OPTION ONE:
Hymn
List: Lord of Feasting and of Hunger
As
We Gather at Your Table
Now
We Join in Celebration
You
Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Praise
and Thanksgiving
Litany Suggestion:
When God brought the Israelites out from Egypt into the wilderness, they
complained that they had nothing to eat. But God gave them manna. Let us bring
our prayers before God, knowing that they will be heard by the One who
provides.
We thank you, gracious God, for all that you provide. In this time of economic
uncertainty, give us gratitude for all that we have and freedom from worry
about the things we lack.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
We pray for all people who have lost jobs and for those whose livelihoods are
threatened, especially those supporting families through their labor.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
We pray for all people now facing futures dramatically different from the ones
they planned. Help us meet what is yet to come with flexibility, grace, and a
certainty that our future is in your hands.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
We pray for all people who hunger and especially for those
around the world whose lives are at risk this day because of insufficient food.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
We pray for all people struggling to stay in their homes
and for those who have been uprooted. Help us to remember that we are truly at
home in you.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
In this time of challenge, deliver us from the temptation to see blaming others
as a solution. Give us a spirit of generosity, understanding and love. Lord,
your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
We pray for the leaders of all nations,
and especially for our president and congress, as they make decisions that
affect many lives. Guide them and help them remember hungry and poor people as
they consider the path ahead.
Lord, your faithfulness is beyond all measure.
Help us trust in you.
Loving God, provider of manna, loaves and fish, and bread and wine.
Help us
trust in you.
A Prayer Suggestion
for Christians:
Jesus said, ÒBlessed are the poor in spirit.Ó We pray for
the children, women and men across the world who struggle each day to survive,
pitted against economic conditions beyond their control. Give them strength to
meet each day and hope for a different future.
Jesus said, ÒBlessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness.Ó We pray for the leaders and politicians with the power to
change things. Help them to take the side of the poor, to resist the voices of
self-interest and complacency and to make bold choices for the good of all
people.
We
ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, friend of the poor.
Amen
OPTION TWO:
Hymn
List: Lord of Feasting
and of Hunger
Now
the Feast and Celebration
As
We Gather at Your Table
Now
We Join in Celebration
You
Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Praise
and Thanksgiving
Litany Suggestion:
A LITANY FOR UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES
Refer to Option One
A Prayer Suggestion
Refer to Option One
Scripture Text Suggestions:
Exodus 32:1-14 Deuteronomy
15:11 Philippians
4:1-9
Leviticus
19:9-10 Psalm
23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Philippians
4:12-14, 19-20
Leviticus
25:35 Psalm
106:1-6, 19-23 Matthew
22:1-14
Deuteronomy
15:7-8 Isaiah
25:6-10a
QurĠan references:
Have you
considered him who calls the judgment a lie, that is the one who treats the
orphan with harshness and does not urge others to feed the poor? QurĠan 107:1-3
And what will make you comprehend what
the uphill road is? It is the setting free of a slave, or the giving of food in
a day of hunger, to an orphan, having relationship, or to the poor man lying in
the dust. Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show
patience, and charge one another to show compassion. These are the people of
the right hand. QurĠan 90:12-18
Reproducible
Insert:
Information about the Fox Cities Project Promise Poverty Coalition
and a few facts on poverty (see Facts on
Poverty section for a more detailed version).
OPTION THREE:
Hymn
List: Lord of Feasting
and of Hunger
Now
the Feast and Celebration
As
We Gather at Your Table
Now
We Join in Celebration
You
Satisfy the Hungry Heart
Praise
and Thanksgiving
Contemporary Song List:
Poverty Train by Laura Nyro
Ghetto Show by Talib
Dweli
Poverty by the Bobby Blue Band
Inner City Blues by Marvin Gaye
Poor Dirt Farmer by Levon
Helm
Welfare Blues by John Lee Hooker
How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and
Live? by Ry Cooder
Crime to Be Broke in America by
Spearhead
Free Money by Patti Smith
Welfare Music by The Bottle Rockets
Litany Suggestions:
A LITANY FOR UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES
Refer to Option One
LITANY FOR THOSE IN POVERTY
On those bowed down by poverty
Lord have mercy
On those who struggle to survive
Lord have mercy
On parents who have lost children to disease
Lord have mercy
On children who miss school because of unpayable debt
Lord have mercy
On young people growing up with no hope for the future
Lord have mercy
On adults who work and cannot make a living
Lord have mercy
On farmers who cannot sell what they produce
Lord have mercy
On people working to rebuild their lives after disasters
Lord have mercy
For those fighting for justice
Make their voices heard
For citizens standing up for their rights
Make their voices heard
For politicians and decision-makers
Give them wisdom, Lord
For the leaders of the world
Give them wisdom, Lord
For ourselves, as we struggle with these issues
Make us the means of change
For your world
Help us make poverty history
A Prayer Suggestion
Refer to Option One
Dear Father in heaven, in heaven, in the days and years
remaining to me in this life, I shall find myself called upon to come to the
assistance of those who lack sufficient food or clothing, or who need a place
to live, or who need work. May I always find a way to follow the promptings of
my conscience to help others whose humanity is diminished by the desperate
conditions of their lives. Let me remember that you showed your love especially
to the poor, and warned the rich that their wealth was an obstacle to
holiness. Amen
Scripture Text Suggestions:
Exodus 32:1-14 Deuteronomy
15:11 Philippians
4:1-9
Leviticus
19:9-10 Psalm
23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Philippians
4:12-14, 19-20
Leviticus
25:35 Psalm
106:1-6, 19-23 Matthew
22:1-14
Deuteronomy
15:7-8 Isaiah
25:6-10a
QurĠan references:
Have you
considered him who calls the judgment a lie, that is the one who treats the
orphan with harshness and does not urge others to feed the poor? (QurĠan 107:1-3)
And what will make you comprehend what
the uphill road is? It is the setting free of a slave, or the giving of food in
a day of hunger, to an orphan, having relationship, or to the poor man lying in
the dust. Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show
patience, and charge one another to show compassion. These are the people of
the right hand. (QurĠan 90:12-18)
If you give alms
openly, it is well, and if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better
for you; and this will do away with some of your evil deeds; and Allah is aware
of what you do. (QurĠan 2:271)
O you who believe! be maintainers of
justice, bearers of witness for Allah's sake, though it may be against your own
selves or your parents or near relatives; if he be rich or poor, Allah is
nearer to them both in compassion; therefore do not follow your low desires,
lest you deviate; and if you swerve or turn aside, then surely Allah is aware
of what you do. (QurĠan 2:135)
Surely those who guard against evil shall
be in gardens and fountains. Taking what their Lord gives them; surely they
were before that, the doers of good. And in their property was a portion due to
him who begs and to him who is denied good. (QurĠan 51:15-16,19)
Torah references:
And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not
reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of
your harvest.
And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your
vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and stranger; I am the Lord your
God.
(Lev.
19:9-10)
And if your brother has become poor, and his means fail
with you; then you shall relieve him; though he may be a stranger, or a
sojourner; that he may live with you.
(Lev.
25:35)
If there is among you a poor man of one of your brothers
inside any of your gates in your land which the Lord your God gives you, you
shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother;
But you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient
for his need, in that which he lacks. (Deut 15:7-8)
For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I
command you, saying, You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your
poor, and to your needy, in your land.
(Deut.
15:11)
Judaism emphasizes to its adherents the obligation to help
the poor rather than to merely pray for them. A Jew is not exempt from
helping the poor, and must not desist from doing so. Every day the act of
Tzedakah (doing what is right) is
practiced when Jews may donate according to their ability.
Reproducible Insert:
Information about the Fox Cities Project
Promise Poverty Coalition and a few facts on poverty (see Facts on Poverty section for a more detailed version).
CHILDRENĠS TIME SUGGESTION:
Written
by Larry Hollar
Ask the children how many have ever gone to a meal where there were lots of people present. These may have been family picnics, wedding receptions, birthday parties, or other events. We often call these feasts, and theyĠre a time for celebration and rejoicing. Sometimes when weĠre invited to a feast we have to say no because we already have other plans. But in our story today, weĠre reminded that God welcomes all of us, whether weĠre poor or rich, young or old, to the wonderful feast God has ready for us. And like God, weĠre also to welcome others to share food around our own tables so that all GodĠs people can be fed, each day. What a joyous feast!
OTHER RESOURCES:
Sojourners
have many on-line worship resources on poverty issues including Scripture
texts, sermon illustrations, responsive readings and litanies. Check their
website: www.sojo.net
Ramadan-The
Month of Fasting
(excerpt from 877-WHY-ISLAM
Project)
Ramadan
is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins with the sighting
of the new moon after which all physically mature and healthy Muslims are
obliged to fast for the complete month. Fasting is done as an act of worship
and obedience to Allah (God). Between dawn and sunset, Muslims abstain from all
food, drink and any kind of sexual contact. In addition to this physical
component, the spiritual aspects of the fast include an added emphasis on
refraining from gossip, lies, obscenity and in general, any sinful act.
God
says in the Holy Quran: O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it
was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn)
self-restraint...Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a
guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right
and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month
should spend it in fasting (Al-Quran 2:183,185).
Fasting
is thus universally known as a means of gaining self-discipline and of gaining
closeness to God. It is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam. The others are
declaration of faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salah), charitable-giving (Zakah),
and the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj). Fasting,
together with the other pillars, forms the foundation of the faith. It instills
in the individual a feeling of closeness to God and a desire to do good deeds
at all times.
It
is common to have one meal (known as Suhoor), just
before sunrise and another (known as Iftar), directly
after sunset. The breaking of the fast (Iftar)
usually consists of dates, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Ramadan strengthens the community: Muslims invite
one another for the Iftar meals, and thereby create
concern and friendship among neighbors, families and friends. Many people also
take Iftar to the mosque and share it with the wider
community, especially the poor and needy.
Ramadan
is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer and doing of good deeds. Fasting is
intended to inculcate self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. Fasting
makes the individual more aware of the many bounties of God. The hunger and
thirst remind the fasting person of the poor who may rarely eat well. Fasting
re-enforces the concept that wasting the Creators bounties is a sign of
ingratitude to Him.
The end of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the new moon, which is followed by a day of celebration known as Eid-ul-Fitr or the festival of fast-breaking. Families wake up early in the morning, put on their best clothes and go to the mosque for the Eid sermon and congregational prayers. They thank the Merciful God for having given them the opportunity to experience the blessed month of Ramadan. The day is accompanied by celebration, socializing, festive meals and modest gift-giving especially to children. But before the festivities begin, every person, adult and child, must have already contributed towards Zakat-ul-Fitra. This is the giving of a meal, or cash equivalent, to a needy person to make sure that none are excluded from this happy occasion.