A Moment for Mission
“He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.” —Ruth 4:15, NRSVUE
When you got your driver’s license, did you check a little box designating you as an organ donor?
United Methodist Social Principles state the following (Par. 162.W): “We believe that organ transplantation and organ donation are acts of charity, agape love, and self-sacrifice. We recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and other tissue donation and encourage all people of faith to become organ and tissue donors as a part of their love and ministry to others in need. We urge that it be done in an environment of respect for deceased and living donors and for the benefit of the recipients and following protocols that carefully prevent abuse to donors and their families.”
The topic is so important that delegates to the 2000 United Methodist General Conference approved a new churchwide Special Sunday without offering: Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday. The preferred date—the second Sunday in November—is close to Thanksgiving and is viewed as a time to gather around the issues of life and gratitude. Congregations are encouraged to support this observance by including the topic in their worship services. The General Board of Church and Society is responsible for supervision and promotion of this Special Sunday.
Children’s Message
(Hold up a wrapped gift box.) We often give gifts to show our love and care for others. Today, we are going to talk about a very special kind of gift. But first, let’s hear what Jesus says about love in the Bible. In John 15:12-13 Jesus tells us to love each other as he has loved us. He also says that the greatest love is shown when someone gives their life for their friends.
Sometimes, we can give very special gifts that help others in amazing ways. One of the most special gifts that people sometimes give is a part of their body like a kidney to help someone who is very sick. This is called organ and tissue donation.
Organ and Tissue Donation Sunday is a special day we celebrate to remind us of the importance of sharing and caring. Just like Jesus taught us to love one another, we can show that love by helping others. Sometimes that might even mean sharing a part of the body to save someone’s life.
(Hold up a heart cut-out.) This heart reminds us of the love Jesus showed us. Today you are not being asked to share a body part, but this week, think about ways that your caring heart and helping hands can make a difference to someone else.
Prayer
A hymn for Donor Sabbath by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
God, we thank you for the families who, in saying their good-byes,
Seek to end their neighbors’ suffering, giving hope and changing lives—
And for resurrection glory, we give thanks and praises, too.
Death can never end our story, for you’ll make us whole and new.
We are made to make a difference, we are made to laugh and dance,
So we thank you for each person who receives a second chance.
For they know that life is precious; they can see another dawn.
They are blessed to be a blessing as the joy of life goes on.
Newsletter Nugget
“He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age.” —Ruth 4:15, NRSVUE
Most of us take our health and our bodies for granted. We check that little organ-donation box on our driver’s license and, most likely, forget about it. But when we, or someone we love, is in need of an organ, cornea or tissue transplant, the situation becomes personal.
That’s why Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday is so important.
One of five special days without a churchwide offering, Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday is viewed as a time for United Methodists to come together around the issues of life and thanksgiving. Congregations are encouraged to include the topic in their worship services. Worship resources are available from nonprofit donor programs in the United States.
Jesus said, “I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest” (John 10:10b CEB). Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday is an opportunity to consider new ways to follow Jesus and to help others find abundant life.
Adapted from Donate Life America website.