A Moment for Mission
“Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble.” —Psalm 91:14-15a, NRSV
In the seventh century before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Habakkuk was frustrated. He saw that people were messing up a lot. Often, life seemed very unfair. Habakkuk wanted God to fix it.
In Habakkuk 2:2, NRSV, we read God’s response: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.”
God asked Habakkuk to wait for a vision—an understanding of what needed to happen. The time was coming when things would change. While people were waiting for the vision, they were encouraged to be faithful and to continue following God. God told Habakkuk to write the vision in a way that everyone could see it.
Next Sunday we will celebrate World Communion Sunday. It’s an opportunity to support young people who have visions. One of United Methodism’s six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships and Ethnic Scholarships and enriches the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
In one of today’s lectionary readings from Psalm 91, we read that God promises to care for us. Through our generous World Communion Sunday offering, we care for others. When we give generously on World Communion Sunday, we equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be.
Children’s Message
If you were running and someone held up a sign for you to read, would you have to stop to see what it says? Probably so!
In the Bible, we read God’s words to a prophet named Habakkuk. God told Habakkuk, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it.”
Hold up an actual eye chart or a photo of one.
On World Communion Sunday, United Methodist churches support young people who have visions. We think about young United Methodist leaders who are living faithfully and who dream of helping others.
One of God’s dreams that we can share right now is to tell people how much Jesus loves them. Turn to a neighbor and say, “Jesus loves you!”
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, help us to live faithfully. Thank you for young leaders who make a difference. Thank you for Jesus, who gives us a clear vision. Help us to share your love in words and actions. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost – Gulf is Crossed — God of justice and mercy, we come to worship you this day as ones who, on the great balance scale of your creation, are more like the rich man in the Gospel story than we are Lazarus. The parable Jesus tells reminds us that the chasm between rich and poor is hard to cross in the life to come, but not so for us this day, as we strive to see God’s kingdom at work in our world. As we offer gifts today, may we do so striving to be those blessed to be a blessing. In Christ’s holy name, we pray. Amen. (Luke 16:19-31)
Newsletter Nugget
During your annual vision exam, your optometrist asks, “Would you please read the first two lines?”
The top line is easy: the letter “E.” But the assignment gets tougher as you move down the chart. Eye charts measure visual acuity by checking how well you see in comparison to other people. If you see clearly at 20 feet, you have 20/20 vision.
World Communion Sunday, celebrated on the first Sunday in October, is an opportunity to support young people who have vision. As they apply vision to the future, they create a mental picture that helps to direct their actions. Vision serves as a guide and provides a sense of purpose.
One of United Methodism’s six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God’s children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships and Ethnic Scholarships and enriches the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
Please give generously to this special offering. Thank you!