1 WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION
More than a decade ago, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew named
September 1 (the start of his Church’s liturgical year), the World Day
of Prayer for the Care of Creation. Pope Francis added this to the
Catholic calendar in 2015, and many Protestant denominations have
joined in the observance.
In many of these global Churches, the days from September 1
through October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, are now
thought of as the ”season of creation”. Individuals, schools and
communities can continue the prayers, reflections, and experiences
of caring for creation.
7 BRAZIL: INDEPENDENCE DAY: On this date in 1822, Brazil declared
its independence from Portugal. Celebrations are held in all Brazilian
cities and in centers of expatriate residence. Locally, the Brazilian
Resource Center usually leads a large event in Hyannis. Despite
fears of federal enforcement forces, this year’s coincidence with
Labor Day may signal a large participation by hundreds of families.
8 UN – LITERACY DAY: UNESCO has been leading the observance of
this day since 1966, with parallel goals of literacy and multilingualism.
On Cape Cod, this second goal can remind all non-immigrants to
assist with ESL programs for immigrants. At the same time, all of us
can improve our fluency in other languages.
11 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11: Almost all of our faith traditions have
published materials to stimulate reflection and prayer on this
anniversary. The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City also
has materials at https://www.911memorial.org/
Our committee and Nauset Interfaith recommend participating in yourtown’s service of remembrance this day – most often midmorning at
the fire station. These are often under-attended, but the intensity of
this year suggests we show our care in person.
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25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAUSET INTERFAITH ASSOCIATION
A few days after 9/11, three pastors in Orleans joined a thousand
other residents at Eldrege Park in a memorial prayer gathering. From
that moment, they resolved to meet other religious leaders regularly
for support and action. That group expanded, including lay leaders
too. Eventually, it took on more organized forms and included
congregations, their representatives, and community members
committed to social justice work. Thus Nauset Interfaith Association,
as it came to be known, was born from tragedy and trauma; may it
ever evolve into an association of reconciliation, peace, and justice.
The anniversary will be observed in two ways:
On 9/11, association members will be participating in their towns’
remembrance gatherings.
On 10/25 – Brewster Baptist Church, 4:00pm – a social gathering will
allow all members to celebrate by looking back and looking ahead.
11-13 ROSH HASHANAH: This New Year celebration opens ten days of
reflection for all Jews. Rabbis and other teachers continually suggest
ways to respond in faith to current events. This year’s 9/11
anniversary, pending elections in Israel and the USA, and so many
public policy debates (including immigration) make for intense prayer
and reflection on repentance and on the meaning of loving covenant.
All others can join Jewish neighbors – the experience of a new
school year provides all an opportunity to freshly appreciate
communal lives in faith.
20-21 YOM KIPPUR: This most solemn day celebrates and gathers in ten
days of reflections. The prophetic call to repentance, to covenant life
is most intense this day, but it’s also a year-round summons.
25 SUKKOTH: This is an autumn harvest festival when Jews traditionally
build temporary outdoor dwellings, where they eat, sing, and
socialize. In these places, one recognizes one’s own impermanenceand vulnerability. (American Jewish World Service)
27 WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS & REFUGEES: Since World War I and
its displacement of so many European populations, the Catholic
Church has observed this day. Pope Leo XIV wrote: “For this 112th
World Day, the theme, ‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our
attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration
and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that
‘whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’ (Mk
9:37).”
SACRED SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 19: 32-36
Deuteronomy 24: 17-22
Earliest codes for holiness and wholeness.
Psalm 75 & Psalm 85
Songs for peace in our world
Psalm 121
Song sung by migrants, on the move
Matthew 25: 31-46
Welcoming the stranger as an essential mission of a Christian.
PRAYERS
SEPTEMBER 11 / PRAYERS AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY
A Christian Prayer
Prayer amidst tragedy and death can lead to restored harmony and justice
in God’s grace. Consider praying the full Canticle of Creation (below).
A Muslim Prayer
God of all nations, look with favor upon this great nation as we remember
the tragic terrorist attacks of 9/11 in its 10th anniversary. Be our source of
strength, healing and comfort as our wounds still bleed.
God of wisdom and compassion, You create eventual blessings out ofevery kind of evil. Make us instruments and agents of such creation as we
strive to turn the post-9/11 challenges into opportunities and blessings for
others and ourselves. God of mercy and grace, we bring up the immediate
victims and their loved ones of these heinous acts into your attention. Be
their light in these moments of darkness and difficulty. God of hope and
glory, do not let our hopes be overcome by our fears. Do not let our souls
be crippled by despair. Be our source of hope and guidance in these times
of sorrow and mourning. Oh God, if we forget You. Do not forget us. In
your most Holy and Beautiful name we pray. Amen (Imam Abdullah
Antepli)
A Sikh Prayer
The One Universal Creator of all, our Divine Mother and Father In Your
blessings we find true and lasting comfort and peace Grant healing and
solace to our wounded hearts Grant us strength to bear the loss of loved
ones and to live in Your Will Grant us resilience in the face of hate, and the
courage to face it with dignity May we all unite and share one another’s
pain and tears May the hatred in the world melt away in Your boundless
and everlasting love And living in Your Will, may all find peace, harmony
and serenity. (Dr. Satpal Singh)
PRAYERS AT ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR
ROSH HASHANAH: Blessing of challah bread:
May we find mercy in rising together to bring justice to our world.
May our voices grow stronger and more numerous,
expanding like the yeast in this bread
to stop bigotry, violence and oppression.
May we work to ensure that all of humanity
can live in dignity and break bread together this year
in a more just and equitable world. (American Jewish World Service)
YOM KIPPUR: Jonah is traditionally read on the afternoon this day. Jews
and Christians alike can read this short story of justice and repentance,
through a narrow-minded prophet and God who makes justice real.
THE CANTICLE OF CREATION
October 4, 2026 is the 800th anniversary of the death of Francis of Assisi. Over the last
two years of his life, he composed this poem in four segments.I. The first segment allows us to first and fully praise God, the Creator.
II. Then follows the main section, praising God through all of creation, where we live as
brother and sister to all.
III. The third segment was added later by Francis, after he saw a local dispute (the
mayor versus the bishop) and worked for reconciliation and peace.
IV. The final segment was added by Francis a few days before his own death.
I. ——————————————————————————
Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor
And all blessing.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy
To pronounce your name.
II.
——————————————————————————–
All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made,
And first my lord Brother Sun,
Who brings the day; and light you give to us through him.
How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;
In the heavens you have made them, bright
And precious and fair.
All praise be yours, My Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all the weather’s moods,
By which you cherish all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, lowly, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
Through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful is he, how gay! Full of power and strength.
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our mother,Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces
Various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
III. ————————————————————————————-
All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon
For love of you; through those who endure Sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace,
By you, Most High, they will be crowned.
IV. ————————————————————————————-
All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,
From whose embrace no mortal can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those She finds doing your will!
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,
And serve him with great humility.