A Moment for Mission
“I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.” —John 15:17, CEB
The Greater New Jersey Annual Conference awarded a Peace with Justice grant to YOUFirst program at The Maker’s Place, a faith-based nonprofit organization in Trenton, New Jersey. The program offers moms weekends away for respite, gathers them to make vision boards together and provides mental health support. The Maker’s Place works to mitigate adverse childhood experiences and provide a safe environment for struggling community members to talk about mental health issues and heal from their emotional wounds. They offer group workshops led by chat teams made up of psychologists, professional experts and other community leaders.
One of the denomination’s six Special Sundays with Offering, Peace with Justice Sunday is a faithful expression of shalom in the Bible. The offering benefits peace with justice ministries in the annual conferences and around the world. Half of our gifts stay with local ministries in this conference and half support the work of Church and Society globally.
Children’s Message
Peace with justice means that everyone is treated fairly and kindly, and there is no fighting or hurting one another. It’s like having a big hug of love around the whole world!
In John 15:9-17, Jesus tells us how to live in peace with justice. He says, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
Jesus wants us to love one another just like he loves us. And how does Jesus love us? He loves us with kindness, compassion and by always doing what is right and fair. He wants us to do the same for others.
This week, I wonder how you will be a peacemaker in your homes, schools and communities, spreading love and kindness wherever you go.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for teaching us how to love like Jesus. Help us to be peacemakers and bring justice to the world. Guide us in showing love and kindness to everyone we meet. Amen.
Offertory Prayer: Discipleship Ministries
God of joy, we offer our gifts this day, as we reflect on the wisdom of your Word. Jesus urges us to hold onto him, to stay connected to his example, presence and the fulfillment he brings. He reveals that our joy finds completeness when it is woven into his divine joy. Help us abide in him through love, obeying his commandment to love one another. In acts of service, healing and selfless generosity, may our joy be sustained, a shared and everlasting gift from the source of all joy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. (John 15:9-17)
Newsletter Nugget
“I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.” —John 15:17, CEB
One 2023 recipient of the Greater New Jersey Conference Peace with Justice grant is the YOUFirst program at The Maker’s Place, a faith-based nonprofit organization in Trenton, New Jersey. The goal is “to help these women grow and effect how they show up in their lives,” says executive director Callie Crowder. “If we can help them heal, they will be better.”
The Peace with Justice grant has been used to provide childcare, a balanced meal and fun and games for children while moms are getting what they need—information, care and community.
“Healing is taking place, and we have the opportunity to close open wounds,” Crowder said. “God is bringing them to the help they need.”
One of the denomination’s six Special Sundays with Offerings, Peace with Justice Sunday is a faithful expression of shalom in the Bible. The offering benefits peace with justice ministries in the annual conferences and around the world. Half of our gifts stay with local ministries in this conference and half support the work of Church and Society globally.