November 8, 2015. Christians around the world will observe Orphan Sunday and will stand in solidarity for the vulnerable. Many churches will highlight James 1:27 and renew their commitment to visit orphans in their affliction. Whether you are a church member or a member of church staff, you have an opportunity to join believers in standing for the orphan on this important day.
Here are 5 ways you can get involved:
1. PRAY. Pray for church leadership as they decide how to care for vulnerable children and families. Pray for Christians to reflect God’s love at home and abroad. Pray for the needs of the fatherless.
2. PLAN. November will be here before we know it. We’ve got a countdown clock as well as resources available to make sure November 8 doesn’t sneak up on you.
3. REFLECT. Orphan Sunday isn’t the church’s version of a greeting card holiday meant to give churches something fun to do. Instead, in the words of Francis Chan–
We’re children of God. We should celebrate that we are no longer orphans. We’re loved by this Father. We’re in this eternal family. And this overflow of joy makes us want to rescue these other kids. I want to do a little bit of what God did for me.
4. COMMIT. Orphan Sunday looks different for every church. Sermons, small groups, youth classes, prayer meetings … all afford Christians the opportunity to acknowledge the day however God leads. Launch an adoption fund or complete a Journey Bag drive. The options are as unique as each church. Bottom line: Influence your fellow church family in whatever sphere you serve.
5. PRAISE. Praise God in advance for what He will accomplish in November. In the words of David Platt–
When I think about Orphan Sunday, I think about a celebration of worship resounding to the Father in churches around the world who are saying, ‘We are your people adopted by your grace, brought into Your family, and we’re worshiping You for that together–as Your children–as a global family.’ And at the same time, we’re standing together, we’re praying together, and we’re committing ourselves together.”
What will you do this November? We’d love to hear from you and help however we can.
- This post was a copy/paste that Lifesong for Orphans, an organization that has been involved with all 3 of our adoptions, provided me for this purpose. I hope you click the link. And I hope your team won on this Kickoff Sunday. Unless they were playing mine. Don’t post any scores in the comments, I haven’t watched yet! For those of you who don’t care, or live under a rock as large as China––where, as far as I could tell, the day passed without observation––we’re talking about the NFL… something our culture has managed to make a pretty big deal of.
- So let’s make a big deal of doing something for orphans, too, eh? Click the link above!
- Dann