Mission Moment
Begin today's reflection by reading the Scripture passage at the link below Matthew 21: 23–32 (CEB)
When the religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority in Matthew 21, Jesus responded with a parable about two sons. A father asked each son to work in the vineyard. One son initially said “no,” but later went. The other said “yes,” but never followed through. Jesus asked a simple question: Which son did the will of the father?
The answer is clear. Faithfulness is measured not only by what we say, but by what we do.
This parable reminds us that discipleship involves action. As followers of Christ, we are called to put our faith into practice through obedience, stewardship, and service. One way The United Methodist Church does this is through its connectional ministries, supported by the giving of congregations across the denomination.
The General Administration Fund supports the work of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA). While many people may never directly encounter GCFA, its ministry helps make countless other ministries possible. The purpose of GCFA is to be accountable for the financial plan of the Church through a servant ministry that promotes fiscal integrity, strategic alliance building, and steadfastness to historic United Methodist traditions and disciplines, enabling the fulfillment of the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church.
Think of it this way: when a local church receives an annual budget, leaders make plans to ensure resources are used wisely and responsibly. The same principle applies across the denomination. GCFA helps steward the resources entrusted to The United Methodist Church so that ministries can flourish and mission can move forward with integrity and accountability.
For those unfamiliar with how The United Methodist Church works, we are a connected church. Congregations join together through connectional giving so that no church carries ministry alone. At its heart, connectional giving is a covenant to walk together. Through the General Administration Fund, churches support the systems, accountability, and financial stewardship that help strengthen ministry throughout the connection.
Jesus’ parable challenges us to move beyond words and into action. Supporting the General Administration Fund is one way we say “yes” to the shared mission of The United Methodist Church. It reflects our commitment to faithfully steward the resources God has entrusted to us and to support the ministries that help the church fulfill its mission.
Every gift tells a story, and every story can begin with the impact we make through our giving. When we give through the connection, we help ensure that ministry is carried out with integrity, accountability, and faithfulness. Those gifts support the foundation upon which countless ministries are built, creating opportunities for people to encounter the love of Christ.
Like the son who followed through on his father's request, may we respond to God's call not only with our words, but with faithful action.
Reflection Question:
How is God inviting you to move beyond saying “yes” to Christ and actively participate in the ministry and mission of The United Methodist Church?
Children’s Message
Title: More Than Just Saying “Yes”
Materials: A small toy basket, several toys to scatter around, a sign that states “Please Clean Up”
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today!
Today I need a helper. (Point to the toys scattered around.)
Let's pretend these toys were left on the floor. If I asked someone, “Will you help me clean up?” and they said, “Yes!” but then sat down and did nothing, would the toys get cleaned up? (Pause for answers.) NO, they wouldn’t. What if another person said, “I don't want to,” but then changed their mind and helped pick up the toys? Would the toys get cleaned up? (Pause for answers.) Yes!
In today's Bible story, Jesus told a story about two sons. Their father asked them to go work in the vineyard. One son said, “No.” But later, he changed his mind and went. The other son said, “Yes.” But he never went. Jesus asked, “Which one did what the father wanted?”
The answer was the son who actually went and helped. Jesus wanted people to understand something important. God doesn't just want us to say the right things. God wants us to follow through with our actions. That means when we say we love God, we try to show it.
We help others.
We share.
We tell the truth.
\We are kind.
We do what we say we will do.
Now let me ask you another question. Can one person do everything in a church? (Pause for answers) No!
Churches work together. That's how The United Methodist Church shares God's love with more people.
Sometimes people teach Sunday school.
Sometimes people sing.
Sometimes people help neighbors.
Sometimes people give offerings to support the church's work.
The General Administration Fund helps support the work of the General Council on Finance and Administration, or GCFA. That's a very long name! Here's a simple way to think about it. GCFA helps make sure the church uses its resources carefully and wisely so ministries can keep helping people learn about Jesus.
It's a little like making sure all the toys are in the right basket, all the supplies are in the right place, and everything is ready when it's needed. When churches work together and share gifts together, ministry happens more effectively.
Every gift tells a story. Maybe a gift helps a church serve its community.
Maybe a gift helps leaders make good decisions.
Maybe a gift helps more people hear about Jesus.
Those stories begin when God's people do more than just say "yes." They begin when God's people put their faith into action.
This week, when someone asks for your help, remember the story Jesus told. Let's be people who not only say "yes," but who also follow through with loving actions.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us. Help us do more than just say the right things. Help us show our love for you through our actions. Bless The United Methodist Church and the work of GCFA. Help us use our gifts wisely and work together to share the love of Jesus. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Faithful God, Jesus reminds us that true discipleship is shown through faithful action. As we present these gifts, use them through the General Administration Fund and the ministry of GCFA to strengthen accountability, stewardship, and mission throughout The United Methodist Church. Through our connectional giving, help us live out our shared covenant to walk together in ministry. May these offerings expand our reach, support faithful stewardship, and help more people encounter the love of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Offertory Prayer from Discipleship Ministries
Humble Savior, you meet us at the start of every day and invite us to take on the mind of Christ. As we bring these gifts, set aside in us the need to win, to hoard, to be first. Shape us instead for love, for shared work, for joy in serving side by side. Use what we offer to build a community where sacrifice is natural, mercy is instinctive, and hope rises in every heart. Keep forming us, not by force but by grace, until our living begins to look like Jesus. We place our offerings—and ourselves—in your hands. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In Matthew 21:23–32, Jesus reminds us that faithfulness is about more than words—it is about action. Through the General Administration Fund, United Methodists support the ministry of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), which promotes fiscal integrity, accountability, and faithful stewardship across The United Methodist Church. As a connected church, we share resources so that no congregation carries ministry alone. Every gift tells a story, and every story can begin with the impact we make through our giving as we support the mission and ministry of the church together.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we explore how faithful stewardship, connectional giving, and action-filled discipleship help strengthen the mission of The United Methodist Church.