Looking Ahead to March 1, 2009 -- 1st Sunday of Lent

This Sunday marks the beginning of our Lenten sermon series The C's of Stewardship. Also, as it is the beginning of a new liturgical season we will celebrate the sacrament of Communion. We will also hear a report from last weekend's meeting of Cambrian Presbytery.

The Scripture Readings this week are:

• From the Jewish Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-31
• Psalm 148 (VU p.871)
• From the Jewish Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17

The Hymns this week are:

• 111 As the Sun with Longer Journey
• 303 For Beauty of Prairies
• 307 Touch the Earth Lightly (tune #409)
• 481 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing

The Sermon title is Creation – Care and Choices

Early Thoughts: What is the best way to deal with the gift of the earth? How do we balance the needs of our society with the limits of the environment around us? Is growth always a bad thing? Does being "green" have to mean limiting the economy?

It is a hard thing to do. Trying to figure out how best we can live with respect in Creation. Because in the end it is a balancing act after all.

In the Creation story God gives the care of the earth into the male and female that were Created in God's image. Some have seen in that story a license to shape the earth to meet the needs and wants of humanity no matter what the cost. Some have seen in as an act of trust (a trust that has often been broken in many minds). As an issue of stewardship this distinction is of great importance.

There is a Native American saying that we do not own the land, but rather we hold in in trust for our grandchildren. If we see our care of the earth in this way how does that shape our decisions? DO we strive to pass on a great inheritance of wealth and prosperity even if it leaves a natural world in tatters? OR do we bankrupt our economy to ensure we pass on a pristine world? Or is there a third option???

We need to find the third option. we need to find the balance between human wants/needs in the present, what we need to leave for the future, and the needs of the rest of Creation. The covenant of the rainbow is with all of Creation. We need to find the way that we can help all of Creation thrive in order to keep the covenant.

And yes it will come at a cost. Moving from flawed stewardship to healthy stewardship always has a cost. So we will need to talk about the cost of change, and the cost of refusing to acknowledge the need to change. And maybe we need to talk about what the real costs of both are - as well as the real benefits.

Anyway, come on Sunday and join in the discussion.
--Gord