Moment for Mission
"May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!" —Psalm 29:11, NRSV
Today is Peace with Justice Sunday. It is a day The United Methodist Church has set aside to focus our attention on our call to be peacemakers in the world. Seeking a peace that is beyond a freedom from conflict, rather we seek to join in God's work of bringing about Shalom, or the wholeness that God intended in creation. Peace with Justice Sunday is on the first Sunday after Pentecost as "Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of God's Spirit, calling for God's Shalom."
The ministry of Peace with Justice includes global and local projects. Peace with Justice grants have been used to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, provide immigration education and advocacy, develop leaders among Native American communities, fund anti-racism projects and create political advocacy programs for vulnerable populations.
Our special gifts to the Peace with Justice offering equip the church to fulfill God's call for us to proclaim the good news to the poor, to care for the widows, orphans and for the least of these. It is work that requires strength, patience and endurance. It is work that we must continue to do together, empowered by the Holy Spirit and among the gathered community of saints. When we give generously on Peace with Justice Sunday we ensure this important work is carried out. Our gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday demonstrate our faithful commitment to Shalom.
Offertory Prayer
Author of Life, Pour out your Spirit upon us that we might be moved to act boldly with generosity in the pursuit of Shalom. May our gifts move us closer to reconciliation and the wholeness that was intended for the earth and all its people. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: First Sunday After Pentecost/ in Kingdomtide – Trinity Sunday – Holy Lord, the whole earth is full of your glory! We are in awe of your majesty. In great kindness, you reveal yourself as the One who forgives us. You give us gifts and invite us to go into the world to tell your good news. Help us to respond in faith and go where you lead us each day. We dedicate our gifts so that our community will draw closer to you. Amen. (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Newsletter Nugget
Peace with Justice Sunday will be celebrated on May 27, 2018. Peace with Justice Sunday is one of our six church-wide special offerings collected annually. The funds received go toward funding special projects and programs that promote peace and justice. Peace with Justice Sunday is traditionally observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit is being poured out, calling people together into God's Shalom, or peace. The word Shalom has so many more layers than our English translation, peace, communicates. The Hebrew word Shalom means wholeness, or completeness, and is also associated with perfection and well-being.
Peace with Justice grants go to ministries that embody this full understanding of Shalom. These grants go toward ministries that promote the well-being of all of God's people, particularly those who are most vulnerable to oppression, discrimination and poverty. Our generous gifts on Peace with Justice Sunday allow us to be faithful in our call to honor human dignity and promote justice that will lead us to true peace.