Observe Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday Nov. 11

Currently, there are more than 97,000 patients waiting for a transplant in the United States.

The United Methodist Church recognizes the life-giving ministry provided by organ donation, which is why it observes Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday the second Sunday in November.

Here are some suggested readings useful for services about organ and tissue donation:

Genesis 2:20-30: A rib taken from Adam to give life to Eve.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20: Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.

Psalm 41: Images of a healing Lord.

Psalm 100: Psalm of praise and thanksgiving.

Psalm 107: Consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Isaiah 35:1-6: Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.

Ezekiel 37: The valley of dry bones: These bones shall live.

Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful.

Matthew 7:7: Ask ... seek ... knock ...

Matthew 7:12: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matthew 25:31-46: Caring for the stranger.

Luke 4:16-21: Recovery of sight to the blind.

Luke 6:37-38: Give and it will be given to you.

II Corinthians 9:6-8: God loves a cheerful giver.

Revelation 21:4-5: In eternity we will not need our earthly bodies.

Consider passing out organ donor cards, which can be downloaded at www.organdonor.gov.

For more resources, visit www.umc-gbcs.org, the Web site of the General Board of Church and Society.