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The Blessings of Seedtime during the Easter Season
Adapted by the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
from a service by the Rev. Philip Pfatteicher
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
+
The liturgy for Blessings of Seedtime was originally written by Dr. Philip H. Pfatteicher and distributed by the ELCA. It called for a worship setting other than Sunday morning. It seemed to me that such a service needed to be seen by all of the people of God, and so I have modified it for use within the Sunday morning liturgy, as appears below.
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GATHERING
Prelude
Announcements
Entrance Hymn
Easter Dialog:
A. Alleluia! Christ is risen!
C. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
A. This is the day that the Lord has made!
C. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Easter Hymn of Praise: "This Is the Feast"
Prayer of the Day (sung)
Prayer for Fruitful Seasons: (sung)
P. Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, we humbly pray that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the fruitfulness of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor therein; that we, who are constantly receiving good things from your hand, may always give you thanks; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
WORD
First Lesson
Second Lesson
Verse: "Alleluia"
Gospel Lesson
Sermon
Hymn of the Day
Exhortation at Seedtime:
P. We learn from Holy Scripture that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and caused the sun to shine and the rain to fall, the plants to grow and the earth to give forth its increase. God is the Giver of life in the seed, in the soil, and in the sowers. We affirm our baptismal creed where, in the First Article, we acknowledge that God "makes all creation help provide the comforts and necessities of life -- sun, moon, and stars in the heavens, day and night, air, fire, water, the earth and all that it brings forth, birds and fish, beasts, grain and all kinds of produce," as Martin Luther teaches us in the Large Catechism.
Today we ask God's blessing on the seed that is planted, the soil that is cultivated, and the farmers who labor to the service of God and for the good of all humanity. Let all here present yield high praise to our Creator that he may crown the year with his goodness. For from God comes every good and perfect gift: the rich soil, the smell of fresh-turned earth, the keenness of the winter's frost, the rumble of the machine, the glean of a cutting blade; the blistered hand, the sweat of the brow, the skill of those who plow; the beauty of a clean-cut furrow, the sweep of a well-plowed field -- all reveal the mind of the Creator. Blessed be God in all his gifts, and holy in all his works.
Prayer of the Church:
A. Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs:
For the whole Church, that it may lead a life worthy of its high calling, minister to those in need, and be joined in common prayer and work; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. For the nations of the world, their leaders and their people, that we may see with clear eyes the plight of those who suffer in our lands, be moved to compassion and stirred to action on their behalf; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. For those who till the soil and those who fish the waters, that they may know the presence of the Creator and Sustainer of life; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. For those in industry, that they may not be shielded from those who labor, nor deaf to their cries, but may show compassion and care; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. For all those whose work is gathered in the food we eat -- for farmers, migrants, and harvesters; for miners and laborers and seafarers; for oil producers, engineers, and designers; for processors and transport workers; for bakers and butchers; for grocers; for bankers and lending agencies; for legislators and courts; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. For those for whom work has lost its meaning, and for those who can find no work; for those in special need, the angry, the desperate, the despairing, the lonely, the sick, the dying; for , for our shut-ins, for friends of Shiloh, and for those we name in our hearts before you: (silent prayer) Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
A. We remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us, who have gone down to the sea in ships, who have worked the soil and made it productive. By the holy angels, may we be gathered with them in the heavenly harvest and evermore rejoice in the abundance of the kingdom of heaven; Lord, in your mercy,
C. Hear our prayer.
P. Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
P. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C. And also with you.
All share the peace of the Lord.
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MEAL
Offering
Offertory: "Let the Vineyards"
Offertory Prayer
Great Thanksgiving (sung)
Eucharistic Prayer for Easter (ELW VII, LBW II)
Our Father
At the Breaking of Bread:
P. When we eat this bread we share the body of Christ. When we drink this cup we share the blood of Christ.
C. Reveal yourself to us, O Lord, in the breaking of bread, as once you revealed yourself to your disciples.
Distribution
Hymns as desired
Post-Communion Prayer:
A. Let us pray. Almighty God, you have created all things for the sake of your name and have given everyone food and drink. But to us you have given spiritual food and drink and eternal life. Remember your Church: save it from all evil, perfect it in your love. Make it holy and gather it from the four winds into your kingdom which you have prepared for it; for yours is the power and the glory forever. [Didache, 2nd cent.]
C. Amen
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SENDING: THE BLESSINGS OF SEEDTIME
The ministers move to the front of the altar and face the congregation.
A. The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord,
C. And you give them their food in due season.
A. You open wide your hand,
C. And satisfy the needs of every living creature.
For the seeds:
P. Let us pray. Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, you give seed to the sower and bread for food. Nourish, protect, and bless the seed which people have sown in hope, so that by your good providence and bountiful giving it may bring forth fruit in due season and be gathered with thanksgiving to satisfy the needs of your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
For the soil:
P. O Loving Lord, the eternal fountain and giver of life, we give thanks that we again behold on every side the awakening of nature in answer to your call to arise from winter's sleep; and as you cheer our spirits with freshening grass, budding trees, and unfolding plants, grant us thankful hearts to praise you for the promise of your renewed provision of our bodies and lives and an abiding trust in your unchanging love now and forever.
C. Amen
For favorable weather:
P. Lord God, by your providence alone we receive the fruits of the earth. In your mercy send us such weather that our fields may bring forth abundantly to our sustenance and that at the time of harvest we may take of your gifts for our good and give thanks to you with gladness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
The Blessings of the Four Corners of the Earth:
The ministers face the east.
P. May God the Creator and Sustainer of all + bless the pastures and meadows, all growing grass and green fields.
C. Amen
The ministers face the south.
P. May the soil + be wholesome and the crops good.
C. Amen
The ministers face the west.
P. May the weather + be favorable and the workers of good heart.
C. Amen
The ministers face the north.
P. May God who gives breath and life to the sower + multiply the seed sown and increase its fruits.
C. Amen
The ministers face the people.
P. And may God the Father, + the Son, and the Holy Spirit be with you and among you and around you now and forevermore.
C. Amen
A. Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C. Thanks be to God.
Closing Hymn "A Hymn of Glory Let us Sing," stanza 1