The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd will be offering the two-month Eco-Love Festival: God’s Creation for All Ages! Each week of July and August will have multiple opportunities for people of all ages to get involved with learning about and serving in God’s creation including: Outdoor Worship, Eco-Fair & Concert, Picnic & Games, Eco-Faith Story Hour for Kids, Creation Care for Adults, Children, and Youth, Weekend Hikes, and Outdoor Movie Nights (click on the links below for more information). We hope that all people are able to come to the events that excite them with a love of God's wonderful creation!
OUTDOOR WORSHIP
Outdoor Worship Under the Trees
Sundays at 10 am Beginning June 18
Enjoy summer Sunday mornings under Good Shepherd’s Green Cathedral of trees with special worship services and sermon series themes throughout ths summer.
Meeting God in Nature: 4-part sermon series based on the elements: Fire (July 2), Water (July 16), Air (July 23), Earth (Aug. 13).
Faith Goes to the Movies: 3-part sermon series based on movies: Moana (Aug. 6), Erin Brockovich (Aug 20), Avatar (Aug. 27). (Movies shown the night before. “See Summer Movie Nights”)
Special Worship Services: Pride Sunday (July 9), Christmas in July (July 30), Blessing of the Animals (Aug. 13).
Thursday Night Outdoor Worship
Thursdays at 7 pm in July & August
Eco-Contemplative Worship: July 20 & Aug. 17: Reflective songs, readings, and deep peace.
Holden Evening Prayer: July 6, Aug. 3 & 10: The classic evening worship of the Washington outdoors.
New Life Rising: July 27, Aug. 24 & 31: The interactive, upbeat, contemporary worship for all ages!
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR
Stories of Spirit and Earth
Mondays, 10 am
On Monday mornings, children are invited to an Eco-Love Story Hour at Good Shepherd! We read books that explore the Spirit’s presence in all creation. We gather on the front lawn by the garden, and juice and snacks will be provided. The intended age is 1-8 years old. Takes place concurrently with Good Shepherd’s Outdoor Coffee & Conversation Hour at the nearby picnic table area.
WEEKLY ECO-FAITH ENRICHMENT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS
Eco-Faith Explorers FREE Weekly Day Camps For Kids
Grades K-6th
Tuesday, Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29, 5-8 pm
Eco-Faith Exploration is the children's summer activity program at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd!
It is part of the church's Eco-Love Festival: a celebration of God's creation for all ages! These gatherings are where we learn how to care for creation with passion, teamwork, and curiosity!
We'll gather on Friday afternoons from 2 - 5 pm in July, and Tuesday evenings from 5 - 8 pm in August. Content will be different for each week and month, and the registration is completely FREE! Dinner will be served at the beginning of our August gatherings, and will be FREE as well!. Register NOW!
SCHEDULE FOR KIDS ECO-FAITH EXPLORERS (AUGUST)
5:00- 5:40 — FREE Dinner for All
5:45 - 6:00 — Opening Worship
6:05 - 6:35 — Exploration Session 1
6:40 - 7:00 — Game
7:05 - 7:35 — Exploration Session 2
7:40 - 8:00 — Closing Worship
Adult Eco-Faith Explorers Enrichment Sessions
Tuesdays, Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29, 5-8 pm
During August Eco-Faith Explorers sessions, adults are invited to learn about how their faith calls them to act for their environment. Adults will begin each evening with a FREE community meal and worshiping with the children before going to their exploration time. Topics will include a book study on The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren, a climate speaker, and an Eco-Theology study. (see complete description of each gathering bellow)
SCHEDULE FOR ADULT ECO-FAITH EXPLORERS
5:00-5:40 FREE Dinner for All
5:45-6:00 Opening Worship
6:00 - 7:30 Adult Exploration Session
7:40-8:00 Join Kids for Closing Worship
Descriptions & Schedule of Adult Eco-Faith Explorer Enrichment Sessions:
August 8 — The Planet You Inherit — Book Discussion with Pastor Carol Tomer
Join Pastor Carol Tomer for an evening book discussion on The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren When Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing by Larry Rasmussen. Larry has been a favorite teacher at Holden Village for decades, a professor emeritus of Union Seminary in New York City, and for his latest book, he was the winner of the 2023 Nautilus Gold Prize for best 2022 book in Ecology & Environment. You are encouraged to read the book beforehand, or to watch this interview.
August 15 — The Planet You Inherit: Part 2
Our book discussion continues, led by Pastor Carol Tomer
August 22 — A Global Perspective on Climate Change with Pastor Emillie Binja
The stark realities of climate change are hitting the Pacific Northwest, but many countries in the Global South have had to respond to massive climate changes for decades. Pastor Emillie Binja (of Creator Lutheran Church in Clackamas, Oregon) trained in the tourism industry of Uganda before her family immigrated to the PNWt. During her training and throughout her childhood she witnessed the rapid disappearance of wildlife, the displacement of nature, and the struggle of governments and businesses to respond to overwhelming climate crises. Join her on August 22 to hear what those of us living in the PNW can learn from people and nations who have been fighting climate change through all of their lives.
August 29 — Environmental Justice Theology — Discussion with Pastor Melissa Anderson Trust
“Eco-Love” is the practice of expanding our love of God to all forms of life in our eco-systems. It is a faith in Jesus Christ that calls us to see Christ crucified and risen in every tree, every body of water, every breath of air, and every wildfire. It is a daring new theology that calls us to radical justice for our suffering earth. Let’s talk about this new theology and explore how it transforms our life together and our relationship with the triune God.
ECO-FAIR
Good Shepherd Eco-Fair
Saturday, July 22, 9 am-1 pm
Come to the eco-fair to see how you can act on one of the greatest moral challenges of our era because all life, including our own, depends on a livable climate.
Learn what YOU can do with your home, garden, native plants, trees, driving, travel, conservation and much more.
Featuring speakers and booths from ecological organizations in the South Sound area.
View the Eco-Fair Information Brochure for site map, schedule, exhibitors, and activities.
View the list of Eco-Fair Exhibitors for organization and contact information.
ECO-CONCERT & PICNIC
Eco-Concert & Picnic
Saturday, July 22, 6 pm
Come hear Minnesota pastor Jonathan Rundman and Ohio pastor Lowell Michelson perform music that celebrates God’s beautiful world! Their music style is Lutheran folk rock that invites people to sing together. The evening will begin with a BYO picnic at 6 pm and transition into a rollicking musical time with concert starting at 7 pm.
MOVIE NIGHTS
Summer Movie Nights
On Saturday nights in August we will gather to watch movies with an Eco-Love message! The following Sunday worship service will feature a sermon reflecting on the film.
Aug. 5, 6 pm: Moana (indoors, for kids)
Aug. 19, 8 pm: Erin Brockovich (outdoors)
Aug. 26, 8 pm: Avatar (outdoors)