| Lectionary | 1st Reading | Psalm | 2nd Reading | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anglican lectionary |
Acts 16:16-34 |
97 |
Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21 |
John 17:20-26 |
|
Catholic lectionary: |
Acts 7:55-60 |
|
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20 |
John 17:20-26 (61) |
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Environmental Day Sunday
01 June 2025
NOTES ON THE READINGS
INTRODUCTION: TRAPPED—BUT NOT FOREVER
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were locked in a prison. They were thrown in there for doing something
good—healing a girl. But even in chains, they prayed and sang. Then God shook the ground and opened the doors. And what started as a prison break turned into a breakthrough for everyone in that place.
Today, we’re not just talking about spiritual chains—we’re talking about environmental chains.
Concrete jungles, neighborhoods filled with rubbish. Polluted water. No green spaces. It can
feel like a prison you didn’t choose—but God has a plan to shake the ground and bring freedom, not
just to us, but to creation itself.
In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were locked in a prison. They were thrown in there for doing something
good—healing a girl. But even in chains, they prayed and sang. Then God shook the ground and opened the doors. And what started as a prison break turned into a breakthrough for everyone in that place.
Today, we’re not just talking about spiritual chains—we’re talking about environmental chains.
Concrete jungles, neighborhoods filled with rubbish. Polluted water. No green spaces. It can
feel like a prison you didn’t choose—but God has a plan to shake the ground and bring freedom, not
just to us, but to creation itself.
- SEEING THE CHAINS (v.16–24)
Paul and Silas saw a young girl in spiritual bondage. She was being used for profit—treated like a tool, not a person.
That’s how our environment gets treated too—used and abused for profit. Forests are cleared to make money.
Water is polluted because of greed. Poor communities are dumped on and ignored.
But like Paul, we have to see the chains. We have to say, “This is not right.” Caring for the Earth begins
with opening our eyes and speaking up for what’s broken—even if no one else wants to listen.
That’s how our environment gets treated too—used and abused for profit. Forests are cleared to make money.
Water is polluted because of greed. Poor communities are dumped on and ignored.
But like Paul, we have to see the chains. We have to say, “This is not right.” Caring for the Earth begins
with opening our eyes and speaking up for what’s broken—even if no one else wants to listen.
- PRAISE IN THE PRISON (v.25)
Even when they were locked up, Paul and Silas prayed and praised. Sometimes we look at our environment and feel
like it’s hopeless. But worship changes things. Praising God opens your heart and sharpens your vision. You start to realize: “If God can break open prison doors, He can also bring life back to this
neighborhood.” Start by praying and preaching about Care for Creation, doing Bible studies , learning or writing worship songs.
like it’s hopeless. But worship changes things. Praising God opens your heart and sharpens your vision. You start to realize: “If God can break open prison doors, He can also bring life back to this
neighborhood.” Start by praying and preaching about Care for Creation, doing Bible studies , learning or writing worship songs.
- SHAKING THE SYSTEM (v.26–28)
God caused an earthquake—not to destroy, but to set people free. And here’s the beautiful part: Paul and Silas didn’t run. They stayed, so the jailer and his whole family could be saved. The environment needs that kind of courage
today—not just escape, but engagement. We don’t abandon broken places—we stay and transform them.
• “I’ll be the one to plant change.”
• “I’ll help educate my neighbors.”
• “I’ll speak for those who can’t speak for themselves—even the trees, the water, and the animals.”
We need to move from individual actions to advocacy – it is not enough just for individuals to recycle or clean up an area – we need to push for municipal services for everyone in our city – or for companies to reduce plastic packaging.
today—not just escape, but engagement. We don’t abandon broken places—we stay and transform them.
• “I’ll be the one to plant change.”
• “I’ll help educate my neighbors.”
• “I’ll speak for those who can’t speak for themselves—even the trees, the water, and the animals.”
We need to move from individual actions to advocacy – it is not enough just for individuals to recycle or clean up an area – we need to push for municipal services for everyone in our city – or for companies to reduce plastic packaging.
- SALVATION FOR ALL (v.29–34)
The jailer thought everything was lost—but instead, he met hope. He and his whole family were saved.
That’s the power of transformation—when you care enough to stay, to act, and to speak life,
people notice. Environmental care isn’t just about the Earth—it’s about people.
• Clean air means kids can breathe.
• Clean water means parents don’t have to worry.
• Green spaces mean joy returns to the community.
• It means places where people can grow their own food.
• We need green spaces where you can go safely with your family.
When we protect the Earth, we preach a living sermon:
That’s the power of transformation—when you care enough to stay, to act, and to speak life,
people notice. Environmental care isn’t just about the Earth—it’s about people.
• Clean air means kids can breathe.
• Clean water means parents don’t have to worry.
• Green spaces mean joy returns to the community.
• It means places where people can grow their own food.
• We need green spaces where you can go safely with your family.
When we protect the Earth, we preach a living sermon:
“God is a healer. And He hasn’t forgotten us.”
- STAY, SING, SHAKE THE GROUND
So here’s the message: You don’t have to wait for someone else to fix things. You are Paul and Silas today. Even if you feel trapped by poverty or pollution, you have something powerful:
• A voice
• A prayer
• A purpose
• Your hands and feet!
• Your influence
Use them. Stay. Sing. And let God shake the ground beneath your feet—not just to set you free, but to bring freedom and healing to your whole environment.
• A voice
• A prayer
• A purpose
• Your hands and feet!
• Your influence
Use them. Stay. Sing. And let God shake the ground beneath your feet—not just to set you free, but to bring freedom and healing to your whole environment.
BIBLE STUDY:
BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION
BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION
Questions:
1. In what way was the slave girl in chains?
2. In what way were Paul and Silas in chains?
3. What things in our environment feel like chains or traps ?” (e.g. plastic pollution, dirty water, no trees, broken playgrounds, air pollution)
4. How might God want to set us and our environment free?
5. What do you feel God is calling you to do?
1. In what way was the slave girl in chains?
2. In what way were Paul and Silas in chains?
3. What things in our environment feel like chains or traps ?” (e.g. plastic pollution, dirty water, no trees, broken playgrounds, air pollution)
4. How might God want to set us and our environment free?
5. What do you feel God is calling you to do?
LITURGY
INTRODUCTION
Today’s theme for World Environment Sunday is Beat plastic Pollution.
This involves us all changing ourlifestyles but also praying for the global negotiations towards a plastic Treaty
This involves us all changing ourlifestyles but also praying for the global negotiations towards a plastic Treaty
GATHERING
I brought you into a fertile land to eat
its fruit and rich produce. But you
came and defiled my land and made
my inheritance detestable. Jer 2: 7
KYRIE
On those who are suffering from environmental
injustice.
Lord, have mercy
One those who live amongst piles of waste
Christ have mercy
On those whose homes become flooded as plastic
clogs the waterways
Lord have mercy
On those whose lungs are filled with the stink of
burning waste
Christ have mercy
On waste pickers who struggle to feed their families
in unsafe working conditions
Lord have mercy
On those who suffer health impacts from microplastics
Lord have mercy
On marine creatures who are entangled in plastic
waste
Christ have mercy
CONFESSION
God of life,
we praise you for the beauty of creation,
yet we confess that we have not been good
stewards of your gift.
We have filled our world with plastic waste,
harming the earth and its creatures.
We are sorry for our careless consumption and
disposal, for our reliance on single-use plastics, and
for the pollution we have caused.
We ask for your forgiveness and guidance in
finding ways to reduce our plastic footprint, to
reuse and recycle responsibly, and to live in a way
that honors your creation.
Help us to become more mindful of our choices
and to embrace sustainable practices, that our
actions may reflect your love for the earth and all its
inhabitants. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who
loved the world and taught us to love it well.”
PRAYERS
Creator God
Thank you for the many good gifts you have given
us – so much beauty and abundance in creation all
around us.
The earth is yours, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
And yet we hear creation groaning and we have
heavy hearts because we know so much of
creation’s pain is due to our actions. Forgive us for
polluting the environment through our selfish
deeds, without considering the impacts on people
and creation.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
Help us fulfil Jesus’ call to love our neighbours and
take action to look out for one another.
We remember the people on the frontline of plastic
pollution. We pray to you, Lord, that you protect
them from the diseases and flooding that come
with plastic pollution and that they may find
comfort in you.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
We pray that world leaders would act on plastic
pollution, coming together to agree on an
ambitious and binding plastics treaty. Give wisdom
and soft hearts to those involved in the
negotiations.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
We pray for each of the 20 million waste pickers
around the world who do vital work. They collect
plastics for recycling, and yet are often overlooked
and underpaid. Let their voices be listened to at the
UN treaty negotiations and their human rights and
livelihoods protected.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
Dear God, we pray for the global church, for all the
communities and people affected by plastic
pollution, that you may keep them close to you.
Help us to restore and care for this beautiful
earth you blessed us with.
Amen!
(Tearfund – written by Jessica Bwali a member of Climate Yes – youth ecumenical summit)
SENDING OUT
May God lift the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage heap. May the waters flow clear again, the soil be nourished and the skies be filled with the songs of all creatures. May we walk lightly on your earth, tread with reverence and cherish the gift of life
And the blessing…
I brought you into a fertile land to eat
its fruit and rich produce. But you
came and defiled my land and made
my inheritance detestable. Jer 2: 7
KYRIE
On those who are suffering from environmental
injustice.
Lord, have mercy
One those who live amongst piles of waste
Christ have mercy
On those whose homes become flooded as plastic
clogs the waterways
Lord have mercy
On those whose lungs are filled with the stink of
burning waste
Christ have mercy
On waste pickers who struggle to feed their families
in unsafe working conditions
Lord have mercy
On those who suffer health impacts from microplastics
Lord have mercy
On marine creatures who are entangled in plastic
waste
Christ have mercy
CONFESSION
God of life,
we praise you for the beauty of creation,
yet we confess that we have not been good
stewards of your gift.
We have filled our world with plastic waste,
harming the earth and its creatures.
We are sorry for our careless consumption and
disposal, for our reliance on single-use plastics, and
for the pollution we have caused.
We ask for your forgiveness and guidance in
finding ways to reduce our plastic footprint, to
reuse and recycle responsibly, and to live in a way
that honors your creation.
Help us to become more mindful of our choices
and to embrace sustainable practices, that our
actions may reflect your love for the earth and all its
inhabitants. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who
loved the world and taught us to love it well.”
PRAYERS
Creator God
Thank you for the many good gifts you have given
us – so much beauty and abundance in creation all
around us.
The earth is yours, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
And yet we hear creation groaning and we have
heavy hearts because we know so much of
creation’s pain is due to our actions. Forgive us for
polluting the environment through our selfish
deeds, without considering the impacts on people
and creation.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
Help us fulfil Jesus’ call to love our neighbours and
take action to look out for one another.
We remember the people on the frontline of plastic
pollution. We pray to you, Lord, that you protect
them from the diseases and flooding that come
with plastic pollution and that they may find
comfort in you.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
We pray that world leaders would act on plastic
pollution, coming together to agree on an
ambitious and binding plastics treaty. Give wisdom
and soft hearts to those involved in the
negotiations.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
We pray for each of the 20 million waste pickers
around the world who do vital work. They collect
plastics for recycling, and yet are often overlooked
and underpaid. Let their voices be listened to at the
UN treaty negotiations and their human rights and
livelihoods protected.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.
Dear God, we pray for the global church, for all the
communities and people affected by plastic
pollution, that you may keep them close to you.
Help us to restore and care for this beautiful
earth you blessed us with.
Amen!
(Tearfund – written by Jessica Bwali a member of Climate Yes – youth ecumenical summit)
SENDING OUT
May God lift the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage heap. May the waters flow clear again, the soil be nourished and the skies be filled with the songs of all creatures. May we walk lightly on your earth, tread with reverence and cherish the gift of life
And the blessing…
by Dr. Rachel Mash, Cape Town
Share the article:
Revd. Canon Dr Rachel Mash
Revd. Canon Dr Rachel Mash is the environmental Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. (South Africa, Swaziland- Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique). She works with the Green Anglicans youth Movement which is taking off in Africa. She is also the secretary to the Anglican Communion Environmental Network and sits on the steering group of the Season of Creation group.
