MISSION MOMENT
“So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So, the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God. But you aren’t self-centered. Instead, you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him. If Christ is in you, the Spirit is your life because of God’s righteousness, but the body is dead because of sin. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.”—Romans 8:1-11 (CEB)
In Romans 8:1-11, we hear a promise that changes everything: “So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Paul goes on to speak of life in the Spirit—a life not bound by fear or limitation, but shaped by freedom, hope, and new possibility.
This is not just a personal promise. It is a shared one.
In The United Methodist Church, that shared life in the Spirit takes shape through the way we live, serve, and give together. One expression of that shared calling is The Advance, often called the church’s “second mile” of giving. Through The Advance, United Methodists support specific missions, projects, and ministries through designated gifts. These gifts are personal, intentional, and direct—each one responding to the movement of the Spirit in our lives.
But Paul reminds us that life in the Spirit is never lived alone. It is lived in connection.
That connection is sustained through shared commitments like the World Service Fund, which supports general agencies such as the General Board of Global Ministries. Through this fund, Global Ministries equips, supports, and administers The Advance. Without it, there would be far less support and hope for those experiencing crisis. Because this work is funded through apportionments, 100% of gifts given to Advance projects can go directly to their intended ministry.
This is what it means to walk together. This is what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ—each of us working together.
At the heart of The UMC structure is something deeply simple: giving is a covenant. Through connectional giving, we ensure that no congregation carries ministry alone. Our gifts—both shared and designated—are joined with others, strengthening ministries that serve people we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
On July 12, International Day of Hope invites us to reflect on the power of hope in a hurting world. The Advance is one way that hope becomes tangible. A well is built. A community is restored. A life is changed. These are not distant ideas—they are the fruit of a Church living in the Spirit Paul describes.
Every gift tells a story. And every story can begin with the impact we make through our giving. In Christ, we are set free—not just to believe, but to participate. To give. To connect. To bring hope to life, together.
Reflection Question:
Where is the Spirit inviting you to move from receiving hope to helping create it through your giving?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Held up by Hope
Materials: A child-sized floatation device (arm floaties or small life ring)
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today! Do you know what these are? (Hold up floaties or life ring)
That’s right—these help you in the water! If you’re learning to swim, these help hold you up so you don’t sink. They help you feel safe, and they help you keep going. They give you that extra help so you can keep your head above the water and breathe.
Why is that important? (Pause) That’s right—we can’t breathe underwater like fish can!
Now, listen to this. In today’s Bible story, the disciple Paul tells us that God gives us something very special—God’s Spirit. And God’s Spirit helps us, just like these floaties. Sometimes life can feel a little hard. Maybe we feel unsure, or we don’t know what to do. But God doesn’t leave us alone. God’s Spirit helps hold us up. God’s Spirit gives us life, and hope, and makes us strong.
And here’s something really important—just like these floaties help us, we can help others.
In our church, we have something called The Advance. It is a special way each of us can help people who need help. When we give to this ministry, it is like helping someone stay above water, just like these floaties help us float on top of the water. And the best part is that our money goes to help people right when they need it. So that would be like throwing a float right at the person in the water that needs it exactly when they need help swimming. When we give, we help someone feel safe, cared for, and full of hope.
This week, remember that God’s Spirit is always holding us up. And because God is so good, he can help us to help each other feel safe, cared for and full of hope. Let’s share how God loves everyone. You never know that it may help someone stay afloat this week.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for holding us up when we need help. Thank you for your Spirit that gives us hope. Help us to care for others and share what we have. Use our gifts to help people feel safe and loved.
We love you. Thank you for Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of life and hope, in Christ you have set us free and filled us with your Spirit. As we give today, we remember that we do not give alone. Through the Advance Giving Channel, and through the support of the General Board of Global Ministries by the World Service Fund, our gifts become part of a shared covenant. Join what we offer with others across The United Methodist Church, bringing hope to those in need. May every gift tell a story of your love in action. In Christ’s name, Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Living God, you meet us this day with grace that frees and a Spirit that gives life. You tell us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and we cling to that good news with grateful hearts. As we bring these gifts, we set our minds on you—not on fear or self-interest, but on the life and peace you promise. Shape us by your Spirit to live generously, to seek the good of our neighbors, and to share in your work of healing and reconciliation. Receive these offerings as signs of our attention being fixed on Christ and our lives opened to your renewing power. We give thanks; we give ourselves, and we trust your Spirit to lead us into abundant life. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
Romans 8:1–11 (CEB) reminds us that life in Christ is life in the Spirit—marked by freedom, hope, and connection. In The United Methodist Church, the Advance Giving Channel offers a way to live out that calling through designated giving. Supported by the General Board of Global Ministries—through the World Service Fund—The Advance ensures that 100% of gifts go directly to the ministries they support. Every gift tells a story of hope made real through shared mission.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we explore how giving through The Advance helps us share hope together.