From the Pastor
Notes from the Pastor…
"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19
Notes from the Pastor…
Caring for Creation
Many of us love the outdoor activities available during summers in Minnesota. But many days this summer have seen poor air quality due to the wildfires in Canada. There have been many other examples of extreme or changing weather patterns in the US and around the world, such as extreme heat and flooding.
Concern for creation is deeply embedded in God’s word and in the Lutheran tradition.
Below are some excerpts from “Caring For Creation,” which was adopted as a social statement of the ELCA at the 1993 churchwide assembly.
“God blesses the world and sees it as “good,” even before humankind comes on the scene. All creation, not just humankind, is viewed as “very good” in God’s eyes (Genesis 1:31). God continues to bless the world: “When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground” (Psalm 104:30). By faith we understand God to be deeply, mysteriously, and unceasingly involved in what happens in all creation. God showers care upon sparrows and lilies (Matthew6:26-30), and brings “rain on a land where no one lives, on the desert, which is empty of human life” (Job 38:26).”
Central to our vision of God’s profound involvement with the world is the Incarnation. In Christ, the Word is made flesh, with saving significance for an entire creation that longs for fulfillment (Romans 8:18-25). The Word still comes to us in the waters of baptism, and in, with, and under the bread and wine, fruits of the earth and the work of human hands. God consistently meets us where we live, through earthy matter.”
“Humanity is intimately related to the rest of creation. We, like other creatures, are formed from the earth (Genesis 2:7, 9, 19). Scripture speaks of humanity’s kinship with other creatures (Psalm 104, Job 38-39). God cares faithfully for us, and together we join in singing the “hymn of all creation” (Lutheran Book of Worship, page 61; Psalm 148). We look forward to a redemption that includes all creation (Ephesians 1:10).”
“Sin and captivity, manifest in threats to the environment, are not the last word. God addresses our predicament with gifts of “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation” (Luther, Small Catechism). By the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God frees us from our sin and captivity, and empowers us to be loving servants to creation.
We testify to the hope that inspires and encourages us. We announce this hope to every people, and witness to the renewing work of the Spirit of God. We are to be a herald here and now to the new creation yet to come, a living model.
Our tradition offers many glimpses of hope triumphant over despair. In ancient Israel, as Jerusalem was under siege and people were on the verge of exile, Jeremiah purchased a plot of land (Jeremiah 32). When Martin Luther was asked what he would do if the world were to end tomorrow, he reportedly answered, “I would plant an apple tree today.” When we face today’s crisis, we do not despair. We act.”
How can we “testify to the hope that inspires and encourages us” in how we care for God’s creation?
Peace
Pastor Paul