Creation liturgy #4: Entering afresh into God's peace

After our prayers of lament, confession and intercession, in the 'fire' week, we came forward to receive an ash cross on our forehead, as a sign of our sorrow and penitence for our complicity in the destruction of God's good creation. During the ashing, we sang the song 'If the fields are parched', in Resound Worship's book 'doxecology'.

We were then led in these prayers of forgiveness and peace:

ENTERING AFRESH INTO GOD’S PEACE

From the dust of the earth
God created.
From the fire and ashes,
God renews.
With living water,
God refreshes.
With the breath of life,
God revives.

A minister sprinkles us all with water, saying:

May we know ourselves forgiven,
brought down to earth.
May we know ourselves liberated,
released to breathe anew.
May we know ourselves reconnected,
empowered to join together
in your work of peace-seeking, kin-making, joy-bringing.
Amen.

SHARING PEACE

The peace of God be always with you.
And also with you.