SCROLL DOWN FOR AUGUST 7 AND AUGUST 14
Welcome to Hunger Sermon Starters!
The lessons for each Sunday in the church year proclaim God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Also derived from a Sunday’s texts are lessons for the Christ-inspired and Christ-like life of God’s people. The comments here will help you find hunger-related threads – sermon starters – among the themes of this day’s texts. (We're presuming you have already done your exegetical work on the texts.) God bless your proclamation (and teaching) of what is most certainly true!
August 7, 2011 (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 19)
1 Kings 19:9-18
Earlier in the chapter of this passage God sends and angel to feed Elijah (v. 5-8). God recognized that Elijah needed food to complete his journey safely. As believers and followers of Christ we too need to recognize the needs of others during times of war and struggle.
God was found not in the earthquake or great fire, things that cause fear and destruction. God was in the whisper, the subtle sound that brings Elijah comfort in his hour of fear and uncertainty. Sometimes it may seem that our small contributions don’t make a big difference in the world. Especially when confronted with great wars and conflicts, we wonder how much our contributions can do. But this passage reminds us that our efforts can be that whisper of hope and comfort to the millions around the world who are displaced and living with conflict.
Psalm 85:8-13 (8)
Verse 10 jumps out when read in light of God’s command to love our neighbors and serve those who are suffering. Love and faithfulness meet together. Both need to be connected and are strengthened by one another’s presence. When someone is strong in their belief in God and their love and passion to serve Christ, love for humanity grows. That love can take the form of serving those around the world suffering from disease, hunger and war. Also the reverse is true. When one shows love to their neighbors around the world their faithfulness and love of God overflows.
Righteousness and peace kiss each other. This is a tender image showing the correlation between God’s righteous people and the necessity to strive for peace and justice in the world. We cannot call ourselves God’s righteous people if we are not striving for peace in war-torn areas. Also righteousness can have room to flourish in a land that is free from violence and oppression.
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
This passage also explores the fear that many who are caught in conflict go through on a daily basis. Peter is terrified as he sinks into the treacherous waters. But Jesus doesn’t hesitate. He pulls him right out to safety. Sometimes we are presented with hesitation when we are confronted with a situation where we know we should help. We are afraid to stumble or to embarrass ourselves. I always reminisce back to high school days when I would watch someone get picked on. I know I should have said something, but I was scared. Sometimes we are afraid that our efforts won’t make a difference. But if everyone thinks that nothing will ever be done. In this passage Jesus shows us that we can always rely on him to pull us out when we are sinking. We need to be that same rock to others who are scared and alone around the world. World Hunger supports millions in over 60 countries around the world. Those individuals rely on us to keep our promises and we can do that only when ELCA members don’t hesitate and commit to support.
Prayer of the Day
O God our defender, wars rage around the world that bring fear to all affected. Guide us to be defenders of those in peril and a light of hope for this war-torn world. Rescue your people from despair, deliver your children from fear, and preserve us in the faith of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Prayers of Intercession
Almighty Creator, your desire is for all humanity to live in peace. Give those in authority the ability to govern with care and justice.
God our rock, we are gracious for your unwavering love for us. Help us become a rock of strength to others suffering from disease, war and hunger.
Lord of Peace, please be with those who are fearful about where their next meal will come from. Let your soothing presence wash over them and give them peace.
Litany
L: In this season of vineyard labor, let us call to mind the prophet's vision: If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
C: Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. [Isaiah 58:9]
L: Let us pray. O God, you are the true bread that comes down from heaven and gives life; hear, now, the prayers of your people for the hungers of this world.
C: God, have mercy upon us.
L: We remember all who labor but go hungry to their rest; We remember those who cannot find work for their hands; We remember the children who go unfed, and we ask:
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: We remember all who hunger and thirst for justice; we remember the victims of oppression; we remember those who have placed their trust in you, and we ask:
C: Christ, have mercy.
L: We remember all who live upon the bread of affliction; we remember those whose tears are their food; we remember the homeless and the poor, and we ask:
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: As we remember the suffering and want of others, we acknowledge our own hunger and need.
C: When we are empty of hope, fill us; when we are worn from care, renew us; when we fail to love, forgive us.
L: Bring us to your table and feed us with bread for the journey. Strengthen us and gladden our hearts; that we might taste and see your goodness, that our lives might be as bread that is broken and wine that is poured, and that we might work in hope for the day when all are fed. This we ask in the name of Christ;
C: Amen.
Hymns
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Christ, be our light
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715
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Lord, whose love in humble service
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712
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When the pain of the world surrounds us
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704
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Karen Ward
Intern, ELCA World Hunger
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Welcome to Hunger Sermon Starters!
The lessons for each Sunday in the church year proclaim God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Also derived from a Sunday’s texts are lessons for the Christ-inspired and Christ-like life of God’s people. The comments here will help you find hunger-related threads – sermon starters – among the themes of this day’s texts. (We're presuming you have already done your exegetical work on the texts.) God bless your proclamation (and teaching) of what is most certainly true!
August 14, 2011 (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary 20)
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Righteousness and obedience define who belongs, not race, nationality, gender, age, or sexual orientation. This passage loudly proclaims that God’s house is a place for all people. Yet still today we hear testimonies of individuals who feel marginalized and outcast, sometimes even by the church. Whether it’s a family not feeling welcome in a congregation or refugees feeling marginalized in the United States, circumstances such as these do not portray the loving world that God imagines. As God’s people we are called to gather together in God’s loving presence. Sometimes it might be difficult to relate to someone from a different background. But God envisions a church full of diversity where all the members benefit from each others’ unique experiences. Who are the outcast in your community? The nation? The world? What are ways your congregation can become a more welcoming place for all? For an example of the welcoming work of your church, Meet the Kafley Family (http://www.youtube.com/user/ELCAVideo#p/c/0/mhre5bkpV6s) and see how ELCA World Hunger is working with refugees in the United States.
Psalm 67 (3)
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28
This is a difficult passage for Christians to grapple with. Perhaps Jesus is purposely teaching his disciples a lesson and pretended to ostracize the woman. He has just finished telling his disciples that what comes from our mouth, from the heart, is what defiles us. We’ve all said hurtful things in our lives and we are naïve to think that any of us are clean of prejudices that put up walls. We need to understand the universally destructive effects of prejudice and God’s desire for all to feel (and be!) welcome. But we cannot do this by ourselves. We need to look to God for the strength to be signs of comfort, healing and justice for the marginalized. This passage reminds me of a line from Casting Crowns song “If We Are the Body.” The lyrics remind us that “Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come.” May our church find ways to extend its mission to those on the margins of society.
Prayer of the Day
God of all people, your embrace reaches out to all. Teach us to love the all around the world with compassion, that your name may be known throughout the earth, through Jesus Christ, our Savor and Lord.
Prayers of intercession
Loving God, Please be with all in this nation and around the world who have no place to call home. We thank you for the ministry of ELCA World Hunger as it serves refugees from around the globe.
Great Shepherd, remind us that once we were a lost people. Guide us in ways that we can extend your love to all the marginalized and out-casted.
Holy One, thank you for the sacrifice your Son made for us on the cross. Help us share the deep love of that moment with all so that we can truly be a part of God’s vision for the world.
Hymns
ELW – 650 – In Christ There Is No East or West
ELW 496 – One Bread, One Body
ELW 247 – Come Now, O Prince of Peace
Karen Ward
Intern, ELCA World Hunger