A Moment for Mission
"Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in … God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever." – Psalm 146:5-6, NRSV
When Garett Ozmer was in the fifth grade, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.
"Because of my epilepsy and the amazing pediatric neurologist that I saw monthly, I decided to major in biochemistry with a minor in neuroscience," Garett said. "My goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatric neurologist."
Today Garett is a student at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His home congregation is Faith United Methodist Church, Denton, Texas.
"My mother is American Indian," he said. "My father is the son of a retired United Methodist minister and district superintendent in the North Texas Annual Conference. Both have always instilled in me the importance of doing your best, making good choices and being a good steward of the gifts God has given you."
Garett was grateful to receive an Ethnic Scholarship, made possible by generous offerings on World Communion Sunday.
Becoming a pediatric neurologist will be a tough and exhausting journey, Garett admits. "I will need my faith because I cannot complete this on my own," he said. "Being a doctor is … about healing children who are just as scared and confused as I once was. My faith has always challenged me to give back in service. I will spend a good part of my life making sure kids feel safe and know everything is going to be OK.
"Making a difference just takes a little effort and a kind heart."
— Barbara Dunlap-Berg
Offertory Prayer
Loving God, thank you for the gift of hope. Strengthen us to remain faithful throughout our lives and to share your blessings with others. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost — Giver of all good gifts, as we present and dedicate our tithes and offerings to you, we are reminded that what is wholly ours to give is next to nothing. Our name may be on a deed, but the land is yours first. We receive a check for work performed, but the time and the strength and wisdom that helped us earn it are all gifts from your generous giving. You have trusted us to be stewards and managers of things that are ultimately yours, and we pray as we dedicate these offerings backs to you that you will find us faithful in our keeping and stewardship. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15)
Newsletter Nugget
Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, with parents who worked long hours to earn a living, Silvia Quezada found refuge at El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church.
"I pushed myself academically," she recalled, "because, as a child, I was always told that education was very important and that it would take me places."
Silvia appreciates the congregation that embraced her and her family. "The love and all the helping hands," she noted, "inspired me to lean toward social work."
Her pastor told her about the Ethnic Scholarship, made possible by generous gifts on World Communion Sunday. The scholarship, she said, "not only helped my family financially but it also helped me spiritually. It helped me build a better relationship with God and my community.
"I will strive to do everything in my power to help anyone, big or small," Silvia added. "My faith in Christ is going to guide me in the right direction."
— Barbara Dunlap-Berg