Embracing Stewardship: A Call to Cherish Creation

Summary

Gathered by the lakeside, we are invited to see the world with new eyes—eyes that recognize the shimmering water, the tall trees, and the birdsong as more than just scenery, but as living testimony to God’s glory. Creation is not a backdrop to our lives, but a community in which we are deeply embedded. The birds and flowers, sustained without worry or toil, remind us of the Creator’s abundant provision. This is not a call to idleness, but to a sacred stewardship: a reverent, active care for the earth and all its creatures. We are not mere inhabitants, but caretakers, entrusted with the flourishing of the world around us.

Stewardship is more than conservation; it is a posture of reverence and gratitude. It means seeing nature not as a resource to exploit, but as a community to cherish. This calls us to openness—openness to new ways of living, to learning from the wisdom of others, and to listening deeply to the needs of the earth. Our actions, from the smallest kindness to the largest policy, can sow seeds of hope and healing. The story of the birds nesting at home, and the care taken to let them thrive, is a small but profound example of sharing space and honoring life, even in its fragility.

Loss, even of a tiny bird, reminds us of the preciousness of life and the interconnectedness of all things. These moments invite us to pause, to wonder, and to act with compassion. As a community, our presence and our service build up the legacy of Christ’s church, just as the work of farming once built up the land on which we gather. Each person’s contribution, whether seen or unseen, is vital to the flourishing of both our church and the wider world. Let us carry the wonder of creation in our hearts and the responsibility of stewardship in our hands, living gently, listening deeply, and acting boldly for the healing of the earth.

Key Takeaways

- True stewardship is rooted in reverence, not just responsibility. To care for creation is to recognize its sacredness and our place within it—not as owners, but as caretakers who are called to cherish, not exploit. This shift in perspective transforms our relationship with the world and with God, inviting us into deeper gratitude and humility. [02:25]

- The natural world teaches us about grace and abundance. Birds and flowers thrive not by anxious striving, but by being part of a larger, sustaining order. Their effortless existence is a living parable, reminding us to trust in God’s provision and to resist the urge to hoard or control. [03:26]

- Openness to the unknown is essential for growth, both personally and as a community. Whether it’s learning about the habits of birds or navigating transitions in our congregation, curiosity and willingness to learn dispel fear and foster resilience. Embracing the unfamiliar can lead to unexpected blessings and deeper connection. [07:39]

- Loss, even in small forms, invites us to compassion and reflection. The brief life of a bird, honored with a simple prayer, reminds us that every creature matters and that grief, however small, is a sacred part of our shared journey. These moments deepen our empathy and our sense of responsibility for all life. [05:39]

- Community is built through presence and shared effort. Just as farming requires many hands, sustaining a church or caring for creation is a collective endeavor. Each person’s presence and service, whether frequent or rare, contributes to the legacy and flourishing of the whole. [09:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Seeing Creation with New Eyes
[01:10] - The Living Testimony of Nature
[02:25] - The Sacred Call to Stewardship
[03:26] - Lessons from Birds and Flowers
[04:36] - Sharing Space with Creation
[05:39] - Honoring Life and Loss
[07:39] - Openness to the Unknown
[08:24] - Embracing Change as a Community
[09:01] - The Power of Presence and Legacy
[09:40] - Connections to the Land
[10:10] - The Work of Building Community
[10:40] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Stewardship and Wonder in Creation

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### Bible Reading

Matthew 6:25-30 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Genesis 2:15 (ESV)
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 6:25-30, what does Jesus point to in creation to teach us about God’s provision?
2. In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give about sharing space with birds at home? [04:36]
3. What does Genesis 2:15 say about humanity’s original role in creation?
4. How did the pastor describe the difference between seeing nature as “scenery” versus as a “community”? [00:37]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses birds and flowers as examples when teaching about worry and trust in God? How does this relate to our own anxieties? (Matthew 6:25-30)
2. The pastor said, “Stewardship means more than conservation. It means reverence, it means approaching nature…as a community to cherish.” What does it look like to move from responsibility to reverence in caring for creation? [02:25]
3. The story of the birds’ nests at home led to both joy and loss. What does this teach us about the fragility and value of life, even in small creatures? [05:39]
4. The sermon mentioned being “open to the unknown” and learning from others, including indigenous wisdom. Why is openness important for both personal and community growth? [07:39]

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### Application Questions

1. The birds and flowers “thrive not by worry or hoarding, but by being part of the sacred hope.” What is one area of your life where you tend to worry or try to control outcomes? How might you practice trust in God’s provision this week? [03:26]
2. The pastor shared about turning off the porch light to help the birds feel at home. Is there a small, practical change you could make in your daily life to care for creation or share space with other creatures? [04:36]
3. When have you experienced a small loss in nature (like the loss of a bird or plant)? How did you respond, and what did it teach you about compassion and the value of all life? [05:39]
4. The sermon calls us to see ourselves as caretakers, not owners, of the earth. What is one habit or mindset you could shift this month to better reflect this calling? [02:25]
5. The pastor encouraged the congregation to be “open to the unknown” and to learn from others. Is there a new perspective or practice about creation care you are curious to explore? How could you take a step toward learning more? [07:39]
6. Community is built through presence and shared effort. What is one way you can contribute—big or small—to the flourishing of our church or local environment this season? [09:01]
7. The closing prayer asked God to help us “live gently upon the earth, listen deeply to its needs, and act boldly for its healing.” Which of these three—living gently, listening deeply, or acting boldly—do you feel most called to grow in right now? What is a first step you could take? [10:40]

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Closing Prayer:
Invite someone to close your group in prayer, asking God for eyes to see creation with wonder, hearts to care for it with reverence, and hands ready to serve both the earth and one another.

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing Creation with New Eyes
To truly see the world as God intends, one must look beyond the surface and recognize the deep, sacred connection shared with all of creation. The shimmering lake, the tall trees, and the birdsong are not mere background scenery but living reminders of God’s glory and provision. This perspective invites a sense of wonder and gratitude, calling each person to embrace their role within the web of life and to cherish the beauty and abundance that surrounds them every day. [00:37]

Matthew 6:26-29 (ESV)
"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

Reflection: As you go about your day, pause to notice one aspect of creation you usually overlook—what does it reveal to you about God’s care and creativity?


Day 2: Embracing Stewardship as Sacred Responsibility
Stewardship is not merely about conserving resources but about reverence—approaching nature as a cherished community rather than something to exploit. This sacred responsibility calls for openness to new ways of living that respect and nurture the earth, learning from both the wisdom of others and the earth itself. By caring for creation, one participates in God’s ongoing work, sowing seeds of hope in both the land and the community. [02:25]

Genesis 2:15 (ESV)
"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can show reverence for creation this week—perhaps by changing a daily habit or supporting a local environmental effort?


Day 3: Openness to the Unknown and Learning from Creation
Being open to the unknown means taking time to observe, learn, and adapt, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Whether it’s sharing space with birds nesting at home or encountering new experiences, openness allows for growth, empathy, and deeper connection with all living things. This attitude transforms fear or indifference into curiosity and care, fostering a spirit of hospitality toward all of God’s creatures. [05:39]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt uncertain or uneasy—how might approaching it with openness and a willingness to learn change your response?


Day 4: Community and Legacy Through Shared Work
Building and sustaining a community, like tending a farm or a church, requires the effort and presence of each person. Every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to a legacy that endures beyond individual lifetimes. Recognizing the connections—both past and present—within a community inspires gratitude and a sense of belonging, reminding all that their presence and participation matter deeply. [09:01]

1 Corinthians 12:12, 27 (ESV)
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to your community today, honoring those who came before and those who will come after?


Day 5: Living Gently and Boldly for the Healing of the Earth
To live gently upon the earth is to listen deeply to its needs and to act boldly for its healing, guided by gratitude and hope. This means nurturing, protecting, and celebrating the sacred gift of creation, so that it may flourish for generations to come. Each person is called to reflect God’s love through humble, grateful action, ensuring that the earth remains a place of beauty and life for all. [03:26]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: What is one bold step you can take this week to care for the earth or advocate for its healing in your community?

Quotes

This invitation is much more than an observation about birds and flowers. It's a sacred call to see the world around us with new eyes, to recognize the deep connection we have with creation, to embrace our role within it. Look around. The lake's shimmering surface, the trees standing tall, the breeze that carries the birdsong, they're not just background scenery. They are part of a living, breathing creation that sings the glory of God. [00:01:01] (38 seconds)  #SacredConnectionWithCreation Edit Clip

The scripture reminds us that these creatures and plants do not labor or worry as often as we do. Yet, they are sustained. This is not a call to passivity, but a reminder that the Creator provides abundantly for all life. [00:01:38] (24 seconds)  #DivineProvisionAndTrust Edit Clip

We as humans are more than inhabitants of this earth. What are we? We are stewards. Just like we are stewards for Christ Church UCC. We share a sacred responsibility to care for this creation that sustains us. [00:02:01] (21 seconds)  #StewardsOfSacredEarth Edit Clip

Stewardship means more than conservation. It means reverence, it means approaching nature as a resource to exploit, not as a resource to exploit, but as a community to cherish. [00:02:22] (16 seconds)  #CherishNatureAsCommunity Edit Clip

The beauty in a flower's effortless bloom or a bird's soaring fly teaches us about grace and abundance. But stewardship is also about openness, openness to new ways of living that respect and nurture the earth. [00:02:37] (21 seconds)  #GraceInBloomAndFlight Edit Clip

It causes us to listen deeply, to learn from indigenous wisdom and from the earth itself. How can we live in ways that allow our rivers to flow clean, our forests to thrive, our skies to remain clear? How can we sow seeds of hope, not just in soil, but in our communities and policies? [00:02:58] (28 seconds)  #ListeningToEarthsWisdom Edit Clip

Creation invites us to wonder, to pause, and appreciate the miraculous unfolding around us every day. And it invites us into action to be caretakers, to protect the gifts we have been given. [00:03:26] (17 seconds)  #CaretakersOfCreation Edit Clip

Let us embrace the spirit that moves us through wind, water, and all living things. And may our lives bloom richly wherever we are planted for the health of this earth and all who call it home. [00:04:12] (18 seconds)  #BloomWherePlanted Edit Clip

While it's my house, they see it as their home, at least for that moment, to grow something. And if we're sharing the space with other creation, it was to allow them to feel at home as well. [00:05:43] (15 seconds)  #SharingHomeWithCreation Edit Clip

We are in the midst of a possible transition in our congregation. We have to be open to everything that comes to it. And I actually enjoy that we come here every year and get out of the four walls. [00:08:24] (20 seconds)  #EmbraceTransitionTogether Edit Clip