A Moment for Mission
““This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!.” — Psalm 118:24, CEB
It is Easter Sunday, the day the Church proclaims with joy that Christ is risen. Psalm 118 reminds us that this day—this very day—is made by God. Resurrection is not only something we remember from the past; it is something God is doing now, bringing life where there has been loss, hope where there has been fear, and light where there has been darkness.
The joy of Easter moves us beyond celebration into faithful living. Because Christ is alive, we are called to participate in God’s work of healing and renewal. In The United Methodist Church, one way we live out that calling is through Golden Cross Sunday.
Golden Cross Sunday supports ministries of care and healing within each annual conference of The United Methodist Church. Through chaplaincy, pastoral counseling, and health-related ministries, Golden Cross helps ensure that people are not alone in moments of illness, grief, or uncertainty. These ministries reflect the same hope proclaimed on Easter morning—that God is present, faithful, and still bringing life.
Many people may not know how The United Methodist Church works, but at its heart is a covenant to walk together. We are connected to one another so that no congregation carries ministry alone. When we give through Golden Cross Sunday, our gifts are joined with others across the connection, strengthening ministries that serve people we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
Every gift tells a story. Each story begins with the impact we choose to make through our giving. Some stories begin at a hospital bedside, others in moments of prayer, listening, or encouragement. All of them point back to the promise of Easter—that God brings new life, again and again.
Psalm 118 does not call us only to rejoice; it invites us to trust that God is still at work. As we celebrate the risen Christ today, Golden Cross Sunday offers a way to live out Easter faith—supporting ministries that carry resurrection hope into everyday lives through our shared commitment to serve together.
Reflection Question:
How might God be inviting you to share in Easter joy this week through prayer, care, or generosity?
Children’s Message
Title: Better Together
Materials: A small basket and a few small puzzle pieces or building blocks and some coins
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you. Today is a very special day. Does anyone know what day it is?
That’s right—it’s Easter Sunday! Easter is the day we celebrate that Jesus is alive. God made this day, and the Bible tells us, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” That means we can be happy and thankful.
When God made this happy day, God also made us to care for one another. In The United Methodist Church, we help people together. We don’t do it alone. We work as one big church family.
Today we are learning about Golden Cross Sunday. Golden Cross helps people who are sick, sad, or need care. It helps pastors, chaplains, and helpers bring love and prayer to people who need it. When we give, we help care for others—even people we don’t know yet.
Every gift tells a story. When we share, we are part of God’s story of love. Just like Easter tells the story of new life, Golden Cross helps bring care and hope to others.
So when we rejoice today, we can also remember that God uses us to help make happy days for others, too.
Prayer: Dear God, Amen.
Offertory Prayer
God of resurrection joy, on this Easter day you have made, we rejoice and give thanks. As Christ brings new life, may our gifts help extend care and healing through Golden Cross Sunday ministries of The United Methodist Church. Join what we offer with the gifts of others, so that together we may serve faithfully through our shared covenant. Bless these offerings, and use them to bring hope, compassion, and renewal. We give with joy, trusting you to multiply our love for the good of your people.
Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
God of New Beginnings, you roll away more than stones. You roll away despair and doubt, fear and failure. On this Resurrection morning, we offer our gifts in gratitude for the new life we have found in Christ. Let these offerings be signs of our commitment to live differently -- eyes open, hearts awakened, hands ready to serve. May what we give today help announce to the world that hope is alive, love has triumphed, and joy cannot be contained. Use us and what we offer to keep telling the story: Christ is risen, indeed! Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
Easter Sunday reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24, CEB). That joy continues through Golden Cross Sunday, which supports ministries of care and healing within The United Methodist Church. Through connectional giving, congregations work together to strengthen chaplaincy, counseling, and health-related ministries across each annual conference. Every gift tells a story, and every story can begin with the impact we choose to make together.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate our risen savior Jesus Christ!