Music suggestions (plenty more in hymnals)
Festival of Creation in Christ music suggestions
Singing from the Lectionary music suggestions for Season of Creation
(scroll down on the page)
13 new songs on themes of creation, ecology & Christian hope
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s website has songs for Creation and Creation Care
Youtube
Living Waters flow through us (Youtube) for Season of Creation 2026
Living Waters (Youtube) a Columban hymn for Season of Creation 2026
For the Beauty of the Earth (David and Dale MacGregor)
written for Season of Creation 2026. Lyrics Score
Spirit of Creation (words: Craig Mitchell; music: Leigh Newton)
Lyrics (and link to sheet music) here. Video with lyrics here.
A song of lament and confession, and hope for renewal.
(Could be used for reflection, or during candle lighting for prayers of the people)
God of creation (words: Craig Mitchell; music: Bunessan – Morning has broken)
Lyrics here. Youtube video with lyrics here.
A new hymn for the Season of Creation 2026
O God, You Have the Power
Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Tune: AURELIA (“The Church’s One Foundation”)
O God, you have the power to bring back what is yours –
to bring life’s joy and wonder to toxic, lifeless shores.
Where earth has been depleted, where nothing seems to grow,
we’ve seen you cleanse and nurture till blessings overflow.
Ezekiel had a vision of hopeful signs like these –
of waters bringing healing – and fish and plants and trees.
He dreamed of Living Water that flowed at your command –
that spread out like a river upon your thirsty land.
When we pollute your rivers and drain your wetlands dry,
when we cause harm to waters, we see creation cry.
And yet Ezekiel’s vision reminds us once again:
Your will is restoration. Your waters sing, “Amen!”
O God, in your creation, we see your strength and care.
Clean water is a blessing! May this become our prayer:
Your will is restoration. You seek to make things new.
Give us new dedication to heal the earth with you.
Biblical References: Ezekiel 47:1-12
Text: Copyright © 2026 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
Hymn – “Creator God You Gave Us Life”
(Words: Judith Snowden; tune: Claire, or alternate Chandler – Scottish Traditional melody)
Creator God, you gave us life, your image formed within our souls,
Yet through the mist of time and space, we search for that which makes us whole.
Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery.
In every flower and every tree, we see your great diversity,
Yet greater still we see your love, expressed in our humanity.
Though hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery.
When with our hearts, our hands, our minds, we share our gifts with all the world,
Our spirits soar beyond the veil, to touch the very face of God.
Through hands that paint majestic skies, and voices chanting melody,
With words that reach beyond the page, we comprehend your mystery.
God, You Made Your Good Creation
Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Music: BEACH SPRING (“God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”)
God, you made your good creation and you hold it in your care –
From each starry constellation to each forest under-layer.
Tiny creatures, mountain splendor, rivers, lakes and ocean floors –
You are loving, kind and tender in your care for what is yours.
Yet, O God, the earth is crying, times are changing, storms are strong.
Now the coral reefs are dying, floods are raging, droughts are long.
Though the circumstances differ, when the earth is in distress,
See! The poor are first to suffer from our greed and selfishness.
God, you love this world we live in, so you sent your only Son.
“Here on earth as in your heaven,” God, we pray, “Your will be done.”
By your Spirit, may we listen to the earth and to the poor;
May we care for all you’ve given till creation is restored.
Biblical References: Genesis 1-2; Psalm 8,24,104; Romans 8:19-23; 1 John 3:17; John 3:16; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 21:5
Text: Copyright © 2016 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
This hymn was inspired by “Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You): On Care for Our Common Home,”, 2015 Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis
The peace of the earth (La paz de la tierra esté contigo)- a sung blessing (Guatemelan traditional, arr John Bell)
The peace of the earth be with you,
the peace of the heavens too;
the peace of the rivers be with you,
the peace of the oceans too.
Deep peace falling over you;
God’s peace growing in you. (Repeat)
God walks with us in shimmering heat
Lyrics: Leigh Newton (c) 2022; Tune: ‘Repton’ (TIS 598) Charles H.H.Perry (1848-19-18)
God walks with us in shimmering heat and thundering skies of grey,
In nature’s wildest alchemy,
And stone of regal majesty,
Such glory on display. Such glory on display.
In banksia shades of sunset bloom, in Gouldian Finch array,
The artist’s joy seen unashamed,
From pallet bright and unexplained,
What wonders in our day! What wonders in our day!
God hovers ‘round this captured rock, and all the universe,
Yet Christ comes here to show God’s face,
To make the holy common-place,
To let God’s voice be heard. To let God’s voice be heard.
God sings to us from in the soil, from in the rain and air,
This fabric on which we depend,
We hardly, barely understand,
This web in disrepair. This web in disrepair.
Now fire and flood and brooding storm fragment this Earth, our home,
As summer lengthens year by year,
And precious waters disappear,
We pray your call be known. We pray your call be known.
Come, Jesus walk with us each day, forgive our blinkered ways.
Bring hope when storms assail the land,
Turn hearts and hands to work your plan,
Inspire us all our days. Let love lead all our ways.
Song: Learn from all the songs of earth (Thomas Troeger)
Audio on this link
Wake now my senses (tune: Slane, TiS 547, 10 10 10 10)
Wake, now my senses, and hear the earth call;
feel the deep power of being in all;
keep, with the web of creation your vow,
giving, receiving as love shows us how.
Wake, now my reason, reach out to the new,
join with each pilgrim who quests for the true;
honour the beauty and wisdom of time;
suffer your limit, and praise the sublime.
Wake, now compassion, give heed to the cry;
voices of suffering fill the wide sky;
take as your neighbour both stranger and friend,
praying and striving their hardship to end.
Wake, now my conscience, with justice your guide;
join with all people whose rights are denied;
take not for granted a privileged place;
God’s love embraces the whole human race.
Wake, now my vision of ministry clear;
brighten my pathway with radiance here;
mingle my calling with all who will share;
work toward a planet transformed by our care.
(Words: Thomas J S Mikelson)
“We’re standing here on holy ground” (Tune: ‘Ellacombe(2)’, 86 86D, 453 TiS)
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land your hand has made;
Your art displayed in timeless rocks,
in purple haze and space;
Its mighty gums and feathery ferns
your beauty magnify.
Tread softly then, in awe reflect,
and listen to the land.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land which ancients trod.
They wrote your law in hills and streams
in rocks and caves and trees;
A law to tell us who we are,
to guide and make us strong.
Tread gently then, respect the earth,
remember whence we’ve come.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land that toil has shaped.
It’s fertile plains will feed us all,
when tilled with care and love.
But mindless greed and drought and flood
wreak havoc in the land.
Then let us tread with love the earth,
that’s fed us faithfully.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
on land we long to share,
Where each has space and equity,
and neither want nor fear
But demons fierce are dancing here
of race and greed and hate.
Engrave upon our wills, we pray,
your ancient covenant law.
We’re standing here on holy ground,
we seek your rule on earth;
Your will be done in politics,
in law court, market, church;
Your gentleness among us reign,
and each one dwell secure;
May generations yet unborn,
live here in harmony. © JBrown. (Adapted – Verses 1-2, 4-6)
Climate in our hands
This wondrous universe tells of God’s glory,
Endless in space and forever in time;
We are astonished when we contemplate its story
We have a place in this myst’ry sublime.
This planet’s destiny, life in its beauty
Rests with the choices we make every day;
We have the burden, we have the solemn duty
To guard tomorrow, so children can play.
Consuming energy; burning resources;
Climate is changing and sea levels rise;
Deserts expanding; more weather’s fiercest forces;
This is our fate; it should be no surprise!
Changes to industry and to our life-style
Can welcome nature to heal and repair;
Living again in the bountiful and fertile,
God is again to be found everywhere.
(Words: George Stuart; Tune: Russian Hymn – link includes midi recording of music)
For the Beauty of the Earth (Tune: ‘Dix’, 77 77 77)
For the beauty of the earth,
for the splendour of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies:
Refrain:
Source of all,
to thee we raise this
our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony
linking sense to sound and sight Refrain:
For the wonder of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale and tree and flower,
sun and moon and stars of light Refrain
For the joy of human care,
sister, brother, parent, child,
for the kinship we all share,
for all gentle thought and mild Refrain
(Source: FSPierpoint/adapt)
The Universe in God
(Music: “Praise my soul”, 8.7.8.7 TiS 179)
All creation sings a story
Of great splendours to declare.
When we contemplate its beauty
We are called forth into prayer.
We, enchanted, stand in silence;
God discovered everywhere.
When we stumble on new knowledge,
When new insights help us grow,
We are quick to re-discover
Just how much we do not know.
But the Universe smiles gently,
As our theories come and go.
Outer space and inner being
Both have secrets they conceal.
Galaxies so grimly awesome,
Deep emotions that we feel –
All in God are judged as sacred;
It is God they all reveal.
Ageless mysteries still excite us;
Time and space we must explore.
God the ‘Presence’ and ‘Surrounding’,
God the ever wondrous ‘More’
Is not found by science labours,
But in praise when we adore.
(Source: George Stuart)
Song of healing
(Words: Norman Habel. Tune: Morning has Broken)
Healing is flowing, deep in the waters,
Flowing from Eden, flowing from old.
All through creation, God sends forth waters,
Oceans of healing, for all the world.
Healing is rising, fresh with the morning,
Healing is rising, bursting with grace.
Christ, our rich healing, deep in creation,
Heal Earth’s deep wounds and rise in this place.
Healing is offered, leaves from the life tree,
Healing is offered nations at war.
Come, wounded Healer, torn by the violence,
Rise from the grave, bring peace to our shore.
Healing is given, flows from forgiveness,
Healing is given, flows from our faith.
Christ, give us heart to love your deep healing,
Living forgiveness, even in death.
Healing is rising, free in Christ’s body,
Healing is flowing, free with Christ’s blood.
May this deep healing pulse through our bodies,
Heal the world’s wounds still bleeding and red
God who formed the mighty ocean
(Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith, tune: Ode to Joy)
God who formed the mighty ocean,
loosed the winds upon their ways,
gave the circling planets motion
in their round of ceaseless praise,
hear our thanks for hearts that love us,
for the hour that gave us birth,
heirs of starry skies above us
and the seas of all the earth.
Hold within your care unsleeping
all who face tempestuous seas,
harvests from the waters reaping,
God be thanked for such as these.
Earth is rich beyond all measure,
may we prize her gifts the more,
we who find our work or pleasure
on the seas or by the shore.
Guard, when stormy waves are breaking,
those who cross the oceans wide;
share with them their watchful waking,
be with them through wind and tide.
Christ our Savior, friend unfailing,
as the seas of life we roam,
chart our course and guide our sailing
safe to harbor and to home.
Morning Opens wide before us
Words: Kathy Galloway, Iona
Tune: Regent’s Square (praise my soul the King of heaven)
Morning opens wide before us
like a door into the light.
Just beyond the day lies waiting
ready to throw off the light,
and we stand upon its threshold
poised to turn and take it’s flight.
Now the earth in all its glory
springs to meet the rising sun,
warms to all who walk upon it,
cradling all that will be done.
All our labour, all our living
mingle and become as one.
We receive God’s graceful moment,
while the day is fresh and still,
ours to choose how we will greet it,
ours to make it what we will.
Here is given perfect freedom,
every hope in love to fulfil.
As we take first step together,
passing through the door of day,
may the love of Christ the Creator
give us peace in all that we say,
heart for all that lies before us,
grace to guide us on our way.
Song: Sing praise to God and mountain tops (sample: music and lyrics on Hymnary)
Don’t Fear, You Good Earth
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 (“How Firm a Foundation”)
“Do not fear, O soil; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!… Do not fear, you animals of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full yield…” Joel 2:21-23
Don’t fear, you good earth; now rejoice! Have you heard?
The Lord has created you by his own word.
Don’t fear, all you fields for God sends you the rain.
The farms overflow with the wine, oil and grain.
Don’t fear, all you creatures who live in the field;
The pastures are rich and they give their full yield.
You creatures, now sing— for the meadows are green;
Around us, good gifts of creation are seen!
O God, as the prophet proclaimed long ago,
You care for your earth and your gifts overflow.
Though sin leads to things that disrupt and destroy,
You work to redeem and to bring life and joy.
This season, we gather to thank you and say:
O God, you continue to bless us today!
May we who’ve been blessed by the gifts of your hand
Now care for the water, the air and the land.
Text: Copyright © 2018 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
Inspiring Love
[tune: ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’ – HYFRYDOL. Could also sing to Blaenwern]
Love divine, all love inspiring,
joy of heav’n on earth is known;
you, the heart of all that’s living,
you, the breath, the mind, the soul.
All creation sings your praises,
plains and mountains, sea and sky;
we will join the sacred chorus,
we will sing your love through time.
Jesus come to dwell among us,
Holy love personified.
Wisdom of the broad wide cosmos,
timeless star dust in your eyes.
With your touch you healed and welcomed,
with your words you showed us your way;
now we follow your path of justice,
spread your peace more day by day.
Breath of Life, breathe ever hopeful,
liberate from tyranny.
Blow, wind, blow, and carry onward
humans into unity.
Help us weave our threads together,
vibrant, strong, community;
we are one, one body in Spirit;
found in wonder, love, are we.
(Words: Rev Dr Sarah Agnew, in loving memory of her father David)
God of Seasons God of Change
Music: Amazing Grace
O God of Sea, of Sky, of Earth
Come hear our broken cry
Creation’s cry for life, re-birth
Oh, heal us! Breathe new life!
O God of seasons, God of change
God in both drought and rain
come change our hearts to end this pain
renew the Earth again
We’ve ravaged species, land and sea
We’ve squandered all your gifts
We have not lived in harmony
Oh change us! Lord, forgive!
We’ve broken lives and bio-zones
With broken hearts we cry
Come heal our broken, dying home
Forgive us! Breathe new life!
Creating God, Incarnate Lord!
You’ve shown us how to be
life-giving! Living, breathing life!
Amen! So let us be!
O God of Sky, of Sea, of Earth
Of seasons and of change
come change our hearts to bring re-birth
renew your Earth again.
Words by Brenton Prigge © 2021
Praise for the depths of space,
its endless scope and scale:
in such a vast embrace
our words and numbers fail.
For what are we,
that mortal mind
should seek and find
infinity?
Praise for the rules that show
the patterning of time,
creation’s ebb and flow
expressed in reason’s rhyme.
Can these great laws
contain our awe,
a formula
for wonder’s cause?
Praise for the complex codes
each spiral strand conveys,
as chemistry explodes
to life in myriad ways.
Can we compare
what’s ours alone
if we are known
through all we share?
Praise for the drive to know;
from human nature springs
a need to learn and grow,
to understand all things.
Yet wisdom’s prize
is never won:
from all that’s done
new questions rise.
Praise to the one whose Word
breathed purpose into chance,
for whom all matter stirred
to join creation’s dance.
For love made known
in every thing
in praise we sing
to You alone.
(Tune: Love unknown; Words: Rev Ally Barrett)
Through Devastating Storms
LEONI 6.6.8.4 (“The God of Abraham Praise”)
Through devastating storms, through times of heat and drought,
through fire and flood, creation mourns and so cries out.
As hot and cold extremes cause overwhelming need,
the earth bears witness to the cost of human greed.
We’re always wanting more; we spend and build and buy.
To meet our wants, we hurt the poor — till many die.
The world that we have built is one we can’t sustain,
and all around us, God’s creation cries in pain.
Creator, by your grace, you give the gift of life —
You entered into time and space in Jesus Christ.
Your Spirit makes us strong to tend and heal and lift —
and helps us see creation as a sacred gift.
There’s no time left to wait! May we be bold to give.
May we plant trees and advocate and gently live —
God, as we love the earth and love each other, too,
may we bring hope and healing to this world with you.
References: Romans 8:22-25; Isaiah 58:6-10; Luke 16:19-31; John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-21
Text: Copyright © 2021 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/
Creation Sing Out (inspired by Psalm 148; music score; Youtube)
Creation, sing out.
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!
Sun, moon and stars
Sing praises to God
Shout your praises
Shout your praises!
Praises sing from the depths of the oceans
The creatures of water cry forth
Fire and snow, every stormy wind
Sing praises, all the earth! Refrain
Praises ring from the mountain, the hillsides
The forests and everything grown
You animals, birds – you wild, you tame
Creation praise God’s name! Refrain
Praises sing out from young and from older
All nations, yes – everyone
God’s name is highest over all
Creation sing as one! Refrain
(Words and music: David MacGregor © 2021 Willow Publishing)
God of creation
(tune: Bunessan ‘Morning has Broken’; words: Craig Mitchell; Youtube)
God of Creation
Gentle life-giver
Present at birth, and
all through our days
Author of sunrise
Song in the night sky
Here in this place, we
offer our praise
Jesus, Companion
teacher and healer
friend of the grieving,
suffering, the poor
Stand with your people
whisper among us
promise of mercy
goodness for all
Spirit of Comfort
blow through Creation
stir up new life, breathe
peace through our world
Healer of hearts, and
hope for tomorrow
weave all our sorrows
into new dawn
Here we give thanks for
life in its fullness
blessings received
your gifts to us all
Make us a people
filled with compassion
selflessly giving
serving your world
Rhymes and Reasons (John Denver) (Youtube)
So you speak to me of sadness and the coming of the winter
Fear that is within you now, that seems to never end
And the dreams that have escaped you
And the hope that you’ve forgotten
And you tell me that you need me now
And you want to be my friend
And you wonder where we’re going,
Where’s the rhyme and where’s the reason,
And it’s you cannot accept it is here we must begin
To seek the wisdom of the children
And the graceful way of flowers in the wind
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow
They’re a promise of the future and a blessing for today.
‘tho the cities start to crumble and the towers fall around us
The sun is slowly fading and it’s colder than the sea
It is written from the desert to the mountains they shall lead us
By the hand and by the heart they will comfort you and me
In their innocence and trusting they will teach us to be free
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers
Their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day
And the song that I am singing is a prayer to non-believers
Come and stand beside us, we can find a better way
VIDEOS
Canticle of the Feathered Ones (audio) – a song by Sara Thomsen
(perfect for a communion setting)
Prayers and music from an Interfaith service
(St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne – the service is on Youtube)
Canticle of Daniel on Youtube by Don Stewart with visuals by Rob Hanks
A great video clip (4.58 mins) – She’s Alive, beautiful, finite, dying, worth dying for – could be shown during a service. The blurb: “It was made to highlight the fact that world leaders, irresponsible corporates and mindless ‘consumers’ are combining to destroy life on earth. It is dedicated to all who died fighting for the planet and those whose lives are on the line today. The cut was put together by Vivek Chauhan, a young film maker, together with naturalists working with the Sanctuary Asia network (http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/). The principal source for the footage was Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s incredible film HOME http://www.homethemovie.org/. The music was by Armand Amar. Credit and thanks to Greenpeace and http://timescapes.org/”
In Every Season (video here)
God’s wisdom is woven through all Creation
As the seasons shift in integration
Swell of the ocean, the dance of trees
Each season sings Christ’s melodies.
Wisdom ignored – she now cries tears
Have we lost our way, overshot our years?
This great destruction of our aching moment
Seasons crumbling, is our home broken?
God’s call for all is to love and tend
What we break, we must also mend.
You feel the fear; a weight like gravity
This is normal, when you face reality.
It’s tempting to hide from problems full-grown.
But this is Holy Work, and you’re not alone.
In every season, of your numbered days
You’re invited in, through lament and praise
We speak and act for God’s common grace
We plant tomorrow’s seeds, today.
(Source: Will Small, founder of Lead by Story, commissioned by Common Grace)
“Love Song To The Earth” (link includes lyrics, and the video has lyrics) – it may be a resource to add to a service during Season of Creation. Every time the song is purchased, streamed, or shared, the royalties go directly towards the efforts of Friends of the Earth to keep fossil fuels in the ground and lower carbon emissions, and to the work of the U.N. Foundation to inspire international action on climate change.
Renew our World music video (Tearfund) – downloadable on Vimeo
