Greetings in the name of God, creator of the earth and Lord over all that God has made!
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; 2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers. (Psalm 24)
The Psalmist David in Psalm 65 reflects on God’s commitment to care for the good earth that he had made.
9 You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.
10 You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.
11 You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. 12 The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. (Psalm 65)
Our sovereign God who created the earth, called it good, and is committed to care for it, also created humankind and invited us to partner with him by being caretakers of the earth and all that God has made.
April 22 was Earth Day. Earth Day gives us occasion to reflect on how we are doing as caretakers of the earth. Earth Day invite us to deepen our commitment, through all our daily choices, to join God in caring for the earth.
One of the actions suggested for Earth Day, on one website I visited this week, was to organize a group of volunteers to help restore a green space. The encouragement was also given to plant trees! I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the East Zorra group that came together in March of this year to create and bring life to our recently purchased green space behind our church building. Much good work has happened in the last month. And in the last week 30 trees have been planted! Thank you to Marilyn Zehr (Chairperson), Tyler Yantzi, Jon Witzel, Katie Wagler, Russ Schumm, Sheryl Leis and Todd Bender for all the dreaming and work you have been doing as the green space team. Below is one of the pictures from the PowerPoint Presentation shared in our worship gathering last week.
Psalm 96 highlights God’s reign of justice and righteousness over the earth. It calls us to sing to the Lord a new song and it invites creation to join the chorus of praise. When to do our part and take action to care for the earth, we help creation to join in the praise. Last week, as trees were planted, 30 members were added to the tree choir of praise!
O sing to the Lord a new song; Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day….
Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest [and the trees of EZMC’s green space] sing for joy!
(Psalm 96:1,2,11,12)
Pastor Ray