Sunday, September 8, 2024

Theme

This week we begin the Narrative Lectionary with one of the creation accounts found in the book of Genesis. The first creation account (likely written by the priests) is found in Genesis 1:1-2:4a, and tells a cosmic story of God (Elohim) creating the world in six days.

The second creation account (which likely predates the priestly account) is a much more intimate and ‘hands on’ creation. Our text for this week begins with the LORD God (Adonai Elohim)’s desire for a garden and need for someone to care for and nurture it. The LORD God forms the human (h’adam) out of the dirt (ha admah) and breaths divine ruach (Spirit, breath, wind) into them.

This year we skip over the splitting of the human into woman and man (that is the creation text for year 2 of the Narrative Lectionary). Humanity is created for Righteousness, to be in right relationship with God, one another, and all of creation. However, this changes when humanity gives into the temptation to define good and evil on our own terms, rather than trust God. As a result, humanity is kicked out of the garden. The right relationship with God, one another, and all of creation is broken.

This narrative sets the scene for the rest of the story, humanity lacks the righteousness that we were created for, and yearns for it to be restored. Will we ever return to the garden?

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you understand the purpose and role of humanity and your own purpose?
• How have you been tempted to define good on your own terms and what was the result?
• How have you experienced broken relationships with God, one another, and creation?
• Where is this all leading?

Reflections:

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Introit: We begin the service with two hymns of ‘Creation and Providence’. The Introit is the first verse of “God of the Sparrow”.

Opening Hymn: For our opening hymn, the next-door neighbor in the hymnal, “God, You Sping the Whirling Planets”. The text was written in 1979 for a national meeting of Prebyterian Women.

Transition Hymn: For September, “Great Are You, Lord”.

Special Music: An arrangement of a hymn that begins with a bit of creation reflection: “O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder…”; “How Great Thou Art”, arranged by Lloyd Larson.

Responsive Hymn: This hymn choice was spurred by the last sentences of AJ’s sermon notes. “The right relationship with God, one another, and all of creation is broken. … humanity lacks the righteousness that we were created for, and yearns for it to be restored”. My favorite verse of one of my favorite hymns, is an inspired reminder of that wandering from God: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.

Sending Hymn: A reflection on the wonder of God’s creation, “This Is My Father’s World”.

Benediction: For September, “Lord, Make Us More Holy”; this week, verse two.