Worshipful Walks - Worship in the midst of Creation

This fall, as part of Grace Episcopal Church, Medford's Experiments in Sunday Night Worship we did several, what we named, Worshipful Walks. The walk is a short hike, stopping on the path along the way for prayers, reading from scripture, meditation and finally the Holy Eucharist celebrated at a pre-chosen beautiful setting.

The service is designed to help connect with the experience of God in nature, and help to inspire for the care of creation and the environment. 

We did walks in several different green spaces around Medford, a walk through the Fells to Wright's Tower, along the Mystic Lakes and in the Brooks Estates.  

 Here is an articles in the local papers about the walks:

Medford Transcript

Inside Medford





Here is a sample bulletin from one of our walks:

Grace Episcopal Church Medford

Experiments in Evening Worship

Worshipful Walks- Brooks Estate

Sept. 29, 2013

5:00 PM

All Are Welcome

Words of Welcome

Opening Prayer- The Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Station 1: Song &Scripture

Song- “Seek Ye First”

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And his righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Allelu, Alleluia (repeat)

The Holy Scripture: Nehemiah 9:6-7

And Ezra said: “You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you. You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.

Lectio Divina (LD)- You are invited to speak a word, phrase, or thought that catches your attention.

Walk in silence to 2nd station

Station 2: Nehemiah 9:6-7

                 LD: Share in pairs where this passage has meaning for you and/or where it invites you today. Later, you will be given a chance to share with the larger group.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God

And his righteousness

And all these things shall be added unto you

Allelu, Alleluia (repeat)

Walk to 3rd station

Station 3: Prayers of the People

               

An excerpt from“A Future Not Our Own”- a prayer by Oscar Romero (read together):

This is what we are about.

We plant the seeds that one day will grow.

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders;

Ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

Walk to Loop Trail

Song at the fort: “Sanctuary”

 Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary

             Pure and holy, tried and true

With thanksgiving

 I’ll be a living sanctuary for you

Walk to 4^th station

Station 4: Poem & Guided Reflection

Walk in silence to 5^th station

Station 5: Eucharist

Songs: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

 Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

         

Dismissal