A Moment for Mission
Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard in me, and the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:9
Laity Sunday is a Sunday set aside in The United Methodist Church to celebrate all those lay people who have answered the call to use their gifts in ministry serving the church and the world. The laity in our churches play vital roles in the life of the church. There is much work to be done and the work belongs to all the church. It takes all the parts to keep the body of Christ moving! Some of the work is in leading, administrating and teaching. Some of the work is in hospitality, welcome and outreach. We celebrate Laity Sunday because we hope those engaged in all types of work will keep doing the things they have done as a response to God's call to action. Another aim is the hope that others will hear that God has placed within each one of us gifts and abilities to be used as we, the church, participate in the action of God in the world.
In The United Methodist Church, laity are not only serving and using their gifts in the local church, they are also participating in the work of the church across the globe. We support the work of the Global Ministries of the church through our apportionments to the World Service Fund. These generous gifts strengthen the work of our lay leaders in the areas of discipleship and mission.
Offertory Prayer
God of Love, We are grateful for the laity serving and leading among us this day. We pray that all would hear the call to use the gifts they have received in your service. Grant that we are generous in our encouragement of those who serve and in our giving to uphold the ministries of our church. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost / Laity Sunday - God of peace, you are righteous and loving. Thank you for intervening in history to make a covenant relationship with your people, Israel. We are grateful that you welcome all who seek you through your Son, Jesus. Today we remember that you call women, like Euodia and Syntyche, and men, like Clement and Paul, to spread the gospel. Let your peace guard our hearts and minds in Christ, so that we may work together in harmony to do your will. We present these tithes and our offerings to strengthen our church's ministries in Jesus' name. Amen. (Philippians 4:1-9)
Newsletter Nugget
Laity Sunday celebrates the laity of the church, those who are involved in ministry who are not clergy. In The United Methodist Church we believe all people are called to participate in proclaiming and demonstrating God's love in the world. Lay people serve as Sunday School teachers, church administrators, choir members, youth and children's ministry workers, as well as countless other roles in our churches.
More formal ways for laity to serve in ministry and mission include participation in Lay Servant Ministries. Lay servant ministries trains and equips lay people to teach, lead and serve others through a number of basic and advanced courses. Lay servants taking courses are able to become certified. These ministry leaders strengthen the work of the church.
Whether serving the church locally or globally lay people play important roles as they follow the call to use their gifts and abilities in proclaiming and demonstrating the love of God. These Global Ministries of the church are supported by our generous gifts to the World Service Fund.