MISSION MOMENT
“Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. The Lord’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. Then Moses said to himself, ‘Let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up.’ When the Lord saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”
Moses said, “I’m here.” Then the Lord said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” He continued, “I am the God of your father, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, “I’ve clearly seen my people oppressed in Egypt. I’ve heard their cry of injustice because of their slave masters. I know about their pain. I’ve come down to rescue them from the Egyptians in order to take them out of that land and bring them to a good and broad land, a land that’s full of milk and honey, a place where the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites all live. Now the Israelites’ cries of injustice have reached me. I’ve seen just how much the Egyptians have oppressed them. 1So get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh and to bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God said, “I’ll be with you. And this will show you that I’m the one who sent you. After you bring the people out of Egypt, you will come back here and worship God on this mountain.”— Exodus 3:1–12 (CEB)
In Exodus 3, Moses encounters God through a burning bush in the wilderness. At first, Moses does not fully understand what is happening, but God calls to him by name and invites him into a greater purpose. Moses feels uncertain and unprepared, asking questions about who he is and whether he is capable of such a task. Yet God reminds Moses that he will not walk alone: “I will be with you.”
Many students today know what it feels like to stand in a season of uncertainty. They wonder about their future, their calling, their gifts, and whether they are prepared for what lies ahead. Education often becomes part of that journey of discovering who God is calling them to be.
One way The United Methodist Church lives into this scripture, is reflected through the ministry provided through United Methodist Student Day. This Special Sunday supports scholarships and educational assistance for students as they pursue higher education and vocational training. Through the generosity of congregations across the connection, students are encouraged, equipped, and supported as they prepare to serve God and neighbor in many different ways.
In the UMC, giving is a covenant we walk together in ministry. No congregation carries ministry alone. When churches give through Special Sundays like United Methodist Student Day, those gifts join with gifts from other congregations to support students we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
Every gift tells a story, and many of those stories begin with faithful people choosing to give together through the church. A scholarship may help a student become a teacher, a nurse, a pastor, a counselor, or a community leader. A student who once wondered how they would afford school may discover hope because churches chose to invest in their future.
Like Moses standing before the burning bush, students are often still discovering who they are and how God may use them. The church’s shared support reminds them they are not alone on that journey. Through connectional giving, The United Methodist Church helps open doors so students can continue learning, growing, and responding to God’s call on their lives.
God called Moses by name, and God continues to call people today. Sometimes one of the greatest ways the church participates in that calling is by helping others take their next faithful step forward.
Reflection Question:
How might God be calling you to encourage or support someone who is still discovering their gifts and purpose?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: What’s in your backpack?
Materials: A backpack filled with school supplies
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today! I brought something with me. (Hold up the backpack.) What is this? (Pause) That’s right — a backpack!
What kinds of things do you put inside a backpack? (Pause for answers.) Yes! All those things are things that help you in school.
Let’s see what is inside this backpack. (Pull out items one at a time.)
Here are crayons. What are crayons used for? (Pause.) Right — drawing and coloring!
What about this notebook? (Pause.) Yes — writing and learning!
What about this lunchbox? (Pause). Absolutely! We need food to keep our minds and bodies full of energy.
Each thing in the backpack has a special purpose and helps someone get ready to learn something new.
You know, the people we hear about in the Bible learned new things too. In today’s scripture, Moses was taking care of sheep when he saw something he had never seen before — a bush glowing with fire! He was curious, so he walked closer.
And do you know what happened when Moses walked closer? God called his name and asked him to do something special.
It was something Moses had never done before, and he was scared he could not do it. Have you ever felt nervous about something new? Maybe the first day of school, meeting new friends, learning something hard, or trying something for the first time?
Moses felt that way too. But God said something important to Moses: “I’ll be with you.” Moses did not have to do his special job alone. Doesn’t it feel good to have someone help you do things? (Pause.)
You know what? God still makes sure we do not have to do things alone. God gives us people to help us learn and grow — parents, teachers, pastors, friends, and churches.
In The United Methodist Church, our church, we work with other churches to help students learn and get ready for their future. We think it is so important we make a special day and call it United Methodist Student Day.
On this special Sunday, churches give money to help students go to school so can learn new things and someday become teachers, pastors, firefighters, doctors, nurses, artists, farmers, builders, and so much more. (Mention professions connected to your congregation if desired.)
But we cannot do it alone. Just like we cannot carry crayons, notebooks, lunchboxes, pencils, and snacks in only our two hands, we need a backpack to help carry everything together. That is how The United Methodist Church works too. Churches join together so we can help carry one another’s needs and support students together.
So, when you give money in the offering plate, you are helping more people than you may ever know — and some of those people you may never even meet. You might help a student in our church, another state, or somewhere else in the country continue learning and growing because you gave today.
Our gifts help people get ready for the future God has planned for them. And wherever God calls us, we can remember what God told Moses: “I’ll be with you.”
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for loving us and helping us grow. Thank you for teachers, schools, and people who help us learn. Bless students everywhere. Help us share what we have so others can learn too. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Calling God, you spoke to Moses in the wilderness and reminded him that he would not walk alone. Bless these gifts given through United Methodist Student Day, and join them with offerings from churches across the connection. Use them to encourage students, support learning, and help people continue discovering the gifts and purpose you have placed within them. May our shared giving become a sign of hope, opportunity, and your abiding presence for students preparing to serve the world in Christ’s name. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Holy God, you call ordinary people from unexpected places and send them into hard and holy work. As you met Moses in the fire that did not consume, and as you met Peter on the road of costly discipleship, meet us now in these gifts we bring. Shape us by your presence, not by fear; by service, not by power; by love that risks itself for the sake of others. Receive our offering as a sign that we trust your “I AM” to go with us and that we are willing to follow Christ, even when the way is demanding. Use what we give to bring freedom, healing, and hope to your world. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In Exodus 3, God calls Moses by name and invites him into a greater purpose. Through United Methodist Student Day, The United Methodist Church continues supporting students as they learn, grow, and prepare to use their gifts in service to others. Gifts given on this Special Sunday join with offerings from churches across the connection to provide scholarships and educational support for students pursuing their calling. Every gift tells a story, and together our shared giving helps open doors for future leaders, servants, and disciples.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate God’s call on the lives of students and the power of supporting one another through connectional giving.