Beltane (4) Liturgy

BELTANE LITURGY

Let's just spend a moment or two in quietness. Consider winter's chill when all was still, with seed and plant lying dormant, followed by the rising sun and warming air of Spring, green shoots emerging, leaves unfurling, blossom shouting its praise to the Creator.

(Silence)

God of winter's cold, of clear sky and frozen river.

All: We praise your Holy Name

God of spring's warmth, April showers, waking life.

All: We praise your Holy Name

God of summer sun, warming earth, sprouting seed.

All: We praise your Holy Name

God of summer pasture and mountain stream

All: We praise your Holy Name

God of root and shoot, of harvest to come

All: We praise your Holy Name

Lord, through your power all things were made, through your wisdom all things are governed. Through your grace all things are sustained. Give us power to serve you, wisdom to discern your laws, and grace to obey those at all times.

(Edmund of Abingdon, c 1180-1240)

Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude

the spiritual blindness that prevents us

from appreciating the wonder that is this world

the endless cycle of nature

of life and death and rebirth.

Forgive us for taking without giving

reaping without sowing.

Open our eyes to see

our lips to praise

and our hands to share

May our feet tread lightly on the path we tread

and our footsteps be worthy of following

for they lead to you.

Here a song, chant or hymn might be sung

‘Sow everywhere the good seed given to you. Sow in good ground, sow in sand, sow among the stones, sow on the oad, sow among the weeds. Perhaps some of these seeds will open up and grow and bring forth fruit, even if not at once' Seraphim of Sarov (1759-1833) Russian monk 'Lord, purge our eyes to see within the seed a tree, Within the glowing egg a bird, Within the shroud a butterfly, Til, taught by such, we see beyond all creatures, thee.' Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) 'We do not know God from his essence. We know him rather from the grandeur of his creation and from his providential care for all creatures,' Maximus the Confessor (c580-662)

The warmth of the sun's embrace

the gentle breeze swept in by incoming tide

the rhythm of seasons

of new birth

death and recreation

All these speak so clearly of your love

your power

and your beauty

All are expressions of your creativity

and more importantly of yourself

As an artist might share his personality

within each brushstroke

so within the myriad colours of a butterfly's wing

you share the exuberance of your love

That we can glimpse you within creation

is a beautiful thought

but also tells us that you desire to be seen

to be found and known

Open our eyes, Lord

as we walk through this world

feel the wind and sunshine

see the majesty of creation unfolding before our eyes

Help us to see you

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

God of renewal

of life and death

rebirth

All: Renew our hearts and minds

God of promise

of all beginnings

and all endings

All: Renew our hearts and minds

God of hope

of new growth

and harvest

All: Renew our hearts and minds

We bless you,

God of Seed and Harvest

And we bless each other

That the beauty of this world

And the love that created it

Might be expressed though our lives

And be a blessing to others

Now and always

A. AMEN