Feeding the Hungry

Feeding the Hungry is our worship theme for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 29, 2012. Our focus scripture is John 6:1-21.

In the next three Sundays we will explore the Christological meaning of the feeding of the huge crowd and the words that Jesus has to say about it later in chapter 6. But for this Sunday, we will focus on the compassion of Christ and the power of faith and sharing. Jesus knows that this crowd needs to be fed. He asks Philip what they should do. Philip replies that there is not nearly enough money to give each one present even a bite. But Jesus knows something about the power of faith. He stands in the tradition of Elijah and Elisha who called upon the power of God to multiply a little food. When a boy in the crowd is ready to share his food, Jesus blesses the loaves and fishes, divides and distributes them, and there are twelve baskets of leftovers.

What does this story mean to us in a time when 16,000 children die each day of hunger and hunger-related causes? We are in an economic downturn and think we lack the money to save these lives. But what is the real power of faith and sharing? We have money to burn for weapons of war. But so little trust that an investment of a tiny fraction of our military budget would pay off in the peace of children saved and a generation grateful to us – as opposed to fearing and hating us. What would Jesus do, anyway, if he could apportion the federal budget? What does he expect us to do?

Here are two Calls to Worship, the first based on Psalm 145 and the second from the third Sunday of Easter when our worship theme was Blessing by Bread. Please feel free to use or adapt anything useful to you.

**Call to Worship   From Psalm 145 (adapted from NLV translation)

L:    We exalt you, our majestic God,
      and praise your name forever and ever!

P:    Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
      let them proclaim your power!

L:    For you are merciful and compassionate,
      slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

P:    You are good to everyone.
      You shower compassion on all creation.

L:    All of your works will tell of your mighty deeds
      and the majesty and glory of your reign.

P:    For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
      You rule throughout all generations.  

L:    You help the fallen
      and lift those bent beneath heavy loads.

P:    You are righteous in all your divine acts

and are filled with kindness.

L:    You are close to all who call upon your holy name,
      yes, to all who call on you in truth.

P:    You protect all those who love and obey you;
      but the wicked are destroyed.                                                               

   All:   Let us praise the Lord! May everyone on earth

              bless God’s holy name from now to eternity! Amen.     

Call to Worship                             Blessing by Bread

Genesis 18:6, Exodus 16:15, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 14:19, John 6:48-51, Matthew 26:26, Luke 24:31

      L: Sisters and brothers, time and again God blesses us in bread!

   P: In her old age, Sarah entertains God in the form of a mysterious stranger.

        She blesses God with bread. God blesses her with her son, Isaac.

   L: As they wander, starving in the wilderness, God blesses the people with manna:

        the bread from heaven.

   P: Tempted in the wilderness Jesus won’t turn a stone into bread, blessing us

        with knowledge: we do not live by bread alone; our true bread is God’s word.

   L: But later in the wilderness Jesus blesses a huge crowd that is hungry.

        He multiplies five loaves to feed five thousand.

   P: Then he proclaims himself the Bread of Life: “Those who ate manna died.   

        Those who eat my bread are blessed with eternal life.”

   L: At the Last Supper Jesus blesses his disciples with the bread of his body:

        “Take and eat, this is my body broken for you. Eat this to remember me.”

   P: And on the road to Emmaus he meets his followers as an intriguing stranger.

        Soon they are blessed to recognize Christ risen in the breaking of bread!

All: Gracious God, you bless us with bread to nourish our bodies.

         You bless us with spiritual bread to nourish our souls.

         We praise you! Bless you for your goodness!

First printed in WorshipCalls for Sunday, April 22, 2012.