Rooted in God’s Word and LandsA Celebration of the Earth That Nourishes Us

Land—the created earth—is an integral part of God’s glorious creation and a vessel through which God nourishes us. But we often take the ground beneath our feet for granted, forgetting that it includes the soil, air, and water needed to produce our food and sustain all forms of life. Land is the base for forests, grasslands, deserts, and moun-tains and the foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems. It brings blessings like minerals and lumber, provides the ground for our communities, and offers a place for spiritual renewal through recre-ation and solitude. As Christians we are rooted in the Gospel spiritually and in the land physically. Since damage to God’s lands causes injustice to those whose livelihoods depend on them and disruption of the web of creation, caring for and protecting God’s land is our moral and spiritual responsibility.

CALL TO WORSHIPO Holy One—Creator of the Earth and Sky—often we do not consider the wonderful rhythms of your creation, which sustain and nourish our bod-ies and spirits. From the farmers and ranchers who grow our food, to the policies that protect us with clean soil, water, and air, we have much to be thankful for. Let us be mindful of our place in your created order, O God, and grateful that we can enjoy the blessings of abundance, open space, and solitude; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from: Montana Rural Life Sunday Worship Resource www.montana-churches.org/programs/rurallife/index.asp

Sending Forth: Acts of CommitmentCreator God, may we see your glory reflected in all of your creation, which along with us has been redeemed in Christ. May we, and all those who come after us, enjoy your lands and share their bounty equitably in our commu-nities and with other creatures. Help us to be responsible tenants on your lands, and give us the courage to protect all of your creation so that others may experience its glory. Amen.

Take Action to Protect and Redeem God’s LandsCare for Nearby Public Lands. Adopt a trail or plan a service project with your congregation or youth group at your favorite park or wild place. Outdoor service is a great way to witness the glory of God’s lands first-hand, answer the call to care for and restore creation, and share in fellowship.

Reduce Unsustainable Energy Use. Many utility companies offer programs that allow you to purchase part of your power from renewable sources. If your local power company offers such a program, join it! If they don’t, encourage them to start one. You can also reduce energy development pressure on God’s lands by ensuring that your home and worship space are energy efficient. For ideas, visit Interfaith Power and Light at: http://www.theregenerationproject.org/ipl/index.html

Support Local, Family Agriculture. Support community agriculture and sustainable methods of farming that preserve soil and water quality, keep rural communities vibrant, and treat God’s creatures with more respect than “factory farming.” To find a farmer’s market or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program near you, visit: http://www.localharvest.org/

Enjoy Responsible Recreation. Outdoor enthusiasts, who love spending time exploring God’s lands, sometimes “love the land to death.” When enjoying recreation activities—whether camping hiking, hunting, fishing or, especially, using off-road vehicles—remember to minimize your impact on the land as much as possible.

For more information on how you can help protect God’s lands visit the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program website at www.nccecojustice.org or call 202-544-2350.

The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice ProgramsLand Stewardship Sunday

Responsive Prayer of ThanksgivingLeader: Almighty God, who created Heaven and Earth through your Word, we praise you for your glorious creation and give thanks that you have entrusted its care to us. From your commandment to Adam and Eve to tend and keep the garden, to all of us living in modern communities around the world, we gratefully reaffirm our privilege and responsibility to be faithful, just, and loving tenants of your lands and guardians of the life they support. We thank you for:

Leader: The grandeur of the forestsPeople: The towering trees, singing birds, and clean, peaceful waters that

quench our thirsts

Leader: The starkness of the deserts and the towering might of the mountains

People: The example of strength they provide and the wild array of life you have created to inhabit them

Leader: The solitude of your wildernessPeople: The opportunities it provides for meditative prayer, spiritual

journey, and peaceful connection to you

Leader: The productivity of the fieldsPeople: The soil and water that give life to the crops that nourish us

and the communities that sustain us

Leader: The equitable sharing of those lands set aside for protectionPeople: The parks where we hike and play, the refuges that sustain

wildlife, the cultural sites that remind us of our history, and all the opportunities we have to experience your creation

Leader: In Jesus’ name we prayPeople: Amen.

Prayer of ConfessionCreator God, we confess that we have sinned against you, our neighbors, and all of your glorious creation. We have not heeded your call to be faithful tenants of the land you have entrusted to us.

We have not equitably shared the natural bounty flowing from your lands nor used them to build strong, vibrant communities.

We have forgotten the value of wild places—existing as they were when you created them—and the Biblical significance of wilderness, which played a vital role in the spiritual journeys of your people from Moses to our Savior Jesus Christ.

We have not always been good stewards of our own lands or willfully involved ourselves in the management of lands held in the public trust. We have not been a strong voice for your lands and the life they sustain nor openly and passionately called on public officials managing your lands to ensure that they remain healthy, vibrant, and open for all to enjoy.

Too often we have been complacent about the desecration of your lands and wilderness. We have allowed destructive activities to occur in sensitive places that cannot sustain them. We have come to accept soil and water pollution and extinction of your creatures as an inevitable part of modern life.

Those of us who live in cities and towns have often forgotten the needs of our rural neighbors, whose livelihood directly depends on healthy lands. We have not spoken out on their behalf and have forgotten that we are all brothers and sisters, part of one community in Christ.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. Help us, O Lord, to protect your lands and the whole of your glorious creation. Give us strength and passion to act as faithful stewards, to equitably share the bounty of your earth, and to safeguard your lands as you have called us to do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.