A Moment for Mission
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings. —Exodus 3:7, NRSV
Did you know The United Methodist Church has been a part of the labor movement throughout history and is committed to fairness and justice in the workplace?
In the early 20th century, the church was working to end child labor. And in the 1950s, during our country’s civil rights movement, we were fighting for fair wages and better working conditions. We were dedicated to fairness and justice in the workplace then, and we still are today.
When John Wesley founded the Methodist movement during the 18th century, there was no “labor movement” the way we’d understand it today. But Wesley preached to and cared for coal miners and other oppressed workers. He also opposed slavery. After Wesley died, his followers continued to work against workplace injustices in rapidly industrializing England, adopting the first Social Creed in 1908, that dealt exclusively with labor practices.
Working from its headquarters in the only nongovernmental building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., USA, the General Board of Church and Society focuses on Scripture, The Social Principles and The Book of Resolutions as its core documents.
Children’s Message
Tell the story of Exodus 3:1-15: God had a special job for Moses. God wanted him to go back to Egypt and help the Israelite people who were enslaved there. God had seen their suffering and wanted to set them free. He wanted to bring fairness and justice to their lives.
Moses was scared and didn’t know if he could do what God was asking. But God reassured him, saying, “I will be with you. I will give you the words to speak, and together, we will lead the people to a better place.”
It took a lot of convincing and hard times, but Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go. Moses led them out of Egypt and toward a land of freedom.
Moses fought for fairness and justice for people who were forced to work without pay under the terrible conditions of slavery. The United Methodist Church has a long history of standing up for what is right. They believe that everyone, no matter where they work, should be treated with respect and fairness.
In the early 20th century, the church worked to end child labor, ensuring that children had the opportunity to go to school and play like you do. During the civil rights movement in the 1950s, the church fought for fair pay and safety for people of all races.
God cares about fairness and justice. Just as God called Moses to fight for the freedom and rights of the Israelites, The United Methodist Church continues to work to ensure a safe and healthy work environment, fair pay, and the opportunity for people to provide for themselves and their families.
Offertory Prayer (From Discipleship Ministries)
God of power and might: We, like Peter, struggle with the image of a savior sent to suffer and die. We may seem to be doing great in following Christ, but we too stumble at this point. Perhaps we stumble because we know that what follows is Christ’s call to us to deny ourselves and pick up a cross of our own in order to follow. As we bring gifts for the work of building your kingdom, help us to learn to deny, carry and follow. In Christ’s holy name, we pray. Amen (Matt 16:21-28).
Newsletter Nugget
Did you know The United Methodist Church has been a part of the labor movement throughout history and is committed to fairness and justice in the workplace? The Board of Church and Society leads and challenges United Methodists to pray, study and work in areas of social concern like workplace justice. Consider lifting up this prayer on Labor Day weekend:
A Blessing for Workers and All Seeking Work
Blessed are you, ever-creating God,
in your image, our lives are made;
in your glory, we offer all the work of our hearts and hands and minds.
Blessed are you, O God, now and forever!
Blessed are you whose work is repaid,
for by your work, and by the payment you receive
your lives and the lives of others around you and around the world are blessed.
We thank God for you day by day.
Blessed are you whose work is unpaid,
who offer what you can to enrich the lives of others,
through time, talents, skill, strength and love.
We praise God for your generous labor!
Blessed are you who seek work but have not found it,
or whose work now is not yet what it may be
yet still you seek, that your gifts may be shared more fully.
We praise God for your diligent seeking and pray you may soon find!
Yours is the glory in their labors.
Yours be the glory in all our lives, in Jesus’s name. Amen.