{"id":1954,"date":"2023-05-03T11:54:05","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T11:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/?p=1954"},"modified":"2023-05-03T11:54:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T11:54:05","slug":"5th-sunday-of-easter-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/5th-sunday-of-easter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"5th Sunday of Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1954\" class=\"elementor elementor-1954\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2753f168 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2753f168\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3e26f16b\" data-id=\"3e26f16b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64fc71 eael-dt-th-align-center eael-table-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-data-table\" data-id=\"64fc71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-data-table.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eael-data-table-wrap\" data-table_id=\"64fc71\" id=\"eael-data-table-wrapper-64fc71\" data-custom_responsive=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<table class=\"tablesorter eael-data-table center\" id=\"eael-data-table-64fc71\">\n\t\t\t    <thead>\n\t\t\t        <tr class=\"table-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Lectionary<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">1st Reading<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Psalm<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">2nd Reading<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t            <th class=\"\" id=\"\" colspan=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"data-table-header-text\">Gospel<\/span><\/th>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t        <\/tr>\n\t\t\t    <\/thead>\n\t\t\t  \t<tbody>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Anglican lectionary <\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Acts 7: 55 - 60<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Psalm 31:1-5,17-18<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">1 Peter 2:2-10<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">John 14:1-14<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Catholic lectionary:<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Acts 6:1-7<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">1 Peter. 2:4-9<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td colspan=\"\" rowspan=\"\" class=\"\" id=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"td-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"td-content\">(both)<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t        \t\t\t    <\/tbody>\n\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t  \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4462695e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4462695e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 08-05-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">SECTION ONE: NOTES ON THE READINGS<\/span><\/h4><div><p><b>The message of Easter: Jesus is risen \u2013 we have a job to do!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p><p>5th Sunday <b>OF <\/b>Easter \u2013 OF and not AFTER Easter \u2013 signifies the enormous meaning of the events of Easter which we celebrate fully for 7 weeks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><b>THE <\/b>major festival of our faith.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Remove Christmas and we lose just a couple of chapters in our Bibles. Remove the resurrection and we would have no New Testament, no Church, no redemption\u2026\u2026<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>The resurrection of Christ began the renewal of Creation. God has become King on Earth &#8211; as in Heaven just as we pray in the prayer Jesus taught us. That prayer will be fully answered of course when heaven and earth are joined in the new Jerusalem here.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>What does this all mean to us here and now as disciples of Christ? Well, most immediately it means learning to live as resurrection people between Easter and the day Jesus returns. Each of our Christian lives and our corporate lives whether in worship or mission should be signs of the first Easter and a foretaste of the second. We should be working for the renewing of Creation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>1 Peter 2.2-10 (Message)<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p><p><b><i>2 <\/i><\/b><b><i>1-3 <\/i><\/b><b><i>So clean house! <\/i><\/b><i>Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You\u2019ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God\u2019s pure kindness. <\/i><b><i>Then you\u2019ll grow up mature and whole in God<\/i><\/b><i>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><b><i>The Stone <\/i><\/b><b><i>4-8 <\/i><\/b><i>Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. <\/i><b><i>Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you\u2019ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. <\/i><\/b><i>The Scriptures provide precedent:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><i>Look! I\u2019m setting a stone in Zion,<\/i><\/div><div><i>a cornerstone in the place of honor.<\/i><\/div><div><i>Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation <\/i><\/div><div><i>will never have cause to regret it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/div><div><i>To you who trust him, he\u2019s a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><\/i><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><i>The stone the workmen threw out <\/i><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">is now the chief foundation stone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><i><\/i><i>For the untrusting it\u2019s . . . a stone to trip over, <\/i>a boulder blocking the way.\u00a0<\/div><div><i>They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><p><b><i>9-10 <\/i><\/b><i>But <\/i><b><i>you are the ones chosen by God<\/i><\/b><i>, <\/i><b><i>chosen for the high calling of priestly work<\/i><\/b><i>, <\/i><b><i>chosen to be a holy people<\/i><\/b><i>, <\/i><b><i>God\u2019s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you<\/i><\/b><i>\u2014from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><p>This reading from 1 Peter <i>(and I purposely use the Message translation as it is direct and no mincing of words!) <\/i>encapsulates the Easter message. <b>The Stone <\/b>\u2013 <b>the Christ <\/b>rejected by the very people who should have recognised who he was. Rejected and murdered on the cross. All that took place \u2018as predicted\u2019 in the Scriptures.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Easter \u2013 without Easter there would be no New Testament \u2013 no good news\u2026 no reconciliation with God. But there was Easter \u2013 the new dawning of God\u2019s re-newed world here on earth. And new responsibilities for those who experience the dawning of understanding \u2013 of the consequences of what happened all those years ago. Those who believe are truly: <b>\u2018the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people. God\u2019s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you. <\/b>From nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.\u2019<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>So what exactly is the prime task of those who belong to Jesus? It is to be and live as the new Temple.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i>1 Peter 2.5,9 <\/i>That means worship and stewardship, bringing about justice and beauty. These are the main vocations of God\u2019s redeemed people. And to achieve this we take on the calling of learning to \u2018renew\u2019 <b><i>our <\/i><\/b>hearts, minds and lives \u2013 bit by bit.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>We are called to be the true Temple. Jesus is the one true \u2018living stone\u2019 and we, his followers, are the \u2018living stones\u2019 by which the temple is to be built. As we do this God\u2019s presence will be brought into the world around us and as we carry the extraordinary message of what God has done, into the world \u2013 so we join in the work of building for the kingdom of Jesus in all the world. This is what it means to be a \u2018royal priesthood\u2019!! Just as it was in the early days, so it is today as well. The early Christians were rejected by the world around them but they continued to live lives of holiness and hope \u2013 and that is exactly what the \u2018royal priesthood\u2019 should look like. We have a saying \u2018Actions speak louder than words\u2019 \u2013 and that has been true from the beginning. A Christian lifestyle should attract others and make them want to know more about Jesus.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Easter ushers in God\u2019s plan for the renewal of his creation \u2013 the whole of his creation \u2013 the natural world around us but also the people all around the world. The orthodox world uses icons to meditate on God. Icons, they say, point us to God. St John of Damascus said, \u2018 the whole earth is a living icon, a portal through which we encounter God\u2019s presence. To grow closer to God we need to grow closer to all that he has created. We need to develop \u201cears that hear and eyes that see\u201d Proverbs 20:12 NIV. As we do so our whole life can become a prayer and we grow closer to God and closer to the needs of the world. Only so can we actively be part of the renewal of creation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span lang=\"DE\">SECTION TWO: DRAFT SERMON\/SERMON OUTLINE<\/span><\/span><\/h4><\/div><p><b>My context \u2013 where I am <\/b>in the world, and the major issues <b>we <\/b>face.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Building <b>for <\/b>the Kingdom in Switzerland \u2013 where I live.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Taking the responsibility for voting seriously. In Switzerland we have a direct democracy. Sadly very often only 30-40% vote. Coming up soon, there are two vitally important subjects we will be voting on which concern our subject this week. The first is the clean water initiative and secondly the Glacier initiative. Glaciers are not just very beautiful and stunning, they are our reservoirs. Their ever faster melting cannot be reversed and is the beginning of catastrophe. A catastrophe that could still be halted if we were to change our lifestyle. For me it is not just that glaciers are water reservoirs for much of Europe but also a matter of caring for the amazing creation that God has given us to live in, use and enjoy. It is, of course, also a matter of protecting our environment for future generations. Even non-Christians should want to do that! Many people do not realise that the matter is urgent. If we don\u2019t act now, it will be too late to change or stop many of the things which are threatening our very existence. I know that in the end God will renew this earth but that is no excuse for not doing our part in caring now. Especially when we are aware of how our actions here all too often detrimentally affect the lives of men, women and children in countries far away from us. For example, how flying, oil-fired central heating, not taking notice of how clothes and other articles are made cheaply abroad can affect CO2 emissions around the world which in turn affect the climate in places many miles away.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>The Drinking water initiative seeks to protect not only our water but also the bio-diversity of the land. It seeks to implement a change in the way the land is farmed and food grown. These things need not only a change in the law but also a change in people\u2019s consumer habits.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>60% of insects are endangered, 95% of dry meadows and pastures have disappeared since 1900 and 40% of breeding birds are endangered<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>The Swiss Alps are the Water Castle of Europe. The snows\/water from here feed the major rivers in Europe!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i>These are just a couple of examples from my situation. Perhaps you could have a short time of interaction with your congregation \u2013 pooling ideas and thoughts that everyone could put into practice to protect and show our care for God\u2019s creation wherever we live.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><h4><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>SECTION THREE: ADDITIONAL MATERIAL<\/strong><\/span><\/h4><div><i>Collect:\u00a0<\/i><\/div><div><p>Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. Amen<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i>Response to the Word:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><p><b>Responsive Lord\u2019s Prayer \u2014 David Pickering, UK<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p><\/div><div>Our Father [Creator], who art in heaven \u2026 <b>You are also at home in the air, soil, forests and oceans, <\/b>Hallowed be your name \u2026 <b>By the care we take of your creation, <\/b><\/div><div>Your kingdom [realm] come \u2026<b>All that you see is good, <\/b><\/div><div>Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven \u2026 <b>Your will to till and care. <\/b><\/div><div>Give us this day our daily bread \u2026 <b>That all may have sufficient to live life in fullness <\/b><\/div><div>Forgive us our trespasses \u2026<b>Our greed, our exploitation, our lack of concern for other species and for future generations, <\/b><\/div><div>As we forgive those who trespass against us\u2026<b>By reconciliation with justice and peace. <\/b><\/div><div>Lead us not into temptation \u2026<b>The temptation to equate dominion with exploitation<\/b>,<\/div><div>And deliver us from evil \u2026<b>The evil of destroying your gift of creation <\/b><\/div><div>For yours is the kingdom [realm] \u2026<b>Yours, not ours,<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/div><div>The Power and the Glory \u2026I<b>n the cross and the resurrection, <\/b><\/div><div>For ever and ever \u2026<b>You were the beginning and you are the end.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><i><\/i><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><i>This prayer was first published by Eco-Congregation in 2000. David has given Worship Words permission to share it. <\/i>If used please include the author!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><b><\/b><\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><b>Tearfund \u201cHope for Creation\u201d prayer<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/div><p>Lord, make us people who recognise, nurture and act towards a more sustainable world for the benefit of all who draw life from this planet. Raise up campaigners who will speak out for wisdom, restraint and compassion. And teach us to partner you in protecting this precious world and the lives of our most vulnerable global neighbours. Amen<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Prayers for Forgiveness for Climate Sin\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><u><strong>One Voice<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/p><p>Climate Change is prompted by our sinfulness:<br \/>our greed, gluttony and lust for more<br \/>our pride and arrogance<br \/>our anger, envy and vanity<br \/>our dishonesty and maliciousness our indifference and laziness<\/p><p><u><strong>All\u00a0<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<em>Creator God, forgive\u00a0<\/em><\/p><p><u><strong>One Voice\u00a0<\/strong><\/u><\/p><p>Climate Change is fed by our failure to accept limits:<br \/>&#8211; of the Earth\u2019s capacity<br \/>&#8211; to consumerism and excessive materialism<br \/>&#8211; to an economy that demands insatiability<br \/>&#8211; to our crude desires &#8211; to our human aspirations\u00a0<\/p><p><u><strong>All<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<em>Saviour God \u2013 forgive<\/em><\/p><p><u><strong>One voice<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0<\/p><p>Climate Change is enhanced by our falling short of our deeper potential:<br \/>&#8211; to respect all life<br \/>&#8211; to live compassionately<br \/>&#8211; to think beyond the short-term<br \/>&#8211; to seek peace through justice &#8211; to express solidarity with the vulnerable<\/p><p><u><strong>All<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<em>Inspiring God &#8211; forgive<\/em><\/p><p><u><strong>One Voice\u00a0<\/strong><\/u><\/p><p>Climate Change is addressed when we actively work to change our economic lifestyles:<br \/>&#8211; campaigning for fairness and equality<br \/>&#8211; putting community before self<br \/>&#8211; sharing resources and cooperating together<br \/>&#8211; acting to regenerate the Earth<br \/>&#8211; recognising the deep holiness of life itself<\/p><p><u><strong>All<\/strong><\/u>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<em>Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer God: In the face of Climate Change\u00a0<br \/>forgive us our wrongdoings; challenge our apathy; strengthen our resolve;\u00a0<br \/>inspire us with hope; and enthuse us with love to\u00a0<br \/>make a world of difference now and forever. Amen.<\/em><\/p><p><em>[Martyn Goss, May 2016]<\/em><\/p><p><strong>C<\/strong><strong>onfession\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.operationnoah.org\/day_of_prayer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-cke-saved-href=\"http:\/\/www.operationnoah.org\/day_of_prayer\">www.operationnoah.org\/day_of_prayer<\/a><\/p><p>When we are unkind to people,\u00a0<br \/>and forget they are God\u2019s children,<br \/>When we are careless with the beasts,\u00a0<br \/>and forget they are God\u2019s creation,<br \/>When we ill-treat the land,\u00a0<br \/>and forget the splendour of God,<br \/>Forgive us, O God of love,\u00a0<br \/>and reconcile us to yourself,\u00a0<br \/>to one another and to the Creation.<br \/>Teach us that the earth and all its fullness is yours,\u00a0<br \/>the world and all who dwell in it.<br \/>Remind us that your Son too enjoyed the fruits of the harvest in Galilee and joins us now as we celebrate<br \/>your good gifts together.<br \/>Call us again to safeguard the gift of life, now and forever. Amen<\/p><p><b>FURTHER READING:<\/b><\/p><ul><li><b>Broken Signposts <\/b>\u2013 \u2018How Christianity makes sense of the world\u2019 by Tom Wright SPCK Publishing<\/li><li><b>Surprised by Hope <\/b>by Tom Wright SPCK Publishing<\/li><li><b>Living in an Icon <\/b>\u2013 A program for growing closer to Creation and to God by Robert Gottfried &amp; Frederick W. Krueger Church Publishing Incorporated<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0be21f2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0be21f2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4431e66\" data-id=\"4431e66\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bacbb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bacbb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong><span>Share the article:<\/span><\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71295c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-htmega-social-shere-addons\" data-id=\"71295c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"htmega-social-shere-addons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t            <div class=\"htmega-social-share htmega-social-style-1 htmega-social-view-icon-title\" >\n                <ul>\n                                            <li class=\"elementor-repeater-item-30d5755\" data-social=\"facebook\" > \n                            <i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-facebook\"><\/i><span class=\"htmega-share-title\">Facebook<\/span><span class=\"htmega-share-counter\" data-counter=\"facebook\"><\/span>                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"elementor-repeater-item-e452574\" data-social=\"twitter\" > \n                            <i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/i><span class=\"htmega-share-title\">Twitter<\/span><span class=\"htmega-share-counter\" data-counter=\"twitter\"><\/span>                        <\/li>\n                                            <li class=\"elementor-repeater-item-44f48b2\" data-social=\"googleplus\" > \n                            <i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-google-plus\"><\/i><span class=\"htmega-share-title\">Google Plus<\/span><span class=\"htmega-share-counter\" data-counter=\"googleplus\"><\/span>                        <\/li>\n                                    <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n        \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1a095247 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1a095247\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-58fdc3bf\" data-id=\"58fdc3bf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-476bc6cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"476bc6cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 08-05-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/34C90F36-A41B-422B-A490-6B79BCB36BFF-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-image-1957\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-30b010ce\" data-id=\"30b010ce\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f972281 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f972281\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 08-05-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Revd Elizabeth Bussmann<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e5687f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e5687f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A priest in the Diocese in Europe, I have recently retired, after 6 years,\u00a0 from my role as Diocesan Environment Officer for the Diocese in Europe. I am a member of the &#8216;preaching for God&#8217;s world&#8217; team and my main motivation is the fact that learning to change our lifestyles is part of being a disciple of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5th Sunday of Easter<br \/>\n7th May 2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,15,9],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1954"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1979,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1954\/revisions\/1979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/preachingforgodsworld.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}