Our world belongs to God--
not to us or earthly powers,¹
not to demons, fate, or chance.
The earth is the Lord's!

1 Deut. 10:12-14

In the beginning, God--¹
Father, Word, and Spirit--²
called this world into being³
out of nothing,
and gave it
shape and order.

1 Gen. 1
2 Ps. 33:1-11
3 Isa. 40

God formed the land, the sky, and the seas,¹
making the earth a fitting home
for the plants, animals,²
and humans he created.
The world was filled with color, beauty, and variety;
it provided room for
work and play,
worship and service,
love and laughter.
God rested--³
and gave us rest.
In the beginning
everything was very good.

1 Gen. 1-2
2 Ps. 104
3 Mark 2:27-28

As God's creatures we are made in his image¹
to represent him on earth,²
and to live in loving communion with him.
By sovereign appointment we are³
earthkeepers and caretakers:
loving our neighbor,
tending the creation,
and meeting our needs.
God uses our skills
in the unfolding and well-being of his world.

1 Gen. 1:26-30
2 Ps. 8
3 Matt. 22:35-40

Male and female,¹
all of us are to represent God²
as we do our tasks.
Whether single or married,
we are called to live within God's order³
in lives of loving service.

1 Gen. 1:26-28
2 Gal. 3:26-28
3 1 Cor. 7

No matter what our age, or race, or color,¹
we are the human family together,
for the Creator made us all.
Since life is his gift,
we foster the well-being of others,²
protecting the unborn and helpless from harm.³

1 Acts 17:22-31
2 Ps. 139
3 Lev. 19; 25:35-38

God directs and bends to his will¹
all that happens in his world.
As history unfolds in ways we only know in part,²
all things--
from crops to grades,
from jobs to laws--
are under his control.
God is present in our world
by his Word and Spirit.
The faithfulness³
of our great Provider
gives sense to our days
and hope to our years.
The future is secure,
for our world belongs to God.

1 Matt. 6:25-34
2 Ps. 147, 148
3 Ps. 111