A Three-year Cycle of Readings for the Season of Creation

The season of Creation is celebrated in the U.S. during the four Sundays in September prior to St. Francis of Assisi Day (October 4). The sequence of readings for this season creates a liturgical pattern similar to that in the season of Advent. The readings are designed to provide a three-year cycle corresponding broadly to the years of Matthew, Mark and Luke in the Revised Common Lectionary.

The sequence of readings in each series follows a broad pattern of creation, alienation, passion and new creation. The readings also give special attention to the story of Earth, which complements the story of God and the story of humanity in the Scriptures. 
Take a look at the list of series texts below. The Season of Creation readings provide an Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle and Gospel reading. Hear God’s word as she speaks to us through creation! 
Download a comprehensive list of: Readings for Season of Creation (pdf)
This series concentrates on those texts where the Spirit is breathing life into creation, suffering with creation and renewing all creation.
Sunday in Creation Old Testament Psalm Epistle Gospel
(1st) Forest Genesis 2:4b-22 Psalm 139:13-16 Acts 17:22-28 John 3:1-16
(2nd) Land Genesis 3:14-19; 4:8-16 Psalm 139:7-12 Romans 5:12-17 Matthew 12:38-40
(3rd) Wilderness Joel 1:8-10, 17-20 Psalm 18:6-19 Romans 8:18-27 Matt 3:13-4:2 or Mark 1:9-13
(4th) River Genesis 8:20-22; 9:12-17 Psalm 104:27-33 Revelation 22:1-5 Matthew 28:1-10
The second series focuses on those texts where the Word is the impulse that summons forth creation, evokes praise from creation and stirs life in creation.
Sunday in Creation Old Testament Psalm Epistle Gospel
(1st) Planet Earth Genesis 1:1-25 Psalm 33:1-9 Romans 1:18-23 John 1:1-14
(2nd) Humanity Genesis 1:26-28 Psalm 8 Philippians 2:1-8 Mark 10:41-45
(3rd) Sky Jeremiah 4:23-28 Psalm 19:1-6 Philippians 2:14-18 Mark 15:33-39
(4th) Mountain Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 48:1-11 Romans 8:28-39 Mark 16:14-18
The third series includes those texts where Wisdom is the designing force behind creation and the impulse that enables the parts of creation to fulfill their roles. 
Sunday in Creation Old Testament Psalm Epistle Gospel
(1st) Ocean Job 38:1-18 Psalm 104:1-9, 24-26 Ephesians 1:3-10 Luke 5:1-11
(2nd) Animal Job 39:1-8, 26-30 Psalm 104:14-23 1 Corinthians 1:10-23 Luke 12:22-31
(3rd) Storm Job 28:20-27 Psalm 29 1 Corinthians 1:21-31 Luke 8:22-25
(4th) Universe Proverbs 8:22-31 Psalm 148 Colossians 1:15-20