Dear members of the ELCIC,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you today to thank you for your partnership in ministry and to share with you important information about the 2015 ELCIC Praise Appeal.

Many congregations around the ELCIC participated in the 2014 Praise Appeal. I thank you for designating one Sunday this past year to highlight this appeal. And I especially thank the many individuals and congregations that gave significant extra-mile gifts to support the work of the wider church.

In 2015, we are once again asking for your support of the ELCIC Praise Appeal by designating one Sunday, at a time that works best for your local circumstances, to highlight the work of the National Church.

The theme for the 2015 Praise Appeal is Liberated by God’s Grace: Creation—Not for Sale. This theme echoes The Lu-theran World Federation (LWF) theme, Liberated by God’s Grace, for the commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. You will see the ELCIC lift up this theme and it’s three subthemes (Creation—Not for Sale, Salva-tion—Not for Sale, and Human Beings—Not for Sale) over the next three years as we participate in the international and ecumenical commemoration. The commemoration gives us the opportunity to remember and reflect on the Reforma-tion and what it means now for us now, living as Lutheran people within the whole body of Christ.

The Praise Appeal theme, Liberated by God’s Grace: Creation—Not for Sale invites us to explore the Lutheran understanding of the doctrine of justification and sets us free to serve our neighbours, to be responsible citizens in the world and faithful stewards of all God’s creation. Through your gift to the Praise Appeal, you help us to fulfill this work through: •OurpartnershipswithKAIROSandtheAnglicanChurchofCanadaasweworkintheareasofhomelessnessand affordable housing and responsible resource extraction; •OurpartnershipwithTheLutheranWorldFederationandCanadianLutheranWorldReliefasweworktosupport refugees around the world; •OurpartnershipwithchurchesinArgentinaandPeruaswehelpsupportministryinindigenouscommunities within these churches; •ContinuingtheCalltoSpiritualRenewal,workingtodeepenthediscipleshipofallourmembersandlearningnew ways to reach out in faith to those around us; •BuildingbetterrelationshipswithotherdenominationsandfaithshereinCanada,throughtheCanadianCouncilof Churches, and around the world through the World Council of Churches.

Individuals and congregations are encourage to generously support the 2015 ELCIC Praise Appeal, which is a significant source of revenue for the ELCIC. Your financial support of the National Church through the ELCIC Praise Appeal helps us to accomplish all these things and more.

Please partner with us and support the ministry of the wider church, both in Canada and around the world. Resources for holding an ELCIC Praise Appeal Sunday can be found online at: elcic.ca/praiseappeal.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan C. JohnsonNationalBishop,EvangelicalLutheranChurchinCanada

Information for Praise Appeal Service Leaders

ServIce OrderS 1. There are two service orders, one a Holy Communion Service, the second a Service of the Word. Choose the appropriate Service Order for your needs.

2. At each point where a hymn is sung, there are two theme appropriate hymns chosen. Choose one of the two hymns for use at your service. (Consider trying one hymn that is new to your congregation!)

3. Try using multiple leaders for this worship order. Setting 7 requires no ‘solo singing’ liturgist.

BuLLetInS 1. Insert “Praise Appeal” envelopes into the bulletins, put a date in the Praise Appeal information box in the title area of the bulletin.

2. Individualize by adding your own header.

3. Printed announcements may require a separate page.

chILdren’S MeSSAge The Children’s Message requires a little preparation ahead. Please read through the directions and prepare materials as noted.

PrAyerS Of the PeOPLe 1. Consider printing several copies of the “Prayers of the People” and having many voices scattered around the congregation each read one assigned petition.

2. Be sure to “individualize” the prayers by adding your pastor’s name, names of people for whom you are praying, your congregation’s name in appropriate locations.

Creation—Not For SaleHOLY COMMUNION

GatherinGCommitment to Creation:Leader: Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God: the sculptor of the mountains; the potter of the lands; the jeweler of the heavens; the womb of all creation. amen

all: We have come to commit ourselves to protect God’s creation. We have come to pledge ourselves anew to heal injustice and poverty. We have come to stand together against all threats to life. We have come with the need to open ourselves daily to the beauty of God’s creation, remembering that God speaks to us through nature. We have come knowing that our ways have caused harm to God’s creation and we need to set right the harm we have done. We have come to affirm our reverence for all of God’s creation.O Lord, grant us the grace to respect and care for Your creation. amen.

Gathering Song: The Singer and the Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #861 OR For the Beauty of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #879 apostolic Greeting; Kyrie; Gloria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p.175

Prayer of the Day: Creating and Life-giving God—all we have; all we are; all that is, comes from you. Break through the dark-ness of our selfish desire for more and still more; show us the way to deeper fulfillment in caring for others and for your creation. Help us to hear your call to seek justice for the oppressed and to be advocates for your world. May our lives be bold—seeking what is right, working for the good of all, sharing our possessions, trusting our lives are in your hands as we follow the way of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

hymn: God of the Sparrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #740 OR O God of Every Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #713

WOrDFirst Lesson: isaiah 55:6-13 Children’s MessagePsalm 136 Second Lesson: Romans 8:18-27 Gospel acclamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.179Gospel: Luke 12:22-31

adult MeditationWritten by National Bishop Susan C. Johnson

hymn of the Day: Light Dawns on a Weary World . . . . . .#726 OR When the Poor Ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #725

affirmation of FaithWe believe in God the Creator who was, who is and who will be forever; the source of all; who loves the world and says it is good.

We believe in Jesus Christ—the presence of God embodied and among us. Jesus walks with the lonely; eats with sinners; feeds the hungry; forgives the unforgivable and continues to show us the way. He calls us to a life that death cannot end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit of God, who has spoken through the prophets and continues to urge us to live fully and honestly—seek-ing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly, as a forgiven and forgiving people whose joy gives life.

We believe in the church as community. Though flawed and imperfect, the church offers a place for everyone. We believe that Christ is among us and leads us to give ourselves away in love. We believe we are called to choose hope, to resist evil, to advocate for the oppressed, and to rejoice in the gift of life. amen.

Prayers of the People response: “Hear our prayer.”

Sharing of the Peace

Offering Offering hymn: Touch the Earth Lightly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #739 OR Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #574

Prayer

MeaLGreat thanksgiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p.180the Lord’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p.182Communion: Lamb of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.182

PaGe 2

HOLY COMMUNION hymns during Communion: We Come to the Hungry Feast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #479 Sing to the Lord of Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #694 God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #678

SenDinGBlessing

Sending hymn: Let All Things Now Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #881 OR For the Beauty of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #879

Dismissal

LeSSOnS

First Lesson: Isaiah 55:6-13 An ancient hymn celebrating the restoration of exiled people to their homeland, these are words of radical grace – to begin a fresh start.

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrigh-teous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Psalm 136: (Women read prelude; men read refrain: for God’s mercy endures forever.)

Give thanks to the LORD, for the LORD is good: for God’s mercy endures forever;Give thanks to the God of gods: for God’s mercy endures forever;

Give thanks to the LORD of lords: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who alone does great wonders; who by wisdom made the heavens: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who spread out the earth upon the waters; who made the great lights: for God’s mercy endures forever; The sun to govern over the day; the moon and the stars to govern the night: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt; and brought Israel out from among them with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who divided the Red Sea in two and made Israel to pass through the middle, but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who led the people through the wilderness: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who struck down great kings and slew mighty kings: for God’s mercy endures forever;Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan: for God’s mercy endures forever;And gave away their lands for an inheritance; an inheritance for Israel, God’s servant: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who remembered us in our low estate and rescued us from our enemies: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who gives food to all creatures: for God’s mercy endures forever;Give thanks to the God of heaven: for God’s mercy endures forever.

HOLY COMMUNION

PaGe 3

Second Lesson: romans 8:18-27 As he evokes an image of suffering, Paul, the writer of this let-ter to the Church in Rome, goes beyond the present-age to a hope-filled future in the Christian’s life.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bond-age to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

third Lesson : Luke 12:22-31 Appealing to our common sense, Jesus advises us to give up on self-indulgence to turn instead to a careful nurturing of God’s realm. He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Creation—Not For SaleService of the Word

GatherinGCommitment to Creation:Leader: Blessed be the holy Trinity, +one God: the sculptor of the mountains; the potter of the lands; the jeweler of the heavens; the womb of all creation. Amen

all: We have come to commit ourselves to protect God’s creation. We have come to pledge ourselves anew to heal injustice and poverty. We have come to stand together against all threats to life. We have come with the need to open ourselves daily to the beauty of God’s creation, remembering that God speaks to us through nature.

We have come knowing that our ways have caused harm to God’s creation and we need to set right the harm we have done.We have come to affirm our reverence for all of God’s creation.O Lord, grant us the grace to respect and care for Your creation. Amen.

Gathering Song: The Singer and the Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #861 OR For the Beauty of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#879

apostolic Greeting; Kyrie; Gloria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.175

Prayer of the Day:Creating and Life-giving God—all we have; all we are; all that is, comes from you. Break through the darkness of our selfish desire for more and still more; show us the way to deeper fulfill-ment in caring for others and for your creation. Help us to hear your call to seek justice for the oppressed and to be advocates for your world. May our lives be bold—seeking what is right, working for the good of all, sharing our possessions, that we may love others as ourselves—as we follow the way of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

hymn: Canticle of the Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#723 OR O God of Every Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #713

WorDFirst Lesson: Isaiah 55:6-13 Children’s MessagePsalm 136 Second Lesson: Romans 8:18-27 Gospel acclamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.179

Gospel: Luke 12:22-31

adult MeditationWritten by National Bishop Susan C. Johnson

hymn of the Day: God of the Sparrow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #740 OR When the Poor Ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#725

affirmation of FaithWe believe in God the Creator who was, who is and who will be forever the source of all that is; who loves the world and says it is good.

We believe in Jesus Christ—the presence of God embodied and among us. Jesus walks with the lonely; eats with sinners; feeds the hungry; forgives the unforgivable; and continues to show us the way. He calls us to a life that death cannot end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit of God, who has spoken through the prophets and continues to urge us to live fully and honestly —seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly, as a forgiven and forgiving people whose joy gives life.

We believe in the church as community. Though flawed and imperfect, the church offers a place for everyone. We believe that Christ is among us and leads us to give ourselves away in love. We believe we are called to choose hope, to resist evil, to advocate for the oppressed, and to rejoice in the gift of life. Amen.

Prayers of the People Response: Hear our prayer.

PaGe 2

Service of the Word

SenDinGBlessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.221

Sending hymn: Let All Things Now Living. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#881 OR For the Beauty of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#879

Dismissal

Sharing of the Peace

offering offering hymn: Touch the Earth Lightly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#739 OR Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #574

Prayer

thanKSGiVinG For the WorDPrayers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.220the Lord’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.221

LeSSonS

first Lesson: isaiah 55:6-13 An ancient hymn celebrating the restoration of exiled people to their homeland, these are words of radical grace – to begin a fresh start.

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrigh-teous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Psalm 136: (Women read prelude; men read refrain: for God’s mercy endures forever.)

Give thanks to the LORD, for the LORD is good: for God’s mercy endures forever;Give thanks to the God of gods: for God’s mercy endures forever;Give thanks to the LORD of lords: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who alone does great wonders; who by wisdom made the heavens: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who spread out the earth upon the waters; who made the great lights: for God’s mercy endures forever; The sun to govern over the day; the moon and the stars to govern the night: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt; and brought Israel out from among them with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who divided the Red Sea in two and made Israel to pass through the middle, but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea: for God’s mercy endures forever;Who led the people through the wilderness: for God’s mercy endures forever;

Service of the Word

PaGe 3

Who struck down great kings and slew mighty kings: for God’s mercy endures forever;Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan: for God’s mercy endures forever;And gave away their lands for an inheritance; an inheritance for Israel, God’s servant: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who remembered us in our low estate and rescued us from our enemies: for God’s mercy endures forever; Who gives food to all creatures: for God’s mercy endures forever;Give thanks to the God of heaven: for God’s mercy endures forever.

~ ~ ~

Second Lesson: romans 8:18-27 As he evokes an image of suffering, Paul, the writer of this let-ter to the Church in Rome, goes beyond the present-age to a hope-filled future in the Christian’s life.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bond-age to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen

is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

~ ~ ~

third Lesson : Luke 12:22-31 Appealing to our common sense, Jesus advises us to give up on self-indulgence to turn instead to a careful nurturing of God’s realm. He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Prayers of the PeoPle

Prayers of the PeoPle1) Consider having each petition of the prayers read by a different member. Different voices offering prayer from various areas of the sanctuary contribute to the prayers being those of the people.

2) Please note that there are places to “individualize” the prayers for your congregation. 1st petition, add your pastor’s name; third petition: list names of those for whom your community is praying; fifth petition: add the name of your congregation.

assisting Minister: Returning to our Creator with all our heart and mind, let us pray for the whole people of God; for our Earth and for all who cry out for healing, saying, “We are held in your hands, O God,” and responding, “Hear our prayer.”

first Voice: Creator of all—cultivate in your church a spirit of cohesiveness that we may work together to respond faithfully and responsibly to justice concerns and environmental issues facing our country and our world. Give strength of discernment and advocacy to our Bishops: Susan, Greg, Larry, Sid, Elaine and Michael, and to our Pastor _________. Through their leadership, may our Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada reflect your love, which provides all that the world needs abundantly. We are held in your hands, O God, hear our prayer.

second Voice: True Source of Peace—Turn all nations from greed, violence and bloodshed to honest concern for the common good and genuine care for the earth. In the same way, may each of us put aside old grievances and conflicts from the past, making room in our lives for healing and peace. Help us to follow Jesus and let go of our worries and trust in you.We are held in your hands, O God, hear our prayer.

third Voice: God, You alone know our every need. Surround with your healing power those who are suffering: people without homes or jobs; people with disease of body, mind or spirit; people who hold onto vengeful, hurtful feelings. We pray especially for: (list of names of those requesting prayers from congregation) and

for those we name aloud or quietly in our hearts. (pause for private prayer) In this coming week may we reach out with kindness and your love to those in pain. We are held in your hands, O God, hear our prayer.

fourth Voice: Great architect of our Earth—we, your creatures, delight in the world you have given us! Every day there is wonder and beauty to astound us! Our thankfulness and joy should be resounding and never ending! Yet, we find ourselves hooked by consumerism, we are drawn to material things and can’t seem to let go! We can never get enough! Now we find ourselves drowning in ‘stuff’ and damaging our environment to get more. Help us to let go of ‘things’ that can never satisfy us and to trust you. We are held in your hands, O God, hear our prayer.

fifth Voice: God, you call us into relationship. We thank you for the joy of human love: spouses, parents, children, sisters, brothers, grandchildren, extended family and friends. We thank you for those who have the gift of another birthday or another anniversary. We thank you for the love and acceptance we share here at __________ Lutheran. Finally we thank you for those special blessings we name aloud or in our hearts at this time…(pause for private prayer). We are held in your hands, O God, hear our prayer.

assisting Minister: Into your hands, O Creator of us all, we offer our prayers, trusting in your love and mercy. aMeN.

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Grace to you and peace in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a delight to bring you greetings on behalf of your sisters and brothers in Christ from coast, to coast, to coast across the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Thank you for choosing to participate in the ELCIC Praise Appeal and for your support of the work of the wider church. The theme for this year’s Praise Appeal is Liberated by God’s Grace: Creation—Not for Sale. From this year until 2017 we are joining Lutherans from around the world in commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Liberated by God’s Grace is the anniversary theme being used by the Lutheran World Federation and by our church. Creation—Not for Sale is one of the three sub-themes that we are using.

I love these passages of scripture. The image from Isaiah of singing mountains and hills and clapping trees, and the image from Romans of the whole creation eagerly awaiting God’s revelation, are pictures of a lively and vibrant creation that joins in singing praise to God, and that joins in weeping for itself and for us in the midst of the brokenness that surrounds us.

These images help us to reclaim an understanding of a creation that itself reflects the image of God. When we have that image clearly in front of us, when we have that understanding in our heads and hearts, how can we do anything but confess our misuse of our world and repent and change our ways and treat the creation with reverence and respect?

Unfortunately we all struggle with trusting God’s promises of provision for our needs. Isaiah calls us to “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price,” but I wouldn’t advise you to try to redeem that coupon at your local grocery store! Jesus challenges us “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear,” but try telling that to your hungry family when you sit down at the table for supper.

We live in a society that is based on a consumer culture and a commitment to growing profits. How can we reconcile the challenges from Jesus and Isaiah with our experience in our daily lives?

Of course Jesus and Isaiah were trying to challenge their hearers, and us, to keep our focus on living the way of God. And it is sometimes hard to keep that focus, to live as true disciples, when there are so many loud voices calling us in different directions—to worry about we eat, to worry about what we wear, to buy the newest and most fashionable. That’s why as a church we are trying to live out a call to spiritual renewal, to help us in our spiritual practices keep our eyes on the prize, God’s prize and not be so overwhelmed by other competing voices, to work on how we live out our lives as Christians in all parts of our life.

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In terms of your daily life, how can you keep a vision before you that creation, this wonderful gift from God, is not for sale? Creation is a gift to be treasured, not just a commodity to be exploited.

What if you considered more closely that creation is not for sale as you go shopping? Prepare meals? Use water? Travel to work or school? What difference would it make to your congregation and the way it carries out its ministry? Are you one of the 16 congregations accredited as a greening congregation in the ELCIC’s Stewardship of Creation program? Is that something you could consider?

I have serious concerns for the future of our created order. One of the ways I express my concern is by fasting for the climate on the first day of every month. It is a way for me to be both physically and spiritually mindful of both the gift of creation we have received from God and my responsibility as one of the people charged with the stewardship of this gift. My hunger as I fast underlines the abundant lifestyle I am used to—at least in comparison to the majority of people around that world. That I am able to take my next meal for granted. I distract myself from hunger by going for a walk. Being in the beauty of creation allows me to appreciate this good gift we have received. In contrast I remember the places I have been in Canada and around the world where our human greed has devastated the land, damaging eco-systems and endangering the people who live nearby.

Despite the many challenges we face, we know that in the end it is God’s world and that we are part of God’s church! We do not know for sure how things are going to turn out but we know that with God they will be good. As faithful people committed to living out our discipleship as those who have been liberated by God’s grace, we know that with God we will be blessed and that with God’s help we will be a blessing to others.

Through your gift to the Praise Appeal you join with the whole creation in praising God! You are a blessing as you help the ELCIC National Church live out this call through:

•OurpartnershipswithKAIROSandtheAnglicanChurchofCanadaasweworkintheareasof homelessness and affordable housing and responsible resource extraction;

•OurpartnershipwithTheLutheranWorldFederationandCanadianLutheranWorldReliefaswe work to support refugees around the world;

•OurpartnershipwithchurchesinArgentinaandPeruaswehelpsupportministryinindigenous communities within these churches.

•ContinuingtheCalltoSpiritualRenewal,workingtodeepenthediscipleshipofallourmembers and learning new ways to reach out in faith to those around us;

•BuildingbetterrelationshipswithotherdenominationsandfaithshereinCanada,throughthe Canadian Council of Churches, and around the world through the World Council of Churches.

Individuals and congregations are encouraged to generously support the 2015 ELCIC Praise Appeal, which is a significant source of revenue for the ELCIC.

Thank you for your commitment to deepening your discipleship and being spiritually renewed. Thank you for the ways your work to care for God’s gift of creation. Thank you for your support of our collective work in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Thank you for your support and participation in this Praise Appeal. May God bless and strengthen your ministry both individually and together.

Sermon

Page 2

Children’s message

Bold font = words spoken; Italicized font = directions

Invite children to front for children’s time. Greet them in a friendly fashion and sit together as is your tradition, asking how they are and how school was in the previous week. Speak to the children, but also to the adults present.

What’s worth more—a rock, or an iPod? Allow response.If you are a human being, you might want the iPod, but you might need the rock to build a wall or hold down a tent peg. If children argue this—that’s okay.

Okay, what’s worth more—an iceberg or a new oil well? Allow response.If you are a human being, you may want the oil for your car, but if you are a whale or a little sea creature or someone who lives close to the ocean, you may want that iceberg.

Isaiah, the prophet whose words we just heard in the lesson said, “Seek God while he may be found.” What do you think that means? Allow responseCan we find something that is lost forever?Allow response

What if that something is a voice, like a cry for help? And what if we were listening to our iPods and didn’t hear the voice crying out? Allow response

So, might Isaiah really be saying, “Hey! You are God’s people. You know I created the earth for you. You know how good and precious and wonderful a place it is. I can only keep it that way with your help!”

What might that mean for you today in the way you live this special day of worship and thanks? Allow response—if necessary move discussion to the need for each of us to help in keeping the world a precious and wonderful place.

Affirm the children’s participation.

Will you pray with me? God, you created this world and all the good things in it. Remind each of us that with each breath we take, every meal we eat, and every friend we greet that we are to be thankful and not wasteful. Amen