A Moment for Mission
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” — Luke 4:18, NRS
When you give to a charitable cause, do you ever wonder how much of your contribution actually goes to the people in need? How much of your gift pays for advertising? A recent study showed that, on average, two-thirds of most charitable donations benefits the actual cause and one-third supports fundraising efforts.
The Advance is different. This accountable, designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church ensures that 100% of each gift is used for the program, ministry or missionary the giver designates. Administrative costs are covered by other sources.
Since 1948, the Advance has fulfilled both physical and spiritual needs through a variety of partnerships worldwide to reach mutual goals that make life-changing and long-lasting impacts.
An official program of The United Methodist Church for voluntary, designated, second-mile giving, the Advance allows United Methodist annual conferences, districts, local churches and organizations, as well as individuals and families, to choose to support mission programs or mission personnel. Each Advance project has been approved by Global Ministries and Advance staff to ensure that it aligns with the goals of The United Methodist Church in the local area, develops mutually advantageous partnerships, tells the story of projects and missionaries, and reports how giving is making an impact.
Check out the Advance e-catalog to learn more about our areas of impact, see where we work and find a full list of projects and missionaries.
Adapted from General Board of Global Ministries website
Children’s Message
Have you ever met a missionary? A missionary is someone who shares God’s love, not just with words, but also through actions.
In The United Methodist Church, more than 300 missionaries serve around the world. We help support their work through a special fund called the Advance. But that’s not all.
Our gifts through the Advance also feed hungry people, heal the sick, respond after natural disasters, reach out to communities, build wells, welcome refugees, educate children and youth, care for the earth and encourage us to include all of God’s children – not just the ones who look and think as we do.
Everyone can be a missionary. We serve God every time we tell others about Jesus and show his love through our actions.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, through the Advance, help us to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to free the oppressed. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Third Sunday after the Epiphany — God who created us, as we gather to worship you, we are conscious that we are all one body in Christ. When one part of the body is hurting, the whole body is wounded; when healing happens, the whole body is blessed. May our giving this morning bring love to the parts of Christ’s body that are feeling unloved and forgotten; and may it bring justice and mercy to those parts that are oppressed and burdened. In our giving, may we find the joy of blessing the whole body of Christ. In his holy name, we pray. Amen. (1 Corinthians 12:12-31a)
Newsletter Nugget
The Advance, an accountable, voluntary-giving platform, supports the worldwide mission of The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
You can join the Advance in making a difference in the lives of people across the globe by learning about physical and spiritual needs, praying for God’s peace and love to be present, serving neighbors near and far, sharing information and encouraging others to respond, and giving generously to support vital ministry work.
More than 300 missionaries and 600 projects transform the world through work in hunger and poverty, disaster response and recovery, global health, community development, volunteers, water and sanitation, women and children, missionaries, migration, racial and ethnic ministries, education, scholarships, sustainable development, creation care, and evangelism and church growth.
Relationships are at the core of the Advance. Life-changing partnerships and connections allow people to answer God’s call to serve in communities all over the world.
Your Advance gifts make a difference. Thank you!
Adapted from “What Difference Does It Make?” Advance catalog