Worshiping God is something we to confine to a religious ritual, right? No, of course not, we want to LOVE (worship) with our lives!
One way we worship God is by caring for His creation. Caring for creation in its fullest sense requires two things. Serving other people (especially those that are marginalized) and con-serving and protecting the natural world (especially the parts that are marginalized). Each part of creation was called “Good” by God and was made both through and for Jesus. Furthermore, his death upon the cross was to redeem all of creation (not just some people). As Christians, we believe that the resurrection of Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God and that we are called to build for the kingdom.
However, creation is groaning, louder than ever, waiting to be set free from corruption (Romans 8:19-23)…and you can help! Each day the sun rises is a gift: the gift of opportunity. The opportunity to grow our love of God and neighbor by realigning our thoughts and actions with our values and by swapping out our will for God’s will, working with him to restore the broken things.
With each new step we take on our stewardship journey (perhaps by planting natives, increasing our energy efficiency, shopping and eating local, advocating for the voiceless, etc.) we are also worshiping our creator God and following the example of Jesus.
Be sure to balance your acts of service with restorative moments such as spending time in prayer, reading the scriptures or soaking up God’s word as revealed in the natural world. Here are some resources to help with that:
Scriptures: http://www.blessedearth.org/resources/creation-care-scripture/
Nature Play Areas, Nature Centers, and more: https://kansascity.momcollective.com/nature-play-kansas-city/
Earth Day Prayer of Confession
by the Rev. Ken Carter, pastor of Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, copyright 2005.
O God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen:
You place us in your creation, and you command us to care for it.
Your works declare glory and splendor, and you call us to praise and reverence.
Where we have degraded or destroyed earth's bounty, forgive us.
Where we have taken beauty and majesty for granted, have mercy upon us.
Where we have become estranged from the creatures with whom we share this planet,
grant us your peace.
Renew us in the waters of baptism,
refresh us with the winds of your spirit,
and sustain us with the bread of life.
In the name of Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the new creation, we pray. Amen.
Our Social Creed
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2016
We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen
It is recommended that this statement of Social Principles be continually available to United Methodist Christians and that it be emphasized regularly in every congregation. It is further recommended that “Our Social Creed” be frequently used in Sunday worship.
Additional prayers and other resources:
Activities
- Experience the Resurrection Prayer Walk at the Leawood Campus - We invite you to use EarthCOR's Environmental Prayer Walk to supplement your experience.
- Walk or bike in nearby parks or natural areas with your family or friends.
- Consider advocating for policies that preserve public lands and the natural environment.