"In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters." Genesis 1:1-2

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to your life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these." Matthew 6:26-29

"We see the despoiling of the environment as nothing less than the degradation of God's gracious gift of creation."

ELCA Statement “Caring for Creation”
PLAN AHEAD

EARTH SUNDAY 

 
New congregational resource for Earth Day

Together with the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs, the ELCA offers an Earth Day resource, titled “Sunday Morning Sustainability: Eco-Justice  Impacts and Opportunities,” to help congregations lead worship and adjust routines to create smaller ecological footprints. 

National Council of Churches: "Sunday Morning Sustainability: Eco-justice Impacts and Opportunities" (Earth Day Sunday 2013)Many of us have similar Sunday morning routines. They include tasks we hardly think about, like turning on a light, taking a shower, and eating breakfast. Yet, our routine actions impact people and places around the world, often contributing to environmental degradation, h
unger, poverty, and chronic illness. We can help bring healing to God’s people and God’s earth by examining our routines and changing our habits to live more simply and sustainably. In doing so, we respond to Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and care for the sick (Matt 25:34-45). 

Click here to access this resource as a PDF — you will need to provide your basic information to sign in to the National Council of Churches’ website and select the “ELCA version” of the resource. 



Interfaith Power and Light: National Preach-In on Global Warming: Good for Earth Day, Too!

Preach-In kit includes activity ideas, a set of 50 bulletin inserts/postcards to send to President Obama, a table tent global warming fact sheet, pre-addressed envelope for postcards to the President, and a return survey form so you can let Interfaith Power and Light know how many postcards your congregation sent to President Obama. 

You also have the option of ordering more postcards and a discounted DVD. The Hungry Tide is a 53-minute film about the island nation of Kiribati, which is disappearing due to sea rise. 

For the Preach-In kit and other materials, go to http://www.preachin.org.