“So long as we eat our bread together we shall have sufficient even with the least. Not until one person desires to keep his own bread for himself does hunger ensue.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
As a ministry of Lutherans in the U.S., Lutheran World Relief recognizes worship as one central place where our work is grounded. When the people of God gather to break the bread Christ provides, we get a taste of a world where hungry are filled with good things. Rejuvenated, we are then sent out into the world free to work toward an end to poverty, injustice and human suffering.
In my time at LWR, I’ve been blessed to witness this mission in action each time I’ve attended an LWR Quilt blessing. For years, Lutherans across the U.S. have put their time, compassion and prayers into the Quilts they bring to the center of worship. And I’ve witnessed with joy as whole congregations praised the work of God through their hearts and hands.
Dipali Pramanick shows of a Mission Quilt that she received from LWR at the Santi Tuberculosis Society outside of Kolkata, India. She had tears in her eyes as she said, "I can't believe someone in the United States made this quilt for me
But it’s not just the work of LWR’s Quilters and Kit makers that is grounded in worship. Your prayers also strengthen LWR’s work to set a table for those who hunger around the world.
Download an LWR Sunday Kit
That’s why I invite worship leaders to gather your faith community together in worship and praise focused on fighting hunger with Lutheran World Relief. We’ve designed a brand new resource — LWR Sunday: Hunger — to help structure a day of praying, learning and action.
Engage Your Congregation
What does it mean to be “food insecure”? What are the root causes of hunger around the world and why do food crises keep happening? And how does sustainable development, like the work you do with LWR, help? The LWR Sunday: Hunger resource challenges you and your congregation to ponder these questions alongside Jesus’ call to love and serve the neighbor in need.
With plans to take you all the way from 8:30am to 2pm on a Sunday, along with ideas you can fit into the unique life of your congregation, the LWR Sunday Kit: Hunger resource sets the stage for engaging God’s call in new and exciting ways.
You can download this free resource here. When you sign up, let us know when your LWR Sunday will be and get access to a downloadable video greeting from LWR President, the Rev. John Nunes, and a PowerPoint presentation on hunger for your Adult Sunday school.
Our Response to God's Grace
Through the word and water, bread and wine, God gives us all we need to worship together. Our response to that grace is multiplied when we share our unique gifts to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need. How is your congregation equipping the Saints for sharing God’s lasting promise?