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One thing that all Christians can (hopefully) agree upon is that we’re called to care
for one another. Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors. Our neighbors include
the people who live downstream from our water pollution, downwind from our air
pollution, and downhill from our soil erosion. I submit that our neighbors also
include our descendants and the descendants of our neighbors.
Caring for the planet is perhaps one of the most important ways, then, we
can care for our neighbors.
Another way of looking at the issue is to acknowledge that Jesus doesn’t want us
to poison or starve one another. But that’s essentially what we’re doing – indirectly
— when we drive our cars, buy things made in factories, and eat industrialized
food: we’re filling the air, water and soil with hazardous toxins that make people
sick.
Followers of Christ must work hard to live lives that do not contribute to the
pollution of our planet — and even work to reverse the damage we’ve already
done.

God declared creation good before we humans even entered the scene.
Christianity is unique in that unlike other religions which deprecate matter as
inferior to spirit, the Bible celebrates matter: the sun, the moon, the earth, the
water, and everything else in the universe is good, with or without us.
The earth is so important to God that his very first commandment to us humans
includes taking care of the earth and animals. It’s of central importance to him,
and therefore ought to be to us, too.
When we care for God’s creation, we express our love for him, because
we’re loving what he loves.

BY KATHLEEN QUIRING
Caring for God’s creation is an ever-evolving topic in this world, especially with
each new natural or human-made disaster. As stewards of this world, we are
called to examine our behaviors toward creation. While we need to take from the
land for food and sustainability, we also need to be careful that we maintain good
stewardship and do not exploit the wonderful things the earth provides.
Numerous groups and individuals propose ways to protect and enhance the
environment and make the world a safer and more productive place for all people,
not only the privileged minority. The situation calls for commitment from everyone.

TOP THREE THINGS TO KNOW FOR THIS WEEK OF JULY 25TH:

1) Joint Worship Service – Sunday July 31, 10am at Faith Lutheran
This worship opportunity will focus on being Stewards of the
Environment. Refreshments & Fellowship 9:15am. Come one,
Come all.


2) Wednesday evening Bible Study resumes August 3 rd .
Faith Formation invites members of both churches who have never
joined in to come and see what's happening! This is a fun,
lighthearted look at our faith journey. We will begin a new book:
Imagine a New Economy: Biblical Reflections on Money and
Possessions by John D. Herman. Pick up a copy for $13 on
Amazon and jump in. You will be glad you stepped up into any of
these opportunities to grow in faith.

3) As we returned to in person worship we welcomed Altar Flowers
back also. Sign up on the Flower Chart in the East hallway to
provide flowers.