I’ve slightly updated this week’s service on creation in honor of the Season of Creation. This denomination-spanning celebration starts on Sept. 1 and ends on Oct. 4, the Feast of St. Francis, patron saint of ecology. Feel free to use this service anytime during that span.

My video service and written agenda can be used each year — and, as always, are specifically designed to engage older adults with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

However, I encourage you to check out the wonderful resources on the Season of Creation site for 2025. An ecumenical team comes up with a fresh theme and free materials each year (this year’s theme is Peace with Creation).

 Watch the 45-minute church service for Season of Creation here.

How To Use Physical Objects in Worship

One spiritual discipline is to observe or handle a physical item carefully, prayerfully, and slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. (The rosary is one example.)

Before this service in particular, you might want to spend time with elders gathering items from nature, such as feathers, stones, seashells, flowers, pinecones, etc. Create a table or plan to pass them around during the service. Encourage people to describe how things feel and memories they evoke.

You can also try “name that nature sound” recordings (here’s a 2-minute version) or show large book or video images of natural vistas, such as the rainforest, national parks, or desert scenery.

Peace be with you,

Photo by Marissa Daeger on Unsplash