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Dear Friend:

With the school year over and vacations and other time of summer relaxation upon us, we are may be prone to forget that summer is not a time of rest for many.  However, we are reminded in Matthew 11 that Jesus calls those who are weary and heavily burdened to him, offering them rest for their souls.  This issue of Bread for the Preacher reminds us that as Christians we too are to offer rest to our brothers and sisters.  The lectionary reflections, prayers, youth activities, and other resources in this edition are offered to you with the hope that you will find new ways to engage your community in rest-giving opportunities to the poorest and hungriest among us.

Gary Cook
Director of Church Relations

Lectionary Reflections

“Why do you teach in parables?” “Explain to us” In the gospel texts for the next few weeks Jesus is teaching in parables, and the disciples ask for help.  In the reflections for July, William J. Byron, SJ and Rev. Donald DiXon Williams help make the connections between the lectionary readings and hunger in the world. 

From Hunger for the Word, Year A

• July 6, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)
  The words of Matthew 11:28-30 put an enormous responsibility on the shoulders of the believer who is healthy, well off financially, intellectually gifted, gainfully employed, and comfortably situated in life. more > >
  
  
• July 13, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)
  Before they are born, they struggle with one another in their mother Rebekah’s womb.  Esau becomes the cunning hunter who likes to be outdoors, while Jacob is the culinary artist who prefers to be indoors.  What really catches our attention in this text isn’t so much Esau’s willingness to use weapons to get food but Jacob’s willingness to use food as a weapon. more > >
  
  

• July 20, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Tenth Sunday after Pentecost)
  It is a good and wise thing to ask yourself the following questions from time to time: What do I do? When do I do what I do? Where do I do what I do? How do I do what I do? Who is with me when I do what I do? And last but not least, why do I do what I do? In other words, eventually we must ask, What is my motive?  more > >
  

• July 27, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)
  Like the story of Samson and Delilah, this story in Genesis of Jacob Rachel, Leah, and Laban has all the ingredients and intrigue of a first-rate made-for-television movie. As with any good soap opera, it has love, lust, sex, jealousy, sibling rivalry, deceit, and betrayal. more > > 
  

Youth Corner

With school out and many young people looking for things to do, you may want to think about involving your church's youth in caring for a vegetable garden.  At harvest time they can donate some (or all!) of their "first fruits" to a local soup kitchen, shelter or food pantry.  This type of activity is an excellent way to integrate learning about good stewardship of God's creation and our Christian responsibility of loving our neighbor.

Be sure to check out the “Children’s Time” section at the conclusion of each Lectionary Reflection to help you prepare time with your community’s children.

Praying Together

God of all creation, we give you thanks for the seeds that you sow in our lives, the seeds of faith, hope and love. Help us to nurture these seeds in all your people, that together we may produce a bountiful harvest and in unity enjoy the feast we are all given in your grace.  In the name of Him who showed us that the banquet is for all, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Bulletin Inserts

The lectionary Gospel texts in the season after Pentecost tend to focus on spiritual growth and mission.  Our newest bulletin inserts (for adults and children) are a great way to engage your church in their baptismal call of being in the world and participating Bread for the World's work.  These bulletin inserts can be viewed online and printed in PDF.

The 2008 Offering of Letters bulletin insert is available to order at no charge and can be viewed and printed at our online store. 

Other Resources and Opportunities

Attention all residents of California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon!!!  You can now support Bread for the World in your local supermarket.  Oliver’s Artisan Breads is donating 10% of their profits from their certified organic breads that are sold in grocery stores to Bread for the World.  Find out more about Oliver’s Artisan Breads and their support of our work.

Bread for the World Sunday is a time for churches to renew their commitment to overcoming hunger and poverty in God's world.  On October 19 – or another Sunday this fall – faith communities across the country will join together to lift up the needs of hungry people through education, worship, music, and prayer.

This year's celebration of Bread for the World Sunday takes place at a time when a new Congress and new president are being elected.  Living in God's grace in Jesus Christ, we have received a great inheritance: the gift of citizenship, a resource to use on behalf of all who are in need.  The Rev. Heidi Neumark, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan, will author this year's preaching resource for Bread for the World Sunday.

Requests for the Bread for the World Sunday Reflection Resource, worship bulletin inserts, offering envelopes, and "Bread" bags for bake sales will be taken beginning in mid-July for delivery in early August.  If you have immediate questions, please contact church@bread.org or call 1-800-822-7323.