A Moment for Mission
“But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” —Mark 10:31, NRSVUE.
The Rev. Michael Vollmer, graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, reflects on God’s persistent and patient call on his life and ministry.
I felt a call to work in God’s ministry from an early age, but I never understood what I was experiencing. I made excuses for why it was not a good time for that kind of transition, or I worried about the financial impact of such a change. So I pushed it out of my mind and tried to bury it. But, just like managing grief, that tactic proved ineffective after some time.
I began to see more clearly where God wanted me to be active, which was helping to make the church a welcoming space for everyone and create opportunities for even our youngest people to be involved in worship and other activities.
Growing up, I never felt like I mattered in the church or to the church, and now I never want anyone, especially children, ever to have that kind of experience. Our children and youth are not just the church’s future; they are also the present and should be invited to participate in the worship service beyond just the traditional “children’s sermon” time. Read more.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of The United Methodist Church.
Children’s Message
There's a story in the Bible about a rich young ruler. This story is in Mark 10:17-31. One day, a man asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. Jesus told him to follow the commandments. The man said he already did. So Jesus said, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
(Hold up bag of play coins) But the man was very sad because he had a lot of money and didn’t want to give it up. He loved his money more than following Jesus. If you had this bag of coins, would it be hard to give it up?
Just like you go to school to learn about math and reading, there are special schools where people learn how to teach others about Jesus. These people are called ministers. The United Methodist Church has something called the Ministerial Education Fund. This fund helps pay for these schools and training for our pastors.
(Hold up bag of coins) When we share our coins through this fund, we help churches be blessed with pastors like (name your pastor(s)) who teach us all about Jesus and help us grow in our faith.
Prayer
God of love, we thank you for those who have heard your call to teach and preach your good news. Open our hearts and move us to share out of the gifts we have received from you. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of sharing your story of love and redemption with the world around us. Amen.
Offertory Prayer: Discipleship Ministries
Gracious God, you are our provider and sustainer. We bring our gifts today, mindful of your abundant love and mercy. As we offer these tithes and offerings, we ask that you remind us of the call to let go of our earthly attachments and follow you wholeheartedly. Bless these gifts and use them to further your kingdom on earth, so that all may experience your grace and love. May our giving reflect our trust in you and our commitment to serve others. In Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” —Mark 10:31, NRSVUE
The Rev. Lou Whitmer didn’t follow a traditional path to ministry, graduating from college and then going on to seminary. In fact, she didn’t even apply to Garrett-Evangelical’s Course of Study Program until she was in her early fifties.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of The United Methodist Church.
In about the sixth grade, Whitmer had what she referred to “as one of the most informative experiences.” One evening, as she sat around a campfire at Wesley Acres Bible Camp, Whitmer said she felt God’s presence and realized, “God really does love me.”
As an adult, she worked as a church organist, a job she kept for 31 years; an office manager in a doctor’s office; and later as a gift shop owner and an administrative assistant for the music department at Minot State University. One summer day in 2006 as she was waiting for something to come out of the printer, she said aloud, “I am going to go into the ministry.”
Just a few months later, she accepted an appointment in Kimball, South Dakota, a town of about 350 people. “I knew in the deepest part of myself that this was the path,” she said. “This was what I needed to be doing.” Read more.
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.