A Moment for Mission
“We have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” — Colossians 1:9, NRSV
Clark L. Perryman was a young man when his dad, United Methodist communicator Leonard M. Perryman, died in 1983. As a boy, Clark said, he had cherished one-on-one time with his father, “skipping rocks by the edge of the Hudson River, playing chess or delivering the Bergen Record on Sunday mornings.”
Shortly before cancer claimed Leonard’s life, the two shared a dinner and good conversation.
“Dad and I were able to talk candidly about his health, our hopes and our fears,” Clark said. “It meant a great deal to me to express what I was feeling, and to hear him open up about his feelings. The memory of that dinner will always stay with me.”
Today, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students continues to honor the journalist’s memory.
“As long as I can remember,” Clark said, “Dad had a strong belief in equal rights for racial minorities. Dad also had a strong belief in the value of education, as well as a love for his chosen profession, journalism.
“A scholarship that helps a student begin or continue their journalism education will create ever-greater representation of minorities in the profession,” he said, “enhancing their influence in society. Providing scholarships to ethnic minority journalism students is the best way to marry all of these factors and to keep Dad’s memory alive.”
Through World Service Special Gifts, United Methodists support the Perryman scholarship and other life-changing opportunities. Thank you!
Children’s Message
Props: mortarboard hat or textbook
What is this? After children answer, reply, “This is a graduation cap” or “This textbook explains new things.”
What do you like best about going to school? Making new friends? Learning to read?
Going to school is fun for many reasons. We learn new things and make new friends. You might discover that you love learning about animals and decide to become a veterinarian one day. Or you might find you love learning and helping others, so you want to be a teacher when you grow up.
Have you ever heard of a place called college? That’s where grownups study for many jobs—doctors, lawyers, teachers, chefs … the list goes on and on! God made each of us unique and loves us very much.
Let’s say a prayer together: Dear God, thank you for making each of us special and sharing your love with us. Help us to show others your love as we work, learn and play together. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, our generous gifts change lives. As we share, we pray that those who receive will be enriched. Fill us with spiritual wisdom and understanding. We love you. Amen.
From Disciple Ministries: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost — Holy God, source of all good things, we ask that the gifts we offer to you this day would be dedicated to bringing your kin-dom of love, justice, and compassion into being in our midst. We acknowledge that when this service is over, it will be tempting to put our blinders back on, keep our focus on what’s right in front of us, and not see that which is all around us. Help us to see both the beauty of your caring and the ugliness of our indifference. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen. (Amos 7:7-17)
Newsletter Nugget
Are you interested in furthering education at home and around the globe? Preventing and fighting the addiction of gambling? Nurturing lay missionaries in their vocation? A World Service Special Gift may be the perfect way for you to share your blessings.
World Service Specials are official programs within The United Methodist Church through which support may be designated for projects approved by the General Conference and, in the interim, by the General Council on Finance and Administration and the Connectional Table. Gifts may be made by individuals, local churches, organizations, districts or annual conferences.
Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
Receipts have ranged from more than $1.2 million in 2018 to nearly $900,000 in 2021. To learn more, go to World Service Special Gifts | The United Methodist Church (umc.org).