Lammas (from the Old-English hlāfmæsse or ‘loaf mass’) is celebrated on 1 August in the Northern Hemisphere, which was traditionally the beginning of the cereal harvest, and on 2 February in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Bible passages for this service draw on examples of God’s provision: in Exodus 16:11-15, we read of the provision of manna from heaven, and the psalmist celebrates the good gifts God has given. John 6:22-35 details a conversation that follows the feeding of the 5,000, where Jesus explains that he himself is the bread of life – spiritual sustenance for all.