Inspired by Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings"
An intergenerational liturgy
for the start of the Season of Creation
including responsive activities
experiential prayer
and youth leadership
Based on Judges 9:7-16 The Parable of the Trees
Introducing the importance of looking at the world
and our place in it through an eco-justice lens
Call to Worship: Entish Greeting
LEADER: (slowly, dramatically)
“Hroom, hroom.
The oldest trees take the longest to speak.
Welcome, saplings and ancient ones alike,
to this gathering of trees
where we take time today
to speak about what is worthwhile.”
“Hroom, hroom.
Hello everyone!
Today, as part of our ‘Ent Moot’ service,
we’re going to greet one another as trees and plants
from an Old Testament story
—the olive, the grapevine, the fig, and the thorn bush.
Each of these offers us a special message
about what it means to be part of a healthy, caring community
and to take responsibility for the world around us.”
Our four friends teach us different lessons
through their stories and their symbols.
We’ll tell you a little about each one,
then show you their sound and gesture.
After that, we’ll practice
and then go out and greet each other
Are you ready?”
An explanation is given of each tree with a child demonstrating the sounds and actions of each. The ALL TOGETHER is said by the congregation to each child - and then again at the conclusion of the time. In between, each member of the congregation chooses which tree they want to be and then wanders around, "greeting" each other as demonstrated.
- The Olive Tree (Calm & Steady)
- Sound:
“Mmmm hmmm” (soft, steady hum or whisper, like a peaceful breath).
- Gesture: hold your hands gently in front of you, as if offering a blessing.
- Leader:
“The olive tree gives us olive oil—blessing, healing, and peace. It’s a symbol of calm and steadfastness, reminding us to be reliable and gentle in our care for others.”
- All together:
- Sound:
- The Grape Vine (Joy & Gathering)
- Sound:
“Woo ooo!” whopping!
- Gesture: intertwine your arms like vines climbing or curling together.
- Leader:
“The grapevine produces grapes—sweet and nourishing. It’s a sign of harvest, joy, and gathering—bringing people together in celebration and sharing.”
- All together:
- Sound:
- The Fig Tree (Sweetness & Shelter)
- Sound:
“Ahh Ooo” (gentle and warm)
- Gesture: Circle your arms as if giving a welcoming shelter or embrace.
- Leader:
“The fig tree offers sweet fruit and shelter. It teaches us about kindness and providing care—making space for others and sharing blessings.”
- All together:
- Sound:
- 4. The Thorn Bush (Candid and cautious)
- Sound:
“Tsssk tsssk” (sharp and prickly)
- Gesture: Hold your hand out with fingers spread, then quickly pull back—like a thorn or a warning.
- Leader:
“The thorn bush is a warning—something sharp and dangerous. It’s a reminder to be cautious and careful—when we forget our responsibilities, things can get burnt or broken.”
- All together:
- Sound:
Acknowledgement of Country
Song Recommendation:
- Canticle of Daniel
- Declaring Glory (or The Earth is Yours)
Embodied Prayer
Done as a repetitive chant with actions to encourage openness and movement. Actions are:
*A slow, circular movement as the chant progresses
from touching the ground
~to standing up and reaching arms towards the sky
with closed hands,
||then spreading arms wide and 'shooting" the fingers open.
*God of creation,
let us be grounded in your love,
~reaching up and out
as your people
||and open to your Spirit
like leaves to the sun.
Bible Reading: Judges 9:7-16
This is a difficult passage from a difficult book. We're using a paraphrase by Davis Carman which lends itself to dramatisation by and meaningful conversation with the youth. Link below:
Reflection
Song Recommendation:
- We Labour Unto Glory
Response 1: Nature Walk
This will be a guided walk which you need to map out before it happens and, most likely, complete and submit a risk assessment to ensure that it happens safely. My introduction sounds something like:
We’re going to go on a walk in God’s good world – through the church, across the bridge, and into the park. You need to walk in twos or threes – paying careful attention when crossing the road and going up or down the stairs. Along the way, you will be given different questions to talk about with the people you are walking with.
Possible questions:
As you walked outside, what did you notice first?
Where do you see God in the world?
How do we build bridges between technology and nature?
What do you do at home to take care of our world?
If you put your hand on a tree trunk right now, what would you say to it? Would it say anything to you?
How do you feel walking alone? Walking with others
But, we all need to take care of each other!
So, if you don’t feel steady on your feet or have the wrong shoes on or if you have too much energy to walk with the group or listen properly, or if you’re just not in the mood to be outdoors and moving, then we want you to stay in this space where nature will come to you ….
Response 2: Wonders of the World & Clay Play
There are many remarkable videos of nature available.
Pick one that will play as background for about 20 minutes - use nature sounds or instrumental music rather than documentaries.
Hand out different colours of air-drying clay and ask people to create a response to the parable from it or, indeed, one of the creatures that captivates them in the video.
They are welcome to exchange pieces of clay with others should they want a greater variety of colour to work with.
As the walkers are returning, assemble the creations on the communion table.
Prayers of the People: Potted Prayers
Each line of this simple prayer is given to someone in the congregation to prayer - after which they plant a spring bulb into a prepared pot of soil. The bulbs will grow throughout the season and become a visual symbol of the slow work of prayer in changing us and our world.
God, bless our families and keep them safe.
Lord, help our friends to feel loved and included.
God, comfort those who are sick and bring them healing.
Lord, give wisdom to our teachers and leaders as they guide us.
God, help us care for the earth and all the animals you made.
Lord, bring peace to places where people are afraid or fighting.
God, be with children who feel lonely and give them a friend.
Lord, help us be brave to do what is right and to say sorry when we need to.
God, show us how to share our food, homes, and time with people in need.
Lord, teach us to forgive one another and to love like you love us.
God, grow the gifts and dreams you have planted in each of us.
Lord, remind us to say thank you for the good things every day.
LEADER:
As we plant these little seeds, we remember that praying is like planting—each prayer is a seed of hope we put into God’s hands.
We wait patiently to see what grows,
and in the meantime we play our part:
we water with acts of love and words of encouragement,
we weed out anger, jealousy, and unkindness,
and we fertilize with prayer, patience, and good deeds.
Help us to keep tending what you’ve planted in us—
trusting, watching, and caring—
until your love grows into something beautiful.
Amen.
Song Recommendation:
- Send us out
Blessing and dismissal
God of creation,
let us be grounded in your love,
reaching up and out
as your people
and open to your Spirit
like leaves to the sun.
Hroom – hroom.
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