These Primrose set the scene for me for Earth Day which the world celebrates on Saturday. We know that the world is in a bit of a mess but there is so much joy to celebrate in God’s Creation. We can change the world if we acknowledge God as our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. If we show gratitude along with determination there is much we can achieve. Often it is in little things but with big appreciation that we can turn things towards the good.

God of creation, who loves all he has made and all that has evolved, open the eyes of your people,
that your love might be reflected in our care for the planet.
Through Jesus Christ, who walked this earth and calls us by name.

Creator God,
We acknowledge that as your handiwork,
we stand alongside all that you have made.
Trees and rivers, mountains and valleys,
soaring birds and scuttling creatures,
all are held within your care.
May we grow in our love and appreciation
for the fabulous variety around us;
and may our awe and wonder draw us closer
to the natural world, and through it to you,
the God of all things.
We pray in Jesus name,
Amen

Revd Cate Williams
Environment Officer, Diocese of Gloucester

For the Beauty of the Earth is a Christian hymn byFolliott S Pierpoint (1835-1917).Pierpoint was 29 at the time he wrote this hymn; he was mesmerised by the beauty of the countryside that surrounded him. It first appeared in 1864 in a book of poems entitled “The Sacrifice of Praise.”

For the beauty of the earth
For the Glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies:
Refrain:

‘Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our joyful hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flow’r
Sun and Moon and stars of light
Refrain

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child.
Friends on earth and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
Refrain

For each perfect gift of Thine
To our race so freely given.
Graces human and divine
Flow’rs of earth and buds of heaven.
Refrain

[Mr G]

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