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From “Common Prayer: A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals” (June 7th, p. 311-312)

Seattle (1786? - 1866)
Seattle was born in Suquamish village along the Puget Sound.  As a child he witnessed the arrival of the first white folks in the Northwest.  In his early twenties, he was named chief of his tribe and inherited the responsibility of dealing with the white settlers.  He rejected the option of violent resistance and insisted on peaceful discourse.  In 1830 he and many other Natives converted to Christianity.  Seattle became a leader committed to integrating his faith within his Native culture and traditions.  He eventually became very disheartened with the way he saw the white settlers treating the creation.  He died on June 7, 1866, on the Port Madison Reservation near the city which today bears his name.

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you
as the day rises to meet the sun.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

Come let us sing to the Lord: let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.

We are part of the earth: and it is part of us.

Psalm 36:5-10
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens: and your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep: you save both man and beast, O Lord.
How priceless is your love, O God!: your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
They feast upon the abundance of your house: you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the well of life: and in your light we see light.
Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you: and your favour to those who are true of heart.

We are part of the earth: and it is part of us.

Deuteronomy 11:1-12        Acts 5:12-26

We are part of the earth: and it is part of us.

Seattle said, “Humankind did not weave the web of life. We are but one strand within it.  Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.”

Prayers for Others

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Lord, you care for all of creation and watch over the earth and its inhabitants day and night. Help us learn to love all things created by your hand.  Teach us that we are part of a larger tapestry woven together for the good of all. Amen.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, 
 wherever he may send you. 
May he guide you through the wilderness, 
 protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing,
 at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing,
 once again into our doors.  Amen

Photo by Jessie Chou on Unsplash