Day 7: Lentils of Love, Grains of Hope

Day 7. Dollar 7.

Day 6: Root Causes of Hunger

Hunger is a reality around the corner and the globe. Hunger occurs when people do not get enough food, when people do not get the right food, and when people do not have enough resources to buy or grow food.

Six of the root causes of hunger:

1. Poverty - of the 6.7 billion people on the planet, 1 billion people live on less than $1 per day


2. Distribution - the biggest challenge to ending hunger is not the production of more food, but, instead, how to ensure equal access and equitable distribution


3. War - ongoing military conflicts force people from their land and restrict relief efforts


4. Poor infrastructure - lack of or little access to roads and transportation impede people's abilities to get to the food


5. Natural Disasters - those who depend on the land for survival are the most vulnerale when disaster strikes


6. Environment - people in poverty may find it harder to adapt to changing environmental conditions (Source: ELCA World Hunger)

Day 6. Dollar 6. Thank you for helping solutions take root!

Day 5: This is My Song

"This is My Song"

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #887

Hymn of the Day, 4th of July

Click here to listen to Hymn

This is my song, O God of all the nations.
A song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my song, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,

And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;

But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover,

And skies are everywhere as clear and blue as mine,

O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,

A song of peace, for their land and for mine.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms:

Thy kingdom come, on earth thy will be done,

Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him,

And hearts united learn to live as one.

O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,

Myself I give thee: let thy will be done.

Day 5. Dollar 5.

---O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,

---Myself I give thee: let thy will be done.

Day 4: Free for All

"St. Paul summed up his "declaration of independence" also known as the Letter to the Galatians by writing, "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been cricified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule - peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:14-16)

The sign of the cross is the most authentic and clear message that I know of. It is the sign of hope and grace to our world. It declares freedom and independence for us because of God's love brought about through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus."

From Pastor Ron's 2010 4th of July sermon.

(Click here to read the entire sermon.)

Day 4. Dollar 4.

As we set 4th to serve others, let us remember who first served us, and give thanks that, through hope and grace, we have received a gift that is free for all!

Day 3: Cool Aid

How COOL is this: coming to

the AID of others...only 25 cents!

Day 3. Dollar 3. Bethany brothers Forrest Christian (green shirt), Elias Christian (red shirt) and neighbor Christian Barry show that you are never too young to be equipped, empowered, and unleashed as disciples! The boys were able to raise $13 for Metro CareRing through their efforts. Talk about vibrant faith in action! Kudos, Boys!

Day 2: Vitamin A

Quite a few trace elements or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are important for health. 1 out of 3 people are affected by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, according to the World Health Organization.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and reduces the body's resistance to disease. In children, Vitamin A deficiency can also cause growth retardation. Between 100 and 140 million children are Vitamin A deficient. An estimated 250,00o to 500,000 Vitamin-A deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying withing 12 months of losing their sight. (World Health Organization)


Day 2. Dollar 2. Help us provide food rich in Vitamin A for our community!

Day 1: Join Us

As we embark on

this 100-day journey,

we ask you to join us...

• Join us in song, as we tune our hearts toward the spirit of giving (Mondays)
• Join us in facts, as we absorb the impact of hunger around the world (Tuesdays)
• Join us in images that capture the essence of what it truly means to be hungry (Wednesdays)
• Join us in prayer, as we ponder and reflect upon the gifts we both give and receive (Thursdays)
• Join us in food, where we'll digest the facts of what nourishes our bodies (Fridays)
• Join us in service, as we mark each day and dollar and find ways to reach out to others (Saturdays), and finally,
• Join us in scripture, as we locate and learn what the Bible tells us about hunger and helping our neighbors in need (Sundays).

Our goal is that these 100 days are informational.
Our hope is that these 100 days are intentional.
Our prayer is that these 100 days are inspirational.

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow human beings throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them through our hands this daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace, and joy. Amen. (ELW, additional prayers)

Day 1. Dollar 1. Let the journey begin!

World Cup, Tin Cup and the Cup of Salvation

I was listening to Pastor Ruth Ann preach on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians when a thought came sailing into my head like a trumpet shout from a vuvuzela. The idea was about the World Cup. I immediately took a pew pencil and wrote a note on my bulletin. Later on that afternoon when I looked at my bulletin, I couldn't really decipher my handwriting. However, I could distinguish the three letters spelling CUP, C- U-P.

As we are more aware of the global realities of our daily experience I thought how passionately and religiously some people follow the World Cup proceedings. Simultaneously, it amazes me that due to all the technological gadgets and devices we have there is the ability to be in contact with people all around the world. And yet, at the same time we may not even know the names of the people who live in the apartment or the house next door. The World Cup stirs up feelings of pride, nationalism, hope and athletic expertise.

While my mind was musing about "cups",
a line from Jimmy Buffet came to me:
'I wanna be there, Wanna go back down
and lie beside the sea there With a tin cup for a chalice,
fill it up with good red wine.
(Tin Cup Chalice)

This lyric has always symbolized for me a holy notion of the mystery of the ordinary. That when we have the eyes, ears and taste buds to recognize it, the Holiness and Wonder of God is all around us in the basic, ordinary experiences of life. Our God is imminent and transcendent. Some folks chase after World Cups or Tin Cups, but all of us are invited to join in at the banquet were we encouraged to "taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalm 34)

"It is at that simple meal of bread and wine that
"we will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,"
(Psalm 116:13)

Jesus was sent by God the Father to save the world. When you think about it we celebrate every Sunday a holy victory of the WORLD CUP, too!

L'Chaim,
Pastor Ron

Children of God

Children of God, you continue to pledge your support for those seeking relief from Hunger. We have received 118 pledges to date! You are all precious in God's sight!

"When you find yourself automatically applying a label, stop - think, 'Brother or Sister in Christ. Child of God.' God will help you begin believing it and then living it out. One in Christ - this has limitless possibilities. First, you believe you are precious in God's sight. Then, we believe that all are precious children in God's sight. Finally, it's making that message known through hospitality and justice, equal opportunities and hope for all. People of God - we are one in Christ. We are the Children of God. Amen."

~An excerpt from Pastor Ruth Ann Loughry's sermon, June 20, 2010~
Click here to listen/read her entire sermon.

Believe, Be Light, Be Love

Believe. Be Light. Be Love.

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Believe
"Believe, be light, be love just because
All along you've belonged in this love song.
This now, befriend, Come what may, with your heart begin
Believe, be light, be love."
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Abundance by Delia Stewart

Believe. Thank you, Hunger Relief Community, for being the angels of abundance, delivering the heartfelt message to the people of Denver that they can count on us to help them receive their daily bread. We believed we could reach the goal of 100 people who could commit to this cause, and are humbled and amazed to announce the 100th pledge was just received! $10,000 for hunger relief!

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Be Light
"Every dream that becomes is a star or a sun
Far too far to be real, sometimes falling.
But it calls you night and day,
Longing to be more than behave,
Believe, be light, be love."
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Bountiful by Delia Stewart

Be Light. Thank you for answering the call to pledge a dollar a day, and letting your light shine on others. Your generous gift is a bountiful display of true Christian light!

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Be Love
"Then comes a morning when
You wake up crashed and burning,
Can't see the road is turning to
Beyond the bend, begin again.

We tangle in why, dress up in because
When below and above heaven's beside us
There for you, night and day,
Longing to be more than behave
Believe, Believe, be light, be love."
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Be Love. Thank you, Hunger Relief Community, for being love. For putting the needs of others before your own. For being there, night and day. For loving your neighbors. Stay tuned to learn more about the 100 days of giving, and again, our heartfelt thanks!

Believe. Be Light. Be Love.

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"Be Etc." Song by Peter Mayer

Listen to "Be Etc."
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Blessings

99 Blessings received, 1 more to bestow.

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

A Dozen to Go!

You OAT to know by now...

...that we like to STIR things up!

We'd love for you to GOBBLE
up the last few pledges!

We know you'll feel PUMPed up if you do!

You'll feel just GRAPE!

Only a dozen more pledges until we've reach our goal of 100 people! That's $10,000 for Hunger Relief - an amazing blessing to a community in need!

The ABC's of Hunger Relief

A is for Apple: Scientific studies suggest eating apples on a regular basis may help prevent certain diseases and improve your overall health. From All About Apples

A dollar a day = $100 = a bushel of good health!

B is for Banana: Bananas make for a nutritious and healthy food choice because they are a good source of fiber, are low in sodium, cholesterol, calories, and contain almost no fat. From Banana Facts.

A dollar a day = $100 = a versatile fruit
no matter how you peel it!

C is for Carrot: Carrots are a good source of vitamin A, which is very important for healthy eyesight, skin, growth, and helps our body resist infection. From Food Reference.

A dollar a day = $100 = a bunch of
food for people who really need it!

E-mail us at hrd101010@gmail.com to pledge your
support today! As of 6pm, we are only
16 pledges
away from our goal of 100 people!

A Dollar A Day

A dollar a day,

The Glusenkamps say,

Is all that they're asking from you.

A dollar a day,

Both Glusenkamps pray,

Will help hungry people get through.

Halfway There!

We a-peel-ed to you to help

us with Hunger Relief Day...

...and no matter how we slice it,

you came through!

You didn't loaf around, you got right

to work and pledged your support.

Today, we received our 50th pledge!

We are halfway to our goal of 100 people

to support Hunger Relief Day: 10.10.10!

Pear up with a friend!

Network with a neighbor!

Sign-up as a family!

E-mail hrd101010@gmail.com

and pledge your support today!