A Moment for Mission
“The hand of the Lord came on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley. It was full of bones… He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ …He said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord… I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live… and you will know that I am the Lord.” — Ezekiel 37:1–14, CEB
Ezekiel stood in a valley of dry bones—a place that seemed lifeless and hopeless. God asked him a question that seemed impossible: “Can these bones live?” The prophet answered logically, saying that only God knew the answer. God asked Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley of hopelessness, and through God’s Spirit, he saw what no eye could imagine: life, breath, and restoration. What was once dead and dry became vibrant and full of hope. God’s Spirit brings renewal and restoration, even in the most unlikely places.
This powerful image helps us understand our call in the work of UMCOR Sunday. The United Methodist Committee on Relief brings hope, care, and practical restoration to communities facing disaster, poverty, or human suffering. Like Ezekiel, UMCOR cannot do this work alone. Its ministry is part of the covenant of The United Methodist Church, connecting congregations and members to respond together as God leads. Through connectional giving, every church and every member can participate in restoring life and hope for people in crisis.
March 22 is World Water Day, a reminder that water is life. Many communities lack access to safe water, leaving people vulnerable to illness, scarcity, and hardship. UMCOR helps provide this essential resource, along with food, shelter, and relief, bringing practical help and hope where it is most needed. Just as Ezekiel’s dry bones were renewed by God’s Spirit, communities can experience restoration through the compassion, prayers, and generosity of The United Methodist Church.
When people face crisis—whether from natural disaster, conflict, or hunger—UMCOR is there to help. But that kind of response doesn’t just happen. It depends on trained staff, reliable systems, and the capacity to act quickly and compassionately when the need is greatest.
UMCOR Sunday matters because it sustains that foundation. By covering UMCOR’s administrative costs, this Special Sunday ensures that when disasters strike, every dollar given to relief and recovery can be used directly in the field—without delay. It equips the Church to respond immediately, faithfully, and at scale, wherever suffering is found.
Scripture gives us a powerful image of this kind of work. In Ezekiel 37:1–14, the prophet is led into a valley filled with dry bones—signs of devastation, loss, and hopelessness. At God’s command, the bones are gathered, given sinews and flesh, and filled with breath until life is restored. Renewal does not come all at once; it comes through preparation, connection, and the breath of God moving through what once seemed beyond repair.
Every gift given through UMCOR Sunday participates in that same movement from desolation to life. Whether it leads to safe water for families, shelter for children, or long-term recovery for communities rebuilding after disaster, these gifts help make restoration possible. Joined with others across the Church, your generosity allows Christ’s light to shine in the darkest places—transforming lives in ways no single gift could accomplish alone.
Ezekiel reminds us that God brings life where there is death, hope where there is despair, and light where there is darkness. UMCOR is one way The United Methodist Church lives out this calling, lifting up communities, restoring what is broken, and showing God’s love before, during, and after crises.
Reflection Question:
Where might God be inviting you this week to help bring hope, life, and light into a place that feels dry or hopeless?
Children’s Message
Title: God Brings Life to Dry Places
Materials: A hard dry sponge and a bowl of water
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today. I have brought something for us to test today. We are going to put this sponge in water to see what happens.
Look at this sponge. See how hard and dry it is? It looks like it won’t work anymore, doesn’t it? Now watch what happens when we put it in water. The sponge softens, stretches, grows, and its color comes back. It looks like it is coming alive! Did you know that God can do that in people’s lives too?
In the Bible, God showed the prophet Ezekiel a valley full of dry bones. These bones were like this sponge—dry, stiff, and lifeless. God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” At first, it seemed impossible. But when Ezekiel obeyed God, the Spirit brought the bones to life. They became strong, whole, and full of hope—just like our sponge did in the water.
Sometimes people feel dry and lifeless like that sponge before we put it in water. They need God’s help to live again. That’s what UMCOR does! UMCOR is a ministry of our church that helps people who are hurting because of storms, fires, or other bad things. When we give to UMCOR, we help provide water, food, shelter, and hope to people who need it. Our gifts, prayers, and care help others come alive, just like the dry sponge!
Even small things we do—sharing, helping, or praying—can show God’s light and bring hope. Just like this sponge came alive when it met water, God can use us to bring life and care to others.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for bringing life where it seems impossible. Thank you for using us to shine your light and bring hope to others. Help us to follow your Spirit, care for people who are hurting, and share your love every day. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
God of life and love, You bring life to dry places and hope where there is despair. As we participate in UMCOR Sunday, bless our prayers, our attention, and our generosity. May every gift, joined with others across The United Methodist Church, help restore communities, provide safe water, shelter, and care, and bring life where it is needed most. Help us remember that together we shine your light, offer hope, and make your love visible in the world. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Life-Giving Spirit, you breathe hope into our valleys of despair and call forth life where we saw only dry bones. We come today not out of habit, but out of longing to be part of your work that restores, renews, and redeems. Take these gifts and use them to roll away the stones that keep your people bound. Let them be signs of trust, symbols of resurrection, and tools of transformation in a weary world. May our offering, like our living, lean into your Spirit and testify that life—abundant, eternal, and holy—is possible in you. In Christ, who calls us out of the grave and into your grace, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In Ezekiel 37, God brings life to a valley of dry bones, showing that even the hopeless can be restored. UMCOR Sunday reminds us that The United Methodist Church, working together in covenant, shines Christ’s light into communities facing disaster, poverty, or human suffering. Through connectional giving, congregations and members provide care, water, food, shelter, and hope. Each gift tells a story of restoration and God’s love made visible.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate UMCOR Sunday and learn how The United Methodist Church brings hope, life, and light to people in need.