| Bible verses from the NRSV |
| Isaiah 1:17-18 |
Seek justice correct oppression. |
| Isaiah 58:6-12 |
Pour yourself out to the hungry. |
| Jeremiah 22:13-16 |
To know the Lord is to do justice. |
| Amos 5:10-24 |
Let justice roll down like waters. |
| Micah 6:8 |
Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly. |
| Matthew 25:31-46 |
I was hungry and you gave me food. |
| Luke 1:46-55 |
He has filled the hungry with good things. |
| Luke 4:16-21 |
Bring good news to the poor. |
| Luke 10:25-37 |
Good Samaritan story. |
| Luke 14:12-14 |
Invite the poor to your dinner. |
| Acts 2:44-45 |
All things in common. |
| Romans 15:25-29 |
Make a contribution for the poor. |
| 1 Corin. 16:1-4 |
Share from God’s abundance. |
| 2 Corin. 8:1-9,15 |
Give joyfully, whether rich or poor. |
| James 2:1-7 |
Rich/poor and God’s choice. |
| 1 John 3:17-18 |
Love in deed, not just in word. |
| 1John 4:19-21 |
Cannot love God without loving neighbors. |
| Jacob 2:22-24 |
Seek the kingdom of God before riches. |
| Mosiah 1:49 |
Service to human beings is service to God. |
| Mosiah 2:43 |
Give of your substance to the poor. |
| Mosiah 9:157 |
Abundance; no one suffered hunger. |
| Alma 1:45 |
The prosperous help those in need. |
| Alma 6:34-35 |
Share food with Alma after a long fast. |
| Alma 8:10-11 |
Amulek told by angel to feed a fasting prophet. |
| Alma 16:119 |
The Lord provides. |
| Alma 16:171-173 |
A feast as blessing for diligence and faith. |
| Doctrine and Covenants verses |
| Doctrine and Covenants 26:1b-c |
Sacramental food |
| Doctrine and Covenants 59:3a-b |
Fasting and prayer |
| Doctrine and Covenants 59:4b-d |
Good things of the earth are made for the benefit and use of humankind |
| Doctrine and Covenants 101:2f |
Earth is full with enough for all |
If guests are present who are not affiliated with the Community of Christ,
offer an explanation of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants
references.
Telling experiences and stories from the Youth Fast event should be a
primary focus for the worship service. It is important for the Youth Fast
participants to articulate the feelings and thoughts they have experienced,
and in doing so, help the congregation understand the purpose and outcomes of
the Youth Fast experience.
Share stories and testimonies from Hunger Challenge participants:
Share stories from Outreach International and World Accord:
- Refer to stories in Outreach International’s Hunger Challenge
Planning and Activity Guide.
- Refer to stories from the Trek package from the Mennonite Central
Committee (World Accord kit contains samples).
- Additional stories, testimonies, and news items are available at the
Outreach International and World
Accord Web
sites.
An integration of many styles of songs is suggested. Current and recent
songs should be reviewed for appropriate texts dealing with world hunger and
poverty.
Songs from Community of Christ hymn books that correspond with the theme
are listed:
- HS 315 This Is My Song
- HS 322 O How Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
- HS 369 Bear Each Other’s Burdens
- HS 377 Let Your Heart Be Broken
- HS 388 Brothers and Sisters of Mine
- HS 459 Lord, Who Views All People Precious
- HS 465 We Thank Thee God, For Eyes to See
- SP 1 Center of Peace
- SP 27 I Am Standing Waiting
- SP 38 Christ Has Called Us to New Visions
- NS 7 Companions on the Journey
- NS 11 Give Thanks
- NS 28 Let Justice Roll Like a River
- NS 35 Make Me a Servant
- NS 52 What Does the Lord Require of You?
Other songs for consideration are found in Maranatha! Music Praise
Chorus Book: A Collection of Over 300 Popular Songs for Praise and
Worship, expanded third edition (Laguna Hills: Maranatha, 1993). ISBN
738597619472
- Page 43 Bind Us Together
- Page 250 Micah 6:8
- Page 261 The Servant Song
- Page 321 All My Days
More songs are found in Forty Songs for a Better World (from World
Accord).
- From a Distance
- He Ain’t Heavy…He’s My Brother
- Love Can Build a Bridge
- Ordinary Miracles
Youth may wish to present a musical tableau. Example
“Let Your Heart Be Broken,” HS 377, sung by a soloist or choir
People of any age can participate in the silent tableau. During the singing
of each stanza, have the participants act out the words of the song (see
suggestions below) in various locations on the rostrum. At the end of a
stanza, the characters remain “frozen” in place until the end of the song.
Verse 1: A child sharing lunch with another child who has no food.
Verse 2: A lonely elderly person seated in a rocking chair is
visited by a young person who shares a photo album or school yearbook.
Verse 3: Two children are arguing over a candy bar. An older teen
steps in to break up the argument. The teen breaks the candy bar in half for
the children who are satisfied by the solution.
Verse 4: An older gentleman is seated on an imaginary street
corner, shivering from the cold. A teen walks by in a coat, but returns to
drape the coat over the man, who then reaches out and shakes the teen’s
hand.
Written by Mark Tarwater for Outreach
International 1998 Calendar Club Resource Booklet.
© Outreach International. Used with permission.
The offertory should be presented as a joyous occasion--the opportunity to
share abundance with those less fortunate. Approach this activity as a
celebration. Consider a worship setting that provides space for offerings of
food and money. This is World Hunger emphasis day. All undesignated offerings
will be used to benefit the ministries of the World Hunger fund.
- Consider an African offertory, using a woven basket (a
traditional Turkana basket, if one is available). The congregation comes
forward to upbeat music and song to offer their monetary gift, placing it
in the basket. Consider singing the song, “Siyahamb’ ekukhanyen’
kwenkhos,’” NS 46.
- Offertory might also be a time for members of the congregation to come
forward with an offering of canned food items to add to those
collected during the Let’s Can Hunger scavenger hunt (see Outreach
International’s Hunger Challenge Planning and Activity Guide).
All food items should be donated to a local food pantry or shelter
following the service.
- Offer a special prayer of blessing over the food and money and the
people in need who will receive them.
- Place copies of the Share the Abundance
insert in the worship bulletin. It features facts and statistics relating
to Community of Christ World Hunger Fund Ministries.
It is appropriate to express a connection among human beings hunger, and
the Communion experience to further illustrate a sense of fellowship on a
global scale. Remember that Communion has its roots as a Passover meal a party
for “liberated slaves.”
- Consider using other items than the traditional bread and grape juice.
Perhaps blend various types of bread together: white, wheat, pumpernickel,
and rye. Use purple, red, and white grape juice. For the brave-hearted,
consider using coconut juice in place of grape juice.
- Consider having the congregation come forward to share in Communion
rather than be served. The bread might be placed in one large basket.
- Challenge those at the worship service to work for a world with no more
hunger.
From the beginning of humankind’s existence, the question has been asked,
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” Basic to the Christian faith is the belief
that God is active in the world, inspiring each of us to take a responsible
role in caring for others and assisting those in need. According to Jesus, the
compassion we show our brothers and sisters everywhere will be returned to us.
It is through our giving that we receive the humble satisfaction that comes
from being a “cheerful giver.” Let us be a true reflection of God’s love
for all humankind, not just in word, but in action.
Discuss the work of organizations such as Outreach International and World
Accord throughout the world. Refer to stories and testimonies from individuals
whose lives have been touched by the work of these organizations. These may be
from those who receive and also those who give (support the organizations),
based on their charitable hearts.
Excerpted, with permission, from the Outreach
International 1997 Calendar Club Resource Booklet.
Testimonies
If youth have participated in the weekend fast, have them share
testimonies of what they have learned based on the experience. They may want
to share excerpts from their Youth Fast journals.
Commitment Statements
Invite the participants to make short commitment statements based on the
experiences of the Youth Fast event. What changes will they make in their
lives? How will they do things differently in the future?
Ask the pastor or a congregational leader to articulate a short statement
of what the congregation will commit to based on the experiences of the Youth
Fast event.
