Moment for Mission
"And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." — Ephesians 1:22-23
This Sunday, we celebrate All Saints' Day, a day set aside to honor those who have paved the way of faith for us. We celebrate saints from the distant past, founding church mothers and fathers and defenders of the faith throughout the centuries, alongside those saints who have taught us to pray, shared with us the scripture, and walked beside us as we have grown in our faith.
Our United Methodist Communion Liturgy reminds us of our connection with one another, these saints of earth and saints that have gone on to glory, "and so with your people on earth and all the company in heaven, we praise in their unending hymn…"
While we celebrate once a year, this connection is one we carry with us always. We are reminded of that connection on All Saints' Day and through our giving together to the World Service Fund in our apportioned giving.
The World Service Fund continues the legacy of saints past while equipping the saints of today. When we give to the World Service Fund, we are giving to build new churches, prepare clergy for ministry and support our lay leaders and missionaries, growing disciples through Bible studies and youth ministry leadership. By giving to the World Service Fund, we are carrying out the work of the body of Christ.
Offertory Prayer
God, we thank you for the gift of the church, of believers living and serving together in love. Inspire us to continue acting as your body in this world you have created in word, in deed and in giving toward the work of your church. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost/ in Kingdomtide (All Saints Sunday) - O Lord of hosts, we marvel at your faithfulness. You keep your promise to remain with us by your Holy Spirit. Help us to trust you in every difficulty. Empower us to share the good news of your abiding presence with our neighbors and friends. Accept our offerings, building up this community of faith so that we may serve others with the love of Jesus. We pray in his name. Amen. (Haggai 1:15b-2:9)
Newsletter Nugget
There is a Greek Proverb that says, "Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they will never sit in."
There have been many saints, men and women, who have done this work of planting seeds of faith by making the Good News of Jesus heard and known. Saints are those who live out their faith in Christ by serving others in word and deed.
On All Saints' Sunday, we celebrate the church mothers and fathers across the centuries alongside those saints who are at work today planting seeds of faith.
One of the ways that we support the legacy of the saints before us is by continuing the work of teaching and discipleship. In The United Methodist Church, we do this through our giving to the World Service Fund with our apportioned giving. Gifts to the World Service Fund help us accomplish ministry that spans across the globe and across generations as we build churches, prepare clergy and support lay leaders and missionaries.