SPECIAL DAYS: Annual Church Picnic

August 1, 1999 - LESSON: Psalm 140:1-19, 24, 30-34, 35b

SERMON TITLE: Living in God's Creation

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INTRODUCTION:

1. We will play a game.
1. It is called Endangered Species Unscramble Game.
2. At the Church Picnic the members and friends had pictures of the plants, animals, and aquatic life to help them.
1. If you have Internet access you will find the pictures at http://www.epa.gov/rgytgrnj/kids/fun.htm
3. Here are the words to unscramble.
    

   IGB AEERD TBA ZZLIYRG EABR

   IEPRARI GNIFRED COIRDH DLAB GEALE

   KCLBA ECAL SUCATC ARICMEN YINGBUR LEBETEL

   NSSIIOM LBUE BYTTURFLE GINPHWOO NCRAE

   ALMLS DEWLHOR OOPGIAN TESDRE SEITORTO

   INGWYOM TDOA DRE-DEDKACOC OODPWEKCER

   NERASTE GOINDI KSNAE DAFLORI TANAMEE
    

4. It is hard to unscramble the words which name the endangered species.
1. In a way it is good that it is hard.
2. It reminds us that saving endangered species is not easy.
5. It is hard because there are groups that own land, desire to use water or air on or in which to make a profit.
1. The manatee is endangered because many of them die from injuries suffered by unsuspecting boaters.
2. Others are endangered because of a loss of habitat because land development.
3. We spoil our water and fish and birds suffer.
4. There are poachers who take trophies to sell.

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6. For the sake of economy creatures suffer and are lost.
7. For the sake of development creatures sufer and are lost.
2. Each of us ought to become an environmentalist.
1. To look through the eyes of another.
2. To look through he eyes of God.
3. 
    

   Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great.

   You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment.

   You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.

   You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken. You cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight. They rose up to the mountains, ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.

   You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst. By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

   You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.

   The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.

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   You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works--

   ...I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD!
    

3. The Psalmist glorifies God for creative and sustaining power.
1. The writer describes the inter-connectedness of all living things.
2. The writer describes the inter-relatedness of all of God's creation.
4. We can only do what we can, where we can.
1. I received this story from Bob Berthold
2. He wrote: "Les, I think that you might enjoy thia one. It is right up your alley."
3. It was a forwarded message originally from Roger A Brown

    

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   It is the story of The Cracked Pot

   A Water Bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the and of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

   For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

   After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the Water Bearer one day by the stream.

   1. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
   2. "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
   3. "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." The pot said.
   4. The Water Bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.
   5. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
   6. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side?
   7. That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
   8. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.
5. We may not able to do much, but if we will do what we can the world will be a more beautiful place because of us.
6. You may find the answers to the endangered species Unscramble Game at http://www.epa.gov/rgytgrnj/kids/fun.htm

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