by Jeanie Graustein, New Haven, CT Explores the values and prayers of St. Francis in light of contemporary scientific understanding.
May St. Francis Speak to Us Anew
Category: Sermon
The Irresistible Sustainable Future
by Elizabeth Freese, Austin Texas Winner of the Franciscan Philanthropist Award Text: Psalm 118 and Palm Sunday Gospel Compares the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly to today's economic and social changes and the certainty and hope of God's Kindom coming through Jesus' death and resurrection.
Nature as “The New Poor”
Birth of John the Baptist by Paul A Magnano Pastor, St. Therese Parish, Seattle I want to focus my homily on John the Baptist and on baptism. First, John the Baptist. The prophecy of his father is particularly pertinent: "You,…
The Care of Creation as Moral, and Ethical Imperative
by Sr. Mimi Maloney Winner of the Clergy Category Reconnects us with the rich Mystical, Creation-Centered Spiritual Tradition where everything is sacred and revelatory deserving our utmost respect, reverence, protection and care.
Abundance: Answering God’s Call
by Rev. Gerald Porter Text: Matthew 14:13-21 Drawing on the Feeding of the Five Thousand and the Millenium Development Goals, this sermon calls us to live in abundance and trust God to help us restore creation.
Staying Awake
by Rev. Mary Brown Prompted by worldwide concerns of climate change and environmental destruction we are called to awake and remember our interconnectedness with all of creation.
Keeping the Sabbath to Keep the Earth
by Sherry Golden Winner of the Lay Category Text: Psalm 145:9; Genesis 2:15; Numbers 6:24 Calls us into a return to the practice of sabbath as a means to reduce environmental destruction.
Renew a Right Spirit
by Tom Walker
Text: Psalm 51:10-12
Draws a comparison between the Spirit, the breath of God, and the climate changes we are currently experiencing.
Renewing the Earth Community
by Annette Andrews-Lux
Calling us back to a sense of inter-dependence, we must open our hearts to a deep transformation of our sense of community so that we can no longer see Earth as resource but rather as part of our sacred community.
A Matter of Hope
By Rev. Peter S. Sawtell, Executive Director, Eco-Justice Ministries Texts: Jeremiah 17:12-18 and 1 Peter 1:13-21 INTRODUCTION If you can, I want you to think back about 20 years. It was the start of the Reagan era, and many changes…
A By the Waters service led by the Earth Ministry staff at Holden Village on July 11, 2008
by Deanna Matzen
Text: John 4:3-30
Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well reveals to us the seeds of environmental degradation and the hope of Living Water.
The Family of All Creation
by Tanya Marcovna Barnett
Texts: Psalm 148, Colossians 1:17, and Romans 1:20
This contemporary reflection on Psalm 148, in which the entire creation sings praise to God. In keeping with the image of a creation-encompassing "choir," it looks at our role in this choir and asks that (in the words of St. Basil the Great), "may we realize that all creatures live not for us alone but for themselves and for Thee, and that they love the sweetness of life.”
Compelling Choices
by Joseph C. Hough
Texts: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Luke 4:16-21
In the face of immense ecological destruction and human poverty, Hough urges listeners to "choose life" for the entire planet.
Christ in All Things
by Rev. Nancy G. Wright
Text: Colossians 1:15-20
Explores the belief that God, in Christ, is holding the world together. This belief teaches us several things about how we are to live in relationship with God and with the rest of creation.
An Earth Day Sermon
by Steven Whitney
Texts: Genesis 2:15, 9:8-11 and Job 12:10, 38:1-7
Looks at creation "as a manifestation of God in our midst." This sermon serves as an example of one person's look at the role of humanity within this broader creation.