All Age Harvest Sermon 2014 #christianaid #action #church #jesus

This sermon is based on the Christian aid resources for harvest "Baking Hope"

Bread is a staple in the majority of the world.  It is eaten every day and provides the bulk of the diet.  Bakers are traditionally very important people, although we seem to have lost that in our society.  So let's see what you know about where your bread comes from.

Congregation tested about the origins of the breads presented.
Croissant - France
Crumpet - Australia
Bagel - Poland
Pitta - Greece
Tortilla - Mexico
Naan - India

I'd like to share with you a story from South Sudan.  Nyipock is a baker, he bakes 600 loaves at a go, often baking several batches a day.  The loaves he bakes are called garrassa.  Nyipock serves his community with the bread, but he also serves his church.  Bread is important in his church and also in our church community. Let's hear a verse from 1 Corinthians 10:17 "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."

We hear these words during the Eucharist and they remind us of, and join us to, Jesus in his death and resurrection.  They also remind us that we are joined in a community. A community in this church today. A community of churches in Earley. A Christian community across the globe.  In sharing the bread we are joining together and celebrating together.

There is one key active ingredient in bread, does anyone know what it's called?  Yeast.  There is a very short parable in the bible about yeast in Matthew 13:33  “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Yeast is tiny and yet without it bread won't rise.  We need this tiny yeast to bake this great big loaf of bread.  In the same way, we might feel like we are tiny and too small to make any difference in the world BUT with our actions and prayers we can make a huge change in the world, with God's help.

You can make a choice to buy fair trade; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.
You can send a letter to your MP asking them to make a stand against climate change; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.
You can tell someone about Jesus; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.
You can bring someone to church; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.
You can donate to the food bank; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.
You can tell someone about the food bank; it seems like a tiny thing but it makes a massive difference.

We all know at least one "tiny" thing we can do which will make a massive difference; I challenge you this week to do it.

Let us pray.
God of the great feast and the simple meal
Blessed are you in the sowing
Blessed are you in the breaking of bread
Blessed are you in the sharing of bread
Blessed are you in our daily bread
Amen.