Sunday Worship In September

Beginning on September 1, with Morning Prayer and continuing September 8, 15, 22, and 29 with The Holy Eucharist: Rite II, St. Luke’s will be joining with Christians around the world to celebrate in prayer and action our Gospel calling to protect the Earth that God entrusted to our care. St. Luke’s will be supporting this special collection of prayers, readings, and hymns dedicated to honoring the sacredness of God’s Creation.

The Diocesan Bishops of the Episcopal Church, authorized Season of Creation including The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White, Diocese of Southern Ohio.

A little about the Season of Creation...
The celebration of this Season began in 1989 when Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I established September 1 as a Day of Prayer for Creation for the Orthodox Church. The World Council of Churches extended the celebration to October 4th, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. An ecumenical effort is now underway to establish a Feast of Creation on September 1. 

The yearly themes, logos, and other resources are provided by the ecumenical organization to which we belong as members of the Anglican Communion. The Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Bishop of California, represents the Episcopal Church on the steering committee. More information and resources for various activities and events outside of the primary Sunday morning worship service may be found on the website: SeasonOfCreation.org 

The theme for 2024 is "To Hope And Act With Creation".
 
In the letter of Paul, the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22). Francis of Assisi understood this when he referred to the Earth as our sister and our mother in his Canticle of Creatures. The times we live in show that we are not relating to the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather as a resource to be used
 
And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.