lord, we need to have a new reverence for life.  Here in worship enable us to see ourselves, not as separate, but as a part of all life, plant and animal.  Help us to find new reverence for life as we acknowledge greater reverence for You, our Great Creator.  Amen"

A LITANY OF APPRECIATION FOR LIFE:

Minister:  For the earth, the moon, and all the stars of the universe,
Congregation:  WE THANK YOU, LORD, AND WE ASK YOU TO LEAD US TO A NEW AWARENESS OF YOUR GREAT CREATIVE POWER.

Minister:  For all vegetation, yielding food and beauty for man,
Congregation:  WE THANK YOU LORD, AND WE ASK YOU TO AID IN THE PROPER CARE AND USE OF THE SOIL AND THAT WHICH GROWS THEREON.

Minister:  For the birds and all other fowl of the air,
Congregation:  WE THANK YOU LORD, AND WE ASK YOU TO CHALLENGE US TO KEEP THE AIR CLEAN AND PURE FOR ALL FORMS OF LIFE.

Minister:  For man, the highest form of your creation,
Congregation:  WE THANK YOU, LORD, AND WE ASK YOU TO GUIDE US TO A REALIZATION OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN HAVING DOMINION OVER ALL OTHER FORMS OF LIFE.  Amen.

HYMN:  "The Earth, The Sky, and the Ocean"

OFFERING:  and CHOIR SPECIAL

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN:  "God, Whose Farm Is All Creation"

BENEDICTION:
	* * * * * * * * * *

	CELEBRATING THE AWAKENING

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

We celebrate with Special Music	"Our Tribute"

We  Celebrate with Praise!

Leader:  We praise and thank you for the uniqueness
            of the Rural Church.
Left:  For its smallness...
Right:  ...in a world governed by Bigger is Better.
Left:  For its loving, caring community...
Right:  ...where every member is important.
Left:  For its traditions...
Right:  ...rooted and grounded in a heritage of family,
             community and church.
Left:  For the closeness...
Right:  ...that makes us involved and concerned in the
             life of every member.
Left:  For its will to survive...
Right:  ...in spite of budget, declining membership and
             limited resources for effective programming.
Left:  For its open doors...
Right:  ...that serve as a meeting place and gathering
             center for the community.
Left:  For the simple beauty of its sanctuary...
Right:  ...which sets the mood for a quiet, joyful
             worship experience.
People:  Yes, for these things, we lift our voices in 
             praise and are thankful to be members of
             Rural Churches.
Leader:  God, we know that with our strengths, there
             are also weaknesses in the Rural Church.
Right:  Our conservatism...
Left:  ...that makes us slow to accept change or try
            new things.
Right:  Our struggle to survive...
Left:  ...so that our money and energy goes for our
            local church rather than knowing the joy of
            being a church in mission.
Right:  For our limited vision...
Left:  ...which fails to attract new members.
Right:  For the apathy of our membership...
Left:  ...that makes us smug and self-satisfied so that
            we fail to get involved in new programs.
Right:  For our lack of organization and planning...
Left:  ...we are content to live week by week instead
            of setting goals and working toward them.
People:  We pray for guidance as we assess both our
            strengths and our weaknesses.
Leader:  We praise you for this workshop, for the
            opportunity that we have had to share with 
            each other our goals and dreams for the
            Rural Church.
Left:  We celebrate friendships made and renewed.
Right:  Questions raised and discussion shared.

Left:  We celebrate the tiredness and discouragement
          we have felt.

Right:  As we struggle to affirm what is good and
          recognize what is negative about our rural
          values and life styles.
Left:  We celebrate with appreciation the leadership of
          this __________(community, congregation,
          other).
Right:  And those who have attended to our physical
          needs.
Left:  We celebrate the fact that though we seem
           small and often ineffective 
Right:  Underneath there is a Sleeping Giant that can
           be awakened.
Leader:  Make us care enough about our Rural
           Church that we will commit ourselves and get
           involved...
People:  To the point that the Giant is awakened.
           That we keep our uniqueness.  While we 
           move from survival to intentional ministry. 
           Amen.

We Celebrate with Song!

"Let Us Break Bread Together"

Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees,
When I fall down on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O, Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees,
When I fall down on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O, Lord, have mercy on me.	New Horizons, Page 65

We Celebrate with Holy Communion!

Minister:  Why have we assembled?

Community: Jesus is a friend of ours, who lived on earth almost two thousand years ago.  He did not come to be served but to serve.  We have assembled to be served by Him through His Word, His community, and His flesh and blood.

	ORDER OF WORSHIP

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Saint Paul School of Theology, May 8, 1990)

PRELUDE	Intermezzo - Gerald Bales

*CALL TO WORSHIP

The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.  Your enjoyment of the world is never right, till every morning you awake i heaven; see yourself in God's palace, and look upon the skies, the earth and the air as celestial joys.

You never enjoy the world aright till you perceive yourself to be the heir of the world; till you can rejoice and rejoice and delight in God as misers do in gold, and kings in scepters.

*HYMN OF PRAISE - "When Morning Gilds the Skies"

LITANY PRAYER

Leader:  O God, the Great Creator and Sustainer of our earth and universe, we are beginning to realize something of how marvelous is your creation of this earthly home for us
People:  Open our eyes to see, we pray

Leader:  The tiny snowflakes reveal your countless geometric patterns--and so do the green leaves of summer.  The towering snowcapped mountains and the amazing summer sunsets teach us your matchless artistry.
People:  O God, we praise you

Leader:  The gales of fall and the blizzards of winter show us your power to destroy the old life and make way for the new.  You teach birds to follow unseen paths in the sky to the south -- you teach animals to find shelter for the winter that they may have a longer life span.
People:  We thank you, O god, for your creation, so wise and good.

Leader:  You gave us, human beings, minds to think and reason, and you gave us authority over the creatures and plants -- but we have been careless, cruel and selfish, and have caused hunger, thirst, death, and destruction.  We have wiped out of existence some of your creatures and plants because of our careless use of them.
People:  We have been unthinking and uncaring -- forgive us, O Lord.

Leader:  Your life-sustaining patterns are good, O God, but so often we fail to cooperate.  Forgive us for thinking we know the answers to the life and death of creatures and plants without your guidance.  Forgive us that we sometimes kill our fellow human beings -- not only their bodies but also their minds and souls.
People:  Forgive us, O Lord, we humbly pray.

Leader:  Use us, our heavenly Creator, to restore our home, the earth.  Use our intelligence, our technology, and our organizations.  Where we have developed things contrary to your wise plan for us, help us to destroy and rebuild under your guidance.

All:  Restore us as a people of your Church.  We come through penitence and faith, and through the sacrifice and love of your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

ANTHEM  -- "Set Yourself Free"

SCRIPTURE LESSONS  -- Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17,
		  Matthew 22:35-40

HYMN -- "Creating God, Your Fingers Trace"

SERMON:  "Return to the Garden of Eden"

A PRAYER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

HYMN -- "O God Who Shaped Creation"

BENEDICTION (Unison)

It all began with little things; one breath of life, a tongue of fire within a bush, one small stone in a shepherd's hand, a teenage girl who said "yes", a small point of light in an eastern sky, a little cup of wine, a crumb of bread, a rusty nail, a shout of joy in the early morning.

The power of God lies in the simple, the humble, the small corners of life.  Let us go and share with others the glory of the "little things;" of seeds sprouting, of lambs birthing, of buds blooming, of birds nesting, of raindrops falling. Amen.

POSTLUDE  -- Finale - Gerald Bales

	* * * * * * * *

	The Bell & The Plow

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  A service  of Thanksgiving and Appreciation relating the History of the Town and Country Church Movement in the United States and Canada.)

	A Service of Dedication

Leader:  We bring together a portion of what has been an historic service in the Order of Dedication of Seed, Soil, and Sowers.  We have added to the service the dedication of family, Parish, and community  We invite all to participate.
     (Congregation will stand.)
Leader:  It is meet, right and our bounden duty to recognize God's ownership and his providence in the fruition of the earth and the routine of the seasons.  He is the giver of life in the seed, in the soil, and in the sower.  "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."  (Gen.1:1)
People:  In all of God's creation, God saw that it was good.

Leader:  "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb-yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind whose seed is in itself upon the earth.' And it was so." (Gen. 1:11)
People:  "...And God saw that it was good.

Leader:  "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creatures after his kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after his kind.' And it was so." (Gen. 1:24)
People:  "...And God saw that it was good."

Leader:   "And God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.'" (Gen. 1:26)

People:  "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them."  "And God saw everything that he had made and behold it was very good."
     (Congregation will be seated.)
Leader:  Life is a unity, and is the result of the co-operative activity of God in a divine Trinity--God, mankind, and nature.  Without the gift of vital life all persons and nature would be unable to produce food for sustenance.  The dependency of God, mankind, and nature are represented as the seeds and soil are presented.

Presenting of the seed:  This seed is symbolic of various seeds that shall be planted over the whole earth.  When sown it will bring forth fruit, food and fiber, so that little children, men and women, may be nourished.  The seed is holy for it contains life and all seed shall be counted as holy in the sight of God.  It shall be planted in a spirit of reverence.

Presenting of the soil:  This soil is symbolic of all earth of the North American Continent, and all the world.  The seed shall be planted in hope, and the harvest shall be anticipated with joy.  This soil, this earth, is the result of the creative activity of God.  It was created by God for mankind and beast.  This soil will be watered by the rains, and warmed by the sunshine sent from God. It will be the home of the seed.  The soil is holy earth and shall be cultivated and cared for as a gift of God.

Leader:  The community of God is the fellowship of mankind with the holy earth and productive seed.  Along with seeds and soil, we bring the phyletic family and the community along with the church and parish.  As representatives of the family, community, church and parish we ask the (appropriate Committee on Religion and Rural Life) to come forward.
    (The Committee goes forward.)
Leader:  As representatives of the family, community, church parish, we turn to you who have worked together in preparation to participate in this dedication.  As representatives of the families of the United States and Canada, representatives of the communities of our nations, representatives of our churches and parishes, what is your pleasure in this commitment?

The Committee in unison:  As the _______Committee we have developed an ecumenical community in our planning sessions.  

We have come to respect our differences in our denominations.  We have come to appreciate the churches from which we come and civic and government organizations in which we are engaged.  We trust the symbol of the communities across United States and Canada as found in our presence and united work will be a symbol of congregations and agencies working together within the rural community for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Leader:  As Committee and all persons attending the Festival, we are challenged to renew our dedication to the cause of the church, the preservation of the family, and the values of the rural community  What is your response?
     (The congregation will stand.)
People:  As laity and clergy, agriculturalists, merchants, executives, businesspersons, parents and children, pastors, priests, church executives and employed church workers, we lift our praise in appreciation of those who pioneered before us in church and community.  We dedicate anew ourselves to the values of the rural community  The family, the Church, and the holy earth.  With God's guidance we will seek to make His church a dynamic instrument for strengthening family ties and more meaningful ministries in the community.

HYMN:  "O God, Our Help in Ages Past.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!

Under the shadow of thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight,
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come;
Be thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home!
	(Words by Isaac Watts.  Adapted from Psalm 90.)

Leader:  O God, Creator of the universe and all that in it is, accept our renewed dedication to the preserving of the soil, the wise use of the seed and harvest, to the church and parish in preserving the family, and providing a meaningful ministry in community.  May the God of all grace, peace, and love go with you and abide with you in ministry.  In the name of our Redeemer Lord we pray.  Amen.

	 * * * * * * *

	THE WAY OF THE CROSS

	For Those in Rural Life

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference parish service)

[The Way of the Cross is a Catholic tradition which recalls the passion and suffering of Jesus as he carried his cross to Calvary.  The Way of the Cross recalls 14 events during his painful journey.  Often times, a 15th "station" is added to recall Jesus' Resurrection.]

(This "Rural" Way of the Cross was developed in preparation for the Toledo Diocesan annual Rural Life Awareness celebration which fell during Holy Week in 1989.  The Rural Life Ministry Office and its Advisory Board felt that a prayerful observance in keeping with that most holy week was in order.

Many individuals and groups contributed to this Way of the Cross.  The persons asked to share their personal journey of prayer along with the Way of the Cross represented farmers, farmworkers, urban interests and agencies which provide services to the poor, the powerless, the hungry and uneducated.  In some ways, all people are touched by what is represented here.  This journey is our journey, perhaps in another setting or through a different experience, but our prayer is prayer for all because we are one in Jesus.)

	THE FIRST STATION

"Why, Lord?  I thought You only had that power or do we condemn ourselves?"

Leader:  Jesus is condemned to death
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  The crowd seized Jesus and took him before the High Priest.  Many spoke against him falsely, but their testimony did not agree.  Finally the High Priest asked him:  "Are you the Messiah!"  Jesus answered:  "I am!"  At that the High Priest tore his robe and said:  "What further need have we of witnesses?  You have heard his blasphemy.  What is your verdict?"  And all agreed: "Guilty! With the sentence of death."  And they began to spit and hit and humiliate him.  (Mark 14)

Reflection:  At the first station, Jesus is brought before the power structures, declared guilty and condemned to death.

At this station we stand with the farmer, with the dispossessed, with the hungry.  We declare that there is a condemnation to death--death of the spirit and threat to physical well-being.

Today in our world, farmers, land and resources are condemned by the Pilates of big business and corporate profits.  Small and middle-size farmers are subject to unfathomable anxiety and tension as they experience foreclosures, land seizures and see their land now exploited to produce more export commodities.  The beloved "holy ground" of this earth is being raped and violated for profit and no one seems to consider future generations.  And in this technological and advanced scientific world, millions go to bed hungry supposedly because there is not enough food for ALL.  Or is it possible that food is used as a political bargaining tool by the wealthy First World nations to maintain control. and dominance over developing Third World countries?

All condemned, as Jesus, by injustice and power and yet not defeated!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, may we stand one with You and with the farmers, the hungry and the poor who are condemned to suffering and death. May our solidarity give us strength and courage to continue on in the struggle for life, liberty and justice for all.
(Sr. Linda Scheckelhoff, OSF/T - upon her return from mission in Mexico)

	THE SECOND STATION

"You took it up with love.  Why do I always try to get rid of mine."  Share with me, Lord."

Leader:  Jesus is made to carry his cross.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  The High Priest led Jesus to Pilate.  Peter had followed Jesus up to this point but when questioned by servants he denied being a disciple of Christ - three times.  Pilate gave the crowd a choice between releasing Jesus or Barabbas, a thief.  But the people asked for Barabbas.  "What am I to do with the man you call 'the King of the Jews'?" Pilate asked them.  "Crucify him!" they shouted back.  "Why?  What crime has he committed?" protested Pilate.  But they only shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"  So Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.  The Roman soldiers dressed him in purple and wove a crown of thorns and put it on him.  Then they mocked him.  Finally having scourged him with whips, they led him out to crucify him.  (Mark 15)

Reflection:  Jesus silently accepted the rough wooden cross though he had committed no wrong.  Consider the farmer and the farm family who depend on variables out of their control.  The weather, international trade and government policies have all affected the farmer.  As a result many farmers or their spouses have been forced to find work off the farm to supplement their income.

In dealing with this stress some farmers withdraw from family and friends and face the loneliness that Jesus must have felt when betrayed by Peter.  Others may experience embarrassment, guilt or humiliation as a spouse takes a job off the farm and so share in the feelings of Jesus as he was mocked by the soldiers.  The impact of the stress can be as devastating as the loss of life.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me to accept the crosses of my life.  The anxiety, fear, anger and depression I experience are but a small portion of the cross you carried.  Amen.
(Bill and Jane Smith, Dairy Farmers, Tiffin, Ohio)

	THE THIRD STATION

"It is not the fall, Lord--but admitting it, getting up, marching on."

Leader:  Jesus falls the first time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  What I am doing is sending you out like sheep among wolves.  They will hale you into court, they will flog you in their assemblies.  Brother will hand over brother to death.  You will be hated by all on account of me. No pupil outranks the teacher.  Do not fear those who deprive the body of life, but cannot destroy the soul.  Those who will not take up their cross are not worthy of me.  (Matthew 10)

Reflection:  Lord, you entrusted us with the stewardship of your good earth.  Your wolves have haled us into court, they flogged us and have pit brother against brother, sister against sister.  Lord, your sheep have suffered much.  We have seen families split and fallen with fighting, blame-placing and lack of trust in You, themselves, and each other.  Heat and drought have brought us depression, anxiety, fear and disappointment.  Our cross is heavy and our faith is weak.

Prayer:  Lord, teach us to take up our cross and follow you.  As you fell and rose so shall we if we place our faith in you. You will give us the courage to get up and start over again.  Grant that we may love you always and then do with us as You will.
(Gene and Kate Studer, Hog Farmers, New Washington, Ohio)

	THE FOURTH STATION

"The look of two...the pain, the acceptance.  The cycle of birth, life and death, experience in one encounter.  How costly our Mother's role."

Leader:  Jesus meets His blessed mother.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  Near the cross of Jesus there stood his Mother, his Mother's sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  Seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son."  In turn he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother."  From that hour onward, the disciple took her into his care.  (John 19)

Reflection:  Lord, we follow you with Mary on your way to Calvary.  She sees you, her Son, in pain.  We also share the pain and heartaches of our families and neighbors:  death, divorce and brokenness.  We need to share our burden with others.  No one is self-sufficient.

In Mary, Mother of the Universe, We see God's gift of Mother Earth, source of all our food and fiber. Through Mary may we be given courage to continue our partnership with God in providing food to all our brothers and sisters today and in the future.

Prayer:  We thank you, Lord, for our rural life, where our children are part of the growing and harvesting  Whey they experience ecstasy of new life and learn about the special care which a Mother gives her young.
(Alice and Cletus Vetter, Farmers, Hicksville, Ohio; Sr. Lou Ann Roof, CPPS, Cloverdale, Ohio)

	THE FIFTH STATION

"He's not heavy; He's my brother!"  "Did Simon hear that--or even more?"

Leader:  Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  As they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon the Cyrenean who was coming in from the fields.  They put a crossbeam on Simon's shoulder for him to carry behind Jesus.  (Luke 23)

Reflection:  There is no turning to God which does not at the same time bring a person face to face with others in a new way.  Only with one another can we grow and develop our God given potential.  The notion of solidarity means that the welfare of all persons in a world and country like ours is deeply interconnected--urban and rural folk, farmer and consumer, growers and migrant workers.  At times, the notion of solidarity seems to clash with our American culture that emphasizes individualism, personal freedom, getting ahead, being at the top.

How do we begin to experience this sense of solidarity?  Norman Cousins in his book, HUMAN OPTIONS says:  "It is true that behind every human being who cries out for help there may be a million more equally entitled to attention.  But this is the poorest of reasons for not helping the person whose cries you hear...How to determine which one of a million sounds surrounding you is more deserving than the rest?  You will never know; you will never know.  Reach out and take hold of the one who happens to be nearest.  If you are never able to help or save another, at least you will have saved one.  To help put meaning into a single life may not produce universal regeneration, but it happens to represent the basic form of energy in a society."

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help us to understand that like Simon we cannot separate ourselves from the poor, the wounded and the suffering brothers and sisters in our communities in the world.  Help us to understand that our words must be accompanied by action.  We ask you for strength and determination to do instead of just pray and to become instead of merely wish.  May the words that we pray and the deeds we do become acceptable before you.  (Hunger Task Force of Toledo)

	THE SIXTH STATION

Lord what courage!  Help me to look into the face of another -- and see YOU!

Leader:  Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  Come, blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothed me.  I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or see you thirsty and give you drink?  Or when did we welcome you away from home or clothe you in your nakedness?  When did we visit you when you were ill or in prison?

Whenever you did it for one of the least of my friends, you did it for me.  (Matthew 25)

Reflection:  Christ, consistently calls us to go beyond ourselves and our own problems to respond with compassion to the needs of others.  Veronica felt that compassion, that call to respond to the very real need of Christ on the journey to the Cross.  She took a risk in that response by stepping forward and providing assistance to Someone in need.  We too have opportunities to step forward and help those who have been hurt and are suffering because of injustices or the lack of basic necessities.  Like Veronica, we also can see the face of Christ in those we serve.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for all those opportunities that I have to respond to the needs of others in my family, my community, my country and throughout the world.  Help me to always see your face reflected in all those I meet.  Amen.
(Kathleen Donnellan, Director, Catholic Social Services)

	THE SEVENTH STATION

Bent low twice.  Helpless, crushed.  How long before we get the message?

Leader:  Jesus falls the second time.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  You call me Master and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Then if I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  I have set you an example:  you are to do as I have done for you.  Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master.  (John 13)

Reflection:  I fall and it's so hard to get up.  I feel "what's the use."  There are the drought of the land, emotional upheavals and spiritual droughts.  I feel depression and sometimes despair. It hurts so much. Getting up is too much work.  Now I am reminded how Jesus rose whenever he fell.  As I see my neighbors' hurts, mine doesn't seem so big.  I extend my hand to help and in my helping I myself am able to get up one more time with renewed hope.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, you got up even though you knew you were about to die.  Thank you for showing me how to get up and for the hope you give me.
(Floyd and Martha Hohman, Farmers, McCutchenville, Ohio)

	THE EIGHTH STATION

Even these beautiful women missed the point. Lord that we may hear your voice today and respond with love.

Leader:  The Women of Jerusalem
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  A great crowd of people followed him, including women, who beat their breasts and lamented over him.  Jesus turned to them and said:  "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me.  Weep for yourselves and for your children.  If they do these things to the green wood; what will they do to the dry?"  (Luke 23)

Reflection:  As I read, re-read, contemplated , and just plain thought about the Eighth Station, I began to experience the feelings of frustration, powerlessness, and the anger those women felt as they stood helplessly by watching a loved one suffer.

My own feelings as a wife, mother, aunt, cousin, and friend cried out to them.  There seems to be no adjective to explain how terrible it must have been for those women to only beat their breasts and lament.  What I came to realize is that I have experienced much of those same feelings today as I see the homeless, the mounting numbers of teen pregnancies, single parents, the working poor, victims of pornography, abused elderly, and the farm situation, just to identify a few areas for concern.

We are proud people.  We are a people of peace, faith, love, and compassion, and we're responsible.  We accept the challenge that dares us to take the risk for change.  Of course, there will be a time for beating one's breast and lamenting. It seems to me a normal procedure, but we need to know there is no peace without justice for all and that the sustaining forces of life are God, family, home and friends.

Prayer:  Lord, Jesus, Brother and Friend--Sometimes it seems we're on a mission of impossibilities, but You have told us You would not leave us to flounder.  You have told us we all have gifts.  Help us, then, to know and understand that with you, in You and through You nothing is impossible.
(K. LaVerne Redden, Toledo Diocesan Council of Catholic Women)

	THE NINTH STATION

O God, not again!  For what purpose Lord?  Did you really mean that--"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."

Leader:  Jesus Falls the Third Time
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.  But if it dies, it produces much fruit.  Anyone who loves his life loses it, while the one who hates his life in this world, preserves it to life eternal.  If they would serve me, let them follow me; where I am, there will my servant be.  If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him and her.  (John 12)

Reflection:  My anguish and frustration of my language barrier of not having communication skills to relate, to bring more awareness of injustice done to farm workers who for half a century had suffered from society rejection, insults, exploitation, lack of work due to machinery, not being accepted by society as human beings, and no understanding of our culture; customs.  I had experience of all this for the past 45 years.  It is a slow process in bringing change.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus;  My cross I bear is lighter compared to Yours.  I ask your forgiveness for the weight of your cross.  I will not try to cause you new suffering. Grant me the strength and the wisdom to continue your example to help those in need.  Thank you for your many blessings.  Bless and guide our leaders and oppressors that they may find solutions to the farm workers' problems.  Thank You, Senor--Amen.  (Amelia Nava, Auxilo y Amistad, Tiffin, Ohio)

	THE TENTH STATION

The wheat not only crushed, but plucked...stripped bare...free!  Free to love, Lord.  Are we?

Leader:  Jesus is Stripped on Calvary
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  When they came to the place of execution, they stripped him, dividing his garments, rolling dice for them.  People stood there watching and the rulers kept jeering:  "He saves others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, the chosen one."  The soldiers also made fun of him, coming forward to offer him their sour wine and saying:  "If you are the King of Jews, save yourself!"  (Luke 23)

Reflection:  May we always be reminded of your suffering, Dear Jesus, and what was done to you.  Stripping you of your garments!  In that action we are aware of how we have been richly blessed with food and land.  Give us understanding and wisdom to look upon our brothers and sisters with compassion--the poor, those who have been stripped of the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.  Let us remember how you were treated by the soldiers.  Let us remember to love and care for our brothers and sisters.

Prayer:  We ask you for many favors, Dear Jesus.  Help us to be unselfish and thankful to you for the gifts we have.  Help us to protect and love all whom you place in our care.
(Paul Wagner, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Fostoria, Ohio)

	THE ELEVENTH STATION

Yet, Your love, Lord, pierces far beyond the nails.  Only love could be rooted so deeply.  And this is mine."

Leader:  Jesus is Crucified
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  Two others, who were criminals, were led with Jesus to be crucified.  When they came to the Skull Place, as it was called, they crucified him there, and the criminals as well, one on his right and the other on his left.  Jesus said:  "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing."

One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him:  "Aren't you the Messiah?  Then save yourself and us."  But the other one rebuked him:  "Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence?  We deserve it, after all.  We are only paying the price for what we've done, but this man has done no wrong."  He then said:  "Jesus, remember me when you enter into your kingdom."  And Jesus replied:  "I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise."  (Luke 23)

Reflection:  Like the one criminal, how many times in the most difficult moments of our life have we doubted your existence, O Lord?

But as we continue through this life and look back on those times during the blizzard, barn fire, low prices, and the drought we firmly believe that You are the Messiah who has and will sustain us through our earthly life.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, we are truly sorry for all the wrong we have done.  We pray that you will remember us and keep a place for us with You in heaven.  Amen. 
(Pat and Hank Elchert, Agricultural Education, Tiffin, Ohio)

	THE TWELFTH STATION

Into Your hands, Lord.  I, too, commend my life.  Take all of it.

Leader:  Jesus Dies on the Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you
ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  It was now around midday and darkness came over the whole land until mid-afternoon with an eclipse of the sun.  The curtain in the sanctuary was torn in two.  Jesus uttered a loud cry and said:  "Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit."  After this he expired.  (Luke 23)

Reflection:  Darkness still pervades the lives of the homeless and abandoned.  Injustice has depleted more than 33 million of our brothers and sisters in our country of sufficient material resources required for a decent life.  Economic and political pressures have stripped the family farm owner into bankruptcy.  As conservation practices are neglected or rejected, even the land cries out in vengeance.  Yet the diligent faithful stewards of the land stand humbly before their Lord on the cross and commend their trust-filled spirit into God's hands.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, when we witness the depletion of quality land and the deprivation suffered by honest laborers, we wonder if we are approaching an end, or just a beginning of a great transformation of our world.  You call us to be patient, working faithfully to bring about Your Kingdom on earth.  Bless our efforts as we strive to put into practice all that You have taught us about justice.
(Peace and Justice committee, Sisters of Notre Dame)

	THE THIRTEENTH STATION

Taken down for us.  "This is My body...Blood shed for you."

Leader:  Jesus' Body is Taken Down From The Cross
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  When evening fell, a wealthy man from Arimathea arrived, whose name was Joseph.  He was another of Jesus' disciples and had gone to request the body of Jesus.  Thereupon Pilate issued an order for its release.  Joseph took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in fresh linen.  (Matthew 27)

Reflection:  How often have I been willing to step forward and help someone who has been put down or speak up on an issue when it was not very popular.  Joseph from Arimathea knew the consequences when he went to Pilate asking for Jesus' body.  He also knew God was with him.

Prayer:  Lord, Jesus, be with me as I travel through life coming against those obstacles that need your attention.  Give me the courage and guidance to do what is right.
(David and Theresa Meyer, Farmers, Ottawa, Ohio)

	THE FOURTEENTH STATION

The waiting...the long waiting...But soon shall come the dawn, and we shall see His glory!

Leader:  Jesus' Body is Laid in the Tomb
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you

ALL:  BECAUSE BY YOUR HOLY CROSS, YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Reading:  "They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.  Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried."  (John 19)

Reflection:  Your death, Lord, and now your burial have silenced your enemies.  You were too much for them.  You spoke out against all forms of oppression.  You challenged the Roman government, the religious leaders of Your day, and all self-righteous people.  You healed the broken, you forgave the repentant sinners, you fed the hungry, you ate with sinners and tax collectors, you spoke with someone in public, you gathered the lost and you revealed the Father to the merest of children.

You were not the Messiah that the would could accept.  You were too much for them.  You were too powerful in your gentle ways.  You had to be put to death to satisfy their fears--their lust for power and their need to be right.

But you had said, "unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat." Your death gave life to these words.  You submitted yourself to the ground within the tomb.  And in so doing your words were remembered, your actions recalled and your teachings learned.

Prayer:  Lord, many of our brothers and sisters of the land are being buried under the notices of unpaid bills, the threats of foreclosure, the lack of concern by our government leaders and the indifference of society at large.  Grant us the faith to keep our focus on you, the wisdom to seek help when needed and the courage to cry out against all forms of injustices that crucify your sons and daughters.  Lord, may we never lose hope in the resurrection of justice and in the life you promise beyond the tomb.

May the grain that we plant in mother earth bring forth a rich harvest and nourish the world to do the will of God.
(Jame and Hilda Hartman, Farmers, Bryan, Ohio; Sr. Janice Rospert, OSF/T, Edgerton, Ohio)

	EASTER SUNDAY:  JESUS IS RISEN--ALLELUIA!

Unless a grain of wheat die...

Reading:  After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene came with the other Mary to inspect the tomb.  Suddenly there was a mighty earthquake, as the angel of the Lord descended from heaven.  He came to the stone, rolled it back, and sat on it.  In appearance he resembled a flash of lightening while his garments were as dazzling as snow.  The guards grew paralyzed with fear of him and fell down like dead men.  Then the angel spoke, addressing the women:  "Do not be frightened.  I know you are looking for Jesus the crucified, but he is not here.  He has been raised, exactly as he promised.  Come and see the spot where he was laid.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has been raised from the dead and now goes ahead of you to Galilee, where you will see him.' That is the message I have for you."

They hurried away form the tomb half-overjoyed, half-fearful, and ran to carry the good news to his disciples.  Suddenly, without warning, Jesus stood before them and said, "Peace!"  The women came up and embraced his feet and did him homage. At this Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid!  Go and carry the news to my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, where they will see me."  (Matthew 28)

Reflection:  How often we identify with the emotions of the players in this account of the Resurrection.  At one time we are faithful as the women who come to the tomb, while at other times we are paralyzed by fear at those things which are beyond our control.  We may be deaf to the Word in our daily living, or open, wondering and overjoyed by the Good News shared with us in splendor or in the humdrum events of our day.

And isn't it just like Jesus to announce His Resurrection to the women--the reformed prostitute, the widow, the wife, the lowliest, weakest, poorest, outcasts of society.  Through them, Jesus gives us the message of "Peace."  We are not to be afraid, for because of our faithfulness and love through struggles and in our weakness, Jesus trusts us to be bearers of the Good News to all we meet.  We are called from our homes and farms, offices and factories, classrooms and playgrounds; through our labors, prayer and recreation to believe, live and proclaim:  "Jesus Is Risen!  Alleluia!

Prayer:  Risen Jesus, we are filled with awe and wonder at your power over death and the promise of life forever.  We are grateful for the gift you are to us in Eucharist and in our world.  Give us courage,
wisdom and strength to embrace your feet in humility and love, so we may journey with you on the road of discipleship.  Amen.
(Sr Mary Christine Pratt, OSU, Rural Life Director)

	SERMON
 	ILLUSTRATIONS

	Selected Scripture Passages

Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives. (Prv 25:14)

The people took their places in hundreds and fifties, neatly arranged like flower beds. (Mk 6:40)

To the thirsty you have given no water to drink, and from the hungry you have withheld bread; As if the land belonged to the man of might, and only the privileged were to dwell in it.  You have sent widows away empty handed, and the resources of orphans you have destroyed.  Therefore snares are round about you and a sudden terror causes you dismay. (Job 22:7-10).

But whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life. (Jn 4:14)

"Or take the lilies: they do not spin, they do not weave; but I tell you Solomon in all His splendor was not arrayed like any one of them. (Lk 12:27).

He binds up the waters in his clouds, yet the cloud is not rent by their weight. (Job 26:8)

Like clay in the hands of a potter, to be molded according to His pleasure, so are men in the hands of the Creator, to be assigned by Him their function. (Sir 33:13).

The roots of the proud God plucks up, to plant the humble in their place.  (Sir 10:15).

Who has laid out a channel for the downpour and for the thunderstorm a path to bring rain to no man's land, the unpeopled wilderness; To enrich the waste and desolate ground till the desert blooms with verdure, Has the rain a father; or who has begotten the drops of dew, Out of whose womb comes the ice, and who gives the hoarfrost its birth in the skies, When the waters lie covered as though with stone that holds captive the surface of the deep. (Job 38:25-30)

Here is what I recognize as good:  It is well for a man to eat and drink and enjoy all the fruits of his labor under the sun during the limited days of the life which God gives him; for this is his lot (Eccl 5:17).

The intention of the human heart is like water far below the surface, but the man of intelligence draws it forth. (Prv 20:5)

You have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it.  God's watercourses are filled; you have prepared the grain.  Thus have you prepared the land; drenching its furrows, breaking up its clods.  Softening it with showers, blessing its yield.  You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest; The untilled meadows overflow with it, and rejoicing clothes the hills.  The fields are garmented with flocks and valleys blanketed with grain.  They shout and sing for joy.  (Ps. 65:10-14).

Listen, my faithful children:  Open up your petals, like roses planted near running waters; (Sir 39:13).

Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.  Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up!  I, the Lord, have created this. (Is 45:8).

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise God in the heights; Praise God, all you God's angels, praise God, all you his hosts.  praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.  Praise God you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens.  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for God commanded and they were created; God established them forever and ever; God gave them a duty which shall not pass away. (Ps. 148:1-6).

Raise your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; though the heavens grow thin like smoke, the earth wears out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies, my salvation shall remain forever and my justice shall never be dismayed. (Is 51:6).

Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth in song, you mountains.  For the Lord comforts His people and shows mercy to His afflicted. (Is 49:13).

All you who are thirsty, come to the water!  (Is. 55:1).

As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. (Is 61:11).

His blessing overflows like the Nile; like the Euphrates it enriches the surface of the earth. (Sir 39:22).

Then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land.  He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.  (Is. 58:11).

Thus God's creative work continues without cease in its efficacy on the surface of the earth. (Sir 38:8).

He endows man with a strength of his own, and with power over all things else on earth. (Sir 17:3).

I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  (Ez. 36:26).

And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it. (Eccl. 12:7).

Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.  (Wis 11:22).

This is what Yahweh asks of you, only this:  To act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8).

Again I tell you, if two of you join your voices on earth to pray for anything whatever, it shall be granted you by my Father in heaven.  (Mt 18:19).

"Glory to God in high heaven, peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests."  (Lk 2:14).

All the rivers run into the sea; Yet the sea is not full; Unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.  (Eccl. 1:7).

In His hands are the depths of the earth, and the tops of the mountains are His (Ps 95:4).

Two evils have my people done; they have forsaken me, the source of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water.  (Jer. 2:13).

In verdant pastures He gives me repose; beside restful waters He leads me; (Ps 23:2).

As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you O God  (Os 42:2).

On that day, living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, and half to the western sea, and it shall be so in summer and in winter (Zech. 14:8).

O God, you are my God whom I seek; for You my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. (Ps 63:2).

Wisdom's garland is fear of the Lord, with blossoms of peace and perfect health  (Sir 1:16).

If God can clothe in such splendor the grass of the field, which blooms today and is thrown on the fire tomorrow, will He not provide much more for you, O weak in faith!  (Mt 6:30).

	AMBASSADORS

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  DEVOTIONS ALONG THE WAY by Richard Andersen, c1972, Augsburg Publishing House)

Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were appealing to you through us. (2 Cor. 5:20).

You may not carry a passport that identified you as an ambassador, but you are.  Your billfold may hold credit cards and forms of identification that give you numbers, or that designate you as a "preferred customer," without hinting that you are the representative of a king, bearing the portfolio of an ambassador.  Yet you are.

Your baptismal certificate is the evidence of your appointment:  you are the ambassador of Christ the king.

Diplomacy is called for.  It's the diplomacy of love.  Your attache' case contains the documents of your office (God's Word) which direct your actions and 
govern your attitudes.  You are the ambassador, the personal representative of the King of kings.

As such, you will want those with whom you deal to know the grace of your King.  Your companions will note your cordiality as well as your distinctive witness.  The doorman and the driver will see by your tempered speech your relationship to the King.  Your hosts, the waitress, those unknown to you who share the same dining room or lobby, the same vista or highway, will recognize you for the one you are: an ambassador of Christ.  Through you God will make his appeal to many along the way.

You can make that appeal winsome by simple courtesy.  You can make it delightful by thoughtful concern.  You can make it worthy of copying by letting your King's depth of sincerity reach through you to the lives you meet.  As ambassador, you have direct access to Christ the King.  Why not, along the way, introduce as many as you can to this Prince who brings peace to men's hearts.

You're an ambassador.  Don't forget who you represent.
	* * * * * *

	'FAITH IN A GREAT GOD'

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  EACH NEW DAY by Corrie ten Boom, c1977 by Corrie ten Boom, Fleming H. Revell Co.)

May 11 -- Some people think that I have great faith, but that is not true.  I do not have a great faith -- I have faith in a great God!  Jesus said that if we have faith no bigger than a mustard seed, it is sufficient to remove mountains.  We understand that to mean that not quantity but quality is important.  The joy is that the Holy Spirit is willing to bring faith into our hearts.  His faith in us has power, just as a mustard seed is small but has power to bring forth fruit.

The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed... (Matthew 13:31 RSV)

Holy spirit, may the faith You bring us blossom and be fruitful.

	* * * * * *

	THE GIFT OF RAIN

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference)

For the land which you are to enter and occupy is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you would sow your seed and then water it by hand, as in a vegetable garden.  No, the land into which you are crossing for conquest is a land of the hills and valleys, that drinks in rain from the heavens, a land which the Lord, your God, looks after; his eyes are upon it continually from the beginning of the year to the end.  If, then, you truly heed my commandments which I enjoin on you today, loving and serving the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul, I will give the seasonal rain to your land, the early rain, and the late rain, that you may have your grain, wine, and oil to gather in; and I will bring forth grass in your fields for your animals.

Thus, you may eat your fill.  But be careful lest your heart be so lured away that you serve other gods and worship them.  For then the wrath of the Lord will flare up against you and he will close up the heavens, so that no rain will fall, and the soil will not yield its crops, and you will soon perish from the good land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 11:11-17)

	* * * * * *

	GETTING ACQUAINTED

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  From DEVOTIONS ALONG THE WAY by Richard Andersen, c1972, Augsburg Publishing House.)

The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all (Prov. 22:2).

The return trip was a definite contrast to the way the boy had gone to California.  His first flight had been aboard a Kansas City-Los Angeles silvery airliner that sniffed of splendor.  An impressionable teenager, he had reveled in the luxury of the marvelous craft.  But when homeward bound, he felt like a peasant.

He returned home on an overland bus across the seemingly endless Southwestern deserts.  Cowboys with several days' growth of beard occupied the back of the bus.  An Indian woman and her children dressed in the Navajo costume sat across the aisle.  Up front, a Marine and two sailors in frumpled uniforms noisily joked about the military service.  There were crying babies and tobacco-chewing men.  The boy was mortified.

The barriers came down, however.  Later, he couldn't remember a soul on the fancy airplane flight.  But he remembered a number of the passengers from that highway bus!  They got acquainted with one another.  They shared one another's interests.  The servicemen played with the smaller Navajo children.  An old cowpoke talked about the good old days.  One of the women offered to cradle a crying baby so a weary mother could take a nap.  The Marine played a jolly harmonica. At the rest stops, the passengers herded together for a cup of coffee or a quick sandwich.  They had become friends.

Whenever a person takes a trip into a new environment, he discovers all over again the marvel of God's creativity in unusual accents, intriguing customs, different habits of dress, different foods.  Meet your neighbors, rich and poor, as God's gift to you for the moment.  Enjoy the company of companions unknown to you and discover, as that boy did, that the locked door of snobbery has but one key:  the need for friendship.  Invite friendship and offer it.  We honor God by doing so.
	* * * * * *

	THE COUNTRY IS MY LIFE

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  THE RURAL LIFE PRAYERBOOK by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J. c1956.  

The Country is my life.  Here in the Mass I see the meaning of that life.  Throughout the world others kneel at Mass with me -- other members of the Mystical Body -- the factory workers who produced the machines on my farm and in my home, the harvester at Moline, the radio at Cincinnati, the car at Detroit, the tires at Akron, the furniture at Grand Rapids.

With me in this Mass, the perfect gift of love offered by our Lord to our Father in heaven, are the actor in New York, the printer in Chicago, the street cleaner in Brooklyn, the radio engineer at the Junction, the charwoman in Empire State Building, the truck driver on Route 34, and the union organizer in the smoke-filled room.  I offer...I adore...I thank.  They too offer, adore, and thank, the same God!

I have done my chores early.  Many of my fellow workers have worked all night.  They may have gone to the five o'clock Mass or will attend the noon-day Mass.  I am here kneeling at the early morning Mass, in our little rural church.

My prayer is but one note in that great chorus of prayer directed to god's heavenly throne.  It reaches there as a unit from the Mystical Body of Christ on earth..."My Sacrifice and Yours."...

How dare I think evil or be suspicious of my brother...fail to know him...fail to understand his problems...fail to cooperate...faith to help him in need...fail to love him?

FARMING is my vocation.  Here at Mass I am one with all the farmers of the world.  Near and far from me they kneel, my fellow farmers; the beet worker in Montana, the hop picker in Washington, the vegetable gardener in New Jersey, the wheat harvester in North Dakota, the corn picker in Iowa, the fruit grower in California.

How can I look upon them as my competitors in a cruel world, in a fight for the survival of the fittest?

They are my brother plowmen and our common Father is a divine husbandman.  The Mexican thinning beets, the colored man picking cotton, the Italian gardener, the Japanese, the migrant, are members of the same Mystical Body.  Even closer to me than other workers throughout the world.

We fellow workers in the field have much in common:  the heat, the sweat, the sunrise and the bright sunset, the breezes, the storms, the dancing clouds, the waning light of evening.

With the Three Young Men in the Fiery Furnace I, too, may proclaim:  "O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord; Praise and exalt him above all forever."

The Land is my portion.  Here at Mass with me in Christ are all whose portion it was before me, and all who shall come after me to have it for inheritance.  My family kneels beside me.  We worship together as we work together.  Where we work, there do we live and worship.

My grandparents settled here many years ago.  Their names are on one of the parish church windows.  I hope my children's children will be here at Mass generations from now.  The little white tombstones mark the resting place of my ancestors in the evergreen grove just beyond the sanctuary.  There among the ashes of my fathers, I, too, will rest some day.  In somno pacis!  In the sleep of peace.

I must be proud of my family, of the very soil in which my children have their roots.

To my parish I owe loyalty; to my parish church, love; to my school, devotion.  They have been to my family and me the heart, the core, the wellspring of all our growth.

In this little church in a country parish the lawyer, the doctor, the banker, and the storekeeper kneel beside me.  They are my friends, members of my community.  I am their brother.

I am a farmer.  I am at Mass. My work in the field is but the prelude to the Offertory of the Mass.  Each season brings the wheat and the grapes closer to the sacrificial altar.  I am a single but proud partner in God's ever new creation.  How can I, a farmer, forget how noble is my calling?  Can I consider my work not dignified?  It is not merely clods of inert soil I work with, but millions of God's invisible creatures.  It is not just a wheat stalk or a kernel I behold, but God's rain, sunshine, blue sky, captured therein and held prisoner, that on the altar it may again become a prisoner of love, a Sacrificial Victim.

Ite Missa Est!	--Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. Ligutti

	* * * * * *

	SERMON SEEDS PERTAINING TO RURAL LIFE
 
Genesis 1:26-31
I.   God Created.
II.  Man's Responsibility.
II.  Technology can be man's response to God's instructions.
IV.  We must maintain balance in order to maintain.
V.   God calls through Christ.

Genesis 7:18-23.
    Water, a mixed blessing.  Destructive force, unmatched in its fierceness.  The role depends upon use and balance:  pure or contaminated; controlled or unchecked in great floods.  The most destructive catastrophe recorded in the Bible:  The Flood.  Abraham, digging a well.  Noah, preserved a remnant.
    America, like the people of early times, is vulnerable to the threat of too much or too little water - at a specific time or place.  Problem of depletion.
    Use of water from the Ogallala Aquifer.  Water table dropping.  The harvest in the U.S. depends heavily upon the Ogallala Aquifer.  Wheat, corn, potatoes.

Genesis 39:9.
    Topic:  "A Young Man's Religion."  The life of Joseph demonstrated these virtues:  industry, friendliness, optimism.  He brought these virtues and ideals from life on the farm.  Compares these virtues, Joseph's life, to the young successful farmer and the farming community.

Exodus 15:23:  "They could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter."  Three days in the wilderness from the Red Sea, the followers of Moses encountered their first crisis because "they found no water to drink."  When they discovered a fountain, it was bitter.  God showed Moses how to sweeten the waters of Marah.  He used the occasion to strengthen the covenant, renew the faith of his followers, and pronounce a new statute.
    Society in modern times can learn from the experience of the Israelites at Marah.  If we are to make certain that supplies will be adequate for present and future needs, we are obligated to abide by the universal laws and to help, rather than to hinder, the process by which the constant supply of water is recycled and repurified.

Exodus 15:27:  "And they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells and threescore and ten palm trees; and they encamped there by the water."  The Exodus was a series of short journeys from one oasis to the next.  Temptation to linger at Elim:  12 wells and 72 palm trees!  Shade.  Ease.
    Early pioneers in this country, a wandering people, who dared to move on from oasis to oasis, in spite of risks.  When God allocated resources to America, he was particularly generous with water.  Reservoirs, lakes.  Ample quantities to support populations ranging up to hundreds of millions.  The supply is still adequate if used wisely.

Numbers 35:34.  When man cooperates with God.  God's earth is cared for:  preserved; conserved; so future generations can enjoy it and be fruitful.

Deuteronomy 10:12-14.  "When God Prays."  What does he ask for?  God, without man, is purposeless.  Man without God is purposeless.  Therefore, God and man must work together.  Christ provides the answer to God's prayer, and mankind.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18.  "Truths to Pass On."  At the heart of the conflict in every age is man's will to dominate his fellow man and to be the lord of the universe.  With class struggle rending every society asunder, with wealth concentrated in the hands of America as in no other nation, while an estimated 2/3 of the world population is chronically hungry, with rising nationalisms throwing off the yoke of colonial powers and Communist ideologies exploiting the situation by posing on the side of native uprisings, it is urgent that we come to grips with the Biblical idea of stewardship and pass the truths on to the succeeding generation.
    The Bible gives us several guiding principles.  All property and possessions belong to God, the Creator.  God is owner; man is steward.  Property rights of the individual are never absolute, always relative to the whole community or family.
    All property for selfish advantage is to be condemned.  Persons are more valuable than money or possessions.  Love is to be the chief motive for stewardship:  love for God and neighbor.

Joshua 14:6-14.  "Look To The Hill Country."  Compare life and perspective of Caleb to living the Christian life.  The gospel song, "Higher Ground" has a vital message.

The Book of Ruth.  Ruth 1:16 and 17 is the key text.  Compare life in the times of Ruth to other times, like, say, the times of Joan of Arc.  Key sentiment of Ruth:  loyalty.
I.   Loyalty in the home.
II.  Loyalty of a man (Boaz) to a woman (Ruth); and a woman (Ruth) to a man (Boaz).
III. Loyalty to God.  Naomi.  Ruth, as she says, "Your God shall be my God."  Boaz: loyal
       to God; Naomi; Ruth.

Proverbs 16:3:  "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts shall be established."  "A Time For Work."  Those who are dedicated to wise stewardship over the resources of the good earth hold tenaciously to the concept that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein."  Their concept is not for a span of a year or a generation.  The dream of adequate supplies of food and shelter must cover a period that extends far into the future, because this is the only world we have and the total heritage of our descendants.
    A concept as indefinite as the open-ended future cannot be held lightly.  It tends to slip away under the pressures of the present.  Only those who hold tenaciously to their faith and to their firm conviction that future generations can enjoy the full life are prepared to commit their energies and their capital to the stewardship of the soil.

Proverbs 25:13:  "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters."  Topic:  "A Time for Communication."  This latter part of the 20th century is a time of tenacity for the messengers who communicate the essential nature of resource conservation in an age when the major part of the population is far removed from the land.  In our early history:  90% of the people actually tilled the soil; no more than 3 or 4% of the people today are commercial farmers.
    The "faithful messenger" mentioned in Proverbs must convey the information that food does not somehow originate magically in the supermarkets to be exchanged for the currency at jobs removed from the fields.
    Our age is "A Time for Tenacity" in communication of the true concept of the relationship between basic production and the ultimate consumer.  Stewardship of the highest order can be achieved only if people in large numbers understand its significance to the welfare of the earth's life system.

Proverbs 28:19.  "The Farm Pays."
I.   Food
II.  Work
III. Health
IV.  Home Life
V.   Character
VI.  Poetry
VII. Religion

Ecclesiastes 5:9:  "Moreover the profit of the earth is for all; the King himself is served by the field."  A possible comprehensive topic:  "The Farm Is The Foundation."  Relate how this is true.  Without a sound agricultural system, nations collapse.

Ecclesiastes 1:7:  "All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full."  In the process of creation, God established models and examples for the human race.  Life replicates the cycle of the seasons through birth, growth, decline, and death.  The orderly paths of the stars and plants demonstrate the ultimate example of the universal laws of physics applied to time and space.
    Water is the perfect metaphor of God's system for recycling the ample resources he has deposited on the earth.  It does not wear out and is not used up, even though it performs its designated functions repeatedly through the centuries.  Instead, it returns again and again to the fields, the streams, the lakes, the oceans, and underground reservoirs, always after having been repurified in the cycle of evaporation and rain.  Even today scientists can do no more than emulate some of the more elementary facets of the process that restores polluted water to its pristine condition.
    The writer of Ecclesiastes sensed the phenomenon and marveled at the perpetual characteristic of God's creation.  The wind is not exhausted from "turning about and whirling continually."  Water is not diminished when it flows into the sea, evaporates, and returns to refresh the hills with life-giving showers.  It leaves its impurities in the sea or the filtering soil, becoming useful all over again.

Isaiah 9:6:  "And the government shall be upon his shoulders."  Topic:  "A Time for National Concern."  There was a time, in the early history of our country, when it could be said that stewardship of resources was a personal matter for a major part of the population.  People lived under their own "vines and fig trees," as it were, and each was responsible for his or her holdings.  The role of government, in those days when the population was widely dispersed, was small and the restraints were few.  Those who farmed carelessly on the steep hillsides might destroy their soil and waste their resources.  Their actions were not regarded as significant to society as a whole.  Land was plentiful; new fields could be cleared.
    Now it must be understood that the obligation of stewardship, which once rested on the individual, has been broadened to include all of us.  Erosion, once regarded as a "private matter" has become a subject of national concern.
    A waste of soil is a loss for many people who claim no direct connection to the land.  It reduces our national capacity to produce food.  Government has an interest in preserving the productivity of the fields.

Isaiah 11:6-9.  "Beyond Eden"  (A Rural Life Sunday Topic)
Introduction:  Eden is symbolic.
I.   God is not identical with nature.
II.  Nature is not God, but is good.
III. God's rule over nature - We are responsible for its use and care.
IV.  The future of nature, and history, is in God's hands.

Isaiah 43:19:  "Behold, I will do a new thing."  Topic:  "A Time for Discovery."  Think not that all good things have been discovered or that the time for experiment and research has passed.  The human race is always on the brink of a new experience, and our accumulated knowledge merely serves as a foundation on which to accumulate new wisdom.
    On the basis of what is known, we imagine those things that might be revealed.
    While we explore the unknown in deep space or in the miniature of a microscopic slide, we also concern ourselves with matters related to more familiar areas.  We need to find new ways to maintain the dispersed fertility of our soil and to protect the purity of our water.
    Emerson said, "A weed is a plant whose virtues have not been discovered."  Survival, growth, development, and the need to adjust to a growing world  population compel us to seek virtue in our weeds.
    When the world's food supply seems adequate or excessive, as it has in times past, we perceive no pressing need to seek ways that would perpetuate our ability to produce.  Society cannot afford to be lulled by its abundance.  WE must persist in our research when there is no perceived need for it, we must experiment, even when the old ways appear to be adequate for our immediate needs.  We must try "new things" even when our established practices appear to be sufficient.

Jeremiah 2:7:  "I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof; but when you entered, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination.  Topic:  "Defiling."  God was displeased when the Children of Israel neglected to care for the heritage he gave them.  May we not imagine he is equally displeased when we deplete the resources of this good land?
    The fertility of the soil and the purity of the water are parts of this heritage.  They are the renewable resources that need not be destroyed.
    Where we have obeyed the rules of stewardship, the land remains fertile and the water pristine.  Where we have broken the rules - either because we did not understand them or because it seemed more profitable to follow a course of exploitation - we have defiled the land and made an abomination of the heritage.
    Few places in America are beyond repair.  Eroded land can be redeemed; water can be protected and filtered so it can be used again.
    Israel had many opportunities to reclaim its heritage.  American cannot be certain the tolerance of the Almighty can be stretched to an equal length.  Our opportunity is to renew our effort and rededicate ourselves to the task of using wisely the resources over which we have been granted stewardship.

Jeremiah 2:13:  "For my people have committed two evils:  They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and have hewed out broken cisterns that can hold no water."  Topic:  "Ignoring."  America may be in the process of committing two evils in tandem.  First, for more than a century and a half, following the birth of the new nation, the United States neglected the stewardship of soil, of water, and of other resources.
    Second, we pursued the old ways until disastrous dust storms and floods and wide-spread erosion created a crisis.  Then we turned about and directed our attention to the perpetual need for wise management of our resources, and behold, there was progress.
    When the halting conservation program began to work, life moved back into some of the fountains that had been on the brink of becoming bitter as wormwood or as the waters of Marah.

Jeremiah 4:3:  "Break up your fallow ground..."  What "fallow ground" in human lives must the rural church break up?  Compare life to farming the soil.  Human conservation is just as important as soil and water conservation.  Both are needed.

Ezekiel 17:8:  "From the bed where it was planted it was transplanted to good soil by abundant waters, so that it might produce branches and bear fruit and become a noble vine."  Liken the country church to this verse.  Rural people, generally, resist change.  Even so the Rural Church.  Why the Rural Church must resist change.  How the Rural Church must change.

Matthew 13:3:  "And he told them many things in parables, saying, 'Listen!  A sower went out to sow..."  and verses following.  Topic:  "When God Sows."  Read your seed catalog. Note the possibilities.  Compare this passage of scripture.  visualize growth and non-growth according to care given.  Note what the seed catalog says about growing conditions, care, expected yield.  Compare this to scripture.

Matthew 13:1-23.  The state of the hearer's soul is key to the whole process.  Farmer:  soil must be in condition.  Soul must be in condition.  The wayside soil represents the indifferent hearer.
    The rocky soil represents the superficial hearer.  The thorny soil represents the worldly hearer.  The good soil represents the ideal hearer.  The test is the harvest.

Matthew 22:21:  "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's."  Topic:  "A Time for Stewardship."  The relationship between people and their governments has been altered with the passing of time, but there is no evidence to indicate we have arrived at the final form.  Since all people have direct and personal interest in the productivity of our resources and in the stewardship of our assets, we must understand that all people also have roles in executing this important task.  If we leave exclusively with the titleholder's responsibility for management of the resources, we should not be surprised when the owners follow only the practices from which they hope to reap the greatest personal profits in the short run.

Matthew 25:33:  "And he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left."  Comparing barnyard animals to humans.  Sheep are defenseless.  Goats are independent.  For Christ to work, we need to be sheep.  If our life is built on our own self-sufficiency we will "glow" for a time and burn out.  The choice is ours:  Sheep or goats?

Mark 4:26-30:  "He also said, 'The Kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.  The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.  But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.'  He also said, 'With what can we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?'"  From small beginnings grow great trees.  Each person begins life the same way:  as a baby; then a small child; ultimately an adult, reared and trained to become,  Growth of a human parallels the growth of grain, trees, or other plants.

Luke 12:15:  "And he said to them, 'Take care!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.'"  Topic:  "Is Bigger Better?"  Success, yes; covetousness, no.  When success seems to make ourselves to be "God in our image" it is failure. Why did American immigrant farmers build big barns compared to their houses?  They were so absolutely certain of successful farming in the new land!  Would that we could have their optimism without the greed that the bigger barn so often symbolizes!

Luke 15:12:  "Give me now my share..."  These words were spoken by the prodigal son to his father prior to the prodigal leaving home.  This story is one of "generation gap."  The similarity between our relationship with God and the prodigal's relationship with his father is absolutely intended!
    We so often, in various ways, say to God, "Give me my share."  We seem to take our share without asking.  This is certainly true when it comes to the earth's natural resources.  Like the prodigal son we seem to be saying to God, "give me my share and I will go away and do my thing."  Self-centeredness.
    The prodigal son, after much suffering, realized his difficulty and returned to his father with another request:  "Use me as one of your hired servants."  Sanity returns:  only as a caretaker servant will I have any future; only if I exist as a partner with the Father in doing my share instead of taking my share will things work out.
    The earth and its resources are God's.  We are free to use the earth's resources as we wish -- even to misuse what God has entrusted to us.  As a generation we can take our share now - just like the prodigal son.
    It is essential that this generation seek to rediscover our true relationship to God, the Creator.

Acts 17:24-28.  Paul's sermon to the Athenians.  God is the Creator.  His creation belongs to him.  He is not dependent upon humanity.  God does not need anything from mortal hands.  It is OUR ROLE TO SEARCH FOR GOD; find him; and find our life:  "In him we live and move and have our being."  It is not the other way around.

Romans 8:18-25.  Topic:  "The Glorious Hope."  It is not a new revelation that man can no longer assume that the air we breathe, the water we drink, or the food we eat is safe and pure.  But it is more than a little disturbing to discover the high degree of contamination to which each of us are involuntarily exposed each day.
    Looking back to the Genesis creation story, God looked upon what He made and said, "it is good," but from the very beginning man has not always used the God-given resources as our Creator intended.  Paul said in the scriptures, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now."  (Romans 8:22).
    Paul saw in his troubled world a sign of glorious hope.  "For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children.  For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay - the things that overcame the world against its will at God's command - will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God's children enjoy."  (Romans 8:19-21)

Romans 8:28:  "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."  Topic:  "A Time for Cooperation."  The task before us is so great and the time for its accomplishment is so short that we cannot afford to waste effort in emphasizing our differences.  Those who would exercise an effective stewardship over God's resources are seeking a common goal.  Their differences over details deserve to be discussed with open minds and with the objective of seeking a common ground.
    The threat to the future welfare of the human race originates with the uninformed, the careless, and those who seek immediate gratification at the expense of long-range benefits.  If there are those among us who have a genuine interest in the wise management of our soil, our water, and the human habitat, they deserve our fullest cooperation, for we are traveling the same road and all are seeking the same goals.

Romans 8:22-25:  "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now, and now only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved.  Now hope that is seen is not hope.  For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." 

2 Corinthians 5:7:  "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  Topic:  "Finding God."
I.   In Nature.
II.  In the Bible.
III. In Jesus Christ.
IV.  In History.
V.   In Mankind's Experiences.
VI.  God "comes Alive" In Answering Prayer.

Galatians 6:9:  "So let us not grow weary in well-doing, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up."  Topic:  "Ecology and the Church."  Sin is pollution.  Pollution of our planet is a sin.  Therefore, pollution must be controlled and eliminated.

Hebrews 11:1-2:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by faith, the elders received a good report."  Topic:  "A Time For Faith."  Faith is by no means limited to the incorporeal aspects of our existence.  It is not restricted to its essential role as the foundation of our hope for immortality.
    Faith also is the "substance of things hoped for" when a farmer plants his field.  He must believe that the seed is true as to variety, that the soil has not lost its fertility, and that the rains and the sunshine will come in a mixture acceptable to his crop.  He must possess this "evidence of things not seen."  Otherwise, the fields would be fallow and people and livestock would starve.
    Our faith must stretch further into the future than a cycle of the seasons.  We believe that the fertility of the good earth can and must be preserved for the benefit of future generations, but the task can be accomplished only if, by faith, we pursue those policies and practices that have demonstrated their effectiveness.

[ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- Some materials in this section came from previous years' Soil Stewardship material as prepared by the Natural Resources District; individual contributions from:  Fr. Neal Nollette, Fr. Thomas Muldowney, Fr. James Roach, Rev. Vernon Schroeder, Rev. Donald Jones, Rev. Volney Lofgreen, Rev. Dennis Anderson.]

	LITANIES

	All of God's creation praises God.

(from "A Starter Kit for Evangelical Churches to Care for God's Creation", the Evangelical Environmental Network)

A Responsive Reading

[LEADER: Italic script  CONGREGATION:  Roman]

Our God is very great
He has shown us His excellence in what He has made.

God is exalted above all things, He alone is worthy of our praise,
Yet God loves us and the world which He has made.

God dwells in the high and holy place,
Yet He dwells with those of a contrite and humble spirit.

God has made us and all things;
God is the Author of all life.

God has filled the waters with fish of every kind;
God has filled our sky with birds and given them colors and songs and graceful flight.

God made the marine mammals which play in the oceans
And all the living creatures that fill the seas.

God blessed the creatures;
God told them to multiply and to fill the seas and skies.

Countless are the creatures which God has made.  In wisdom God has made them all.
The earth is full of God's creatures, beasts small and great.

All of God's creation praises God.
We join the creatures in praising God.

God has set His love upon us.
He has not abandoned us in our sins.

God loves us and His creation;
He has chosen to dwell among us in the world that He has made.

In Christ, God offers us salvation;
In Christ, God has redeemed all the world.

We are God's own people;
The world and all that is in it is the Lord's.

	Harvest Rosary

(By Rev. Neal P. Nollette (contact for reprint permission), Rev. Louis Nollette)

NOTE:  This "Harvest Rosary" is designed to follow the same pattern as the Catholic Rosary.  A suggestion (or alternative approach) is to use the Scripture quotes in each category with slides of rural life, music, other reflective readings.

In the Catholic tradition of The Rosary, a Hail Mary can be said after each SS reflection.  

INTRODUCTION--The farmer and rancher spend many hours of the day doing things closely associated with the land.  The farmer plows, plants, cultivates, and harvests.  The rancher moves cattle, looks after the newborn calves, makes hay, and feeds cattle.  This is their job.  Yet it's more than that.  It is a way of life; it is their very existence.

They are the ones who steward the land.  They are the ones who care for it,, nurture it, work it, and miraculously bring life where there seemingly was not life before.  They are the ones who schedule their day with the rising and setting of the sun.  They are the ones who synchronize their activities with the changes of the seasons.  They are the ones who harmonize their lives with the daily and seasonal dyings and risings that are so common in nature.

Yet, the farmer and the rancher are not always consciously aware of how their lives are living witnesses to the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of Jesus.  Nor are they always conscious of how their daily and seasonal actions relate to the faith they so strongly support.

The rosary has been a popular form of prayer for many people.  When praying all 15 decades, one has the opportunity to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Essentially, the rosary is an easy, convenient way to reflect on the Paschal Mystery.  This Harvest Rosary is an opportunity for farmers and ranchers, as well as others concerned about rural issues, to better integrate one's daily and seasonal actions of stewarding the land with living and experiencing the Paschal Mystery.  This Harvest Rosary will encourage rural people to know that their careers as farmers and ranchers are noble ones indeed, will help them to realize that Jesus has a special spot in his heart for agrarian enterprises, will bring them to reflect more deeply on the Word of God and see more clearly their stewardship role as an integral aspect of building up God's Kingdom.

OPENING PRAYERS

L: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  P:  Amen
L: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.  P:  Through your goodness we offer this prayer.
L: Our help is in the name of the Lord.  P:  Who made heaven and earth.
L:  Let us pray:  All: Apostles Creed.
Our Father and three Hail Mary's as introduction to meditations.

First Meditation:  CREATION

1.  In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. (Gn 1:1,2).

2.  God called the dry land "the earth," and the basin of the water he called "the sea."  God saw how good it was. (Gn 1:10)

3.  Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation; every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree that bears fruit with
its seed in it."  And so it happened; (Gn 1:11).

4. Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures; cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds."  And so it happened; (Gn 1:24).  

5. God created human kind in His image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He created them. (Gn 1:27).

6. God blessed them saying: "Be fertile and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it.  Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on earth." (Gn 1:28).

7.  For thus says the Lord, the Creator of the heavens, who is God, the Designer and Maker of the earth who established it, not creating it to be a waste, but designing it to be lived in; I am the Lord.  And there is no other. (Is 45:18).

8.  Everything God created is good; nothing is to be rejected when it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by God's word and by prayer. (1 Tm 4:4, 5).

9. Come, therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are real, and use the freshness of creation avidly. (Wis 2:6).

10. "O Lord our God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power!  For You have created all things; by Your will they came to be and were made!" (Rv 4:11).

Second Meditation:  PLANTING

1. I will prepare for them peaceful fields for planting...(Ez 34:29).

2.  He who supplies seed for the sower and bread for the eater will provide in abundance; he will multiply the seed you sow and increase your generous yield.  (2 Cor 9:10).

3.  For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to one who sows and bread to one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11).

4.  Be patient, therefore, my brothers, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil.  He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and the spring rains. (James 5:7).

5.  This means that neither one who plants nor one who waters is of any special account, only God, who gives the growth.  (1 Cor 3:7).

6.  Ground which drinks in the rain falling on it again and again, and brings vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives the blessing of God. (Heb. 6:7).

7.  The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come and the song of the dove is heard in our land. (Song of Songs 2:12).

8.  In a fertile field by plentiful waters it was planted, to grow branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine.  (Ez 17:8).

9.  It is like the mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a large shrub and the birds of the air nested in its branches.  (Lk 13:19).

10. You have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it.  God's water courses are filled; you have prepared the grain. (Ps 65:10).

Third Meditation:  GROWING

1.  The people cultivated their land in peace; the land yielded its produce and the trees of the field their fruit. (1 MC 14:8)

2.  For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.  (Sir 6:20)

3.  For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.  (Is 55:10-11)

4.  Be patient, therefore, my brothers, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil.  He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and the spring rains.  (James 5:7)

5.  This means that neither one who plants nor one who waters is of any special account, only God, who gives the growth.  (1 Cor. 3:7)

6.  Ground which drinks in the rain falling on it again and again, and brings vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated, receives the blessing of God.  (Heb 6:7)

7.  The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come and the song of the dove is heard in our land.  (Song of Songs 2:12)

8.  In a fertile field by plentiful waters it was planted, to grow branches, bear fruit, and become a majestic vine.  (Ez 17:8)

9.  It is like the mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden.  It grew and became a large shrub and the birds of the air nested in its branches.  (Lk 13:19)

10. You have visited the land and watered it; greatly have you enriched it.  God's water-courses are filled; you have prepared the grain.  (Ps 65:10)

Fourth Mediation:  HARVESTING

1.  ...The fields are shining for harvest!  (Jn 4:35).

2.  Another angel came out of the temple and in a loud voice cried to him who sat on the cloud, "Use your sickle and cut down the harvest, for now is the time to reap; the  earth's harvest is fully ripe."  (Rv 14:15).

3.  "His winnowing-fan is in His hand.  He will clear the threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but the chaff he will burn in unquenchable fire." (Mt 3:12).

4.  "Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain down justice upon you."  (Hos 10:12).

5.  You have crowned the year with your bounty, and your paths overflow with a rich harvest.  (Ps 65:12).

6.  Let us not grow weary of doing good; if we do not relax our efforts, in due time we shall reap our harvests. (Gal 6:9).

7.  It is my wish that you may be found rich in the harvest of justice which Christ has ripened in you, to the glory and praise of God.  (Phil 1:11).

8.  ...From the heavens He sends down rain and rich harvests; your spirits He fills with food and delight.  (Acts 14:17).

9.  If he sows in the field of the flesh, he will reap a harvest of corruption; but if his seed ground is the spirit, he will reap everlasting life.  (Gal 6:8).

10. It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit.  Your fruit must endure, so that all you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  (Jn 15:16). 

Fifth Mediation:  PRAISING & GLORIFYING GOD'S CREATION

1. ...He began with these words: "Blessed are you, O God of our fathers; praise be Your name forever and ever.  Let the heavens and all your creation praise You forever. (Tobit 8:5).

2.  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce.  (Prv 3:9).

3.  Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. (Dn 3:76).

4. O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Your name over all the earth!  You have exalted Your majesty above the heavens (Ps 8:2).

5.  The fields are garmented with flocks and the valleys blanketed with grain.  They shout and sing for joy.  (Ps 65:14).

6.  "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!"  They cried one to the other. "All the earth is filled with His glory!"  (Is 6:3).

7.  Shouting they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings; the grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep and the oxen; they themselves shall be like watered gardens, never again shall they languish. (Jer 31:12).

8.  Come!  Behold the deeds of the Lord, the astounding things He has wrought on earth;  (Ps 46:9).

9.  Above all, give praise to your Creator, who showers His favors upon you.  (Sir 32:13).

10. Come.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. (Mt 25:34).  To the King of ages, the immortal, the invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!  Amen. (1 Tm 1:17).

CLOSING PRAYER -- Heavenly Father, we continue to praise you for the glorious goodness of your creation as we daily go about growing, planting, and harvesting the gifts your bounteous creation provides.

Make us aware that the noble task of being a steward of your creation is a holy way of life that enables us to participate in the deepest mysteries of life.  Through the cyclic pattern of planting, nurturing, and harvesting we participate in the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus.

Father, we ask that just as Jesus unconditionally give his life on the cross so, too, may we give 100 fold in stewarding your gift of creation.  We ask this through Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

FINAL BLESSING - May God the Father who is the giver of all good gifts bless you abundantly.  Amen.

May God the Son, whose life blood poured fourth from the cross fill your hearts with unconditional love.  Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit whose breath gives life inspire you to generously share your gifts.  Amen.

May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	The Planting of a Tree
	(Psalm 95 & 96)

(the following Litanies are from Worship from the Ground Up.  A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregations.  Studies in Rural Miistry III An Occasional Series.  Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries, Dubuque, IA  1995)

(P= Pastor; C=Congregation; U= Unison)

P	Let us come into God's presence with
	  thanksgiving!
C	Let us make a joyful noise to God with
	  songs of praise!
P	Give to the Lord, all peoples.
C	Give to the Lord glory and strength!
P	Give to the Lord the glory due God's name.
C	Bring yourself and come into God's
	  courts!
P	Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth
 	  rejoice.
C	Let the sea roar, and all that fills it!
P	Let the field exult, and everything in it!
U	Then shall all the trees of the Lord sing
	  for joy before the Lord.
P	For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness
	  thereof,
U	And the world and all who dwell therein!

	Drought (Psalm 51:10-12)

P	It has been hot and dry for weeks.
C1	We cry out to you for relief, O God.
P	Some crops are lost, and many that survive
	  will suffer irreparable damage.
C2	We cry out to you for recovery, O God.

P	Farm families are depressed and townfolks
	  grow anxious.
C1	We cry out to you for hope, O God.
P	Our dryness reflects our powerlessness, our
	  God-forsakeness, our sinfulness.
C1	We cry out to you for forgiveness, O God.
P	Let us make confession to God.
C2	Have mercy on us, O God, according to
	  your loving kindness: in your great
	  compassion blot out our offenses.
U	Create in us clean hearts, O God, and
	  renew right spirits within us.  Cast us
	  not away from your presence, and take
	  not your Holy Spirit from us.

	Creation Will be Set Free
	(Psalm 104)

P	Bless the Lord, O my soul.  O Lord my God,
	  you are very great.  You are clothed with
	  honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with
	  a garment.

C	In the beginning, when God created the
	  heavens and the earth, the Spirit of God
	  moved over the face of the waters.
	  Alleluia!

P	You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
	  they flow between the hills, giving drink to
	  every wild animal.

C	In the beginning, when God created the
	  heavens and the earth, the Spirit of God
	  moved over the face of the waters.
	  Alleluia!

P	You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
	  and the plants for people to bring food forth
	  from the earth.

C	In the beginning, when God created the
	  heavens and the earth, the Spirit of God
	  moved over the face of the waters.
	  Alleluia!

P	O Lord, how manifold are your works!  In
	  wisdom you have made them all; the earth
	  is full of your creatures.

C	In the beginning, when God created the
	  heavens and the earth, the Spirit of God
    	  moved over the face of the waters.
	   Alleluia!
	* * * *

(from the NACD, League City, Texas  77573)

Leader:  O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.
People:  All people glorify thy holy name together.
Leader:  The majesty and vastness of thy creation wraps us round with power and wonder.
People:  We Thank Thee, O God.
Leader:  For the fertility to nourish cattle and trees, for the means allowing persons and families to survive.
People:  We Thank Thee, O God.
Leader:  God made these great works, the gardens and seas; His hands these wonders wrought.
People:  We Praise Thee, O God.
Leader:  For the joy of being a part of nature throughout all our days and in all our ways.
People:  We Praise Thee, O God.
Leader:  That it may please thee to sustain that mighty power which made the mountains rise and sets forth each morning's challenge.
People:  We Beseech Thee To Hear Us, Good Lord.
Leader:  That it may please thee to continue to guide us through the dark nights and never ending days of your creation.
People:  We Beseech Thee To Hear Us, Good Lord.
Leader:  O Lord, whatever is true, whatever is just, we have received from thy hand.
People:  We Praise Thee, O God, And Bless Thy Holy Name.  Amen.
	* * * * * *

	LITANY PRAYER

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, 20th Cent, UMPH '92, p.430)

O Lord, you have given us the gift of land.
May we ever protect and preserve it.

O Lord, you have given us the gift of water.
May we keep it pure and safe.

O Lord, you have given us the gift of air.
May we keep it pure and fresh.

O Lord, you have given us the gift of plants and trees.
May we ever use and protect them justly.

O Lord, you have given us the gift of birds and animals.
May we preserve and enjoy them.

O Lord, you have given us care of the earth.
O Lord, we accept the care of these gifts as our sacred stewardship.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	A LITANY BASED ON PSALM 150

(Adapted by Fr. Louis Nollette, as published in National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)

(R) = RESPONSE:  PRAISE HIM.

In the Lord's Sanctuary. (R) 	
In the Firmament of His Strength. (R)	
For His mighty deeds. (R)				
For His sovereign majesty. (R)			
With blast of trumpet. (R)
With lyre and harp. (R)

With timbre and Harp. (R)
With timbre and dance. (R)
With strings and pipe. (R)
With sounding cymbals. (R)
With clanging cymbals. (R)
Let everything that has breath. (R)

	* * * * * *

	SEASONAL HYMNS OF PRAISE

(by Fr. Louis Nollette, as published in the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)
	(Just for fun!)

R = RESPONSE: BLESS THE LORD.
      PRAISE THE LORD.  THANK YOU LORD

        A LITANY FOR SPRING

Mud & Snow (R)		
Spring Breezes & Thawing (R)
Gentle Rain & Green Grass (R)
Crocuses & Daffodils (R)
Lilacs & Tulips (R)
Cows & Calves (R)
Mare & Foal (R)
Ewes & Lambs (R)
Sows & Piglets (R)
Hen & Chicks (R)
Discing & Planting (R)
Hoe & Rake (R)
Tilling Garden & Fixing Fence (R)
Fence Posts & Staples (R)	
Branding & Moving Cattle (R)
Windmills & Fresh Waters (R)
(Add your own intentions) (R)

        A LITANY FOR SUMMER

Weeds & bugs (R)
Canning & Freezing (R)
Meadows & Haystacks (R)
Tomatoes & Cucumbers (R)
Beets & Carrots (R)
Marigolds & Zinnias (R)
Roses & Gladiolus (R)	
Swimming & Softball (R)
Sunburn & Poison Ivy (R)
Chokecherries & Plums (R)
Corn on the cob & fresh potatoes (R)
Worlds of Fun & baseball (R)
Fried chicken & picnics (R)
County fairs & 4-H projects (R)
(Add your own intentions) (R)	

        A LITANY FOR FALL

Multi-colored leaves & browning countryside (R)
First frost & falling leaves (R)
Stockyards & ensilage piles (R)
Apple cider & hayrack rides (R)
Indian corn & jack-o-lanterns (R)
Squash & pumpkins (R)
Picking corn & digging potatoes (R)
Biting winds & sleet (R)
Electric fences & cornstalks (R)
Roundups & weaning calves (R)
Football & marching bands (R)
Homecoming & Halloween (R)
Gathering & splitting wood (R)
(Add your own intentions) (R)

	A LITANY FOR WINTER

Sleighing & skating (R)
Tobogganing & skiing (R)
Fireplace & cider (R)
Icicles & snowballs (R)
Basketball & wrestling (R)
Poinsettias & amaryllis (R)
Blizzards & no school (R)
Glistening & rippled snow (R)
Sub-zero temperature & squeaky snow (R)
Rosy cheeks & red noses (R)
Feeding cattle & chopping ice (R)
Ice fishing & hockey (R)
Knitting & crocheting (R)
Popping popcorn & visiting friends (R)
(Add your own intentions) (R)

	* * * * * *

	Thanksgivings

(from WORSHIP IN THE RURAL CHURCH SERIES, edited by Edward Krusen Ziegler, published by Agricultural Missions, Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, 10 NY)

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	CANTICLE OF THE THREE YOUTH:

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference)

(Daniel 3:57-90)
R = RESPONSE:  BLESS THE LORD or PRAISE AND EXALT HIM ABOVE ALL FOREVER

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord......R
Angels of the Lord......R  You heavens......R
All you waters above the heavens......R
All you hosts of the Lord......R
Sun and Moon......R  Stars of heaven......R
Every shower and dew......R  All you winds......R
Fire and heat......R  cold and chill......R
Ice and snow......R  Nights and days......R
Light and darkness......R  Lightning and clouds......R
Let the earth bless the Lord......R
Mountains and hills......R
Everything growing from the earth......R
You springs......R  seas and rivers......R
You dolphins and all water creatures......R
All you birds of the air......R
All you beasts, wild and tame......R
You sons of men......R  Priests of the Lord......R
Servants of the Lord......R
Spirits and souls of the just......R
Holy men of humble heart......R
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael......R
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.......R
For His mercy endures forever......R
Bless the God of Gods, all you who fear the Lord......R
Praise Him and give him thanks......R
Because His mercy endures forever......R

	* * * * * *

	LITANY

O God, thou art our salvation; we will trust, and not be afraid.  Thou art our strength and our song.
  Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.
We thank thee for the birth of Jesus, that thy spirit was upon him, that we was anointed to preach good tidings to the poor, to proclaim release to the captive, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.
  Help us to make our present time the acceptable year of the Lord.
O God, enable us, as we worship thee, to kindle with the joy of simple shepherds long ago at the thought of all that came to the world in the birth of the child Jesus.
  Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
Help us, O God, in the light of the shining star to realize the wastes and desolations of the world, to feel the weight of the world's sorrow and need, to be made aware of the power of evil, to see what spiritual loss is caused by men's hatred and sins.
  Help us with the spirit of Jesus to build the old wastes and to raise up the former
desolations.

Forgive us, O God, for our weariness of heart through great conflict and exertion.  Suffer us not to become creatures and nations of selfishness, of narrow, foolish pride; marred with hardness of heart; and weakened by fear and suspicion.
  Grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies may serve thee
without fear.
Over the face of the ancient earth, weary and torn with strife, the passing generations have come and are gone, and have not seen the triumph of good will among men; yet we give thanks for the unceasing renewal of life born to new hopes and strong to achieve new victories for good.

  For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his
shoulder.
In the light of the shining star that giveth happiness to little children and cheer to all, help us to renew our zeal for that good time when none shall be far off or forgotten, but shall live within the circle of the blessed life.
  May the dayspring from on high visit us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, to guide
our feet into the way of peace.  Amen.

	* * * * *

	Rural Life Litany

(from Worship from the Ground Up.  A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregations.  Studies in Rural Ministry III An Occasional Series.  Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries.  Dubuque, IA 1995.  The 1990 Rural Ministry Conference)

P  O God, Creator of the world;
C  Have mercy upon us.

P  O God, Redeemer of the world;
P  O God the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life;
C  Have mercy upon us.

P  We beseech you to hear us, O God; and that it may please you to bless all those who sow the seed
and reap the harvests of the world;
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

P  That it may please you to bless the homes and home life of our rural districts and synods, that they
may be pure and happy abiding places for the children that come to them;
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

P  That town and country churches may have a broad vision of the fields white unto the harvest about them and have grace to minister to those fields with unwavering love and devotion;
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

P  That it may please you to bless all work among the isolated and to vouchsafe to those who are striving to know and serve you in the lonely places of the earth, the ministrations of your Church, the love of our Lord and the comfort of the Holy Word.
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

P  That it may please you to encourage all lay people, both men and women, who serve you in rural fields, in schools and homes, in social service and religious education, and that they may carry on
in faith and love;
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

P  That people living in rural districts and synods may realize the great part they play in the Church's
work in the world and consecrate themselves to your worship and the service of humanity;
C  We beseech you to hear us, O Lord.

U  Amen.
	* * * * * *

	PRAYERS

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  Modern "Berakah" prayers by Fr. Edward Hays, 1979; from PRAYERS FOR THE DOMESTIC CHURCH: A HANDBOOK FOR WORSHIP IN THE HOME; Forest of Peace Books, Inc., Easton, Kansas  66020)

	BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD, WHO
	FROM OUR MOTHER THE EARTH DOES
	DAILY GIVE US BREAD TO EAT.  AMEN.

    In a gloria of gratitude, we are made mindful of the many marvels of life that spark our hearts.
    You have not only given us life but continue to increase that life by nourishing us.
    Blessed are You, holy Sustainer, for the marvel of food, for bread and wine, for banquets and dinners, for picnics and suppers.
    With compassionate love, you fed Moses and his people in the desert, and You sustain us, today, with daily manna at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
    We are thankful for Your Son, Jesus, who was the living bread broken, shared and eaten in love.
    For this holy bread, who calls us, each, to share ourselves unselfishly as food for one another, we bless You, Divine Source.
    We take delight, with Moses, Jesus and all the holy ones, that parents, friends, teachers and poets, artists, musicians and people of prayer have all been food for us.
    Blessed are You, Boundless Father, who have shared with us the secret of life:  to become nourishment and life for each other.
    May each meal we eat be a wonder of worship of You.
    Blessed are You, Lord our God, who from our mother the earth does daily give us bread to eat.  Amen.

	BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD, WHO
	DELIGHTS US WITH THE WONDER OF WIND.

    Father of Ten Thousand Gifts, /we are grateful for the invisible wonder of wind,/for that playful spirit of nature that drives kites heavenward, /carries away balloons on invisible fingers /and twirls windmills joyfully.
    We rejoice in this marvel, the wind, /bearer of seeds, waver of flags and banners, /carrier of clouds and sea-spray /and messenger of God, as holy wind, the Holy Spirit.
    We rejoice in that Holy Spirit /who surrounded Mount Sinai with wind, smoke and fire /when holy Moses met You face to face.
    For the breeze which held the voice of God /that called Elijah from his place of hiding, /for the wind upon which rode the tongues of fire /that came upon Jesus' friends after His ascension to you, /we are grateful.
    For all these gifts of the wind, /the dance master of yellow leaves /and bringer of spring rains, /for the wind itself which we feel upon our bodies, /we are thankful; /and we praise You, Spirit Supreme, /by enjoying on this day /Your holy creation and sacred singing sign, the wind.
    Blessed are You, Lord our God, /who delights us with the wonder of wind.  Amen.

	BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD, WHO IN
	THE RICHNESS OF YOUR DIVINE LOVE,
	BLESSES US WITH GOOD THINGS.

    Lord God, we bless You /and are filled with gratitude for the numerous gifts, /the countless blessings, /that come to us from You.
    Your blessings come in times of joy, /in times of victory, in success and honor, /and they come as well in times of pain and sorrow, /in sickness and defeat. /Your blessings, however, come always as life.

    We take pleasure in the fruit of Your creation, /in the earthen blessings/of fish and bird, tree and flower, /each the harvest of Your divine heart.
    We take delight in our eyes, /in our ears, arms and legs. /We find joy in holidays and vacations, /and in our work as well.

    We thank You, Lord of Gifts, /for friendships, family and fun /In winning and in losing - /in being last as well as first - /we take relish in the challenge and adventure /of Your great gift of life. /
    Lord, we thank  You for all the gifts /that flow fully, day and night, /into our lives.
    Today, with full hearts, /in the company of Jesus, Mary /and of all Your saints, /we bless You for all the good that has come to us.
    Blessed are You, /Lord our God, /who in the richness of Your divine love, /blesses us with good things.  Amen.

	BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD,
	WHO ENHANCES OUR LIVES WITH WORK.

    For the gift of work, we are grateful in this prayer.
    As the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, we follow in the steps of our first parents who, before their fall, worked joyfully with their hands in Your Garden of Eden, Lord and Creator.
    We are thankful for the dignity and creative challenge of our unique tasks.
    For the work that ennobles us, that lifts up our spirits, we are grateful.
    By means of these labors, we are able to give flesh to our spiritual dreams and to work out the salvation of the earth.
    We take time to thank You for those common tasks that we must perform each day, those necessary labors of life by which, according to Your divine plan, we are also able to create the Kingdom here in our midst.
    We daily follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, and in the way of Mary, His mother, who gracefully worked at the tasks of her home, as we rejoice in the opportunities for work that form us in Your love.
    With St. Paul, the tent-maker, with St. Peter, the fisherman, we too labor in love as we proclaim the mysteries of Your Gospel of good news.
    Help us, Lord our God, to use the work of this day -- to perform it with mindfulness and attention, with care and devotion -- that it will be holy and healing for us and for the earth.
    Blessed are You, Lord our God, who enhances our lives with work.  Amen.

	BLESSED ARE YOU, LORD OUR GOD, WHO
	GIVES SPACE TO LIVE WITH CHANGE

    Lord and Source of All Gifts, we rejoice in the fullness of your holy generosity.
    We thank You especially now for the gift of change, that gift of newness that opens doors closed by habit and routine.
    We bless You and thank You as well for that  which is stable and unchanging, for the ancient and traditional which give meaning to the new and different.
    We thank You, O End of All Longing, for the capacity for change in our lives, for without change there can be no real growth and no true life.
    We are grateful, in this prayer, for those persons who, through their gifts of excitement and adventure, have taught us not to fear change, not to resist the new.
    We are thankful for Your Son, Your Sacred Word, who spoke to us of new wine for new wine skins and who calls us daily to a new kingdom and to a new covenant.
    May our hearts be ever-changing, ever in growth, as we journey to You, our Mysterious Source, You who are forever fresh and new yet forever the same.

    Blessed are You, Lord our God, who gives spice to life with change.  Amen.
	* * * * * *

	PRAYER SERVICE FOR MAY 15TH
	THE FEAST OF SAINT ISIDORE

(from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  Opening Prayer from the English translation of The Roman Missal c1973, International Committee on English in Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL).  All rights reserved.)

Psalm:  The Psalm text taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament copyright c1986 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington D.C., used with permission.

All Creatures of Our God and King Text: St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226, tr. by W.H. Draper, 1855-1933, adapted by A.G.P. c1926, J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd.  Used by permission of G. Shrimer, Inc., U.S. agent.  Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, Cologne, 1623

For the Beauty of the Earth Text: Folliott Pierpoint 1835-1917 alt. Source Conrad Kochner 1786-1872 Tune and Meter: Dix 77 77 77.)

(Pastoral Note:  TEXT FOR THE LEADER OF THE PRAYER SERVICE  This prayer Service allows for flexibility which the size of the assembly may require.  It may include several people as leaders of the prayer and music:

  * Prayer Leader, as presider for the entire service
  * Song Leader
  * One or more individuals to offer reflection
  * One individual to lead the litany of "Blessing for
      the Water"
  * One individual or one couple to lead the litany of
      "Blessing for the Land"

The litanies of "Blessing for the Water and "Blessing for the Land" are printed on additional sheets, so other individuals may more easily lead these litanies.)

(Text for the Leader of the Prayer Service)

(All stand.)

Leader:  Let us bless God this day, who is the source of all blessings.
All:  Let us proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

Song:  FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
	 (all sing together)

Leader:  Let us pray.  (All pause in silent prayer, then:)
    Ever living God, all creation is yours, and you call us to serve you by caring for the gifts that surround us. May the example of St. Isidore urge us to share our food with the hungry and to work for the salvation of humankind.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  All:  Amen.

(All are seated.)

Psalm of Praise:  Ps 104:1-6, 10-15a, 19-24, 27-29, 31, 33
(Verses are recited alternating left and right.)

(L)  Bless the Lord, O my soul!  O Lord, my God, you are great indeed!  You are clothed in majesty and glory, robed in light, as with a cloak.

(R)  You have spread out the heavens like a tent cloth, and have constructed your palace on the waters of the heavens.  You make the cloud your chariot; you travel on the wings of the wind.  You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fires your ministers.

(L)  You fixed the earth upon its foundation, not to be moved forever.  With the ocean you covered it, as with a garment; above the mountains the waters stood.

(R)  You send forth springs into the rivers that wind
among the mountains.  You give drink to every beast of the field, till the wild ones quench their
thirst.  Beside them the birds of heaven dwell; from
among the branches they send forth their song.

(L)  You water the mountains from your dwelling place; the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.  You raise grass for the cattle, and vegetation for our
use, Producing bread from the earth, and wine to
gladden our hearts.

(R)  You made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows the hour of its setting.  You bring darkness, and it is night; then all the beasts of the forest roam about.

(L)  Young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.  When the sun rises, they withdraw and couch in their dens.  Then we go forth to our work and to our labors, till the evening.
  
(R)  How wonderful are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you have made them all--the earth is full of your creatures.  They all look to you to give them food in due time.

(L)  When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.  If you hide your face, they are dismayed, if you take
away their breath, they perish and return to dust.

(R)  May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord be glad in his works!  I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live.

REFLECTION (One or more designated person may offer a reflection about the occasion or about the praise of God.  Or those present may be invited to offer brief reflections aloud.)

BLESSING GOD, THE SOURCE OF ALL BLESSINGS  (All stand.)

1.  Blessing God for the Water
Leader:  Let us bless God for the water, that brings life and refreshment to all creation.

(R = To each part, all respond:  You show us your mercy, Lord.)

(An individual other than the Prayer Leader leads the litany of blessing:)

With waters that cleanse,		R.
With waters that cool,			R.
With waters that revive,		R.
With waters that refresh,		R.
With waters that bring life,		R.

With waters that bring growth,		R.
With waters that quench thirst,		R.
With waters of morning dew,		R.
With waters of showers and rains,        R.
With waters of frost and snow,		R.
With waters for rivers and streams,	R.
With water for lakes and ponds,	R.
With waters for reservoirs and wells,	R.
With waters for mountains and hills,	R.
With waters for pastures and fields,	R.
With waters for the fruits of the earth,	R.
With waters for food and fun,		R.
With waters for all your creatures,	R.

Leader:  Let us pray.  (All pause in silent prayer, then:)
    God of life, all good gifts come from you:
the breath of life that creates us, the fellow creatures that accompany us, the saving waters that renew and refresh us. 
    Guide us to use and care for the waters as a gift and a treasure.
    We bless you for waters, O God, our living God forever and ever.  All:  Amen.

2.  Blessing God For the Land
Leader:  Let us bless God for the land, the good earth that feeds us and sustains us.

(An individual other than the Prayer Leader leads the litany of blessing.  Each part of the litany ends with "And God saw it was good."
All:  "And God saw that it was very good."

    From the beginning of time, God commanded the earth to bring forth vegetation and fruits of every kind, as food for all creatures.  And God saw that it was good.
All:  And God saw that it was very good.

    From the beginning, God has provided the sower with seed and the human family with the food and drink we need.  And God saw that it was good.
All:  And God saw that it was very good.

    From the beginning, God has called us to till the earth and make it fruitful, to care for all living creatures as companions and helpers.  And God saw that it was good.
All:  And God saw that it was very good.

    From the beginning, God has given us people like Isidore and Maria, teaching us to care for the earth and to share its fruits with all who are in need.  God looked at everything that had been made, and God saw that it was good.
All:  And God saw that it was very good.

Leader:  Let us pray.  (All pause in silent prayer, then:)
    Loving God, you are the source of all life and abundance.  With your help, we plant our crops and by your power they bring forth the harvest.
    We bless you for the land, O God, and trust in your care for all its creatures.
    You are our living God, forever and ever.
All:  Amen.

3.  Blessing God For the People
(All recite the verses of blessing as indicated.)

(L)  Blessed are you, O God, for you bring your
     creation to perfection through human labor and
     intelligence.  Bless all who labor and who
     cultivate the earth.

(R)  Blessed are you, O God, for your gifts of work,
     teaching the human family the dignity of our
     labors.  Bless all people in their work, especially
     those who work the land.

(ALL)  Blessed are you, O God, who gather us this day for nourishment and growth.  Bless the human family with wisdom and with work that ennobles us.

Leader:  May God enhance our lives with the dignity of labor and love, and help us in proclaiming peace and seeking justice for all.  All:  Amen.

Song:  ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING 	(All sing together.)

Leader:  Our prayer is ended.  Let us go forth in peace.

(If a meal is to follow the Prayer Service, this three-fold prayer of blessing may precede the concluding words.)

Leader:  Let all say Amen, who know God as the giver of all gifts.  All:  Amen.

Leader:  Let all say Amen, who are nourished this day by the hand of God.  All:  Amen.

Leader:  Let all say Amen, who wait in hope for the everlasting banquet of our God.  All:  Amen.

	* * * * * * 

	Rogation Day Prayers for a Family

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  The Psalm texts are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament copyright 1986 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C.) 

The following prayers are modeled on the ancient Church tradition of morning and evening prayer, which over the course of time took on a standard format of psalms, Scripture reading and intercession.  Some parishes may celebrate one or both of these services seasonally or even daily.  It is hoped that these prayers will prove useful and practical for home use in celebrating Rogation Days, being neither too long, too short, nor too complex.  The same services can be used all three days.)

	Morning Prayer

Introduction

Leader (while all sign their lips with a cross):

O Lord, (+) open our lips.
All:  And we will proclaim your praise.

Psalms
Psalm 63:1-9
    O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.  Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory,
    For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.  Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.  As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.  I will remember you upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on you.

    That you are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

(Pause for silent reflection.  Then the leader prays:)

    God our Father, we acknowledge you as the only source of growth and abundance.  With your help we plant our crops and by your power they produce our harvest.  In your kindness and love make up for what is lacking in our efforts.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Psalm 96
    Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands.
    Sing to the Lord, bless his name; announce his salvation day after day.
    Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
    For great is the Lord and highly to be praised; awesome the Lord, beyond all gods.
    For all the gods of the nations are things of nought, but the Lord made the heavens.
    Splendor and majesty go before the Lord; praise and grandeur are in the sanctuary.
    Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and praise; give to the Lord the glory due his name
    Bring gifts, and enter the courts; worship the Lord in holy attire.
    Tremble before the Lord, all the earth; say among the nations:  The Lord is king.
    Who has made the world firm, not to be moved; who governs the peoples with equity.
    Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
    Then shall all the trees of the forest exult before the Lord, who is coming for the Lord comes to rule the earth.
    The Lord shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with constancy.
    Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

(Pause for silent reflection.  Then the leader prays:)

    Lord God, you are indeed the loving Father who provides us with food for body and spirit.  Make our work fruitful and give us a rich harvest.  Help us bring you glory by using well the good things we receive from you.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 1:11-12

Intercessions

Leader:  As we begin our day, let us ask God to help and protect us.  Grant good weather for the planting and growing of our crops.  We pray to the Lord.
    Keep safe all who work the soil and labor to produce food.  We pray to the Lord...
    Make us good stewards of our air, land and water, careful to preserve the fertility of the land for future generations.  We pray to the Lord...
    Give us patience with the limits of others, the failure of machinery and bad weather.  We pray to the Lord...
    Help those who are unemployed and seek work.  We pray to the Lord...
    Care for those who are hungry and starving.  We pray to the Lord...

(Other intentions may be added)

The Lord's Prayer

(The leader begins the Our Father.  All may wish to extend their hands and turn them palms upward in the traditional gesture of openness and praise.)

Concluding Prayer

    Creator God, you created the world to bring forth abundant food for all your creatures to eat.
    Make the earth fertile ground for the planting and growing of our crops, so that we might feed the hungry of the world.  Make our hearts fertile ground for your Word so that it might produce in us a rich harvest of good works. We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Dismissal

Leader:  May Almighty God bless us and keep us safe throughout this day.  All:  Thanks be to God.

	EVENING PRAYER

Introduction

Leader:  (while all make the sign of the cross)

God, come to our assistance.
All:  Lord, make haste to help us.

Psalms
Psalm 145:8-19, 21

    The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness.
    The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his creation.
    Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.
    Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.
    Make known to all your might and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
    Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages, and your dominion endures through all generations.
    The Lord is faithful in all his words and holy in all his works.
    The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises all who are bowed down.
    The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season;
    You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
    The Lord is just in all ways and holy in all works.
    The Lord is near to all who call out, to all who call out to the Lord in truth.
    The Lord fulfills the desire of those who fear him, and hears their cry and saves them.
    May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless the Lord's name forever and ever.
    Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

(Pause for silent reflection.  Then the leader prays:)

    Lord, hear our prayer.  By the power of your blessing change the seeds we have planted into a rich harvest for your people.  We ask this through  Christ our Lord.

Psalm 147:7-11
    Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise with the harp to our God,
    Who covers the heavens with clouds, who provides rain for the earth.
    Who makes grass sprout on the mountains and herbs for the service of all;
    Who gives food to the cattle, and to the young ravens when they cry.
    In the strength of the horse the Lord delights not, nor pleased with the swiftness of a runner.
    The Lord is pleased with those who fear him, with those who hope for kindness.
    Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen

(Pause for silent reflection.  Then the leader prays:)

    Lord God, pour out your blessing upon your people and make our land productive, that we may enjoy its harvest with grateful hearts and give honor to your holy name.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
(Psalm prayer taken from the Roman Missal)

Scripture Reading:  Mar 4:26-29

Intercessions

Leader:  As the day draws to a close, let us pray to God for all that we need.
    May we rest peacefully from all our labors, and may they help to spread Christ's love to all.  We pray to the Lord.
    Grant good weather for planting and growing, protection for all who work the land, and fair prices for what we produce.  We pray to the Lord.
    Keep us safe and build our family up in love.  We pray to the Lord.
    Care for all those who are elderly and sick, especially people we now mention.  (Pause to allow family members to mention people who may be sick.)  We pray to the Lord.
    Give us a greater concern for the poor, the lowly and the hungry, whom we are called to serve.  We pray to the Lord.
    Hear the needs of our family which we now mention.  (Pause and let family members mention any special needs.)  We pray to the Lord.

The Lord's Prayer

(The leader begins the Our Father.  All may wish to extend their hands and turn them palms upward in this traditional gesture of openness and praise.)

Concluding Prayer

    Lord of all, you created the world to bring forth abundant food for all your creatures to eat.
    Make the earth fertile ground for the planting and growing of our crops, so that we might feed the hungry of the world.
    Make our hearts fertile ground for your Word so that it might produce in us a rich harvest of good works.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Dismissal

Leader:  May Almighty God bless us and keep us safe throughout this night.  All:  Thanks be to God.

	* * * * * *

	CALENDAR OF BLESSINGS

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 1993)
    
For centuries, the Church has set aside feast days and liturgical days that are celebrated throughout the world.  At the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, the charge has been to unite both the liturgical and the cycles of nature.  The blessings presented in this section suggest that a time be set aside each month for a blessing that highlights an aspect of rural life.
    These blessings may be used in a parish setting or other group settings.  They offer the opportunity to bring to mind rural life and prayer.  Parish uses may include parish meetings, bible study groups, religious education sessions, etc.  You may also want to use the blessings for family prayer, especially at mealtime these blessings may also be used for private prayer and reflection.
    The blessing begins with an opening prayer.  It continues with:  1. Song of Praise which is recited together or by alternating verses or with a response by all; 2. a reading for the day; 3. a reflection time with time for quiet thought and group discussion; 4. the blessing and prayer, in leader-and-group format; 5. concluding with a suggested song.
    Rural life is so focused on work and activity that it is difficult for us to accept rest and silence as also valuable.  Winter's cold and snow quickly paralyze the frenzied pace of our work and slow it down to a crawl; they numb the boisterous hum of life and replace it with stark quietness.

	JANUARY -- Blessing of Silence and Rest

    The month of January is a good time for rural people to avail themselves of silence and rest.  Though these may at first appear to be strangers to us, with practice, silence and rest can become trusted friends that fill us with deeper awareness, renewed energy and greater creativity for the tasks that await us in the coming spring.
    Because of the character of this month's blessing, we suggest some fasting on the day of the blessing  Gather in the early evening in a large room and begin this service with a moment of silence.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.

    God of the ages, you often call your people to seek you in the desert.  Free us from what blinds us to behold your marvelous presence.  Renew us by the teachings of your Word so that we may live more abundantly.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  (Psalm 62:2-3, 8-9, 11-12

ALL: R:  Only in God will my soul be at rest.

    My soul rests in God alone, from whom comes my salvation.  God alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall never fall. R.
    My safety and glory are with God, my strong rock and my salvation.  Trust God at all times, my people!  Pour out your hearts to God our refuge!  R
    Do not trust in extortion; in plunder put no empty hope.  Though wealth increase, do not set your heart upon it. R
    One thing God has said; two things I have heart:  Power belongs to God; so too, Lord, does kindness, And you render to each of us according to our deeds. R

READING:  Luke 10:38-42

REFLECTION

BLESSING
(Invite everyone to gather around a lit candle.  Other lights may be dimmed or turned off.)

Leader:  Let us pray.

    O Lord, we long for your peace.  We come to you like Martha, racing about with busy hands and minds, but with our hearts that are left closed and empty.
    We also come to you in silence, like Mary who ceased all activity to sit at your feet and listen, ready and willing to receive what you alone can give.
    Bless this silence.  Teach us to recognize the treasures it gives and to desire it more often.

    Bless this rest. Help us to trust it with the same faith which we give to work.  Strengthened by our participation in holy silence and rest, may we come to see in winter, not a death that is a final ending, but rather a door that leads to the next life.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Only in God," by John Foley, S.J.

	FEBRUARY - Blessing of Newborns

    Birth is an elusive mystery, an everyday rural occurrence that is nonetheless marvelous.  Its wonder and splendor are fresh with each new entrance into creation.  At the appointed time, a universal labor of intense focus and energy opens the womb's gateway and ushers into the world an innocence and hope that is always a gift.
    Can our eyes fail to moisten and can our hearts resist the tender joy that embrace the successful arrival of a damp and wobbly member new to nature's nursery?  In a moment of revelation, we are privileged to witness and perhaps assist the birth of the latest member of a growing herd.  Hand in hand with God, we grasp the rhythm of inhaling a new atmosphere.  The celebration is complete as tentative probing ends in contented suckling.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.

    Lord of life and birth, you enter our lives through gentle messengers, infants of earth with greetings from heaven.  May your unending array of hope and promise never fail to move us with awesome wonder and tender love.  Teach us to serve your creatures with gratefulness and marvel.  Give us a sensitivity to the fragile web of creation, a wonder of the miracle of life.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  from Psalms 139:13-15; 22:10-11; 71:5-6
All: R:  You knit me in my mother's womb.

    You formed me in my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb.  I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! R
    My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth.  R
    You drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother's breast.  Upon you I was thrust from the womb; even since birth you are my God. R
    You are my hope, Lord; my trust, God, from my youth.  On you I depend since birth; from my mother's womb you are my strength; my hope in you never wavers. R

READING:  Job 38:1, 4; 39:1

REFLECTION  (People may mention births that have occurred recently or are to happen soon, remembering the people and households involved.)

BLESSING

Leader:  Creator, God, bless the fresh-born creatures of our land.  Oversee their needs with attentive care.  Bear them into this life as the continuing newness of creation and your faithful cycle of promise and hope.
    As you imbue them with the breath of life, breathe the freshness of your Spirit into our labored lungs.
    And bless all mothers for their sacrifice of love in your creative partnership, to bring forth your love enfleshed in new life.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "For the Beauty of the Earth."

	MARCH - Blessing of the Wind

    Wind - our friend, foe, sister and inspiration.  She flies unfettered into woodlands, leaps mountain tops, washes over plains and deserts, and skims the oceans.  Like the Christ Child, she has no place to lay her head but wanders to the ends of the earth fulfilling her sacred mission.
    In appointed service, she scoops up fertile pollen, pregnant seeds and creative moisture, then deposits them in fruitful wonder.  She lavishes relief on heated brows and energizes windmills to slake the thirst of land and its creatures.
    With release and abandonment, we turn our faces to the wind and revel in its caress, using it to help us pray.
(A wind chime may draw attention to the wind.)

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.

    Lord of wind and spirit, your playful breath refreshes us, carrying away our many cares and lifting the burden of hectic schedules.  Let us rejoice in its animation and experience the liveliness of your Spirit.  Blow into our hearts with your lifegiving word.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Ps. 18:11, 16-17; 104: 1, 3-4; Prov. 30:4; Ps. 135:5-7

All: R:  God has weighed out the wind, whose breath fills the world.

    God mounted on a cherub and flew, borne along on the wings of the wind.  At the roar of the Lord, at the storming breath of God's nostrils, God reached down and from on high and seized me, drew me out of the deep waters (Ps. 18, 11, 16b-17)  R
    Bless the Lord, my soul!  Lord, my God, you are great indeed!  You make the clouds your chariot; you travel on the wings of the wind.  You make the winds your messengers, and flaming fire your ministers. (Ps. 104:1, 3b-4)  R
    Who has gone up to heaven and come down again?  who has cupped the wind in the hand?  Who has bound up the waters in a cloak--who has marked out all the ends of the earth?  What is this one's name?  The name of this one's child?  Surely you know it!  (Prov. 30:4)  R
    I know that the Lord is great, our Lord is greater than all other gods.  Who raises storm clouds from the end of the earth, makes lightning and rain, brings forth wind from the storehouse.  (Ps. 135:5,7)

READING:  John 3:5-8

REFLECTION

BLESSING

Leader:  Loving God, as the winnowing wind blows through the grain and carries the chaff away, blow through our thoughts and sift out all that is unworthy.  As an arid wind dries grain for the harvest, draw from us the greenness of our faith and make us ripe for nourishing others.
    As moist wind blowing over parched earth conveys hope, breathe renewal into our wearied hearts.  As the mighty wind pushed back the flood waters for Noah and created space for new life, sweep your Spirit into our beings and recreate wholesomeness.  Lord of all, bless the wind in its fertile vocation as it swirls through crops and hearts bearing gifts of both heaven and earth.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Envia TuEspiritu" by Bob Hurd.

	APRIL - Blessing of Seeds and Rain

    Our lives depend on seeds.  Through the planting of seeds and the harvesting and eating of their produce, we receive God's choicest blessings.
    Seeds cannot grow without water from the sky or from a well.  We need to appreciate these treasures of seeds and rain.  Let us seek God's guidance in finding ways to better utilize seeds and rain so that farming can become more sustainable for all who find their vocation on the land.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.

    God, who created everything and everyone, we ask you to be with us now in this place.  Send your Holy Spirit upon us that we might pray well and bless your name.  Help us to care for "the seed which is the Word of God," the living word your Son shares with us.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 126:1-6

All: R:  They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.

    When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then we thought we were dreaming.  Our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues sang for joy.  R
    Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."  The Lord has indeed done great things for us, and how happy we were!  R
    Restore again our fortunes, Lord, like the dry rivers of the Negev desert.  Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.  R
    Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, Will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.  R

READING:  Mark 4:26-29

REFLECTION

BLESSING

(Have some seeds and water placed in the middle of those gathered.  Invite everyone to bring some seeds of their own.  All are invited to stand and extend hands in blessing over the seeds and the water.)

Leader:  Loving God, the Spirit of Life hovered over the waters and began the great work of creation.
    Bless the waters of this earth.  Let them fall again from the sky at the proper times so that our gardens and fields may yield abundantly, and all growing things may thrive.
    Bless also these seeds, pregnant with life.  They show us the Easter mystery of new life coming from death and burial.  May they burst forth soon with verdant growth from earth, rain and sun.
    You have called us to the honored task of being workers in your garden.  Through the rain and these seeds, bring us to a new awareness of your presence in and around us, as we joyfully live in the knowledge of eternal resurrection.  Plant seeds of love in our lives that will grow through the years, watered by the tears of pain and sacrifice that come our way.  Your Son showed us the way.  We now ask your guidance to follow it well.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Morning Has Broken" by Eleanor Farjeon.

	MAY
	Blessing of All Who Work with the Land

    We share in God's work through our human labor.  Work is not drudgery that our Creator has imposed on us nor is it a penance for our sinfulness.  Work is a gift, human participation in the creative activity of God.
    In our Catholic tradition, we have a beautiful example of work by the married farmworkers--Isidore and Maria--as well as of stewardship of the land and its creatures.  These saints labored with their hands and brought a blessing to the poor of their day and the Church for all time.
    All who have a part in helping bring food to the table are a precious treasure in the human community and especially in the Church.  Their unique lifestyle and the spirituality that flows from it is a witness to Biblical faith.  Work is our communion with God and is also our communion with people, our way of taking responsibility for the well-being of our neighbors, communities, and the environment.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Creator God, you formed the human in your image to be partner with you.  You have blessed us by calling us to work with the land and its creatures, providing nourishment and health for all.
    Let your word now take root in our hearts and lives, to produce a rich harvest of justice for all creation.  Let all who work with the land be blessed with dignity, their homes blessed with health, and their labor blessed with safety.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 104:14, 15a, 23,24,27-30

All: R:  How manifold are your works, O Lord!  In wisdom you have wrought them all.

    You raise grass for the cattle and plants for our beasts of burden.  You bring bread from the earth, and wine to gladden our hearts.  R
    People go forth to their work, to their labor till evening falls.  how varied are your works, Lord!  In wisdom you have wrought them all.  R
    All of these look to you to give them food in due time.  When you give to them, they gather; when you open your hand, they are well filled.  R
    When you hide your face, they are lost.  When you take away their breath, they perish and return to the dust from which they came.  When you send forth your breath, they are created and you renew the face of the earth.  R

READING:  Mark 4:1-20

REFLECTION

BLESSING (A bowl of vegetable oil or olive oil is placed in the center of the group.  All are invited to stand.)

Leader:  God blesses our work, "the work of human hands," to make the land fruitful and to provide food for us.  Let us ask God to mark our hands and our labors with a blessing this day.

(Invite all to extend their hands over the bowl of oil to be used for the blessing.)

Leader:  Blessed are you, Lord our God, for through your goodness this oil is the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands.  By your mighty love, it carries your blessing to use and to all that we do.  Let it be a blessing to all who labor with their hands and to all who work with the land.
All:  Blessed by God forever.

(All are invited to bless each others' hands, tracing the oil on the palms in the shape of a cross.)

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Sing Out Earth and Skies," by Marty Haugen.

	JUNE - Blessing of the Land

    The land is what we live on.  It is beautiful for its scenery of mountains and plains, canyons and draws.  Its beauty and goodness continue in the forests and fields.
    We know how precious and fragile the land is--what a gift it is.  It is the thin blanket over the earth upon which all life depends.  God shares this land with us as a promise of God's goodness now and for eternity.
    The reading from Exodus reminds us that the land is God's gift, that God promised land to the Israelites as a pledge of love.

(Because the format of this month's blessing is extended, a Song of Praise is not included.)

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Loving Creator, as we see the power of the seasons play upon the earth, we ask a blessing on its soil, rocks, waterways and landscapes.  It contains the elements of life entrusted to our care.  Remind us of your constant love, as you bless us with crops, abundant rain, fertile soil, favorable weather and a more vigorous community of life around us in all directions.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

All:  Our Father, who art in heaven...

READING:  Exodus 3:15-17

REFLECTION

BLESSING (All gather in a circle or in a square for the blessing rite.  This is adapted from a Native American tradition, invoking God's blessing on the land to the four corners of the earth.)

Leader:  Let us face the east and raise our hands in blessing: 
    To the east, from which the sun rises, moist winds blow, and life returns each day.
    O God, we give thanks for the blessings of birth, for the gift of rain to sprout the seeds, for the dawn that brings each day, for the wisdom that guides us.
    We promise to respect all living species in the east, and to care for your precious gift of water.
    Bless all creatures, fields and people who live in the east.
All:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Leader:  Let us face the south and raise our hands in blessing:
    To the south, from which the springtime and warm breezes come.
    O God, we give thanks for the blessings of life--the abundance of green growth and of summer life.  We give thanks for the medicines that heal our bodies, and for mothers who bring forth the gift of new life.
    We promise to respect all living species in the south, and to care for your precious gift of soil.
    Bless all creatures, fields and people who live in the south.
All:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Leader:  Let us face the west and raise our hands in blessing:
   To the west, from which the sun disappears and the strong, piercing winds blow.
    O God, we give thanks for our cultures, heritage, and ancestors, for these sustain us as much as food and water.  We give thanks for death itself, when life and light leave us as does the sun at the end of each day.  Death is the companion of all creatures and the door through which you lead us to new life.
    We promise to respect all living species in the west, and to care for your precious gift of air, the breath of life.
    Bless all creatures, fields and people who live in the west.
All:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Leader:  Let us face the north and raise our hands in blessing:
    To the north, from which comes winter and trial, that lead us to courage.
    O God, we give thanks for frost and snow which bring change, rest and moisture to the earth.
    We give you thanks for the trials which teach us courage.  We give thanks for the men and women, mothers and fathers who face harsh winds and trials to provide for their families.
    We promise to respect all living species in the north, and to care for your precious gift of light and life.
    Bless all creatures, fields and people who live in the north.
All:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Leader:  Let us turn to the center of our gathering;  Look to the sky; as the rain falls from the clouds, so does God give us the gift of gratitude.
    Look at the ground; as the fields yield grains and growth, so does God give us the gift of generosity.
    Let us raise our hands in blessing over the soil, a living blanket, pregnant with life.
All:  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

All:  Our Father, who art in heaven...

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Stewards of Earth."

	JULY - Blessing of Visitors and Guests

    Summer is a time of vacations and visitors, when people travel to see relatives and friends.  Hospitality is a cornerstone of rural life, a trademark of these summer days.  This hospitality can become a cornerstone of rural spirituality as well.
    This blessing prompts us to greet God in the persons who come to see us, to proclaim their visits a blessing to us, and to recognize that our homes and farms are indeed holy places where God can be encountered.
    This blessing is suited for the departure of visitors.  The guests and hosts gather in the yard or in a large room.  The guests are asked to stand together, and the family members encircle them for the blessing rite.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    O God, you have made us your guests in this world, the earth you created for all.  We remember how you sent your angels to Abraham and Sarah, to be received as guests.  By their hospitality, they received a message of hope and life.
    Bless us and our hospitality.  May our guests be a blessing to us and reveal your presence to us.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 87:1-7

All:  R:  Blessed be these angels, the messengers of God's love.

    The Lord loves the city founded on holy mountains, Loves the gates of Zion more than any dwelling in Jacob.  Glorious things are said of you, o city of God!  R
    From Babylon and Egypt I count those who acknowledge the Lord.  Philistia, Ethiopia, Tyre, of them it can be said:  "This one was born there."  But of Zion it must be said:  They all were born here."  The Most High confirms this.  R
    The Lord notes in the register of the peoples;  "This one was born here."  So all sing in their festive dance; "Within you is my true home."  R

READING:  Genesis 18:1-10

REFLECTION

BLESSING  (Family members extend their hands in blessing over the guests, then:)

Leader:  O Wondrous God, you are never far away.  Again and again, you reveal your presence among us.  Look with favor on our guests, who during their stay with us have opened our eyes to the mystery of your love and grace.  Like our ancestors in the bible, we have received these guests through the fellowship of table:  food, drink, stories and sharing.
    Through them we have participated in the companionship which mirrors the relationship between you and your people.  As Abraham and Sarah were visited by your angels, we too have felt your presence through our guests.
    Bless these holy pilgrims with safety in their travels, wonderful adventures in your good world, warm welcome from all they meet and a happy return home when that time comes.  May all they touch witness the wonder of your presence.  Bless
us, O Lord of Hosts, for you became a guest to reveal the truth of your faithful love.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "One Bread, One Body" by John Foley S.J.

	AUGUST - Blessing of First Fruits

    From early times, "first fruits" were something special.  They were the first taste of a new season's produce with a promise of more variety and quantity to come.  They were the end of a fast from fresh food and from a dwindling amount of last year's harvest.  So, "first fruits" were seen as sacred.  The best portion was offered as a thanksgiving to the Creator, then shared with those most in need and with each other as a blessing from God.
    As preparation for this blessing, each person brings together the "first harvest/first fruits" of his or her labors, the first fruits of this growing season.  Then all gather around for the blessing rite.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Creator and ruler of the universe, we are here united under your guidance.  Help us to listen to you attentively before we offer you the first fruits of our labor in your garden.  Help us to know your ways.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 67:2-5, 7-8

All:  R:  Let the peoples praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you.

    May God be gracious to us and bless us; may God's face shine upon us.  So shall your rule be known upon the earth, your saving powers among all the nations.  R
    May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!  May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth.  R
    The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still; that the ends of the earth may revere our God.  R

READING:  Deuteronomy 26:1-11

REFLECTION

BLESSING  (All extend their hands in prayer, with palms opened to the Lord, then:)

Leader:  O Bountiful Giver of gifts, you provide what we need for abundant living.  You give us the strength of our bodies so we can work in your vineyard, providing for ourselves and those you have placed in our care.
    We offer you thanks for these gifts, the first and best of what we have, so we will never forget their origin.  May they nourish us and others.  Make all who see and partake of them marvel at their beauty and usefulness.  Make us always mindful of your rhythmic symphony of life.  Our work has not been without difficulties, but we rejoice that trouble of every kind has been overcome with your help.
    Come, Lord of first fruits, Lord of rejoicing.  Join in our celebration as we taste the joy of your immeasurable love.
    We pray to you, who have given us these fruits of the land.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" by Henry van Dyke.

	SEPTEMBER
	Blessing of Change and Letting Go

    Change moves us from one phase of life to another.  In September, yet another change of seasons comes upon rural America.  The exuberance of summer green and heat begins to ebb, giving way to mornings with a touch of chill and sunsets that occur earlier in the evening.  We begin to realize that another glorious summer is ending and that it will be a long time before the next one comes.
    Change means letting go and accepting what will come, allowing the familiar to be replaced by something new and unknown.  Without the season of fall, summer's rapid growth would never become the harvest and the seeds that begin the next life cycle.
    This blessing may be used at a family gathering, outdoor event, or a cookout.  The reflection might draw everyone's attention to the signs of change which the surroundings provide.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    O Lord, you mark the journey of life with change.  Once again, we witness your creation moving from one season to the other.  Change is your instrument of growth that brings us to a deeper relationship with you.  May your Word be the lantern that guides the roads of change in our lives.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 67:2-8

All: R:  The earth has yielded its fruits; God, our God, has blessed us.

    May God be gracious to us and bless us; may God's face shine upon us.  So shall your rule be known upon the earth, your saving powers, among all the nations.  May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!  R
    May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth.  May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!  R
    The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.  May God bless us still; that the ends of the earth may revere our God.  R

READING:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

REFLECTION

BLESSING  (Invite all to raise their hands and arms in prayer, then:)

Leader:  O Divine Artist, we give you praise for the wonders of this summer that now draws to a close; for the sunshine, the rain, the songs of birds, the garden produce, the family gatherings, for the cuttings of hay and the sweet smell of flowers.
    Now a new season is coming, one that causes us to move indoors for school and that changes green to red, brown, and harvest gold.  But change is difficult for your people.  It makes us feel awkward and anxious.
    Help us to learn from all of nature how life must change.
    Bless this change that is occurring in the land around us.  Bless the passages and the transitions that happen in our lives.  And when these changes in life cause us pain and anguish, guide us to healing and deeper understanding.
    May we let go with courage and allow you to lead us another step closer to your Promised Land.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "On Eagle's Wings" by Michael Joncas.

	OCTOBER - The Blessing of Animals

    Animals are our companions as tame pets and as wild creatures.  We receive much from them:  food, clothing, medicines and labor, as well as beauty and wonder.  Even wild creatures may be dependent on us for survival.
    So we ask God to help us remember our own dependence and to make us wise enough to care properly for all animals, since they too reveal God's loving presence.
    People may bring animals with them for this blessing, or the group may gather where the animals are--barn, field, pasture, yard.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Compassionate Creator, we know you have given these amazing animals as our companions and helpers.  Help us to remember your love for all creatures, to grow in our care for all animals, and to find here signs of your presence.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 148:1-10

All: R:  Praise the Lord from the earth, all you creatures of God.

    Praise the Lord from the heavens; give praise in the heights.  Praise the Lord, all you angels; give praise, all you hosts.  R
    Praise the Lord, sun and moon; give praise, all shining stars.  Praise the Lord, highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens. R
    Let them all praise the Lord's name; for the Lord commanded, and they were created, Assigned them duties forever, gave them tasks that will never change.  R
    Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deep waters; You lightning and hail, snow and clouds, storm winds that fulfill the commands.  R
    You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; You animals wild and tame, you creatures that crawl and fly.  R

READING:  Genesis 1:1-26

REFLECTION

BLESSING  (All are invited to gather around the animals to be blessed.)

Leader:  Blessed are you, Lord our God, for you have made all things well.  You have given us innocent companions on our life journey, animals wild and tame.  They are wonderful in all their variety of shapes, sizes and abilities.  We marvel at their beauty, which draws us closer to you who made them.
    Keep them healthy and able to carry out what your law intends for them.  Let us never see them as only for trade or profit, but always as creatures of your wisdom.  Bless these animals with us now and all the creatures throughout your good earth.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g, "All Creatures of Our God and King" attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.

	NOVEMBER - Blessing of Food

    Harvest festivals are an ancient practice.  The great American feast of Thanksgiving follows that tradition  It reminds us that another year's work of growing food is over.  Enough has been stored to get us through the winter, so we enjoy the abundance and variety.
    And we remember God who has given us so much.
    As all are seated at table for this meal of giving thanks, we begin with prayer.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Creator who sustains all your creatures with food, drink and friendship, we enjoy this moment of special pleasure.  We acknowledge your gifts and your goodness.  We thank you this day, for you have blessed us beyond measure.  Form us as people filled with praise, filled with faith in you, filled with the generosity you have shown to us.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE:  Psalm 65:10-14

All:  R:  To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God in Zion.

    You visit the earth and water it, make it abundantly fertile.  God's stream is filled with water; with it you supply the world with grain. R
    Thus do you prepare the earth; you drench plowed furrows, and level their ridges.  With showers you keep the ground soft, blessing its young sprouts.  R
    You adorn the year with your bounty; your paths drip with fruitful rain.  The untilled meadows also drip; the hills are robed with joy.  R
    The pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys blanketed with grain; They cheer and sing for joy.  R

READING:  Leviticus 26:2-6

REFLECTION

BLESSING  (Each person lifts a dish of food or container of beverage, then:)

Leader:  Blessed are you, Lord our God.  You have lavishly provided for us the fruits of the earth.  As you have always promised your faithful people, you fill us with good things.  Bless us as we share this food, knowing that we will share with you in the eternal celebration one day.  We pray to you as one voice,
All:  Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(A candle or candles on the table are now lit and all raise a glass for a toast to the Lord:)

Leader:  Praise to our God who gives life and joy!
All:  Praise to our God who gives life and joy!

SONG:  All may join in song, e.g., "Give Thanks and Remember" by Jack Miffleton.

	DECEMBER - Blessing of Night

    As the daylight hours grow much shorter in the month of December, the night begs our attention; it invites us into its mystery, to gaze into its star-filled sky with wonder.
    As we watch and wait for the light during the season of Advent, the darkness of a particular night can be a powerful setting for prayer.
    On an Advent evening, when the sky is clear and the wind is still, family and friends can gather outdoors.  Find a place where the view of the nighttime sky is unobstructed, then this blessing may be used to lead us into prayer.

OPENING PRAYER

Leader:  Let us pray.
    Lord of peaceful night, in your creative wisdom you created light to rule the day and darkness to rule the night.  It is the darkness of night that calls us to the virtues of hope and trust, of rest and solitude.  May the night be a teacher that instructs us to seek more deeply your wisdom and peace.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG OF PRAISE: Psalm 139:1-3,7-8, 11-12,17-18

All:  R: Blessed are those who have not seen but believe.

    Lord, you have probed me, you know me; you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.  My travels and my rest you mark; with all my ways you are familiar.  R
    When can I hide from your spirit?  From your presence, where can I flee?  If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in the nether world, you are there too.  R
    If I say, "Surely darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light" -- Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day.  Darkness and light are but one.  R
    How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them!  Were I to county, they would 
outnumber the sands; to finish,I would need eternity. R

READING:  Genesis 15:1-5

REFLECTION

BLESSING (Invite all to raise their hands in prayer towards the sky, then:)

Leader:  God of wonder and hope, we thank you for your everlasting presence.  Though we feel lonely and estranged at times, never are we abandoned by you.
    May the night always be a reminder to us to see your face.  You who govern the night, inspire in us a faith like our ancestors Abraham and Sarah, a faith that casts out needless fear and crippling despair.
    We ask you to bless this night.  May it increase our longing for the fullness of your kingdom, more bountiful than all the stars that cover the sky.  Awed by the immensity of night, may we live as vigilant pilgrims, always ready to walk when you call us home.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen.

SONG:  All may join in song; e.g., "Day Is Done."

 	* * * * * *

	Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
	for All Created Things

(Saint Francis of Assissi, Italy, 12th Century, Alt., UMPH '92, p507)

O most high, omnipotent, good Lord God,
  to you belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing.
For our brother the sun, who is our day and who
  brings us the light, who is fair, and radiant with a
  very great splendor;
ALL:  Praised be our Lord.
For our sister the moon, and for the stars,
  which you have set clear and lovely in heaven;
For our brother the wind,
  and for air and clouds, calms and all weather;
For our sister water,
  who serves us and is humble and precious and
  chaste;
For our brother fire, by whom you light up the night,
  and who is fair and merry, and very mighty and
  strong;
For our mother the earth, who sustains us and
  keeps us, and brings forth various fruits,
  and flowers of many colors, and grass;
For all those who pardon one another for your love's
  sake, and who bear weakness and tribulation;
Blessed are they who peaceable shall endure,
  walking by your most holy will;
  for you, O Most High, shall give them a crown.
ALL:  Praise and bless the Lord, and give thanks unto God, and serve God with great humility.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

	Psalm of the Woodlands
(UMPH c1992, p.508)

As a tree in the forest becomes tall reaching for the
light may we grow above the shadows of sin, fear, and doubt.

As it gives shelter and shade to its friends of fur and feather, so may we help those brothers and sisters who are smaller and weaker than ourselves.

The tree sends down roots deep into the soil that it
may be nourished by mother earth.

May we be as firmly grounded by the love of Christ and sustained by his grace.

(The following prayers were published by The National Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.)

	Prayer before a Council Meeting

    God of Unity,
be present as we pray.
    Help us to listen to one another and appreciate what each one has to offer.
    Continue to build us into your holy people, as we seek to serve you and our parish community.
    Open our hearts and our minds to know your will.
    We ask this in the name of Jesus, who gathers us together.  Amen.

	Prayer as a Parish is Closing

No pillar of cloud by day nor fire by night do
    we seek, God of the journey, we beg your
    presence with us.
Walk with us into a new land.
Guard us in this vulnerable moment.
Dwell with us as our parish community moves
    apart.
Be our peace as we face the struggles of
    forming new communities and finding new
    places of security.
Help us plant our feet and our hearts in new
    parishes. We place our lives in the welcoming
    arms of your love.  You have led us in the
    past, in good times and in bad.
Give us confidence that you are with us now and
    that you are leading us into the future we
    cannot see.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer at a Rural Life Celebration

God of all Creation, today we gather to give
    praise and thanks and to celebrate the
    goodness of our world.
You give the early spring rains to soften the
    earth and to make it ready to receive the seed.
You give the sun to warm the soil and to give
    growth to the grain.
You give the new life that increases our flocks
    and herds.
Soften our hearts, O God, to receive the seed
    of your word.
Warm our spirits, to bring forth a harvest of
    justice.
Give us new life in you to strengthen and
    increase your holy people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer of the Christian Farmer

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  The Rural Life Prayerbook by Allan J. Dachauer, S.J. c1956.)

All:  O God, source and giver of all things, / who manifests Your infinite majesty, power and goodness in the earth about us, / we give You honor and glory.

    For the sun and the rain, / for the manifold fruits of our fields, / for the increase of our herds and flocks we thank You.  For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful.

    Supreme Lord of the harvest / graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil / in un union with Christ Your Son, as atonement for our sins, / for the growth of Your Church, for peace and charity in our homes, / for the salvation to all.  Amen.

	Blessing for Someone Moving from the Parish

    Almighty God, who is always with us, be with (N/N) and give them peace and protection as they move from our midst.
    In this parish family they have been nourished by the sacraments and by the prayers and support of their friends.
    With you as their protector and guide, may they reach their new home in safety and may they find a welcome in their new parish.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer of a Rural Family

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  Rural Life Prayerbook by Allan J. Dachauer, S.J., copyright 1956.) 

All:  Wise and compassionate God, accept this our prayer; Sheltered from storm and darkness, under this roof, this family kneels to adore you.  For the day just past, for keeping us safely, body and soul,
    Now we must humbly thank You. For hilltops and verdure, for sunlight and wind and boundless space,  for rain and the sky's rich color, for boughs and blossoms and cold clean snow, we are eternally grateful for birds and beasts, for the good black earth and the seeds producing The plenteous harvest--for times without number When we have eaten of that same harvest, we thank You and bless You forever.  Deliver us safely, if such be Your will, from deluge and drought, from famine and war and disaster.  
    Give us tomorrow, as yesterday and today,
all things most needed for rightful living;
and move our hearts that we may have sorrow, for sinning against You.  God of the hearth and the harvest, your children, here kneeling, adore You.  Bless now our rest And cherish us safe till the morrow.

	For Those Who Suffer Hunger

(These prayers are reprinted from the Rural Life Prayerbook published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

   Gracious God, God of goodness, you provide for all your creation.  Give us an effective love for our brothers, sisters and especially children, who suffer from lack of food.
   Help us do all we can to relieve their hunger, that they may serve you with carefree hearts.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.
(or)
   God, the provider of the living bread from heaven,
give us the courage and strength to go to the aid of our hungry brothers and sisters.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For Our Common Good

          God, our Creator, you placed the powers of nature under the control and work of humans.
          May we bring the spirit of Christ to all our efforts and work with our brothers and sisters at our
common task, establishing true love and guiding your creation to perfect fulfillment.
          We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

	For Fine Weather

All-powerful and ever-living God,
    we find security in your forgiveness.
Give us the fine weather we prayer for,
    so that we may rejoice in your gifts of kindness,
and use them always for your glory.
    and our good.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
    Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

	For Rain

God, our sustainer,
    in you we live and move and have our being.
Help us in our present time of trouble,
    send us the rain we need, and teach us to seek
    your lasting help on the way to eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
    Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
    Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

	For Productive Land

God, our provider,
    we acknowledge you as the only source of
    growth and abundance.
With your help we plant our crops and by your
    power they produce our harvest.
In your kindness and love, make up for what is
    lacking in our effort.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
    Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
    Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.
	For Safety in Storms

Good and gracious God,
    all the elements of nature obey your command.
Calm the storms that threaten us and turn our
    fear of your power into praise of your goodness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	CHILDREN'S PRAYER

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  SCJ Office of Justice & Peace, Priests of the Sacred Heart, PO Box 900, Hales Corners, WI  53130)

Dear God,
You have given me many gifts
Trees and flowers; Rain and sunshine; Birds and
    animals.
You have given me a family and friends to love.
Please keep all these gifts safe from harm.  Help
    people to love each other.
I am your child and I love you very much.  Amen.

	PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)

    Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
    O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

	'THE "STEWARD-SHIP"'

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference. EACH NEW DAY c by Corrie ten Boom 1977.  Published by Fleming H. Revell Co.)

January 30
  A boy wrote:  "Stewardship means that life is a great ship, loaded with a rich cargo to be delivered to many peoples in many places.  God is the owner, but I am the captain."
    We give Thee but Thine own, Whate'er the gift may      be;  All that we have is Thine alone.  A trust, O
    Lord, from Thee.	William How

    Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
	2 Corinthians 9:15 RSV

    Father, as a ship's owner trusts his captain to deliver the cargo safely to its destination, so do You trust us with Your blessings.  Make us good captains by filling our hearts with Your Holy Spirit.

	* * * * * *

(The following prayers are from Worship from the Ground Up.  A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregations, Studies in Rural Ministry III An Occasional Series. Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries, Dubuque, IA  1995)
 
	Prayer for Seeds

All:  Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, you give seed to the sower and bread to the people.  Nourish, protect and bless the seeds which your people have sown in hope.  By your providence and bountiful giving, may they bring forth fruit in due season.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer for The Soil

All:  O Loving God, giver of life, we give thanks that, in the soil, nature awakens in answer to your call of spring.  We praise you for the smell of fresh-turned earth, the beauty of a clean-cut furrow, and the sweep of a well-plowed field.  We thank you for the life which is in the soil, and ask that you help us to be good stewards of that life.  In the name of the one who is the source of new life, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

	Prayer for Rain

All:  Bountiful God, it is from you that we receive the fruits of the earth.  In your mercy, send us weather which will allow our fields to grow abundantly and provide a harvest to feed your people.  May the clouds of the sky shower this land with water, following the example of how you shower us with your grace and love.  In the name of Christ, Amen.

	Prayer for Animals

All:  Creator God, you placed us on this earth to be the stewards of all living things.  In all of our labors we are to find glory for you.  Bless our work with the animals which provide food and clothing.  Grant that these animals may help serve our needs as we work to serve you.  In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

	Prayer for Justice

All:  God of Divine Justice, we cry out for you to bring justice to your land.  We pray that those whose vocation is in the land will receive a fair price for their labors.  We pray that the small farm, and all that is represents, may survive and thrive for generations to come.  We pray that your comfort and inspiration be felt by those who are struggling.  And we pray that your light of hope will never be extinguished upon the land.  Through the name of the one who brings eternal justice, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer for Rainfall

P:  Holy God, maker of all things and protector of your people, look upon us in your love and give us your help.  Open the heavens for us and give us the
rain we need.  Teach us to live for you and to share your gifts with others.
C:  O God, hear us in our need, for we come to
you through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen!

	Morning Prayer
	(adapted from Walter Rauschenbusch)

P:  O God, we thank you for this earth that is our home, for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the salt sea and the running water, for the everlasting hills and the never-resting winds, for the trees and the common grass underfoot.  We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of the summer fields, and taste of the autumn fruits, and rejoice in the feel of the snow, and smell the breath of spring.
    Grant us, O God, a heart wide open to all this beauty and save our souls from being so blind that
we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.  We ask these things of you, our Creator God, who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen.
	* * * * * *

	Prayers for
	ROGATION OR RURAL LIFE SUNDAY
	Fifth Sunday after Easter

(from the United Methodist Church Book of Worship for Church and Home, p.122, c1964-65)

    O Lord, from whom all good things do come:  Grant to us, thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

    O God, who hast placed us as thy children in a world thou hast created for us:  Give us thankful hearts as we work and as we pray.  We praise thee for the day of light and life, for the night which brings rest and sleep, and for the ordered course of nature, seedtime and harvest, which thou hast given us.  We bless thee that thou hast given us the joy of children, the wisdom of old men.  We thank thee for all holy and humble men of heart, for the love of God and man which shines forth in commonplace lives, and above all for the vision of thyself, in loneliness and in fellowship, in Sacrament and in prayer; for these and all other benefits we praise and glorify thy name, now and for evermore.  Amen. (Ursula M. Niebukr-public domain)

    Oh!  Great Spirit, you are our Shepherd Chief in the most high place.  Whose home is everywhere, even beyond the stars and moon.
Whatever you want done, let it, also, be done everywhere.  Give us your gift of bread day by day.
Forgive our wrongs as we forgive those who wrong us.  Take us away from wrong doings.  Free us from all evil.  For everything belongs to you.  Let your power and glory shine forever.  Amen. (Nez Perce version of the Lord's Prayer by Hattie Enos)

	A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
	FOR GOD'S BLESSINGS

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference.  THE RURAL LIFE PRAYERBOOK by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J., c1956.)

    LORD, I am grateful that I am a farmer.  I am glad to live close to the earth that you have made.  I am happy to spend so much of my time in the open air, under the bright sun, the symbol of Your own justice and light.  I am grateful for the rain and for the
freshness that it brings -- the rain, a symbol of Your rich and undying blessings.
    I am happy to cooperate with You in Your work of continuous creation, by growing the food that men need to sustain life.
    By Your almighty power You make grow the seeds I plant.  You fill the earth with minerals, You send the rain and the sun, the wind and the snow -- and the dry, hard seeds I plant are raised to soft, green life.  You have given men great wisdom and cleverness to build machines that make the labor of the farmer much less burdensome.
    Dear Lord, I am in Your almighty hands.  I depend upon You for everything.  If I sow the seed and cultivate the young plants, and You do not see fit to
give me a good harvest, I will be satisfied.  You are the Lord and master and creator of all things.  You know what is good for me and what would do me harm.  I trust You, absolutely and without question.
    I thank You again for calling me to a farmer's life  I beg of You never to let me forget its great advantages of closeness to You, absolute trust and
confidence in You, and the fullness and richness of my life, close to the earth that You have made and have so marvelously blessed.
    Lord, I am grateful that I am a farmer.  Amen.

	PRAYER FOR FARMING AND HARVEST

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook)

    "Creator God, we continue to praise you for the glorious goodness of your creation as we daily go about growing, planting, and harvesting the gifts your bounteous creation provides.  Make us aware that the noble task of being a steward of your creation is a 

holy way of life that enables us to participate in the deepest mysteries of life.

    Through the cyclic pattern of planting, nurturing, and harvesting we participate in the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus Christ.  We ask now that just as Jesus unconditionally give his life on the cross, so, too, may we give one-hundred fold in stewarding your gift of creation.  We ask this through Jesus who lives and reigns forever and ever.  Amen."

	* * * * * *

	BLESSING BEFORE MEALS

Bless your friends, bless our food,
  Come, O Lord, and sit with us.
May our talk glow with peace,
  Bring your love to surround us.
Friendship and peace, may it bloom
  And grow, bloom and grow forever.
Bless your friends, bless our food,
  Bless our dear land forever.  (Anon.)

	BLESSING AFTER MEALS

Hear our thanks, Father God,
  Thanks, O Son, for being with us.
Thanks for words giving peace,
  Urging love, strong, sincere.
Friendship and peace, may it bloom,
  And grow, bloom and grow forever.
Thanks for friends, thanks for food,
  Thanks for freedom, dear Father.  (Anon.)

	A prayer for all seasons

(A Sioux Indian Prayer)

    Oh. Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds. and whose breath gives life to all the world.  hear me!
    I am small and weak.  I need your strength and wisdom.
    Let me walk in beauty.  and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
    Make my hands respect the things you have made. and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
    Make me wise. so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
    Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
    I seek strength. not to be greater than my brother. but to fight my greatest enemy...myself.
    Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
    So when life fades, as the fading sunset. my spirit may come to you without shame.
(A Sioux Indian Prayer)
	# # #

	PRAYER OF CONFESSION

(from The United Methodist Rural Fellowship)

    Sower of grace, our world cries out with pangs and scars from the destructive forces that seek to control all that is Yours.  As we struggle with our sin and injustice, we stand in the gap between two worlds--a broken reality and a promised shalom.  We seek a way to bridge this gap and to claim hope in the midst of hurt.
    Forgive us when we become complacent, turning our eyes from Your vision, our ears from Your call, our hands from Your craft, and our feet from Your field.  As we serve rural areas, may Your creating breath
renew the face of the earth and reshape our lives, healing wounds and restoring life.  In the name of the Suffering Servant and the Lamb of Hope, we pray.  Amen.

	A Call to Prayer

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Hildegard of Bingen)

    The earth is at the same time mother,
    She is mother of all that is natural, mother of all that is human.
    She is the mother of all, for contained in her are the seeds of all.
    The earth of humankind contains all moistness, all verdancy, all germinating power.
    It is in so many ways fruitful.
    All creation comes from it.  Yet it forms not only the basic raw material for mankind, but also the substance of the incarnation of God's son.

	A Prayer of Awareness

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Hildegard of Bingen)

God is the foundation for everything
    This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is
    lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times
    honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the
    earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.

	Prayer When Losing a Farm

(prayers from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.)

    It's gone, God.  The farm, the home we've loved, is gone and we are angry.
    We are hurt and afraid, unsure of ourselves and others, and yet knowing we must go on.
    Be with us Lord, so we may be healed and start a new life in a new home.
    Grant us peace and a renewed sense of joy in your creation.
    Give each of us what you know we most need.
    Let our love and support of each other be reminders of your never-failing presence.

	Prayer When Moving Off the Farm

    The time has come, God.  Moving day is near.
    We give thanks for the blessing of being part of your creation by our life on this land.
    May our love of nature, the sacredness and beauty we see in all life and growth, and the ability to place our trust in you go with us as we move.
    Help us to let go of our life here, with sadness and thanksgiving.
    Help us to look forward to the new experiences to come.
    Grant that our memories may sustain us through the changes.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer For Those Who Have Lost a Farm

    God, the Creator of all, we ask your blessing on this family as they endure the loss of their farm home.
    Hold them close in this time of trial and change.
    Grant them peace and healing.  Surround them with the help and support of many friends.
    Be with our whole community as we strive to respect and steward your gifts of creation.
    Let each of us share what we have in order that all may know and love you more.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer at a Family Reunion

    Creator of us all, we give thanks for your great love and for all that has brought us together today.
    As we share memories and tell stories, we remember and praise you, the giver of all life.
    You gave us the ability to work and play, to be with and depend upon all creation.
    You invited our ancestors and you call us now to respect the earth, to use and till it in your name, and to love and share life close to the land.
    May our time together be enjoyable and may the memories we pass on to the youth of our family reveal to them your faithfulness.
    Lead us to be people of faithful love in turn.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer for a Rural Family

Bless us, O Lord, we who live close to the land.
Bless us as you blessed Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
They, like we, are models in family life knew the
  struggles, the fears, the joys, and the rewards of life
  in a rural area.
Help us to be aware of the quiet beauty of night, the
  fresh green growth on trees and all plants, and the
  songs of birds.  We give thanks for all of these.
May we always show respect for all of creation.  Bless
  each of us and help us grow in love and unity with
  you and with each other.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer When a Farm is Passed on
	to the Next Generation

    Praise and honor to you Creator, God.  For many (or give number of years) years our family has lived on this land.
    We now come to know and accept your great love in the changing of seasons and the cycles of death and life.
    We give thanks for the memories, the good times and the hard, the times of birth, growth, and harvest, the times of death, worry, and fear.
    Bless our children now as they take ownership and responsibility for the future of this land.
    May they have peace and prosperity.
    May they pass on to others a love of the land and the values of justice, respect, and stewardship.
    We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayer for Farm Families in Crisis

O God, they call it "farm crisis!"
Our costs are up and prices for our produce down.
The loan is due and there's no money to buy this
    year's seed.
We feel alone, embarrassed in our need, like
    failures in our efforts to farm.
The harder we work, the worse it seems to get.
There's no laughter or joy anymore, just a constant
    struggle to believe, to hope and to keep trying.
Strengthen us, God.
Keep us gentle and yet firm, generous yet open to
    receive.
Let us see your face in those who want to help and
    don't know how.
Grant us perseverance and openness to your will.
Hold our family close as we do our best to now and 
    act according to your will in the days ahead.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	Prayers and Thanksgivings

(from the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

(The following prayers are for use after the Collects of Morning or Evening Prayer or separately.)

(Prayers originally composed in traditional idiom have not been modernized; but, except in certain classical prayers which do not lend themselves to modernization, pronouns and verbs have been put in italics to assist in rendering them into contemporary speech.)

	For Joy in God's Creation

    O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For Towns and Rural Areas

    Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places:  Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land.  Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas [especially ______________]; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come.  All this we ask in your holy Name.  Amen.

	For Knowledge of God's Creation

    Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures;  Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely to fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For the Conservation of Natural Resources

    Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation:  Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For the Harvest of Lands and Waters

    O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness:  Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For Rain

    O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life:  Send us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

	For the Harvest

    Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up and the clouds drop down the dew:  We yield thee hearty thanks and praise for the return of seedtime and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering of its fruits, and for all the other blessings of thy merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people.  And, we beseech thee, give us a just sense of these great mercies, such as may appear in our lives by a humble, holy, and obedient walking before thee all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost be all glory and honor, world without end.  Amen.

	Prayer for the Soil

    O gracious God, who opens your hand and fills all living things with plenty; we beseech you of your infinite goodness to hear us, who make our prayers and supplications to you.
    Bless the lands and multiply the harvests of the world.  Let your breath go forth that it may renew the face of the earth.  Show your loving-kindness, that our lands, represented by this soil we bring to you, may give their increase; and so fill us with good things that the hungry might be fed and the naked might be clothed.
    Pour out your blessings on all who work the land, grant them, and us, insight and wisdom to truly be good stewards of your creation-a creation anointed with the blood of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, in whose holy name we pray.  Amen.

	Prayers of Healing

I.  At Tara today in this fateful hour
I place all heaven with its power,
And the sun with its brightness,
And the snow with its whiteness,
And the Fire with all the strength it has,
And the lightening with its rapid wrath,
And the winds with their swiftness along the path,
And the sea with its deepness.
And the rocks with their steepness
And the Earth with its starkness;
All these I place
By God's almighty help and grace,
Between myself and the powers of Darkness.  

II.  I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today,
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.	St. Patrick

	A Prayer of Gratitude

Most High, all powerful, good Lord, to you all praise, glory and honor and all blessing; to you alone, Most High, they belong and no man is worthy of naming you.  Praised be you, my Lord, with all you creatures, especially My Lord Brother Sun, who brings day, and by whom you enlighten us; he is beautiful, he shines with great splendor; of you, Most High, he is the symbol.

Praised be you, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars; in the heavens you formed them, clear, precious and beautiful.

Praised be you, my Lord, for Brother Wind and for the air and for the clouds, for the azure calm and for all climes by which you give life to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, for Sister Water, who is very useful and humble, precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, for Brother Fire, by whom you enlighten the night; he is beautiful and joyous, indomitable and strong.

Praised be you; my Lord, for Sister our Mother the Earth who nourishes us and bears us, and produces all kinds of fruits, with the speckled flowers and the herbs.	Francis of Assisi

	A Closing (To be read in unison)

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship.  Written by James Overholt, from January/February, 1986 Alive Now, from The Upper Room.)

As we grow, we grow up,
Not out, or in, or away.
    Growth is up.
    Trees know it,
As do the grass, the lily, the rose.
Good is up.  Improvement is climbing.
    Heights indicate joy.
    Heights are goals.
We anticipate life at its highest.
What is it that makes us climb?
What is it that takes us to the top?
We look up to the cross.
    And we know.

	BENEDICTION:

(From The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

    "We go now as a community of believers going into a larger community.  Community is more than contact; it is caring, compassion, concern, comforting, celebrating, conversing, communion and service.

    Community is always becoming -- never complete.  Two or more share life together, risking to show pain, loneliness, fears, anger; receiving understanding, support, encouragement and relationship.

    Community involves risking error for another's sake, losing oneself for a great cause, responding to a need for enhancing the qualitative character of human life.

    Go now, in the name of God, to build the kind of community that can be called the Kingdom of God on earth.  Amen and Amen!"

	BENEDICTION:

(From The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

    "It all began with little things; one breath of life, a tongue of fire within a bush, one small stone in a shepherd boy's hand, a teenage girl who said 'yes,' a small point of light in an eastern sky, a little cup of wine, a crumb of bread, a rusty nail, a shout of joy in the early morning.  The power of God lies in the simple, the humble, the small corners of life.

    Let us go and share with others the glory of the 'little things.'"  Amen.

	Giving Thanks for All Creation

(From The National Catholic Rural Life Conference)

(As a grace before the Thanksgiving Day meal, all may join in the psalm and conclude with the song:)

You have visited the land and watered it;
    greatly have you enriched it.
God's watercourses are filled;
    you have prepared the grain.
Thus have you prepared the land;
    drenching its furrows,
breaking up its clods,
    softening it with showers,
    blessing its yield.
You have crowned the year with your bounty,
    and your paths overflow with a rich harvest;
The untilled meadows overflow with it,
    and rejoicing clothes the hills.
The fields are garmented with flocks
    and the valleys blanketed with grain.
They shout and sing for joy.

Song
[tune of "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"]

Be present at this table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
Your creatures bless, and grant that we may feast in
    Paradise with thee.

	HYMNS

	Earth and All Stars!

	Additional verse
	David Guetzke

	(Sing to tune:  "Earth and All Stars!")

	Combines and Drills, Loud purring tractors,
	Sing to the Lord a new song!
	Cattle and hogs, Corn, hay, and soybeans,
	Sing to the Lord a new song!
	Refrain:
	God has done marvelous things.
	I too will praise God with a new song!

	* * * * * *

	The Harvest, The Bounty

	Paul Calvin Peterson
	(Sing to tune:  "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise")
	St. Denio

1.  The harvest, the bounty, the earth's very glow,
    From God the Creator, all blessings do flow,
    Most Blessed, Most Glorious, the giver of all,
    We thank you, the Maker, your name we do call.

2.  The spring and the fall, they are gifts from
      above,
    In sowing and reaping, we find your true love,
    The land is alive and on it we do toil,
    We thank you, dear Lord, for the gift of the soil.

3.  You give to your people, the life we all have,
    Bright light of God shines, a guide for our paths,
    We blossom, then wither, like leaves on the tree,
    The promise, eternal, grace given for free.

4.  Thanksgiving, we sing out our praises to you,
    Provider, Sustainer, of all that we do,
    With wonder and glory, creation does show,
    The harvest, the bounty, the earth's very glow.

	* * * * * *

	Praise and Thanksgiving

	(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)
	(Melody:  Bunessan "Morning Has Broken")

	Praise and thanksgiving father we offer,
	For all the living created good:
	Harvest from sown fields, fruits of the orchard,
	Hay from the mown field blossom and wood.

	Bless Lord, the labor we bring to serve you,
	That with your neighbor we might be fed.
	Sowing or tilling, we would work with you,
	Harvesting, milling for daily bread.

	Father, providing food for your children,
	By your wise guiding teach us to share,
	One with another, so with rejoicing,
	With us, all others, may know you care.  Amen.

	* * * * * *

It is hardly practical for the various publishers to publish a lot of "rural hymnody" in their general hymnbooks.  But, if the general hymnbooks are used, and supplemented with sources that refer to "country", "rural life", etc., a good mix can be obtained.

Some bibliography:

Country & Western Gospel Hymnal (by 
   Singspiration)
Country & Western Gospel Hymnal, VOLUME TWO 
   (by Singspiration)
The American Country Hymn Book, (by Canaanland
   music, a division of Word Music Co., Inc., Waco,
   Texas)

An example:
"My Desire" page 53 in Country & Western Gospel Hymnal, VOLUME TWO will have much more meaning to the average small or rural congregation, as a prayer response or other occasion than many of those used regularly in other churches.

A number of songs in the above books refer to "family life" such as are not deemed appropriate in the regular hymnal.  Yet, these expressions have much to do with Christian family life!

{The following is a list of suggested hymns for Rural Worship from "Worship from the Ground Up A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregtions  Studies in Rural Ministry III An Occasional Series," Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Theological Seminaries, Dubuque, Iowa 1995}

Key to abbreviations:
  LBW = Lutheran Book of Worship (1979); UMH = The United Methodist Hymnal (1989);
  PH = The Presbyterian Hymnal ()1990); Gather = Gather Comprehensive (1994)

								LBW	UMH	PH	GATHER

All Creatures of our God and King				527	62	455	   533
All Things Bright and Beautiful						147	267
As Saints of Old						404
As the Sun Doth Rise							675
As Those of Old Their Firstfruits...						414
Awit Sa Dapit Hapon (When Twilight...)						547
Behold a Broken World							426
Cantemos al Senor (Let Us Sing...)					149		   553
Come, Labor On								415
Come, You Thankful People, Come				407	694	551	   564
Creating God, Your Fingers Trace					109	134	   580
Creator of the Stars of Night						692	4	   337
Cuando el Pobre (When a Poor One)					434	407
Earth and All Stars!						558		458
Fairest Lord Jesus						518	189	306
Faith, While Trees are Still in Blossom					508
For the Beauty of the Earth					561	92	473	   572
For the Fruit of All Creation					563	97	553
Freely, Freely								389
Gather Us In										   744
God, Beyond All Names								   491
God Folds the Mountains							287
God of the Sparrow							122	272
God, Who Made Earth and Heaven				281
God, Who Stretched the Spangled				463	150	268
God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending				408		422
Here I Am Lord							593	525	   686
How Great Thou Art						532	77	467	   494
How Lovely is Your Dwelling...(Ps 84)						208	    78
Hymn of Promise							707
Let All Things Now Living					557		554	   567
Let There Be Peace on Earth						431		   731
Let Us Break Bread Together					212	618	513	   832
Morning Has Broken							145	469	   756
Mountains Are All Aglow						86

								LBW	UMH	PH	GATHER

Now the Green Blade Rises					148	311		   444
Now the Silence						205	619		   754
O God the Creator								273
O Spirit of the Living God					388	539
Out of Deep, Unordered Water							494
Praise and Thanksgiving					409			   764
Praise God, from Whom...					564/5	94/5	591/2/3
Seed, Scattered and Sown							834
Sent Forth by God's Blessing					221	664
Sing to the Lord of Harvest					412
Sing Out, Earth and Skies								   499
Sois la Semilla (You are the Seed)					583
Song at the Center								490
Take My Life, that I May Be					406	399	391
Taste and See (Ps 34)									    47
Thank You, God, for Water, Soil & Air						266
The Lord is My Light (Ps 27)								    39
The Stars Declare His Glory								   489
This is My Father's World					554	144	293
This is the Feast of Victory					p60/81	638	594	   429
To Bless the Earth (Ps 65)							200
Todo la Tierra (All Earth is Waiting)					210
Una Espiga (Sheaves of Summer)					637	518
We Gather Together							131	559	   571
We Give Thee but Thine Own					410		428
We Plow the Fields and Scatter				362		560
Wind Who Makes All Winds that Blow					538	131
World without End									   532
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart						629	521	   815
Your Mercy Like Rain									   330

	God Who Touchest Earth
Mary S. Edgar	E.W. Bullinger

God, who touchest earth with beauty,
Make me lovely, too;
With Thy Spirit recreate me,
Make my heart anew.  Amen.

Like the springs and running waters
Make me crystal pure.
Like the rocks of towering grandeur
Make me strong and sure.

Like Thy dancing waves in sunlight
Make me glad and free;
Like the straightness of the pine tree
Let me upright be.

Like the arching of the heavens
Lift my thoughts above;
Turn my dreams to noble action--
Ministries of love.

God who touchest earth with beauty
Make me lovely, too.
Keep me ever by Thy Spirit
Pure and strong and true.

	* * * * * *

	EARTH IS THE LORD'S

Psalm 24:1	Good Earth 99.99 D
Ray F. Magnuson, 1901-1999	Ray F. Magnuson, 1901-1999
Used with permission

Earth is the Lord's and all things thereof,
His are the people who dwell thereon;
The whole creation was formed in love,
As God himself ushered in the dawn;
He made the mountains, He made the trees;
He formed the rivers, the restless seas;
And crowing all, God with eager mind,
Impressed his image on humankind.

Earth is the Lord's, 'Tis a warning clear
If we would live on this planet fair;
The sings of judgment are drawing near
In tainted streams and polluted air;
We scar the mountains, erode the soil;
We foul the oceans with precious oil;
Caught up in greed, blind to nature's Lord,
We scoff at visions of earth restored.

Earth is the Lord's, let the trumpet sound;
Awaken us to the needful choice,
That life fresh-given, may here abound,
And children's children may yet rejoice
In sparkling waters and stately trees;
In healing air and unplundered seas!
For children's sake, God of saint and sage,
May earth renewed be their heritage!

	* * * * * *

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference  These suggested songs are copyrighted by North American Liturgy Resources, 10802 North 23rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona  85029.)

Abba! Father!
All The Ends Of The Earth
Be Not Afraid
Come To The Water
Come With Me Into The Fields
The Cry Of The Poor
Dance In The Darkness
Earthen Vessels
Glory And Praise To Our God
Hail Mary:  Gentle Woman
Here I Am, Lord
On Eagle's Wings
One Bread, One Body
Only A Shadow
Peace Is Flowing Like A River
Sing A New Song
Sing To The Mountains
The Spirit Is A-Movin'
Take, Lord, Receive
A Time For Building Bridges

	POETRY

	RIBBONS OF GREEN

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook. May 1982.  From REFLECTIONS:  MOSTLY FROM THIS YEAR (1982) by Sr. Adolorata Watson, OSM.)

Spring planting time. /The cycle of life begins again. /Dry seeds /Drop into waiting soil. /Alone, each seed falls into place, /Row upon row, /Falls into ground prepared, /Cultivated, /Tilled, /Made ready, /Ground made ready for seeds to die.

I pondered on the death and life of the seed. /Unless the seed die to itself, /It will not live. /The paradox of it all, /Does the seed begin new life within its shell, /Then burst its bonds /To spread new life?/

Earth, /Dry dirt, /Comes to life, /Is epiphany and ressurection /At one same time. /Nature manifests itself, /Brings to sight, /To light, /That which was dead but now lives.

Ribbons of green stretch across fields, /The green of new life, /Clean, /Sharp against brown, poloughed, planted earth, /Ribbons of green that mean. /Seeds died to self /And now rise transformed. /Ribbons of green /Become fields of grain. /Death of seed /Becomes life for the world.

The glory of this beauty /Thrills me. /My whole being responds /In exultation. /The wonder of it! /The splendor of green becoming grain /Fills my being with its loveliness, /Pours like liquid light into my mind, /Into my spirit. /I am drenched in this bounty of love. /I see once more Christ's gift of self /Dying to rise again, /Transformed, /Made new.
	* * * * * *

	GOD'S GOOD EARTH - AND OURS

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  From GOD'S GOOD EARTH AND OURS by The Christophers, New York, New York.)

A lone planet hurling through space encased in a narrow pocket of air enriched with a few inches of fertile topsoil endowed with a delicately cycled flow of water...

Precariously balanced at just the right distance from and angle to the sun rotating harmoniously to alternate periods of light and darkness in proper proportion...

Such is the EARTH with its marvelous conjunction of intertwined elements that make up that incredible combination of conditions essential to human life.

How fragile, unreal, impossible, it all seems when viewed from the astronaut's perspective.

The startling truth is that this delicate globe is manned!

It has the beautiful complex equipment necessary for man to live, breathe, work, love, and pray.  Today Earth is in trouble.  The splendid balance is gravely threatened.

All of man's intelligence, imagination and dedication will have to be roused and fused into a massive emergency operation if we are to demonstrate our gratitude to the Creator, our concern for the work of His hands, and our concrete practical love for each other.

	THE LEGEND OF THE SPIDER AND THE
	SILKEN STRAND HELD IN GOD'S HAND

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  From SOMEONE CARES: THE COLLECTED POEMS OF HELEN STEINER RICE By Helen Steiner Rice, Fleming H. Revell Company.)

There's an old Danish Legend with a lesson for us all
Of an ambitious spider and his rise and his fall,
Who wove his sheer web with intricate care
As it hung suspended somewhere in midair,
Then in soft, idle luxury he feasted each day
On the small, foolish insects he enticed as his prey,
Growing ever more arrogant and smug all the while
He lived lie a "king" in self-satisfied style--
And gazing one day at the sheer strand suspended, He said, "I don't need this," so he recklessly rended
The strand that had held his web in its place
And with sudden swiftness the web crumpled in space--

And that was the end of the spider who grew
So arrogantly proud that he no longer knew
That is was the strand that reached down from above
Like the chord of God's grace and His infinite love
That links our lives to the great unknown,

For man cannot live or exist on his own--
And this old legend with simplicity told
Is a moral as true as the legend is old--
Don't sever the "lifeline" that links you to 
THE FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO CARES FOR YOU.

	* * * * * *

	THERE IS AN APPOINTED TIME
	FOR EVERYTHING

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.	--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

	* * * * * *

	Consider Living Waters

Watching a sunset in San Francisco Bay, you and I
While the evening spreads against the red sky
I have seen birth, growth, and death.
Not ready yet for my last breath.

Are we an age without belief or meaning?
Dreaming of atomic oblivion - waking up screaming?
Living water disappearing like a thief in a gang.
Are we a world that ends with a whisper, not a bang?

Cities' waste and farmlands' soil pollute our lakes.
God mourns from burdens of purifying our mistakes.
The Gulf's rivers sweating oil.
The human race gathering on stoney soil.

His gift of earth's water--we marvel at its constancy.
When gentle winds or hurricane power lifts a torrent sea.
Making clouds of ocean pores thundering like drums in a band.
Released as rain to refresh life and the thirsting land.

Gentle raindrops to mighty floods possess the field.
It slides as a giant reptile quietly concealed.
Down the creeks and mighty rivers through the plain.
Home to the womb of the sea in rapturous pain.

People before yesterday lingering in the shadows of time.
Watch today's stewards of resources in our prime.
Harness water's power, great is the reward.
Loosen restraints, it's a two edged sword.

"Consider Living Water; consider it well."

	* * * * * *

	THE MIRACLE OF LIFE

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook. From REFLECTIONS: MOSTLY FROM THIS YEAR (1982) by Sr. Adolorata Watson, OSM.)

I marvel at the miracle of life. /All things that are / Begin to be /Infinitesimally.

A Seed -- or egg -- /What difference, / Each has within itself /Potentiality.

Movement of time /Brings growth, / Life begun in darkness /Reaches maturity.

Whether grain or blossom, /Beast of burden, bird of air, / Fish of sea -- what was conceived /Has in itself  a destiny.

I think that we /Born in this world / Live in its womb /To be born anew /Eternally.

	* * * * * *

	Consider tenacity

I walked across my fields of green
Through an orchard wide, scarcely seen.
My meadow scarred only by my neglect,
Cool clear running water demanding respect.

Recollections of my grandfather's quest
For land to till, to manage, to invest.
Producing food and fiber for his nation.
Committed to stewardship of God's creation.

Green temples which rose out of dusty hills
Brought not wealth but burdensome bills.
Erosion solved by technology in use,
Desire to produce, stilled by governmental abuse.

Urbanization and its beckoning glitter of gold
Attracted my sisters and brothers, I am told.
Society's priorities of progress and welfare
So easy to follow--so easy to share.

Is preserving land critical, I'm tempted to ask,
When storing our harvest has been such a task?
Who will care for our forefathers' soil
To feed future generations we cannot spoil?

The silence deafened me as I knelt there and cried
"I am losing the battle...my spirit has died.
I have fallen, Father--and have not others?"
Then the answer...heard by my ancestors and brothers,

"It's a time for tenacity; consider it well."

	THE LEGEND OF THE RAINDROP

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  From SOMEONE CARES:  THE COLLECTED POEMS OF HELEN STEINER RICE by Helen Steiner Rice. Fleming H. Revell Company.)

The legend of the raindrop has a lesson for us all

As it trembled in the heavens questioning
whether it should fall--

For the glistening raindrop argued to the genie of
the sky, "I am beautiful and lovely as I sparkle
here on high, And hanging here I will become
part of the rainbow's hue.  And I'll shimmer lie
a diamond for all the world to view"...
But the genie told the raindrop, "Do not hesitate
to go, For you will be more beautiful if you fall to earth below.

For you will sink into the soil and be lost for a while from sight, But when you reappear on earth, you'll be looked on with delight; For you will be the raindrop that quenched the thirsty ground And helped the lovely flowers to blossom all around, And in your resurrection you'll appear in a queenly clothes  With the beauty of the lily and the fragrance of the rose;

Then, when you wilt and wither, you'll become part of the earth  And make the soil more fertile and give new flowers birth"...For there is nothing ever lost or ETERNALLY NEGLECTED.

For EVERYTHING GOD EVER MADE IS ALWAYS RESURRECTED; So trust God's all-wise wisdom and doubt the Father never  For in HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM THERE IS NOTHING LOST FOREVER.

	CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  From CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN by St. Francis of Assisi)

"Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures, Especially Sir Brother Sun, By whom You give us the light of day!

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.  Of You, Most High, he is a symbol!

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars!  In the sky You formed them bright and lovely and fair.

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind And for the Air and cloudy and clear and all Weather, By which You give sustenance to Your creatures!

Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water, Who is very useful and humble and lovely and chaste!

Be praised, My Lord, for Brother Fire, By whom You give us light at night, And he is beautiful and merry and mighty and strong!

Be praised, My Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth, Who sustains and governs us, and produces fruits with colorful flowers and leaves!"

	* * * * * *

	AUTUMN

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  By Sr. Adolorata Watson, OSM, from REFLECTIONS: MOSTLY FROM THIS YEAR. October, 1979)

I drove through rural Nebraska last Sunday.
The day was beautiful with autumn colors, /Autumn smells, exhilarating air.
I was caught up in the beauty of the day.
I forgot the pain of past weeks /Tending my friend who was walking a path I yet must walk, /The path of personal physical suffering.  Pain had no place that day.  I drove through the countryside and marveled at the touch of the artist.

Earth colors abounded with sorghum russet, corn-tassel yellow and then in contrast to soft tones, a field of alfalfa, sharply green.  Trees wore splendor that day.
Not the exciting brilliance of sugar maples in fall /But the peace-giving blending of yellow and brown and green / That gives serenity to the spirit and solace to all pain.

Sunday was awareness /But reflection came on Monday.
I realized as never before /That this is autumn of my life.
And are the days beautiful?  Is the touch of autumn air exhilarating?  Do my days wear splendor?

I had to think about this, /Reflect on meaning for me./ This was so different from middle-age reverie.
This is the present that gathers to itself all past days.
Past years, /Past sorrows and joys, /Experiences shared and enjoyed, /Pains -- deep-felt that left their mark on my life today.

No need to look in the mirror at my face.  But great need to look within  /To see what colors, what landscapes, what faces /The artist of life had painted on my heart and spirit.

The autumn of my life is today /And today is beautiful, serene, /God-filled /Today is person-centered /In many faces on the canvas of my heart.

Friends loved and waiting for me /Friends loved and always with me. /Autumn is the time to revel in beauty, /To recapture joys and sorrows we have known, /Yes, sorrow etches beauty in our lives /If we accept the brush of color it imprints.

Then the rain came and the earth cried. Beauty was beaten by wind and rain /Leaves escaped from twigs that had held them. /Strong and firm. /They were not free. //They were chased by the wind, /Helplessly they tumbled before the force that swept them.

This, too, is autumn /And, too, the autumn of life. /The confidence of young adult life /Gives way to quiet trust /That God is doing his will.  /No longer do I manage life /But rather pray that he will touch me /To accept and do his will /In peace and patience /And with love.

Autumn days, autumn years, /Beauty blends with tearing wind and rain /Confidence gives way to trust /Excitement melds into serenity /And all the while God becomes more real /And walks with me in friends I know and love /In days of pain and times of joy /In all that is /And in this all I find /The child I was, /The youth who trampled through dead leaves, /The young adult who knew the ecstasy of autumn days /And now I know that autumn days are beauty-filled.

	THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S

(from The National Catholic Rural Life Conference Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  A reflection based on Psalm 24:1 by Joyce Wink)

How would you feel if you received a beautiful heirloom quilt as a gift?
   You would treasure that quilt!
     You would admire and share with other admirers
       the beauty and originality of the design,
         the quality of the handiwork,
           the combination of color and texture,
             the countless stitches,
               the size
                 the warmth.

And from the handiwork you would know the maker.
  You would be determined to care for it and use it wisely
    so that it could be handed on to your
      children and their children in future generations.

The earth is like an heirloom quilt.
   The design is absolutely original
      beautiful,
        lasting,
          unsurpassed.

And from the handiwork (Creation) we know the Maker (Creator).
  Our joy is to use it wisely,
     caring and sharing,
        preparing to hand it on to
           future generations
             appreciated and unspoiled.

	Stewardship
	(Conservation) of
	Natural Resources

(from the Evangelical Environmental Network)

Provision of Living Creatures:  species to glorify God and reflect His creativity.

"God said:  'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the heavens.

...Let the earth bring forth living creatures, according to their various kinds...' and he saw that it was good." -- Genesis 1:20, 24, 25

After God created the earth and separated the sea from dry land, he filled the earth to overflowing with life.  He created creatures for the sky, for the land and for the water, and he commanded them to be fruitful and to multiply.  He spoke, and the earth produced growing things...plants, trees, shrubs, flowers...all for His glory.  A masterful painter, God splashed the earth with the color of life.  With this plant and animal life, He also created human life.

But the human beings, in their quest to prosper, are harming the glorious tapestry of varied life woven by the Creator.

Species extinction, caused by habitat loss and over-exploitation, is a serious reality.  As people develop land for agriculture, to build towns, and to extract resources, some species are no longer able to occupy the same land.  Unfortunately, it will be difficult to completely stop biodiversity loss because economic forces and population growth will continue to put great pressure on natural habitats.  The focus must be on ways to keep species loss to a minimum, while still pursuing activities that will alleviate poverty and meet basic human needs.

* In the Chesapeake Bay, pollution and erosion from farms have decimated populations of American oysters, cutting their numbers by 99%.  Oysters were once so numerous that they filtered the entire volume of the bay each day.  Today, the relatively few remaining oysters filter the bay's volume of water once a year.

* The country of Panama, with less land than Maine, is home to more species than all of North America because of its lush rainforests.

* Chemicals in two nearly-extinct flowers in Madagascar have been important in treating Hodgkins disease.

* Even though thousands of plants have been grown for food since the dawn of agriculture, fewer than 100 species now provide the majority of the world's food supply.

God intended water to nourish, purify, refresh and sustain His creation.  It satisfies people, animals, crops and forests daily.

Provision of Water:  rains to bathe and streams to refresh God's creation

"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.  The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.  You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops."
  -- Psalm 65:9, 10
 
* In Bombay, slum-dwellers rely on the water of the Kalu River, even though approximately 150 industrial plants dump wastes into it.

* Pesticides unintentionally poison farm workers and people living near farms who drink contaminated water, accounting for 20,000 deaths and 1 million illnesses worldwide each year.

* The average US resident uses 70 times more water every year than an average resident in Ghana, Africa. (US resident--120 gallons of clean water a day, or 2 bathtubs full.  Approximately 2 quarts are actually consumed as drinking water.)

* As much as half the waste in south-eastern Kentucky is contaminated from strip-mine run-off and inadequate soil waste disposal.  Many families pipe water to their homes from abandoned mines and complain that yellow scum comes to the top of the water when they boil it.  Increasingly, land in Appalachia is being used for landfills and toxic waste dumps, further tainting the water supply.  Impurities in drinking water remains the number one cause of illness for U.S. citizens.
 
Provision of Land:  fertile soil yielding plants to nourish God's creation.

"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.  The grasslands of the desert overflow, the hills are clothed with gladness.  The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing." -- Psalm 65:11-13

* Almost 70% of the grain grown in the US goes to feed livestock and raise meat; 20% in China and 2% in India.  The average US resident eats 250 pounds of meat a year; in Mexico 88 pounds; in Indian 4.4 pounds--about 2 ounces of meat a week.

* Soil is not just another instrument of crop production, like pesticides, fertilizers or tractors.  Rather, it is a complex, living, fragile medium that must be protected and nurtured to ensure its long-term productivity and stability.

* Since World War II, more than 2.64 billion acres of soil have been moderately to seriously degraded from agriculture, overgrazing, deforestation or overfarming.  That's an area as large as India and China put together.

* The average American uses and discards 690 pounds of paper a year.  Average use worldwide is only 100 pounds of paper per person per year.  Worldwide demand for paper consumes more than 4 billion trees a year.  The vast majority of this paper ends up in landfills.

	IDEAS FOR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ECOLOGY

(From the United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

(1) AN ECOLOGICAL PICNIC DISPLAY - Make posters and a display carrying the following information.

Mr. & Mrs. Jones and their four children went on a picnic -- they took:

* paper cups				* paper plates
* paper table cloth			* plastic throw-away eating utensils
* paper napkins			* soft drinks in cans

Here is the trash they left behind -- show the pile.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith and their four children went on a picnic -- they took:

* re-usable plastic glasses		* re-usable dishes
* cloth table cover			* stainless steel eating utensils
* cloth napkins				* soft drinks in returnable bottles

Here is the trash they left behind -- show the pile.

(This display can be placed in a shopping center, in the church lobby, in the public library, or in many other places.)

(2) Have a youth group use instamatic cameras and do a slide documentary on the ecological problems they discover in their community.  Have them present the documentary at a family fellowship supper, at an evening worship service, at the men's or women's meetings, or at local service club meetings.

(3) Take a group on a tour of a modern farm, where the farmer is practicing good soil conservation, and talk with him about the stewardship of the soil as he sees it.

(4) Have the youth build a compost for the church, to make good use of grass clippings, leaves, and garbage.

(5) Raise money to buy a church-owned wildlife area (even if it is only an acre).  Keep the area in its natural state.  Take field trips for wildlife study.

(6) Establish a re-cycle unit at the church.  Bring for re-cycling such things as papers, bottles, glass, etc.

	POSSIBLE IDEAS, ACTIVITIES FOR HARVEST SERVICE

(from The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship)

     The emphasis of a harvest worship service is thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth and for those who labor to produce these fruits.  As you plan for a harvest worship service, there are several things you can do to make this a festive occasion. For example, use symbols of the harvest -- shocks of corn and beans, bushel baskets of grain.  Arrange them at various locations throughout the church, especially near the altar.

     The offering plates can be placed at the back of the sanctuary so that the collection of gifts takes place form the people, and not as a collection taken on behalf of the church.  The communion elements of real wheat bread and a flagon of wine (grape juice as well, if you use it) may be presented at the same time as the collection plates are brought forward.

     Consider making a collection for your local food pantry on this occasion.  Place large baskets in the back of the church or in the narthex for food items.  These baskets may be brought forward with the presentation of the gifts.  (Note that some food pantries are not able to accept perishable food items.)

     Emphasize the World Hunger Appeal at this time -- "We are able to give from our abundance to those who struggle to live day by day through their poverty."

	HOW TO CELEBRATE ROGATION DAYS

(From the National Catholic Rural Life Conference Parish Service)

Some Suggested Activities

     As with all good liturgy, Rogation Day observances should not be just a matter of parish celebration, but also of home observance.  It is only when we connect personal and family rituals with the larger life of the Church that the true value and meaning of each is made clear.  Then both the domestic Church and the parish Church are nourished.

     Those who observe Rogation Days are urged to expand their prayer beyond words to actions or rituals.  This can sometimes be difficult since, as noted earlier, Rogation Days often fall during the busy planting season.  However, as best they can, families that are disposed to develop such prayer traditions might wish to consider "prayer activities".  Our ancient tradition can give us some ideas with which to begin.

     Prayer with the Community!  The long-standing tradition of Rogation Day Mass, at which we gather with other parishioners, is a good way to observe these days.  By doing so, our presence can strengthen the faith of others, and their presence can strengthen ours.  There is much comfort in community!

     Feast Well!  Rogation Days fall during the Easter Season, and the Roman Church knew that the Easter Season was a time to feast, not fast.  On these days during planting season when we are more conscious than ever of the importance of food and its production, attention to what and how we eat can be especially apt.  If time permits, some of the tableware or decorations used for our Easter Sunday feast would be appropriate whenever we sit down together.  Even if the "feast" is a meal eaten quickly from a brown bag in the field, a colored napkin, a special desert, or any such touch can transform an ordinary meal.  Be festive and create!

     Any meal calls for grateful acknowledgement of God who provides it.  A grace before meals that highlights  both the Easter Season and the Rogation Days focus of asking for God's blessings on planting would be appropriate, whether eating alone during a brief supper break, or gathered as a family.  Consider:

     "Creator, giver of all life, in the Resurrection, Jesus rose from the earth to live forever, and you have blessed us with a share in his unending life.  We thank you for this food which nourishes us on our earthly journey to claim that eternal life in its fullness.

     Bless this portion that we now eat in gratitude, through Christ our Lord."

     Process Somewhere!  If the family is able to gather and pray together, they might consider processing as the early Christians did.  Children especially can appreciate this "bodily prayer" since words quickly become tiring for them.  So often it is what we do rather than what we say that we remember, and which shapes us.

     Where might the procession go? -- around the house or the farmyard on a symbolic journey to the four corners of the earth.  The Litany of Saints or some other prayers could be changed or recited on the way.  If the Litany is used, be sure to add other appropriate names to the list:  St. Isidore, patron of farmers; the patron of the local parish church; patrons of family members, or other favorite saints.  (The Litany can be found in Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, p.348)

     Bless Something!  In its official Book of Blessings designed to be used by the clergy, and in Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, designed for use by families at home, Catholics have a rich treasury of prayers for many occasions throughout the year.  The family might invite the local pastor or assistant priest to come and celebrate "The Order for the Blessing of Fields and Flocks" or "The Order for the Blessing of Seeds at Planting Time" from the Book of Blessings.  The family might choose to pray the Blessing of Fields found on page 166 of Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers.

     Plant Something!  "Anyone who plants things in the earth can't be far from God," a wise gardener once said.  The adults of the family may be busy planting garden or crops, children can also enjoy an opportunity to "farm their own ground."  Whether it is a corner of the garden, a window box, or a paper cup n the window sill, the experience of interacting with the earth can be educational and inspiring.  This is a good follow-up to the blessing of seeds or blessing of fields.

	WONDERS OF WILDLIFE

	INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

(from Evangelism and Church Development, National Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (USA)

When members of an after-school program at the Gilbert Presbyterian Church in West Virginia were asked what activities could children of all ages do to appreciate the wonders of wildlife, they made these suggestions, which we pass along to you:

* Gather leaves and make a place mat by putting the leaves between two pieces of clear contact paper;
* Gather leaves and put them on a table, cover with a piece of paper, and rub over them with crayons;
* Plant a garden, take care of it, and share the flowers or vegetables that you grow;
* Go birdwatching and write down the different kinds of birds you see;
* Plant a tree;
* Play in the leaves;
* Climb a mountain;
* Check with your local state park for educational talks and tours;
* Go on a nature scavenger hunt;
* Collect black walnuts and sumac and use them to make dyes;

* Weed...and try to name all the weeds you dig up;
* Make cards from wild flowers;
* Go on a nature walk;
* Go to the creek, and see how many different things you find;
* Go out at night and look at the stars.

More ideas...

1.	Reserve a few minutes during an outing to stand still and keep silent.  Listen carefully to the 	different sounds you hear.

	When the time is up, ask everyone to identify the different natural sounds they hear, such as rustling leaves, buzzing bees, or bird calls.
	
2.	Decorate a snow sculpture:  Fill clean spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring.  Then kids can use the colored water to color their snow sculptures and to "draw" pictures and write in the snow.

3.	Design a butterfly garden (for suggestions on how to do this, read, "Theme Gardens" by Barbara Damrosch, published by Workman Publishing, Inc., 708 Broadway, New York, NW  10003).

And...

After the activities are finished, spend time talking about the particular activity and how it depicts the beauty and diversity of God's creation.  Conclude with a prayer providing everyone an opportunity to name at least one thing from the activity for which they are thankful.

Thanks to members of the after-school program at the Gilbert Presbyterian Church, Jennifer miller of Gilbert, WV, and to Helen Brust of Union Mills, IN for contribution to this section.

	ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A Book of Church Services, Pilgrim Press, 700 Prospect Ave. E, Cleveland, Ohio  44115-1100 (as published by The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, The Rev. Mel West, Director, 108 Balow Wynd, Columbia, Missouri  65203))

A reflection based on Psalm 24:1 by Joyce Wink (as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook, as published by The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

Agricultural Chaplaincy and Center for Town and Rural Ministries, PO Box 29044, Columbus, OH  43229

Alive Now, from The Upper Room, written by James Overholt, (January/February), 1986; The United Methodist Church, PO Box 189, Nashville, Tennessee  37202  Telephone: (615) 340-7218

CANTICLE OF BROTHER SUN, by St. Francis of Assisi (As published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

Christian Rural Research and Resource Service, RR 1, Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada (3/81)

DEVOTIONS ALONG THE WAY, c1972, Richard Andersen, Augsburg Publishing House.  Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress.  PO Box 1209, 100 S. Fifth St., Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN  55402 (612) 330-3300

Drought, Resources for Response, Summer, 1988, Agricultural Chaplaincy in Ohio, Center for Town and Rural Ministries, Columbus, Ohio [John Killinger, Lost in Wonder, Love & Praise; Joyce Rupp, O>S>M, Alive Now, Jan/Feb '78; Dr. Flippo Cortesi-"Identity and Universality" Catholic Rural Life, July, 1985; William B. Silverman, Rabbinic Wisdom and Jewish Value; The Book of Common Prayers, 1979, The Episcopal Church (in the common domain, no permission needed); George Sheridan, "Taproot", Seeds, August, 1984; Kirsten Wenzel, "Tradition" The Causes of World Hunger; Jonathan C. Sams, Reflections of a Fishing Person; John Steinbeck, East of Eden; Elizabeth Achtemeier; Billy Edd Wheeler, Chorus from song "Desert Pete"; Browne Barr, The Well Church Book; C.W. Gee.]

EACH NEW DAY, by Corrie ten Boom, c1977 by Corrie ten Boom, Fleming H. Revell Company, a division of Baker Book House Company, PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, Michigan  49516-6287  (616) 676-9185

Evangelism and Church Development - National Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (USA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky  40202  Telephone: (502) 569-5000; Fax: (502) 569-5018

Fourteen New Rural Hymns, published in 1955 by The Hymn Society of America, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA  02215-1401  Telephone: (800) THE HYMN;  Fax: (617) 353-7322

GOD'S GOOD EARTH AND OURS by The Christophers, New York, New York (As published in the National Catholic Rural Life Conference "Pilgrimage Prayerbook", 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

Immanuel Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church, Winona, Illinois (Rev. Craig Swenson), Minonk, Illinois

Lutheran Church World Hunger Program, 422 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota  55415

Neal P. Nollette, PO Box 530, Elm Creek, Nebraska  68836  Telephone: (308) 856-4375

North American Liturgy Resources, 10802 North 23rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona  85029 (As published by The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

PRAYERS FOR THE DOMESTIC CHURCH:  A HANDBOOK FOR WORSHIP IN THE HOME, by Edward M. Hays, 1979: Forest of Peace Books, Inc., Easton, Kansas  66020 (As published in the National Catholic Rural Life Conference "Pilgrimage Prayerbook", 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

Saint Paul School of Theology, (May 8, 1990) (The United Methodist Church), 5123 Truman Road, Kansas City, Missouri  64127  Telephone: (816) 483-9600; Fax: (812) 357-6964

The Churches' Center for Land and People, General Delivery, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin  53824 (608) 748-4411 Ext. 805

The English Translation of the Roman Missal c1973, International Committee on English in Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL).  All rights reserved. 1275 K Street, NW, #1202, Washington, DC 20005-4097  (As published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, SCJ Office of Justice & Peace, Priests of the Sacred Heart, PO Box 900, Hales Corners, WI  53130

"Preaching and Worship in the Small Church", William Wilimon (through The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, The Rev. Mel West, Director, 108 Balow Wynd, Columbia, MO  65203)

REFLECTIONS: MOSTLY FROM THIS YEAR (1982) by Sr. Adolorata Watson, OSM (as published in The National Catholic Rural Life Conference "Pilgrimage Prayerbook", 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

THE RURAL LIFE PRAYERBOOK, by Alban J. Dachauer, S.J., c1956, (As published by the National Rural Catholic Life Conference, "Pilgrimage Prayerbook"; 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (5125) 270-9447

SOMEONE CARES:  THE COLLECTED POEMS OF HELEN STEINER RICE by Helen Steiner Rice, Fleming h. Revell Company (as published in The National Catholic Rural Life "Pilgrimage Prayerbook", 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447)

The New American Bible with Revised New Testament , c1986, by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. (through the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447

The "Pilgrimage Prayerbook", Modern "Berakah" prayers by Fr. Edward Hays, 1979; from PRAYERS FOR THE DOMESTIC CHURCH:  A HANDBOOK FOR WORSHIP IN THE HOME; Forest of Peace Books, Inc., Easton, Kansas  66020

The Pilgrimage Prayerbook, as published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 4625 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa  50310  Telephone: (515) 270-2634; Fax: (515) 270-9447

The Proposed Revision for the Book of Worship for Church and Home, 1960, The United Methodist Publishing House, Permissions Office, Abingdon Press, 201 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, Tennessee  37203

The United Methodist Book of Worship, c1992, The Board of Publications, The United Methodist Publishing House, Permissions Office, Abingdon Press, 201 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, Tennessee  37203

The United Methodist Book of Worship, c1964-1965, The Board of Publications, The United Methodist Publishing house, Permissions Office, Abingdon Press, 201 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, Tennessee  37203

The United Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home, c1944-1945, The Board of Publications, The United Methodist Publishing House, Permissions Office, Abingdon Press, 201 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, Tennessee  37203 (Prayer by Ursula Niebuhr-1907-1997)

The United Methodist Rural Life Fellowship, The Rev. Mel West, Director, 108 Balow Wynd, Columbia  MO  65203

Twin Platte National Resource District Bulletins, used by permission, NRD

Joyce Wink, A reflection based on Psalm 24:1 (as published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference)

WORSHIP FROM THE GROUP UP:  A Worship Resource for Town and Country Congregations.  Studies in Rural Ministry III.  An Occasional Series.  Center for Theology and Land, University of Dubuque and Wartburg Seminaries, Dubuque, Iowa  1995

WORSHIP IN THE RURAL CHURCH SERIES, edited by Edward Krusen Ziegler, Published by Agricultural Missions, Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, 10 NY

	_________________________

The compilers of this collection recognize the importance of inclusive language.  However, since this is a collection from a variety of sources and time periods, all resources used have been printed in their original form.  These materials have been gleamed from ecumenical partners of Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska and are in the language used in the particular religious orientations and can be adapted as appropriate.

[Every effort was made to obtain appropriate copyright information as necessary.  If we have missed some, our deepest apologies.]

	ERRATA SHEET

Page 8...Order for the Blessing of Seeds...from Rural Life Prayers, Blessings and Liturgies, National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

Page 25...Festival of the First Fruits...material is not in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.

Page 28...Harvest Thanksgiving Service...material is not in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.

Page 30...Order for the Blessing of Fields and Flocks...from Rural Life Prayers, Blessings and Liturgies, National Catholic Rural Life                 Conference.

Page 42...Rogation Procession...material not from Parish Service.

Page 43...Rogation Days...material not from Parish Service.

Page 44...NOVENA in honor of St. Isidore...edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 66...The Way of the Cross...edited by Sr. Christine Pratt, O.S.U., material not from parish service.

Page 75...Ambassadors...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook, edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 76..."Faith in a Great God", The Gift of Rain, and Getting Acquainted...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook, edited by Neal                 P. Nollette.

Page 77...The Country is My Life...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.

Page 87...Harvest Rosary...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.  Additional note to third paragraph re SS reflection -- can be                 said after each of the Scripture quotations.

Page 92...A Litany Based on Psalm 150, and Seasonal Hymns of Praise...edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 93...Canticle of the Three Youth...adapted by Rev. Louis A. Nollette from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, as                      published n the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.

Page 96...Prayers, edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 113...Prayer of the Christian Farmer...edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 114...Prayer of a Rural Family...edited by Neal P. Nollette.
               Prayers:  For Those Who Suffer Hunger, For Our Common Good, For Fine Weather, For Rain, For Productive Land, For                 Safety in Storms...by Fr. Alvin J. Dochauer, S.J. c1956.

Page 115...Children's Prayer...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.

Page 117...A Prayer of Thanksgiving for God's Blessings...also found in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook.
               Blessing Before Meals, Blessing After Meals...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook, can be sung to tune of Edelweiss.

Page 118...Prayer When Losing a Farm, Prayer When Moving Off the Farm, Prayer for Those Who Have Lost a Farm, Prayer at a                 Family Reunion, Prayer for A Rural Family, Prayer When a Farm is Passed to the Next Generation, Prayer for Farm
               Families in Crisis...by Sr. Lee Agnes Hodapp, O.S.F., as published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

	(over)

Page 122...Giving Thanks for All Creation...by Rev. Bruce Lawler, as published by the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.

Page 127...Ribbons of Green, God's Good Earth-And Ours, The Legend of the Spider and the Silken Strand Held in God's Hand...as                  edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 128...The Miracle of Life...as edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 129...The Legend of the Raindrop, Canticle of Brother Sun...as edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 130...Autumn...as edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 131...The Earth is the Lord's...as edited by Neal P. Nollette.

Page 135...How to Celebrate Rogation Days...as published in the Pilgrimage Prayerbook, edited by Neal P. Nollette.