EMBRACING THE GIFT ECONOMY OF CREATION | Pastor Damian Carruthers | January 18, 2026

Friends, with this service we begin a new journey, one rooted in the soil beneath our feet and the sacred stories of Scripture. It is based on the book "The Serviceberry," named for a small, sweet fruit that offers itself freely to birds, bears, and people alike. It's a living symbol of what we’re exploring together in this first week: the gift economy of creation. The world around us—from rivers to rain, trees to tomatoes—operates not on money or merit, but on gift. The Earth gives without asking for payment, and God’s creation offers abundance meant to be shared. In these four weeks, we’ll be invited to notice the generosity of the Earth, to rethink our relationship with it, and to reclaim our role not as consumers, but as caretakers and co-givers.