Day 91: Your Rising Light

If you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
Isaiah 58:10

Day 91. Dollar 91. Hunger Relief Community, we express our sincerest thanks to each and every one of you for letting your light rise in the darkness by helping those in need!

Day 90: Catch of the Day

Day 90. Dollar 90.
A family of five will eat for three days with this food.

Day 89: Compromised Progress

As the UN looks at progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in New York this past week, it is clear that with just five years to go the hunger goal is the one most under threat. And yet addressing hunger is fundamental if the world is going to reach the other MDGs.

World Food Programme, naturally, is focused on MDG 1, the goal that aims to tackle poverty and hunger. The target as regards to hunger is to go from 20% of the world population hungry in 1990 to 10% by 2015.

According to the latest figures, we are now at 16%. There was fairly good progress up to the middle of the last decade but then the global food price crisis happened, followed by the financial crisis and then the global economic slowdown. These events have severely compromised progress. Read more here.

Day 89. Dollar 89. We pray, Lord, that progress continues toward reaching the goal of lowering the percentage of hungry people in our world.

O Day Full of Grace

As we enter the final days of our 10.10.10 countdown,

there will be two days of grace.

Days to count our blessings, and not the days themselves.



O Day Full of Grace
Arranged: F. Melius Christiansen
Sung by the UW Eau Claire Concert Choir

O day full of grace, which we behold,
to us from the sea ascending;
you over the earth thy reign unfold,
good cheer to all mortals lending,
that children of light in every clime
may prove that the night is ending!

How blest was the gracious midnight hour,
when God in our flesh was given;
Then brightened the dawn with light and power
That spread o'er the darkened heaven;
The rose o'er the world that Sun divine,
Which gloom from our hearts has driven.

As birds in the morning sing their praise,
God's fatherly love we cherish,
For giving to us this day of grace,
For life that shall not perish.
The church God has kept two thousand years,
and hungering souls did nourish.

Yea, were every tree endowed with speech,
And were every leaflet singing,
They never with praise God's worth could reach,
Though earth with their praise were ringing.
Who fully could praise the Light of life
who light to our souls is bringing?

With joy we approach our Father’s land,

where day is forever dwelling,

where ready for us His mansions stand,

where heaven with praise is swelling;

and there we shall walk in endless light,

with blest ones His praise forth telling.

God of Grace, grant us comfort in knowing you walk beside us each day. We thank you for our daily nourishment, both by bread and in spirit. Keep watch over those who yearn to be comforted by you. We ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Metro CareRing Breakdown: October 3

Day 88: Remember the Poor

Psalms of the Day

He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free.
Psalm 146:7

I will say of the LORD,
"He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15

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Today's Gospel Text was Luke 16: 19 - 31. Click here to view.
Our guest preacher today was Bishop Allan Bjornberg.
To hear Bishop Bjornberg's sermon, please click here.
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Day 88. Dollar 88. O God, rich in mercy, you look with great compassion on this troubled world. Feed us with your grace, and grant us the treasure that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Day 87: Dinner Makes a Difference

Monday, September 27, 2010
Dinner Makes a Difference

Family Day's Mission: A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children is a national movement to inform parents that the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free. Family Day reminds parents that Dinner Makes A Difference!

Become a Family Day STAR!
S - Spend time with your kids by having dinner together 

T - Talk to them about their friends, interests, the dangers of drugs/alcohol 

A- Answer their questions and listen to what they say 

R- Recognize that you have the power to help keep your kids substance-free!

Find more resources about this day HERE!

Day 87. Dollar 87. Your donations, whether they are money or food items, allows the families that visit Metro CareRing to eat with one another. You are making a difference!

Day 86: Fruitful Passions

The passion fruit, native to South America has many amazing health benefits to all who eat this sweet and aromatic fruit. Passion fruit was a staple of Aztec society and once Spanish missionaries laid eyes on the blossoms of the passion fruit, they named it thus as they said that the blossoms resembled the crown of thorns on Christ's head during the crucifixion. (Source: Associated Content)

Passion fruit has a very aromatic smell and can either be yellow or purple on the outside. The skin of the passion fruit is wrinkly and its pulp is a yellow, jelly-like substance with black seeds.

Some of the many health benefits of passion fruit

• its seeds (one cup) contains almost 25 grams of fiber.
• contains high doses of Vitamin A and C
• the antioxidants found in passion fruit is believed to block histamine, reduce allergy and inflammation, reducing the symptoms of asthma

Day 86. Dollar 86. Almighty and eternal God, who appointed his only-begotten Son the Savior of the world, who wore the blood-stained crown of thorns for our salvation, grant us the passion to recognize and respect the amazing gift of our grace, and shape our lives that they may be fruitful unto thee. Amen.

Day 85: Success

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

Day 85. Dollar 85. Heavenly Father, we know that any success we might achieve comes directly from you - your wisdom guides us toward the right paths, your loving example inspires us to change social conditions. Fill us with the hope that even our small steps toward aiding hunger relief will leave your world a better place. Amen.

Day 84: Distress

Day 84. Dollar 84. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:5-6

Day 83: St. Matthew

September 21 is a day we remember Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. A tax collector from Capernaum, Matthew was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus.

Since opening in 1988, St. Matthew's House of Naples, Florida has served over 2 million meals. Their mission: to change lives in a spiritual environment that is both compassionate and disciplined, as well as providing housing for the homeless and food for the needy. Read more here!

Day 83. Dollar 83. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Day 82: We Come

We Come to the Hungry Feast
ELW#479
Text and Music: Ray Makeever



Click here to listen to hear a portion of the song

Click here to read a lovely vespers blog entry by Jo Quanbeck, a member of Holden Village - a center for renewal, a Lutheran ministry welcoming all people into the wilderness to be called, equipped and sent by God.

We come to the hungry feast, hungry for a word of peace,
To hungry hearts unsatisfied the love of God is not denied.
We come, we come to the hungry feast.

We come to the hungry feast, hungry for a world released,
From hungry folk of ev'ry kind, the poor in body, poor in mind,
We come, we come to the hungry feast.

We come to the hungry feast, hungry that the hunger cease,
And knowing, though we eat our fill, the hunger will stay with us still
We come, we come to the hungry feast.

Day 82. Dollar 82. Holy One, Bless with nourishment those whose bodies ache with physical hunger and thirst. Give comfort to those who suffer, near and far. Move your spirit of peace into every broken place. Amen.

Day 81: The Commending of the Shrewd

shrewd | sh roōd|
having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute

Luke 13: 8-12 8 The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

10 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

Day 81. Dollar 81. Ruler of all, rule my life. Show me ways to be shrewd in making decisions about following you. Amen.

Day 80: Adopt-A-Grocery Store

Did you know that grocery stores

throw away 27% of all their food?

Metro CareRing is working to find better, more efficient ways to redistribute this food. We need you to "adopt" your local grocery store and invite them to donate food to Metro CareRing. With your help, we can redistribute this food to those who might go hungry.

For more information or a solicitation packet, please contact Ryan Galanaugh at r.galanaugh@metrocarering.org or 303.350.3616.

Day 80. Dollar 80. Let's see if we can get that 27% redistributed to those who are hungry!

Day 79: The Morning Meal

September is All-American Breakfast Month, an unofficial holiday period recognized by a number of school districts to promote the importance of breakfast. While we have no verifiable information about the origins of this holiday, it should be noted that breakfast has been scientifically proven to improve the academic performance of students...thus, a month dedicated to the morning meal is particularly well-suited to the back-to-school September time frame. (MrBreakfast.com)

Celebrate Breakfast Month by clicking here to complete
the Crossword Puzzle all about Breakfast!

Day 79. Dollar 79. Thank you for helping others take BREAK from hunger!

Day 78: A Sunbeam

"Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for him each day.
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I'll be a sunbeam for Him!"

Day 78. Dollar 78. Thank you, Hunger Relief Community, for being a sunbeam for Jesus - your efforts in collecting food and funds to help with hunger have truly let your light shine forth!

Day 77: Glean Beans

Day 77. Dollar 77. God's work. Our hands.

Day 76: Stop Hunger Now

Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. The organization is driven by a vision to end world hunger in our lifetime and a mission to provide food and life-saving aid to the world’s most destitute and hungry in the most sustainable, efficient and effective manner. Read more today!

Day 76. Dollar 76. God of love, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen.

Day 75: Christ, Be Our Light

Christ, Be Our Light
ELW #715
Text and Music: Bernadette Farrell
Click here to listen to this hymn


Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church Gathered today.

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us,
Make us your living voice.

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter people are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
Walls made of living stone.

Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.

Day 75. Dollar 75. Dear Lord, as we remember the many who long for food and water, help make us your bread, broken and shared for others. Amen.

Day 74: 10.10.10 in the Bible

10 Books. 10 Chapters. 10 Verses.

Numbers 10:10 - Also at your times of rejoicing—your appointed feasts and New Moon festivals—you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.

Job 10:10 - Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese

Daniel 10:10 - A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

Matthew 10:10 - take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

John 10:10b - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Acts 10:10 - He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

Romans 10:10 - For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

1 Corinthians 10:10 - And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

Hebrews 10:10 - And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Revelation 10:10 - I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

Day 74. Dollar 74. O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray. Preserve your people in your loving care, that we may reject whatever is contrary to you and may follow all things that sustain our life in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Day 73: 30 Ways in 30 Days

September is Hunger Action Month

Click here to view "30 ways in 30 days" that

you can take action in the fight against hunger.

September 11: Prepare. Hunger is an everyday disaster. Build two emergency food boxes – one for your family and another to share with a family in need in the event of a disaster in your area. Here is a suggested list.

Day 73. Dollar 73. Eternal God, amid all the turmoil and changes of the world your love is steadfast and your strength never fails. In this time of danger and trouble, be to us a sure guardian and rock of defense. Guide the leaders of our nation with your wisdom, comfort those in distress, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Day 72: Give Peas a Chance

Give PEAS a chance! Green peas are bursting with nutrients! They provide good to very good amounts of 8 vitamins, 7 minerals, dietary fiber and protein. Green peas' supercharged nutritional profile can supercharge your health. Green peas provide nutrients that are important for maintaining bone health. They are a very good source of vitamin K, and also serve as a very good source of folic acid and vitamin B6. The vitamin K featured in Green peas is instrumental to the body's healthy blood clotting ability. Green peas are one of the important foods to include in your diet if you oftentimes feel fatigued and sluggish. That is because they provide a very good course of vitamin C that help support the energy-producing cells and systems of the body. (Source: The World's Healthiest Foods)

REMINDER: Join Bethany Lutheran's own Glean Team this Saturday, September 11th, from 7:30 am - noon. Everyone needs to bring: water, gloves, hat, sturdy shoes and a snack. We'll meet in the West Parking lot.

Day 72. Dollar 72. Gracious God, grant peace among nations. Cleanse from our our hearts the seeds of strife: greed and envy, harsh misunderstandings and ill will, fear and desire for revenge. Make us quick to welcome ventures in cooperation among the peoples of the world, so that there may be woven the fabric of a common good too strong to be torn by the evil hands of war. In the time of opportunity, make us be diligent; and in the time of peril, let not our courage fail; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (ELW, Additional Prayers)

Day 71: My Prayer

Loving God,

Sometimes, I forget to be helpful and kind.

Please forgive me for...

Thank you for being there for me, especially when...

Help those who are hungry and...

Guide me toward being a better person...

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Day 71. Dollar 71. O Lord, hear my prayer.

Day 70: Come Quickly

Day 70. Dollar 70. Psalm 70.
Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me.

Day 69: Survive and Thrive

Feeding America food bank members help provide low - income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, their network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors.

Feeding America benefits from the unique relationship between our 202 local member food banks at the front lines of hunger relief and the central efforts of our national office. Read more!

Click here to view the Feeding America across the Nation - zoom in on a particular state to view the Food Banks and the areas they serve.

Day 69. Dollar 69. Gracious God, we thank you for those who work to provide millions of Americans with the food and nutrients they need to survive and thrive. Keep those still seeking food in your care and help us unite our efforts to help make a better life for those in need. Amen.

Day 68: Here I Am, Lord

Here I Am, Lord
Hymn: Daniel Schutte
Text: Isaiah 6:8, 1 Samuel 3
ELW #574




Perhaps you might want to....
Listen as a morning devotion
Sing along as an afternoon offering
Watch as an evening prayer
(click on the words above to view)

Here I am Lord, is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them, Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them, Whom shall I send?

Day 68. Dollar 68. Thank you, Hunger Relief Community, for answering with a resounding, "Here I Am, Lord" when asked to care for the needs of others. May God bless you as you begin another week.

Pray and Work

"Tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late.
In fact I have so much to do that
I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."
Martin Luther

Here's to a labor-free, prayer-filled day!

Day 67: Labor of Love

God bless the hands which labor.

From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,

and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.
Proverbs 12:14

God bless the heart that serves.
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength
and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Luke 10:27

God bless the vocation God has called you to.
And whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

Day 67. Dollar 67. Hunger Relief Community, we give thanks for your labor of love these past 67 days - for your hands which have labored, for your hearts that have served, and for your response to the call you heard to help those in need of food. Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (LBW Morning Prayer)

Day 66: 30 Hour Famine

~ So what exactly is the 30 Hour Famine? ~

Students around the world loving God and fighting hunger. It's that simple. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students do the Famine. They go without food for 30 hours. They learn what it takes to stop hunger in its tracks. They raise funds to help feed and care for tens of thousands of kids all over the world. And because the 30 Hour Famine is powered by World Vision, you're not just feeding kids for a day. You're helping them overcome poverty for a lifetime.

~ What do students get out of the Famine? ~

Their eyes are opened to a world of hunger and hope. Their minds are filled with the understanding needed to fight poverty and injustice. They experience hunger firsthand to help feed and care for hungry kids. The result? Not only are students helping save lives by doing the Famine they are growing closer to God and each other while they change the world.

Click here to read more about how the 30 Hour Famine saves lives and how you might want to bring this life-changing experience to your community!

Day 66. Dollar 66. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Day 65: Nutritional is the Tree

Avocado is a fruit and a tree. It often said to be the most nutritious fruit in the world. Avocado provides more than 25 essential nutrients such as protein, potassium, vitamin E, C, B-vitamins, folic acid, iron, copper, phosphorus and magnesium, just to name a few. Avocado also provides calories for energy and beneficial phytochemicals such as beta-sitosterol (reduces blood cholesterol), glutathione (protects cells from toxins) and lutein (helps keep eyes healthy).

Overall, avocado is considered a complete food. With vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, calories and fiber with no cholesterol and is sodium free. Avocado is ideal for growing up children, adults and even for babies, especially when blended with other fruits. For athletes, avocado is a nutritious energy booster to rev up the body's strength. (Source: BellyBytes)

Day 65. Dollar 65. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Day 64: Wholeness

Day 64. Dollar 64. Healing God, teach us to receive the sick and the hungry with the love of Christ to ensure they are made whole in our community. Help us to serve them in their time of need, especially with food to nourish their bodies and love to comfort their souls. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Day 63: An Empty Bowl

Day 63. Dollar 63. "We ask God for many things. we approach God to fill our lives with meaning, with hope, with a sense of presence in a world that so desperately needs a sign of the divine.

What if God has been coming all the time

through that which needs to be filled?

What if God is an empty stomach, a broken heart, an anguished cry, an empty bowl? We have a tendency to want to heal and fill and satisfy. Maybe God has come closer than we think. Everything that is empty has left room for God to arrive, again and again." (J. S. Behrens, Empty Bowl Theology)