A Moment for Mission
“The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” — Psalm 19:9b-11, NRSVUE
UMCOR Sunday is March 10. The United Methodist Committee on Relief responders are spread out across the world and they start work when they are most needed, wherever they are.
For example, in Israel and Gaza, partners are using funds for relocation support, food and hygiene kits for internally displaced people, psychosocial treatment and trauma counseling to women and children and telemedicine services for disabled children in need of follow-up care but without safe access to a clinic.
In the US, some conferences repeatedly hit by major weather disasters begin their response with grants and training from UMCOR before a disaster strikes. UMCOR project grants also provide the long-term case management that UMCOR is known for; the last leave a recovery site, even years after a major disaster strikes.
UMCOR has the means to respond because people support the UMCOR Sunday special offering.
Adapted from UMCOR—COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE IN THE WAKE OF DISASTER.
Children’s Message
Psalm 19
Today is the third Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time when we think about how to turn our hearts to be more like Jesus. Today, we hear in the psalm, “The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”
Following what God asks of us is the most important thing we can do. It is more important than any amount of money. Jesus taught us that loving God and loving people is the most important of God’s rules.
One of the ways that we take care of people is through a special team called UMCOR, which stands for United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR helps people and communities whose lives have been disrupted by disasters like storms or war. They receive money from United Methodist Christians like us who want to join in their efforts.
As we think about how to turn our hearts to be more like Jesus, we can be encouraged by supporting UMCOR. We can think about how to love God and God’s people by helping those who are dealing with difficult situations.
Prayer
Holy healing God, honoring you is worth more than gold and sweeter than honey. Thank you for sending Jesus to show us how to serve you by loving our neighbors through ministries like the United Methodist Committee on Relief. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart, and work of our hands be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
Offertory Prayer: Discipleship Ministries
Generous God, all we have comes from you and has been given to us as stewards that we might live and love as your beloved children. As we bring our gifts this morning, we realize what a small portion they are compared to what you have given to us. As we have sought ways to fund church ministry without raising our level of sacrifice, forgive us. If there have been times when we unconsciously favored reaching those with more assets to give and overlooked those who live and struggle with little, forgive us. Guide us in the path of repentance. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (John 2:13-22)
Newsletter Nugget
“The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” —Psalm 19:9b-11, NRSVUE
UMCOR Sunday is March 10. Your support ensures that UMCOR can provide relief, response and long-term recovery grants.
For example, the war in Ukraine forced Tatiana and her seven-year-old daughter to flee their home. Eventually, Tatiana was connected with an UMCOR-IOCC supported Eleos-Ukraine shelter in the Chernivtsi region in the eastern Carpathians.
“Everything was different from the hotel,” says Tatiana. “Good infrastructure, a clean room and staff who always listen to you and try to solve your problems.”
After receiving medical checkups and legal consultation, the pair qualified for state social assistance. Tatiana found a job and her daughter was placed in a nearby school. “Lots of people we don’t know care about us and want to help,” says Tatiana.
When you give generously to support UMCOR Sunday, you embody compassion and you shine God’s light into the shadows as a beacon of hope.