Order of Service To launch the Ecumenical Pilgrimage from

Order of Service
To launch the Ecumenical Pilgrimage from Flensburg to the UN World Climate Conference in Paris
on Sunday, 13 September 2015, 11.00 to 12.30 in the Nikolaikirche (Church of St Nicholas) in Flensburg
Time
5 min
2 min
8 min
Content
The brass band plays from 10.40 to 11.00
Entrance with organ music Pilgrims and those officiating in the service proceed into the church
Hymn: Praise to the Lord, from Brevier p. 187
The congregation rises to sing the processional hymn.
1st verse: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren, lob ihn, o Seele, vereint mit den
himmlischen Chören. Kommet zuhauf, Psalter und Harfe, wacht auf, lasset den Lobgesang hören!
2nd verse: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; O my soul, praise him, for he is thy
health and salvation: all ye who hear, now to his temple draw near, joining in glad adoration.
N.N. Greeting:
We have come together to worship today
in the name of God, the source of our life,
in the name of Jesus Christ, ground of our hope, and
in the name of the Holy Spirit, the power that refreshes and revives us.
Amen.
We want to set out together on the road!
It is lovely that you have all come from far and near to be with us in Flensburg for this launching of
the German stretch of the Ecumenical Pilgrimage.
At its assembly in 2013, the World Council of Churches encouraged its member churches to engage
in a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace. Accordingly, an ecumenical coalition of German regional
churches, dioceses, Christian development services, missions and youth associations have invited
you to participate in this Pilgrimage for Climate Justice, starting in Norway and ending in Paris. The
idea for the pilgrimage came from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany.
In the lead-up to the World Climate Conference starting in Paris in November 2015 we want to draw
attention to the global dimension of climate change and raise our voices for the most disadvantaged
and vulnerable in our world community. “Victims of climate change are the new face of the poor,
the widow and the stranger, that are especially loved and cared for by God” (Deuteronomy 10:1717; Minute on Climate Justice, Public Issues Committee, 10th WCC Assembly). Ecological and social
justice belong together. As an ecumenical community we would like to send a visible signal calling
for a just and binding agreement on climate protection.
Today ecumenical acts of worship are bringing people together not only here in Flensburg but in
many other places in Germany and worldwide. We ask God’s blessing on them and on this service.
Introductory liturgy 8 min (4 min for points of pain and 4 min for places of strength)
Kyrie and Gloria are sung while taking up the points of pain and places of strength along the way.
The participants go forward through the central aisle to perform symbolic acts.
Points of pain
N.N. carrying a pilgrim’s staff We are setting out and walking from Flensburg to Paris. On the way
we will visit points of pain – places of injustice:
1st point of pain: environmental pollution
Symbolic action: a glass full of black ink is carried in. N.N.
N.N. O God, hear our cry.
We do not live in harmony with Mother Earth. Noxious substances are emitted from nuclear power
stations. Many people suffer from environmental pollution. The air we breathe is often full of
smoke. Rubbish dumps stink to high heaven and contaminate the soil – domestic and industrial
waste, waste from demolition sites and hospitals, highly toxic and particularly radioactive waste.
O God, we call to you: Jésus, le Christ, from: Brevier p. 150
2nd Point of pain: loss of biological diversity
Symbolic action: a person enters in a polar bear suit N.N.
N.N: O God, hear our cry.
We do not live in harmony with Mother Earth. Every year thousands of plant and animal species
disappear and are lost forever. Polar bears are threatened with extinction. Pack ice is melting due to
climate change and so they are losing their habitats. Many coral reefs are dying away. The wonderful
world of marine life is turning into a lifeless underwater cemetery.
O God, we call to you: Jésus, le Christ, from: Brevier p. 150
3rd Point of pain: climate refugees
Symbolic action: a boat is carried in N.N.
N.N.: O God, hear our cry.
We do not live in live in harmony with Mother Earth. The sea level is constantly rising. The ground
water is becoming salty. Many people living in Pacific Islands have to leave their homes and seek
refuge in Australia and New Zealand. Yet they are not recognized as refugees according to
international agreements. They bear the burden of their lives themselves without any legal
protection.
O God, we call to you: Jésus, le Christ, from: Brevier p. 150
Places of strength
N.N.: holding a pilgrim’s staff We are setting out to walk from Flensburg to Paris. We will visit places
of strength on the way – places of hope:
1st place of strength: renewable energies
Symbolic act: a wind turbine is carried in N.N.
N.N.: O God, we give you thanks
We draw strength from our faith. Together we have to look for alternatives supporting sustainable
development. We have sunshine, wind and water in abundance. These raw materials renew
themselves and we can use them to supply us with energy.
O God, let us sing a song of praise: Meine Hoffnung und meine Freude, from Brevier p.153
2nd place of strength: mobility
Symbolic act: N.N. rides in on a bicycle.
N.N.: O God, we give you thanks
We draw strength from our faith. A pilgrimage opens up new prospects. We discover what it is like
to slow down and limit ourselves to the essential – using our feet to go forward. Our faith frees us to
accept a different lifestyle and encourages us to try new forms of mobility: cycling, car-sharing,
buying electric cars, supporting public transport.
O God, let us sing a song of praise: Meine Hoffnung und meine Freude, from Brevier p.153
3rd place of strength: the beauty of creation
Symbolic act: a potted tree is carried in. N.N.
N.N.: O God, we give you thanks.
We draw strength from our faith. We are amazed at the beauty and variety of nature. God has
created everything so wonderfully. We can marvel at the hawks in the skies and the oysters in the
mudflats, buckthorn bushes and heath, moor landscapes and pine forests. This young tree contains
hope for coming generations.
O God, let us sing a song of praise: Meine Hoffnung und meine Freude, from Brevier p.153
3 min
N.N. Psalm 85:8 to 13
The Psalm is framed by Orthodox chant. Men and women say alternate verses
8
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
9
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
13
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps
3min
Hymn: Gott gab uns Atem, EG 432, verses 1 to 3
1. Gott gab uns Atem, damit wir leben. Er gab uns Augen, dass wir uns sehn. Gott hat uns diese
Erde gegeben, dass wir auf ihr die Zeit bestehn. Gott hat uns diese Erde gegeben, dass wir auf
ihr die Zeit bestehn.
2. Gott gab uns Ohren, damit wir hören. Er gab uns Worte, dass wir verstehn. Gott will nicht
diese Erde zerstören. Er schuf sie gut, er schuf sie schön. Gott will nicht diese Erde zerstören.
Er schuf sie gut, er schuf sie schön.
3. Gott gab uns Hände, damit wir handeln. Er gab uns Füße, dass wir fest stehn, Gott will mit
uns die Erde verwandeln. Wir können neu ins Leben gehen. Gott will mit uns die Erde
verwandeln. Wir können neu ins Leben gehn.
N.N: Reading from Pope Francis‘ encyclical Laudato si on concern for our common home (5 min: 3
min reading + 2 min organ; 5 min visual)
Pictures illustrating climate justice from all over the world will be shown during the reading and
continue while the organ is played.
Together we bear responsibility for the earth created by God as our home. Climate change is a global
problem with huge environmental impacts and serious social, economic, distributive and political
dimensions; it constitutes one of the most important current challenges to humanity. The worst
effects will probably be felt in the next few decades in countries in the global South. Many poor
people live in areas that are particularly hard hit by phenomena connected with global warming and
their livelihoods depend strongly on natural resources through agriculture, fishing and forestry.
5 min
Social injustice concerns not only individuals but whole countries. It gives a real ecological ‘debt’,
particularly between North and South.
Many things must be reorganized, but above all people have to change. They lack awareness of our
common origins, of our belonging together and of our sharing the future. The environmental crisis
challenges us to undergo a profound change of heart.
5 min
3 min
3 min
17 min
3 min
3 min
2 min
2 min
9 min
Christian spirituality therefore proposes a new understanding of quality of life, encouraging people
to adopt a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle, capable of the most profound joy without being
obsessed with consumer goods. In addition, we need a policy with a broad horizon and a new
holistic approach.
What needs to be done – reference to the political demands of the UN conference COP21 in Paris
Gospel choir
N.N. Reading from Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look
at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single
hour to your span of life? 28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not
clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?
31Therefore, do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we
wear?” 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows
that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things will be given to you as well. 34So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring
enough worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Sermon on Mt 6:25-34 Katrin Göring-Eckardt, chair of the German parliamentary party Alliance
90/The Greens
Organ music
Sermon on Mt 6:25-34 Dr Guy Liagre, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches
Lied: Vertraut den neuen Wegen, from Brevier, p. 163
1. Vertraut den neuen Wegen, auf die der Herr uns weist, weil Leben heißt: sich regen, weil
Leben wandern heißt. Seit leuchtend Gottes Bogen am hohen Himmel stand, sind Menschen
ausgezogen in das gelobte Land.
2. Vertraut den neuen Wegen und wandert in die Zeit! Gott will, dass ihr ein Segen für seine
Erde seid. Der uns in frühen Zeiten das Leben eingehaucht, der wird uns dahin leiten, wo er
uns will und braucht.
3. Vertraut den neuen Wegen, auf die uns Gott gesandt! Er selbst kommt uns entgegen. Die
Zukunft ist sein Land. Wer aufbricht, der kann hoffen in Zeit und Ewigkeit. Die Tore stehen
offen. Das Land ist hell und weit.
Stories to encourage another lifestyle:
1 Climate sail
2 Heating systems//changing sources of electricity in church buildings
3 Climate fasting – an idea from the Philippines
Announcements and collection
School garden project and solar project in India
Gospel choir
Intercessions
N.N.: O God, you are the source of life.
We pray for all who have accepted the invitation of the World Council of Churches and have set off
on pilgrimages of justice and peace. Open our eyes and ears for the needs and cares of people far
and near. “May the churches be communities of healing and compassion, and may we seed the
Good News so that justice will grow and God’s deep peace rest on the world.“1
Let us pray together: The Kingdom of God, from Taizé
N.N.: O God, you are the source of life.
We pray for all those in Germany and many other places in the world who are holding ecumenical
acts of worship for climate justice today. We particularly think of the people in Lehnin Abbey.
Strengthen our fellowship in faith and give us strength for our activities worldwide.
Let us pray together: The Kingdom of God, from Taizé
N.N.: O God, you are the source of life.
We pray for the upcoming negotiations at the World Climate Conference in Paris. Give its leaders
wisdom and thoughtfulness for their decisions. Commend to them the well-being of those human
beings who are most disadvantaged. May the politicians of all nations remain in dialogue with one
another and put what they promise into practice.
Let us pray together: The Kingdom of God, from Taizé
N.N.: O God, you are the source of life.
We ask you to give us the courage and imagination to change our lifestyles. Give us the strength to
leave the old paths and try new ones. Jesus showed us the way. Transform our hearts so that we can
be liberated for life.
Let us pray together: The Kingdom of God, from Taizé
N.N: O God, you are the source of life.
We pray for all those pilgrims who will set off today from Flensburg. Fill their hands and put ground
under their feet. God, widen our hearts to remain open for encounters with you. Show us the way
towards peace and justice.
Let us pray together: The Kingdom of God, from Taizé
2 min
2 min
In fellowship with all Christians worldwide let us say the prayer that Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
Hymn: Jeder dieser Erde ist meinem Volk heilig (sung as a round) from Brevier p. 172.
While singing, the congregation forms a circle.
N.N.: Words of sending and blessing:
We will now ask God to bless this day and the coming weeks during the Ecumenical Pilgrimage from
Flensburg to Paris:
O God, who saved Sarah and Abraham from the city of Ur in Chaldea and protected them on their
wanderings, who accompanied the people of the Hebrews, we ask you to protect the pilgrims who,
for love of your name, are setting out today on the Ecumenical Pilgrimage from Flensburg to Paris.
1
From the Message of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches held in Busan, Republic of Korea, in 2013.
Be to them a companion and leader on the journey, giving refreshment in their fatigue, defence in
times of danger, refuge on the way, comfort in discouragement and steadfastness of resolve, so that
they may arrive safely at their destination. After a medieval text/rite from 1073 (cf. Missal of Vich,
Barcelona)
3 min
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen
Organ postlude and recessional
Brass band plays outside the church from about 12.30 to 12.45
Total length of service: 80 min + 10 min for transitions, place changes etc.