An Outsider’s Wit and a Grafting God: Playing for a Change – Amy Carr reflects on honesty and play as eco-justice resources. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 14 – 20, Year A (2023, 2026) Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:[10-20], 21-28 All sortsRead More →
All-Encompassing, Hopeful, and Embodied Faith Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday August 7-13, Year A (2020, 2023) 1 Kings 19:9-18 Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 Introduction It’s no secret that the United States’ narrative of individualism and self-sufficiency has and is devastating our environment and many communities whoRead More →
All Creation Looks Forward to God’s Glory – Dennis Ormseth reflects on mountain experiences. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Transfiguration of Our Lord, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 2 2 Peter 1:16-21 Matthew 17:1-9 Mountains matter. Beginning with the readings for the Fourth Sunday afterRead More →
Meeting the “Creational Need” of Nature – Dennis Ormseth reflects on salt and light. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 As the reading of the Sermon onRead More →
Empowered in God’s Love for the Creation – Dennis Ormseth reflects on earth-honoring faith. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Year A (2017, 2020, 2023, 2026) Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Matthew 5:1-12 “Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and youRead More →
Bigger than That – Nick Utphall reflects on our politics and the eternal results of the Cosmic Christ. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Christ the King Sunday, Year C (2022, 2025) Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43 The lectionary readings today start with a notion that ourRead More →
Has God Thrown a New Star in Our Sky? – Dennis Ormseth reflects on needing wisdom to sustain us as we live with the rest of Earth community. Care for Creation Commentary on the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for the Epiphany of Our Lord, Year C (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025)Isaiah 60:1-6Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14Ephesians 3:1-12Matthew 2:1-12Read More →
ELCA commits to being a role model in urgent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions! Congratulations to all the green teams, dedicated activists, and ELCA Church-wide voting members who made this possible. Read text of approved language here (click) or watch recording of session: We have a specific call to action in all expressions of ourRead More →
While many manuals advise clergy and congregants on tactics for church survival or thriving, few address the deepest identity, shape, and imperatives of the church in its identity in Christ and the tradition of discipling that stems from his life, work, death, and resurrection. As compelling as it is clear, Craig Nessan’s important new workRead More →
Where Most of Us Stand – Nick Utphall reflects on finding our place in the struggle to care for the world’s family. Care for Creation Commentary on the Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday October 9-15, Year B (2018, 2021, 2024) Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Psalm 90:12-17 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 I have a “green letter” edition of theRead More →