A Moment for Mission
“They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” —Acts 4:35, NRSVUE
The Rev. Larry Jent is of Cherokee heritage and the pastor of Grace Hartwood United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the director of Virginia UMC Native American Ministries. He reminds us, “Native people of this land did not disappear in 1492. They have been contributing to American culture before Turtle Island (North America) was called America and will continue to do so.”
On Native American Ministries Sunday, we partner with other UMC congregations in a special offering to equip and empower Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to worship and serve Jesus through honoring the Native American cultural traditions. This offering serves to remind United Methodists of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society. Like the early Christians, we bring what we have together so that it can be “distributed to each as any had need.” Half of our gifts stay with local ministries in this conference and half support the work of Native American United Methodist ministries nationally.
Children’s Message
In the Bible, in the book of Acts, there’s a wonderful story about how the early Christians shared what they had with one another. They each brought their gifts, which were then joined with other Christians’ gifts, and then those gifts were distributed to anyone who needed them. It was a beautiful way of showing love and care for one another.
We still follow this example by joining our gifts in The United Methodist Church. For example, on Native American Ministries Sunday, we come together with other congregations to offer our gifts to support Native American pastors, churches, and seminary students. Native American people have been part of this land for a long, long time, and they have always been important. They have shared their culture, their wisdom, and their love with us. Just like the early Christians, we share what we have so that everyone can have what they need.
Prayer by the Rev. Delana Taylor, local pastor from the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
You have come from afar and waited long and are wearied.
Let us sit side by side, sharing the same bread drawn from the same source;
to quiet the same hunger that makes us weak,
Then standing together let us share the same spirit, the same thoughts,
That once again draw us together in spirit and unity and peace.
Amen!
Offertory Prayer: Discipleship Ministries
Generous God, as we gather to offer our tithes and offerings, we are reminded of the words of the apostle John about the Word of life. Just as your Word brings light into our lives, may our giving be an act of generosity, a reflection of the abundance of your grace and love. We thank you for the forgiveness and grace offered through your Son, Jesus Christ, and as we give, may we also steward these gifts wisely for the betterment of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (1 John 1:1–2:2)
Newsletter Nugget
“They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” —Acts 4:35, NRSVUE
The Rev. Calvin Hill is Navajo and the senior pastor of Blackfeet United Methodist Parish in Browning, Montana. Hill mourns the loss of language and culture, yet he continues to feel called to ministry in The United Methodist Church. Part of his ministry is to educate visiting mission teams about the realities faced by Indigenous peoples. This labor of love is a generous gift from Hill and just one of many ways that Indigenous people are part of the diverse United Methodist heritage.
On Native American Ministries Sunday, we partner with other UMC congregations in a special offering to equip and empower Native American pastors, congregations and seminary students to worship and serve Jesus through honoring the Native American cultural traditions. Like the early Christians, we bring what we have together so that it can be “distributed to each as any had need.” Half of our gifts stay with local ministries in this conference and half support the work of Native American United Methodist ministries nationally.