Feast of Praise — Gift to the Needy

We held our bi-annual “Feast of Praise” over the weekend, and it was very successful.  We have done this in our community since 1993 as an inter-denominational Thanksgiving service.  It brings the Christian community together for the purpose of remembering our blessings and giving donations to those who do not have a lot of food on their tables.  This is how it works:

• We host an inter-denominational music program 1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving
• The local Ministerial Association sponsors the event, but does not plan it
• An inter-denominational committee organizes the event and “invites” people to perform in the program, rather than taking volunteer musicians from the churches.  This insures quality and a wide variety of styles of music
• The format for the program has been different from year to year, but has involved individual soloists, duets, and small ensembles; a community choir, a worship team, drama groups, childrens’ choirs, high school vocal groups, instrumentalists, dancers, congregational singing and mimes
• The purpose of the concert is to raise funds for Compassion International and for the local transient/homeless fund; also to provide child packets for needy children in need of sponsors
• Local Ministers act as ushers and also give opening and closing prayers
• We have 1/2 hour of prelude music consisting of a jazz combo, bluegrass group or piano soloist
• The program is held either in the school auditorium or in a church
• We show a Compassion film during the program and also have a Child Advocate speak briefly about Compassion’s ministry
• Child packets of children in need of sponsors are available afterwards for sponsorship
• A local Pastor also gives a presentation about the local transient/homeless fund for the needy
• The program is advertised through Christian and secular radio stations, the newspaper, bank signs, posters and in church bulletins
• Sometimes we ask churches to bring cookies or snacks for fellowship after the program

The “Feast of Praise” has been very well received in our community for many years.  This year we had standing room only, and raised nearly $900.00 in our small community; half of this will be sent to the Global Food Crisis fund at Compassion International.  The other half is administered by the Ministerial Association for local needs of the poor.  I hope others will follow our lead.  Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.  Here is a copy of part of this year’s program.  The devotion I wrote for the program can also be viewed here.

~ by Juli Jarvis on November 18, 2008.