MISSION MOMENT
“Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed. Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!” Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” When they got into the boat, the wind settled down. Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”— Matthew 14:22-33 (CEB)
In Matthew 14, the disciples found themselves in the middle of a storm. The wind was strong, the waves were rough, and fear began to take hold. Then Jesus came walking toward them on the water saying, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27, CEB)
Peter answered Jesus with courage and faith: “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replied with one simple word: “Come.”
Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking toward Jesus. For a moment, Peter focused completely on Christ. But when fear and uncertainty distracted him, he began to sink. Even then, Jesus immediately reached out his hand and helped him.
This scripture reminds us that faith often begins with taking a step toward Jesus, even when we feel uncertain or afraid. It also reminds us that we are never asked to walk alone.
That truth is deeply connected to the ministry of the Youth Service Fund in The United Methodist Church.
The Youth Service Fund helps empower, equip, and give voice to young people in the life and leadership of the church. Through this ministry, youth and young adults are encouraged to step out in faith, use their gifts, share their voices, and participate in ministry throughout the denomination.
Many people may not fully understand how The United Methodist Church functions. At its heart, our connectional system is a covenant to walk together so that no congregation carries ministry alone. Through connectional giving, churches join their prayers, resources, ministries, and leadership together to help people experience the love of Christ.
When churches support ministries like the Youth Service Fund, they help young people discover that they are not too young to lead, serve, pray, worship, or answer God’s call. Just as Jesus invited Peter to step out onto the water, The United Methodist Church creates opportunities for young people to step forward in faith and leadership.
Every gift tells a story, and every story can begin with the ministry we share together through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, witness and giving. When we support the Youth Service Fund, our gifts join with others across the connection to strengthen ministries serving young people we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
In the middle of life’s storms, Jesus still says, “Come.” Through connectional ministry, The United Methodist Church helps young people step out in faith knowing they are surrounded by a church walking beside them.
Reflection Question:
How might God be calling you to encourage, support, or walk beside young people as they step forward in faith and leadership?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Step Out With Jesus
Materials: A small toy boat or paper boat, blue blanket or sheet, and a toy figure
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you! Today I brought a little boat with me. (Hold up the boat.)
In our Bible story today, Jesus’ friends were in a boat during a big storm. The wind was blowing hard, and the water was rough. The disciples felt scared. Have you ever been scared before? (Pause for answers.)
Maybe it was dark outside. Maybe you were nervous on your first day somewhere new. Maybe you felt afraid to try something hard.
The disciples felt afraid too. Then they saw Jesus walking on the water! Jesus said: “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter wanted to go to Jesus, so Jesus said, “Come.” (Place the toy person outside the boat.)
Peter stepped out of the boat and started walking toward Jesus. At first Peter did great! But then Peter became afraid and started to sink. Do you know what Jesus did? Jesus reached out and helped him right away. Jesus did not leave Peter alone.
That reminds me of how the church works together too. In The United Methodist Church, churches help one another. We share, pray, give, and work together so people can learn about Jesus. One thing we do as a church is for a special fund called the Youth Service Fund that helps young people learn, lead, serve, and share about Jesus.
Some children and youth help lead worship. Some help serve meals. Some sing. Some pray. Some help other people know they are loved by God. When churches give together, they help young people step out in faith, just like Peter stepped out of the boat.
And the wonderful thing is this: young people are important in God’s church right now — not just when they grow up.
Jesus calls every one of us to trust him, help others, and share God’s love.
This week, when you feel nervous, remember Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid.” And when you see someone else feeling lonely or scared, you can help them too.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us and helping us when we are afraid. Help us trust you and follow you. Thank you for all the young people in the church. Help us share your love with others every day. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, in the midst of life’s storms, you call us to trust you and step forward in faith. Bless these gifts given to support the Youth Service Fund and the shared ministries of The United Methodist Church. Through our connectional giving, unite our gifts with others across the church to encourage, equip, and strengthen young people in ministry and leadership. May every gift become part of your story of hope, courage, discipleship, and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Faithful God, we lift our voices and our gifts in grateful memory of your saving work. You call us to sing of your goodness and to remember your wonders, even when the way forward is hidden from view. As Joseph was used for life in a time of scarcity, so use these offerings for hope and healing in a hungry world. Make us instruments of your purpose—seeds of justice, salt of compassion, and signs of your steadfast love. Receive what we bring as praise made tangible, and send us out as a people who remember, who trust, and who sing of your deliverance in every season. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In Matthew 14:22–33, Jesus calls Peter to step out of the boat and trust him in the middle of the storm. That same invitation to faith and courage continues through the Youth Service Fund in The United Methodist Church. This ministry helps empower, equip, and encourage young people as they grow in discipleship and leadership across the church. Through connectional giving, our gifts join with others to strengthen ministries serving youth and young adults throughout the connection.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate how God is calling young people to step forward in faith, leadership, and ministry together.