wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Oct. 26 designated Bread Sunday

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Note #7901 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Oct. 26 designated Bread Sunday
03355
August 27, 2003

Oct. 26 designated Bread Sunday

Anti-hunger group offers free worship resources

By Evan Silverstein

WASHINGTON - A Christian anti-hunger group has produced a new worship
resource to help congregations renew their commitment to fighting hunger
during an annual day of observance called "Bread for the World Sunday."

Most observances this year will take place on Oct. 26, although congregations
are encouraged to choose any Sunday between World Food Day (Oct. 16) and
Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).

During every autumn harvest season, hundreds of churches across the nation
take part in the event, which is sponsored by Bread for the World, a lobbying
group based in Washington, DC. The 47,000-member non-partisan organization is
supported by 2,300 churches and more than 45 denominations and church
agencies, including the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Hunger
Program (PHP).

The "Bread" group lobbies Congress and the administration for public-policy
changes to address the root causes of hunger and poverty in the United States
and abroad.

In Bread Sunday services, Presbyterian worshipers will join others in
reflecting on "how God's love in Jesus Christ is a harvest of hope for all
people, pray for hungry people, and take specific steps that will make a
difference in their lives," according to a recent news release statement on
the organization's Web site.

Last year, more than 800 U.S. churches observed the fourth annual Bread for
the World Sunday on the "official" day, according to the release.

Bread for the World has compiled a new worship resource for participating
churches and is making it available at no charge. It includes special
prayers, a preaching aid written by Tom Long, the Bandy Professor of
Preaching at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta,
creative ideas for churches observing Bread for the World Sunday, a sample
pulpit announcement, a litany, bulletin inserts and a list of hunger facts
and questions for reflection.

Leaders of seven Christian denominations, including the Rev. Clifton
Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), are serving
as honorary co-chairs of this year's event.

The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) has partnered with Bread for the World
for nearly 30 years. Its coordinator, the Rev. Gary Cook, is on the
organization's board of directors.

To request the worship resources and bulletin inserts, call the Bread for the
World publications staff toll-free at (800) 82-BREAD (822-7323), or log on to
http://www.bread.org/howtohelp/church/bfw-sunday/2003/sign-up.html.

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