Season of Creation 2017
Sermons
Uniting Earth and Project Reconnect have partnered up this year to provide some of the best Sermons from Uniting Earth's Eco-Sermon Competition "Preach Off" Event held on World Environment Day, for churches to use during the Season of Creation in September (or anytime).
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Season of Creation Sermon Video Suggested Timetable
Season Of Creation 1 3rd Sept.....Byron Smith
Season Of Creation 2 10th Sept.....Ben Thurley
Season Of Creation 3 17th Sept....Jessica Morthorpe
Season Of Creation 4 24th Sept…. Barbara Allen
Season Of Creation 5 1st October…Taualofa Angaaelangi
Sermon Videos
Sunday 3rd of September
SOC Sermon Video 1
Byron Smith talks about how our breath - the very thing that keeps us alive - connects us deeply with creation.
Discussion Questions:
1. What did you think was the most significant idea in this message?
2. What ‘junk’ is your life breathing out? OR What fresh breeze from God have noticed recently?
3. How might seeing the Holy Spirit as the Breath of Life shape our worship?
4. How might it affect our patterns of life together as a local/national/global community?
Sunday 3rd of September
SOC All Age Video 1
Project Reconnect with Maria Williams.
Sunday 10th of September
SOC Sermon Video 2
Ben Thurley discusses Genesis 1 as a story of God's spirit of hospitality towards all of Creation.
Discussion Questions:
1. Think of a time when you powerfully experienced the gracious hospitality of God. How does that experience shape you?
2. Where and how do you see signs of the hospitable relationships where all creation is interconnected for the living and thriving of all creatures?
3. What can you do to be more hospitable within your creational relationships?
4. How could you church community participate more (joy)fully in this movement of God’s hospitality?
Sunday 10th of September
SOC All Age Video 2
Project Reconnect with Maria Williams.
Sunday 17th of September
SOC Sermon Video 3
Jessica Morthorpe weaves together the stories of Esther and Climate Change, challenging us to take action for our planet!
Discussion questions:
1. Do you think climate change is a disaster or an opportunity for us?
2. What actions have you taken personally to fight climate change and/or care for God’s creation?
3. What could your church do to improve its care for Creation?
4. What people or groups are there in your community that your church could connect with in fighting climate change and caring for Creation?
Sunday 17th of September
SOC All Age Video 3
Project Reconnect with Maria Williams.
Sunday 24th of September
SOC Sermon Video 4
Rev. Barbara Allen shares about Animal Theology and the difference a name makes.
Discussion Questions:
1. As Christians, what are our responsibilities regarding non-human animals?
2. Are non-human animals ‘blessed’?
3. What does it mean to consider that only humans were evicted from the Garden (Genesis 3)?
4. What would you name a creature? (real or imaginary)
Sunday 24th of September
SOC All Age Video 4
Project Reconnect with David Chegwidden
Sunday 1st of October
SOC Sermon Video 5
Taualofa Angaaelangi speaks about her Tongan faith, and how we can learn from Tongan culture to improve our care of God's Creation.
Discussion Questions:
1. The Tongan values I mentioned are one way of responding to the proclamation of the Word. What are other ways of responding to living a faithful Christian ecological discipleship in our lives?
2. Who defines our place on earth: the Bible, Cultural values?
3. What are some unhelpful words to describe our relationships with creation? Why are they problematic?
4. What sort of language do you think is helpful in talking about human creatures ‘place on earth? Why are they helpful?
