A Moment for Mission
“Just as through one human being sin came into the world, and death came through sin, so death has come to everyone, since everyone has sinned. Although sin was in the world, since there was no Law, it wasn’t taken into account until the Law came. But death ruled from Adam until Moses, even over those who didn’t sin in the same way Adam did—Adam was a type of the one who was coming. But the free gift of Christ isn’t like Adam’s failure. If many people died through what one person did wrong, God’s grace is multiplied even more for many people with the gift—of the one person Jesus Christ—that comes through grace. The gift isn’t like the consequences of one person’s sin. The judgment that came from one person’s sin led to punishment, but the free gift that came out of many failures led to the verdict of acquittal. If death ruled because of one person’s failure, those who receive the multiplied grace and the gift of righteousness will even more certainly rule in life through the one person Jesus Christ. So now the righteous requirements necessary for life are met for everyone through the righteous act of one person, just as judgment fell on everyone through the failure of one person. 19 Many people were made righteous through the obedience of one person, just as many people were made sinners through the disobedience of one person.” — Romans 5:12–19, CEB
As we begin the season of Lent, the church enters a time of reflection—an invitation to slow down, tell the truth about the world as it is, and prepare our hearts for the grace revealed in Jesus Christ. This First Sunday in Lent also falls during Black History Month, a time when we remember stories of faith shaped by endurance, hope, and trust in God’s promises across generations.
In Romans 5:12–19, the apostle Paul speaks plainly about brokenness and grace. Sin and death entered the world through one person, Adam, and affected everyone. Yet Paul is clear: God did not leave humanity there. Through Jesus Christ, grace has overflowed, bringing righteousness and life to many. “But the free gift isn’t like the offense,” Paul writes, reminding us that God’s grace is greater than sin and stronger than death (Romans 5:15, CEB).
Lent invites us to sit with this truth. We acknowledge the realities of broken systems, unequal access, and the ways sin still shapes our world. But we do not stay there. Paul points us toward Christ, through whom restoration is already at work. Grace is not passive—it moves through people, communities, and shared commitments.
This understanding helps us see how The United Methodist Church lives out its calling together. We are a connectional church, meaning we agree to walk together in faith, share responsibility, and respond collectively to God’s grace in the world. One expression of that covenant is The Black College Fund, which supports United Methodist–related historically Black colleges and universities as places of learning, leadership formation, and faithful witness.
Education has long been a pathway of hope. Through The Black College Fund, the church invests in students who are being formed not only for careers, but for lives of service and leadership and for a life of faithful witness to God’s love. This ministry is sustained through connectional giving—ordinary gifts offered faithfully, becoming part of a larger story God is still writing.
Every gift tells a story. And every story begins with the impact we choose to make together. As we journey through Lent, we are reminded that grace calls us not only to receive, but to respond—to live in ways that reflect the abundant life Christ has made possible.
Reflection Question:
As you begin this Lenten season, how might God be inviting you to participate in Christ’s work of restoration through learning, generosity, and shared commitment?
Children’s Message
Title: Getting Ready with Jesus
Materials: A backpack, a book, a piece of paper and a pencil
Good morning, friends! I’m really happy to see you today. Today I brought something with me. (Hold up the backpack.) What do you think this is for? Yes! We use backpacks to get ready—for school, for learning, and for going places.
Today is a special Sunday. It’s the first Sunday in Lent. Lent is a season when we get ready for Easter and remember how much Jesus loves us. We take time to think, learn, and grow closer to God.
Today we learn that Jesus helps us get ready by showing God’s love and making things right. The Bible tells us that sometimes people make mistakes, but Jesus brings God’s love and goodness to everyone. That’s really good news!
In The United Methodist Church, we help each other get ready too—not just for school, but for serving God. One way we do that is by helping students learn and grow. There’s a special ministry called The Black College Fund, and it helps students go to school, learn new things, and get ready to serve others.
When we give and share together, it’s like packing a backpack with good things—kindness, learning, hope, and love. God uses what we share to help people grow.
We don’t keep God’s love to ourselves. We get ready—and we share it!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for Jesus, who shows us how to love others. Help us share what we have so many people can learn and grow. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God,
We thank you for the gift of grace that comes through Jesus Christ—grace that brings life to many. As we offer our gifts today, remind us that what we give together can shape lives far beyond our own. Bless the ministries supported through The Black College Fund, and use our connectional giving to strengthen education, leadership, and hope. May our generosity reflect your abundant grace, shared for the good of all.
Amen.
Offertory Prayer From Discipleship Ministries
Surprising God of Mercy, you meet us in wilderness places and walk beside us through trial and temptation. Even when we feel alone, your grace is never far, your presence never absent. In this moment of giving, we offer not just our resources, but our trust that you are already at work, shaping us through challenge, strengthening us through sacrifice, and surrounding us with unseen angels. Use these gifts to bring hope where there is hunger, healing where there is pain, and light where there is despair. May what we give reflect our desire to walk more closely with you, even in the hard places.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
Romans 5:12–19 reminds us that through Jesus Christ, grace reaches many and brings new life. In The United Methodist Church, we live out that grace together through connectional ministries like The Black College Fund. This vital ministry supports United Methodist–related Black colleges and universities, helping prepare students for lives of leadership, service, and faith. When we give together, each gift becomes part of a larger story of opportunity and hope.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate God’s grace and our shared calling to give, serve, and grow—together.