Grace and peace, my sisters and brothers in Christ,

This weekend we end our summer series "Walk This Way." We have spent the summer exploring what it looks like, in a practical sense, to be a Christian. On this last weekend, we will explore how Christians are people who stand in awe and reverence and care for the world God created.

I think you might find delight and surprise in some of the nature images you will see on the screen as well as some tidbits I will share as a pastor who also has a certificate in horticultural therapy. We will hear Jesus' words about what to do when worried… look at the birds! I hope to see you this weekend!

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Chamie

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The Season of Creation

The Season of Creation is a relatively new addition to the Christian calendar, first celebrated in the 1990s by Lutheran congregations in Australia. It has since spread worldwide and is now observed by Christians of many denominations each year from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for Creation) through October 4 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). This season invites us to join in worship, prayer, and action for God's good creation, remembering that caring for the earth is a vital part of Christian discipleship.

Join us for "Blessing of the Animals" at our outdoor worship service at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 4. The regular Saturday service will move outside with Nancy Lee leading music and everyone is invited to bring their pets as we worship, sing, pray, and bless all the animals.

Why Care for Creation? The Bible Speaks Clearly:

• "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in " — Psalm 24:1
• "The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it." — Genesis 2:15
• "Let everything that has breath praise the " — Psalm 150:6
• "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things have been created through him and for " — Colossians 1:16

The Colors of the Season

For every season of the Christian year, the colors change in the sanctuary. Blue for Advent. Purple for Lent. And so forth. The longest season is green. This year, for the first time, we are changing the paraments – and the flowers – to match the "Season of Creation" which on Christian calendars is September 1 to October 4. Kim Overton has made altar paraments on fabric that is ocean blues and sand. The altar flowers are live indoor plants put together by Armstrong Gardens.

Christian Creation Care Groups

• BlessedEarth.org

Their mission is to inspire biblically-based stewardship of all creation through educational forums, workshops, classes, retreats, sermons and other events.

• LutheransRestoringCreation.org

Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

• Creation Justice Ministries

Creation Justice Ministries (formerly the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program) represents the creation care and environmental justice policies of major Christian denominations throughout the United States.

Ways to Observe the Season of Creation:

• Spend time outdoors in wonder and gratitude for God's world
• Reflect on scripture passages about creation
• Include prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for creation in daily devotion
• Read a creation-themed book (fiction or non-fiction)
• Learn about Christian organizations that are caring for creation
• Plant flowers, herbs, vegetables, or perhaps a tree as an act of praise
• Visit the Conejo Botanical Garden or the Moorpark Zoo
• Fast from single-use plastics (i.e. don't use plastic water bottles)
• Participate in a clean-up or recycling project
• Practice energy conservation at home
• Support an animal shelter
• Pray for and support park rangers and our local, state, and national parks.