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Dear Friend,
Don’t doubt that our preaching can have an impact on how church members make sense of the world they live in—and how they understand what it means to live faithfully in it. In this time of rapid change, many people are seeking perspective and direction, and yours is among their most trusted voices. We hope this month’s lectionary reflections will support you in this critical task.
While the arrival of summer may invite us to “lighten up” a little in our preaching, this month’s lectionary texts will have none of it. Several times, they remind us that we need to be open to the change that God is bringing into the world and to never tire in our work on behalf of hungry and poor people.
May God give you a powerful voice to share the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Rev. Gary R. Cook
Director of Church Relations
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Lectionary Reflections
From Hunger for the Word, Year B
This month, Jim McDonald and Elizabeth Vander Haagen offer thoughtful reflections on the change that God’s love can bring into our lives.
July 5, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Political leaders are dependent on God’s grace. They must also exercise power carefully, knowing that they have been entrusted with the sacred responsibility to establish and uphold the well-being of the entire community they serve. Our advocacy should be a reminder to our nation’s leaders of this sacred trust they hold.” Read more »
July 12, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The theme of holiness can be traced throughout today’s passages. Gail Godwin, in a fascinating book of essays called Heart, describes the Hebrew concept of holiness as ‘whole-heartedness.’ This is an excellent definition of the justice God desires and will one day bring about, when people will be whole-hearted in their love for God, others, themselves, and the world.” Read more »
July 19, Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Christ reconciles those who have been divided by walls of class and culture. Do we live as though we’ve been reconciled? What might reconciliation look like in terms of the way we use our resources—do we share only with those who are like us or also with those who are different?” Read more »
July 26, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“[This week] we again see God’s passionate concern and involvement with this world. God is the source of timely and abundant food and provision for all living things. God’s people must share in the work of making sure everyone has enough.” Read more »
Praying Together
You asked for my hands
that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment then withdrew them
for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth
to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes
to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
You asked for my life
that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my efforts to serve you
only when it is convenient for me to do so,
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Forgive me.
Renew me.
And send me out.
Written by Joe Seremane (South Africa)
Used with Permission from Christian Aid (UK)
Offering of Letters Update
Bread for the World’s 2009 Offering of Letters campaign continues to press for reforms that will make U.S. foreign assistance programs more effective in reducing hunger and poverty. Letters written by church members across the country are having an impact. H.R. 2139, the “Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act,” was introduced in April. Thanks to calls and letters from their constituents, more than 40 representatives from both parties have signed on as cosponsors. You can learn more about the bill and follow its progress at www.bread.org.
Resources for Your Ministry
In May, Bread for the World and 11 partners released Getting Ready to Come Back: An Advocacy Guide for Mission Teams. The guide prepares short-term mission teams to be advocates upon their return home. Designed to complement rather than replace other mission trip resources, it offers research tools, journaling suggestions, discussion guides, and practical suggestions for advocacy. Find out more about the guide at www.bread.org/advocacyguide.
Bread for the World Sunday is an opportunity for churches to renew their commitment to ending hunger and poverty in God's world. Worshipping communities across the country will join together to lift up their voices on behalf of hungry people. Many congregations celebrate Bread for the World Sunday just after World Food Day (October 16), but many others choose a Sunday between World Food Day and Thanksgiving. For more information or to order your FREE worship resources, http://www.bread.org/get-involved/at-church/bread-for-the-world-sunday/.
Hunger Sunday is Bread for the World’s newsletter that encourages church action against hunger. Here you will find relevant information about hunger issues, recent activities that Bread for the World has taken in the stand against hunger, and resources for your congregation. This is a FREE resource available online or mailed to your address. For more information or to sign-up http://www.bread.org/get-involved/at-church/hunger-sunday/.
