Time for global praise this Sunday

For a few moments one day this month, Christians all over the world will stop what they're doing to worship God together in a massive, global hymn sing.

That's the vision, at least, of an Elgin man who chose Sunday, Sept. 27, at 10 a.m., for an event he's calling Things Above 2009. The program is noncommercial and simple, he said. Sing "How Great Thou Art," then "Amazing Grace" and another hymn if you like. Finish by praying the Lord's Prayer.

Walter Hegel likens the idea of a worldwide community presenting concurrent praise to a birthday party where everyone sings together to celebrate the guest of honor. "It's in that same kind of spirit, basically, coming together to sing songs of gratefulness to Jesus for all that he's done," Hegel said.

It was a Sunday service at Elgin Evangelical Free Church, where Hegel is a member, and another at Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, that got him thinking about global praise. Hegel said he enjoyed the experience of singing with so many others, and if he could enjoy it from an earthly perspective, what must it be like for God to hear from heaven?

Moved to action and inspired by a sermon about Jesus atoning for the sins of mankind, he chose Sept. 27 because it coincides this year with Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

In the Central Time Zone, 10 a.m. on a Sunday is a convenient time to break out a hymn, though Hegel said some adjustments still may be necessary. Elgin Evangelical Free, for example, intends to begin a half-hour earlier that day instead of the usual 10:30 start.

But for Christians in London it will be 4 p.m., and in Mumbai it will be 9 p.m. Hegel hopes that, wherever they find themselves at that hour - individually, in groups, in church - people will take the few minutes to join in.

He and an associate, Adam Ledyard, are getting the word out through a Web site, e-mail blitz and an e-mail newsletter published by Christianity Today. Expecting the viral tendencies of the Internet to help propel the message, they've also set up on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Hegel already has participation commitments from as far away as Thailand and Australia.

And the name, Things Above?

"There's a Bible verse that says, 'Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth,'" Hegel said. "We can get so involved with good things that we participate in that sometimes it's important to pause and reflect on who made it all possible."

For details, visit www.thingsabove09.com. Make sure you use a zero with that 9!

Food ministry: Need a little help with your food budget? Here's a tip: did you know there's a place in Elgin where you can get $60 worth of groceries for about half as much?

In their desire to find relevant ways to serve the community, churches all over the country are using Angel Food Ministries to help families save money.

It's pretty simple, really. Angel Food buys bulk groceries at substantial discounts and sells them in packaged assortments at about 50 percent off retail. The program originated on a back porch in Georgia with 34 families, but its Web site says it now supplies over 500,000 families in 35 states every month.

Elgin's Church in the Word has been a host site since December, in partnership with the Elgin Christian Development Corporation. Jim Swett, head of the church's Bridge of Hope benevolence ministry, says it's a great service to the community.

"Some people are a little reluctant to take charity," he said, "and this gives them an economical way to actually spend some money under considerable savings. They can purchase food at a discounted price with dignity."

But you don't have to be under-resourced to qualify. In fact, you don't have to qualify at all. Anyone can buy - there is no application to fill out or requirements to meet. Illinois Link (food stamp) cards are accepted, along with credit and debit cards and cash.

Angel Food offers restaurant-grade, name brand products, according to the Web site, which promises no overripe, damaged or day-old stuff. For $30 you can get a variety box - meats, fresh and frozen produce, dairy products, shelf staples and desserts - that typically feeds four for a week.

Or, if your idea of cooking centers on a microwave, you can get a package of 10 prepared meals, favorites like chicken cacciatore and lasagna, for $28. Allergen-free foods are available, or you can buy meat-only or produce-only "specials," with contents varying from month to month.

Menus are posted regularly at angelfoodministries.com. At Church in the Word, orders are placed during the second week of the month, and pickup is usually on the fourth Saturday, Swett said.

"We're seeing families, we're seeing singles, we're seeing senior citizens, and some college kids have even ordered the senior citizens' package for a quick meal that can be microwaved," Swett said. "One of the most popular items we have is the fresh vegetable and fruit package. The quality of the food has been excellent."

For more information, visit churchintheword.com or call (847) 658-8888.

"In the Spirit" covers churches and synagogues in the Fox Valley area; contact cmchojnacki@yahoo.com to submit information or ideas for upcoming columns. Please submit upcoming event information in the previous calendar month.