A Moment for Mission
“Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me. I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.”— John 17:25-26, CEB
In these closing words of His prayer, Jesus reveals the heartbeat of His mission: making the Father known, so that His love might live in us. It is a vision of discipleship not rooted in status or superiority, but in relationship—authentic, transforming, and everlasting.
United Methodist Men (UMM) live into this sacred calling by helping men and scouts around the world meet, know, and serve Jesus Christ. Like Christ, who made God’s name known so that others would experience divine love, UMM’s ministry points people beyond themselves—to the Lord who sends, loves, and dwells among us.
Jesus acknowledges in His prayer, “the world didn’t know you,” but He is not deterred. He continues, “I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known.” This is the posture of UMM: persistent, purposeful, and Christ-centered. Their leadership model is not about dominance or self-glory, but about service, mentorship, and spiritual growth—mirroring the humility and compassion of Christ.
Through the Men’s Ministry Specialist program, UMM equips leaders who carry this same desire to make God known. They serve as resources, promoters, communicators, and connectors in local churches and beyond—motivating others to grow in faith and lead with integrity. In doing so, they answer Jesus’ prayer: making God known so that others might come to believe and abide in divine love.
UMM’s Scouting Ministry echoes this mission as well. They receive youth and families as they are, just as Jesus received us. Then, through nurturing relationships and Christ-centered guidance, they send these individuals back into their communities—equipped to love, serve, and lead. This is the ripple effect of discipleship Jesus envisioned: love passed on until communities reflect the justice and mercy of God.
The love Jesus speaks of in John 17 is not passive—it’s active, multiplying, and world-changing. United Methodist Men embody this love by serving not just with words, but with lives committed to lifting others up. It is through this kind of leadership—rooted in humility, relationship, and faith—that communities thrive, and God’s name is made known.
How can you embody Christ’s love today? Maybe it’s through volunteering in a youth program, supporting a Scouts group or simply praying for those preparing for ministry and service. Whatever it looks like, let your actions reflect the love of Jesus, so that the world may see the love of God through us.
Children’s Message
Title: Mirroring God’s Love Like Jesus
Materials: A small mirror
Good morning, friends! I brought something special with me today. Can you see what it is? (Hold up the mirror and let the children answer.)
Yes! It’s a mirror. What do mirrors do? (Let them respond.)
Right—they show us a reflection. When you look in a mirror, you see you looking back!
Did you know that Jesus wants us to be like mirrors, too? In the Bible, Jesus said He came to show us what God is like. He said, “I made your name known... so that your love will be in them.” That means Jesus came to show us God’s love, and now He wants us to show that love to other people—like a mirror reflects light!
There’s a group in our church called United Methodist Men. Can you say that with me? United Methodist Men!
They help men and boys learn how to live like Jesus—by being kind, helping others, and loving everyone. They even help Scouts and kids learn to be strong and caring leaders.
They don’t try to be big bosses—they try to serve and help, just like Jesus did. When they do good things, they are like mirrors, showing the love of God to the world.
And you know what? You can be a mirror too! Every time you share, help a friend, or say a prayer, you’re showing God’s love—just like Jesus wants us to.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for Jesus, who shows us who You are. Help us be like mirrors, showing Your love to others. Thank You for the United Methodist Men and all they do to help people know and serve You. Let Your love be seen through us every day and mirror your love like Jesus did when He was here. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for making the Father’s love known to us. Thank You for calling us into a life of service and connection. As we bring our gifts before You today—our offerings, our talents, our time, and our commitment—we do so with grateful hearts. Bless the ministry of United Methodist Men and all who seek to serve others through leadership, mentoring, and faithful discipleship.
May these gifts extend Your name into our communities, just as Christ prayed—those others may come to know You, and that Your love may be in them, and Christ Himself within us all. Use what we offer to build relationships, grow leaders, and transform hearts. In the name of Jesus, who continues to make You known, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Transforming God, we have come to your house as children.
The Table is ever-growing
And we revel in your gifts for us.
Receive our simple offerings,
That they may be used to faithfully serve in building your kin-dom come.
Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me... so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.” — John 17:25-26, CEB
In John 17:25-26, we hear an intimate prayer from Jesus, voicing His deepest hope: that we would know God fully and reflect His love boldly in the world. As United Methodists, we seek to live into that hope—not alone, but together—through ministries that embody Christ’s love in action. One of those ministries is United Methodist Men (UMM), who help men and scouts around the world meet, know, and serve Jesus Christ. Through mentoring, leadership training, and community outreach, UMM mirrors Christ’s servant-hearted love. Their mission isn’t about status—it’s about service. Whether guiding youth through the Scouting Ministry or equipping leaders through the Men’s Ministry Specialist program, UMM is a living witness to Jesus’ prayer: making God’s name known through action, compassion, and connection.
The love Jesus speaks of is not quiet—it moves, it builds, it changes lives. UMM reminds us that when we invest in others, communities grow stronger and faith becomes contagious.
Join us in worship as we celebrate and support each other as we boldly share God’s love in all we do.