MISSION MOMENT
“Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.”— Romans 12:9-10 (CEB)
In Romans 12:9–10 (CEB), Paul offers a simple but powerful vision for Christian life: “Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.” These words remind us that faith is not only something we believe; it is something we practice through how we treat one another.
Peace and justice begin with this kind of love. When love is sincere, it moves beyond words into action. It seeks what is good for others, honors the dignity of every person, and works toward communities where fairness, compassion, and mercy are lived out each day.
This calling is at the heart of Peace with Justice Sunday, one of the six churchwide Special Sundays recognized by The United Methodist Church. This Special Sunday invites congregations to support ministries that equip communities to work for peace, fairness, and opportunity in their local contexts. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, these ministries help individuals and congregations live out the love Paul describes in Romans.
Many people may not fully understand how The United Methodist Church works, but its ministry is built on a covenant to walk together in faith. Congregations are connected through shared mission so that no church carries the work of ministry alone. Through connectional giving, local churches join their resources and their prayers to support ministries that extend far beyond their own communities.
When we give through Peace with Justice Sunday, our gifts are joined with those from congregations across the connection. Together, those gifts help support ministries that encourage peace, strengthen communities, and address the causes of injustice. Often these ministries serve people we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
This Sunday also often falls near Trinity Sunday, when the church reflects on the mystery of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons living in perfect unity and love. The life of the Trinity reminds us that faith is not lived in isolation. It is lived in relationship. The church mirrors that relational life when people care for one another and work together for the good of their neighbors.
Every gift tells a story. Sometimes that story begins with a small act of generosity. Sometimes it begins when a congregation chooses to participate in connectional giving. Over time, those gifts become part of larger stories—stories of communities strengthened, ministries supported, and people experiencing the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Paul’s words in Romans remind us that love should be genuine and active. When the church lives out that love together, it becomes a witness to God’s peace and justice in the world.
Reflection Question:
How might your generosity and your daily actions help reflect Christ’s love in ways that strengthen peace and justice in your community?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Showing Love to One Another
Materials: Two small heart shapes cut from paper
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today. I brought something with me this morning. (Hold up the paper hearts.) What shape are these? That’s right—hearts.
When we see hearts, we often think about love. Love is when we care about someone and want good things for them.
In our Bible story today, Paul tells us something important. He says, “Love each other like the members of your family.” That means we should care for one another, help one another, and treat people with kindness.
Let me ask you something. When someone falls down on the playground, what can you do? (Pause for answers.) Yes—you can help them up. You can ask if they are okay.
What if someone is feeling sad? (Pause.) You might sit with them, share a toy, or say something kind.
These are ways we show love to one another. In The United Methodist Church, we celebrate something called Peace with Justice Sunday. On this day, churches remember that loving others also means helping people who need support and working to make our communities kinder and fairer places.
When churches work together, they can help many people. They can help families, neighborhoods, and communities experience God’s love.
Every time we show kindness, help someone, or share with others, we are showing the love Paul talks about in the Bible.
And when we love one another like family, we help make the world a little more peaceful.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us. Help us love others with kindness and care. Teach us to help people who need support. Help us share your peace with the world. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, in Romans you remind us that love should be genuine and that we should honor one another as members of one family. As we bring our gifts for Peace with Justice Sunday, we remember that your church is called to work for peace, fairness, and compassion in our communities. Through the connection of The United Methodist Church, our giving joins with others to strengthen ministries that seek justice and nurture hope. Bless these offerings so they may support communities, encourage faithful action, and reflect the love of Christ in the world. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Creating God, from the beginning, you formed light out of darkness, breath from dust, and life from love. In Christ, you walked among us, and through your Spirit, you empower us still. Today, we offer our gifts—signs of our desire to partner with you in your ongoing work of creation, healing, and discipleship. Use these offerings to build communities of compassion, to welcome the stranger, and to teach your ways of justice and joy. May our giving reflect the wonder of your Triune love and our willingness to go and grow disciples in your name. Amen
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In Romans 12:9–10, Paul reminds the church to show genuine love and honor one another as members of one family. Peace with Justice Sunday, one of the six churchwide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church, invites congregations to support ministries that address injustice and strengthen communities through compassion and faithful action. Through connectional giving, churches work together so that no congregation carries ministry alone.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we reflect on how Christ calls us to live out genuine love and support ministries that strengthen peace and justice in our communities.