A Moment for Mission
“The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.” —Ephesians 4:16, CEB
God works through our prayers and gifts in acts of mercy to strengthen the lives of individuals who make up the body of Christ. In every annual conference, health and welfare ministries are hard at work every day, bringing hope and healing. The Golden Cross Sunday offering assists ministries with older adults and children and families, as well as hospital pastoral care. Golden Cross Sunday is a Sunday set apart to remember our role in the healing of people in our conference.
From cradle to grave, Golden Cross ministries are the church in action. For example, in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference, nine Golden Cross ministries are touching lives with the healing hand of Jesus in a variety of ways throughout the conference. While each agency functions independently, they can do more for the Kingdom together than each can do on its own. Representatives from each ministry meet together regularly and share the joys and challenges of their work.
Check out the Golden Cross–supported health and welfare ministries in your conference. Learn about them and know that when you give, God blesses your generosity, and the lives you touch are forever changed.
Children’s Message
In the Bible, Ephesians 4:16 tells us that the church is like a big family, and each one of us is like a special part of that family. Just like how our arms, legs and hearts all work together to make our bodies strong, we work together to make our church strong!
The church has ministries for family members including older adults, children, families and young adults. These ministries bring hope and healing to people who have different needs. Today we celebrate ministries of health care with a day called Golden Cross Sunday. The church will share a special offering to help these ministries do their important work to keep physical bodies strong and well.
When we work together with love, just like the parts of our bodies, we can do incredible things for God! We give thanks for all the ways God works through us to help others. When we give and show love to others, we’re making our church and our world a better place. Thank you for being a part of God’s amazing family!
Prayer for Golden Cross Sunday from The United Methodist Book of Worship
O God, you sent your Son to be a physician, healing broken bodies and diseased minds. Bless those who are afflicted with sickness, pain, and disability. Surround with your love those who lack the full use of their limbs or their minds. Bless those who stand and watch while dear ones suffer. Bless those who care for these persons—the pastors, counselors, doctors, nurses, and others—who minister to those unable to care for themselves. And bless us as we provide hospitals, homes, and services for all those who need our help. Make us all instruments of your healing power; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.” —Ephesians 4:16, CEB
Golden Cross began in 1908 to care for individuals’ physical bodies. Methodists in Dallas, Texas, committed to providing health care to persons who could not afford it. They began to receive offerings for the expenses of the poor patients at Methodist Hospital in that city. By 1930, the concept was officially adopted throughout the predecessor denominations of The United Methodist Church.
Today, in every annual conference, health and welfare ministries are hard at work every day, bringing hope and healing. The Golden Cross Sunday offering assists ministries with older adults, children and families, as well as hospital pastoral care. Golden Cross Sunday is a Sunday set apart to remember our role in the healing of people in our conference.
For example, in the North Georgia Conference, Golden Cross ministries reach out in love to the laity who are experiencing financial difficulty due to excessive medical expenses. Through Golden Cross, United Methodists care for members of local churches in times of financial need.
Check out the Golden Cross–supported health and welfare ministries in your conference. Learn about them and know that when you give, God blesses your generosity, and the lives you touch are forever changed.