Day 16: Cherry on Top

CHERRIES are today's hottest "superfruit." A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as dried and frozen cherries and cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times as much as blueberries or strawberries!) vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.

Cherries also are a rich source of melatonin, a powerful antioxidant known for regulating the body's natural sleep cycle and helping to promote restful sleep. What's more, emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits -- from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, and possibly even the prevention of memory loss.

Cherries are one of the most popular fruit and are grown in 20 countries worldwide. The United States grows approximately 150,000 tons of cherries annually. (Source: Cherry Food Facts: Belly Bytes)

Day 16. Dollar 16.

Your pledges are just the BING to help people stay out of the PITS and the CHERRY on top of your already giving spirit!

Day 15: An Attitude of Gratitude

Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things. ~Horace

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~Chinese Proverb

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~Frank A. Clark

I feel a very unusual sensation - if it is not indigestion, I think it must be gratitude. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. ~Jacqueline Winspear

The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. ~ Mother Teresa

Day 15. Dollar 15. Dear Lord, let us be forever seeking how to live our lives with an attitude of gratitude, thankful for what we ourselves have been blessed with, and thankful for the many ways we can step out and help others. Amen

Day 14: Plenty'o'Pasta

Day 14. Dollar 14.

Day 13: Summer Lunches

Colorado Summer Lunch Program Pushing to Feed More Needy Kids

Summer lunches, especially for low-income kids, have been part of the federal school lunch program for 35 years. But this summer is the first time any Wiggins kid has tasted one. It might also be the first year many Colorado parents have known the program existed. View Full Story

Day 13. Dollar 13.

Thank you for reading about how we can provide food to children who need it.

Day 12: Plow and Scatter

"We Plow the Fields and Scatter"
Evangelical Lutheran Worship #681
Click here to listen to the hymn

We plow the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft refreshing rain.

Refrain:

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above,

Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord

For all his love.

You only are the Maker

Of all things near and far;

You paint the wayside flower,

You light the evening star;

The winds and waves obey you,

By You the birds are fed;

Much more to us, his children,

You give our daily bread. Refrain

We thank thee, then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, and food;

No gifts have we to offer,

For all thy love imparts,

And, what thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts. Refrain

Day 12. Dollar 12.
Thank you for scattering seeds of hope to a hungry world!

Day 11: Go and do Likewise

Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV) The parable of the merciful Samaritan

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Click here to listen to Pastor Ruth Ann's sermon:

"The Scandalous Samaritan: Ditches and Discoveries"

Day 11. Dollar 11. Remembering both parts of the scripture verse: loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor. We thank you for recognizing the need to love your neighbor, and then putting this love into action!

Day 10: Ho Ho Holds a Lot

Reusable bags eliminate a tremendous amount of waste. Consider using reusable bags in our congregation, homes, and community.

Pick up a blue shopping bag on Sunday, July 18th after any service and bring them back on Sunday, July 25th, our Christmas in July day!

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Shop from either or both of these lists: Kids of Kandahar and Metro CareRing.

Day 10. Dollar 10. Have fun shopping!

Day 9: Say Cheese

Cheese is a good source of calcium, which helps to build strong bones and teeth. Cheese also contains a large amount of other essential nutrients such as phosphorous, zinc, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and vitamin A. Additionally, the milk proteins in cheese help neutralize plaque acids and also help prevent acid dimineralization and help remineralization of tooth enamel (Source: Associated Wellness)


Day 9. Dollar 9. Providing healthy cheeses to our hungering neighbors, be they SWISS or AMERICAN, will help them feel GOUDA, and not BLEU!

Day 8: Loving our Neighbors

O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, and turn our hearts to love our neighbors with the love of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen

Day 8. Dollar 8. Just as God hears the cries of those in despair, let us respond in turn to our neighbors in need.

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!