MISSION MOMENT
“All of you who are thirsty, come to the water! Whoever has no money, come, buy food and eat! Without money, at no cost, buy wine and milk! Why spend money for what isn’t food, and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest of feasts. Listen and come to me; listen, and you will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful loyalty to David. Look, I made him a witness to the peoples, prince and commander of peoples. Look, you will call a nation you don’t know, a nation you don’t know will run to you because of the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, who has glorified you.”— Isaiah 55:1-5 (CEB)
These words were spoken to people who were weary, uncertain, and longing for hope. God was reminding them that true life would not be found in power, wealth, or isolation, but in returning to God and living together as God’s people.
The prophet asks: “Why spend money for what isn’t food, and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy?” Through Isaiah, God cautions against chasing temporary, worldly pursuits instead of the spiritual nourishment only God can provide. The scripture challenges us to reflect on how we invest our time, money, and energy, reminding us that true life, hope, and purpose are found in God alone. This invitation is not only for a few people, but for everyone, as God calls people to gather, listen, and walk together in covenant faithfulness.
Isaiah’s words also challenge communities of faith to prayerfully discern what truly matters. Just as the prophet calls people to seek what gives lasting life and purpose, The United Methodist Church works together to faithfully steward its ministries, leadership, and resources so the church remains focused on God’s mission rather than individual priorities. This shared discernment is part of what makes us connectional.
Walking together in covenant is central to The United Methodist Church and what makes us connectional. As United Methodists, we recognize that no congregation carries the work of Christ alone. Through our prayers, service, witness, and giving, churches join together to share the love of Jesus across communities, conferences, and nations. When one part of the church is weary, others help carry the burden. When ministry opportunities arise, churches work together to respond faithfully.
The General Administration Fund helps make that shared ministry possible by supporting the foundational work of The United Methodist Church. One ministry strengthened through this shared work is the Connectional Table, made up of 64 leaders from across the denomination who help discern and articulate the vision of the church. Guided by the decisions of the General Conference, and working closely with the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table helps steward the mission, ministries, and resources of The United Methodist Church.
In many ways, the Connectional Table reflects the invitation found in Isaiah 55. God calls people together to listen, discern, and faithfully respond. In the same way, the Connectional Table helps the church prayerfully seek where God is leading so ministries across the denomination can move forward in unity and faithfulness.
Isaiah reminds us that God’s covenant is everlasting. As United Methodists, our connectional giving reflects that covenant relationship with one another. Together, we help create space for ministry, leadership, discernment, discipleship, and hope.
Reflection Question:
How might God be calling you to participate in the shared ministry and covenant of The United Methodist Church through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, witness, and giving?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Come to the Table
Materials: A pitcher of water, several empty cups of different sizes, a loaf of bread or crackers and a large tray or small table.
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you and share a story with you. Today I brought some water and bread with me. Would it be nice if I kept all the water and bread just for myself? (Pause for answers).
No! It is much better to share, isn’t it?
In our Bible story today, God says: “All of you who are thirsty, come to the water!” God is telling everyone they are welcome. God wants people to come close, be cared for, and help one another.
Let’s pretend these cups are churches. (Set out the cups).
Some churches are big. Some churches are small. Some churches have lots of people. Some churches have only a few people. But all of them love Jesus.
Now, what if only one church had water? (Pour water into only one cup.)
Would that help everyone? (Pause.) No. The water should be shared so everyone has enough. (Pour the water into all the cups).
Because we shared the water, now every church has enough to help people who are thirsty.
Some of the money we place in the offering plate helps people and churches outside our own church. In The United Methodist Church, we call that apportionments. That is a very big word, but it simply means we share what we have so we can help others together — just like we shared the water today.
Some of the money we give today in the offering plate goes to help other places and people outside our church. We call that apportionments – that’s a big word, isn’t it? It means exactly what we did with the water today – we were able to fill many glasses of water.
God does not want us to do everything alone. God made us to help each other. When we share, help, give, and care for others, we become part of God’s story of love.
This week, when you share your toys, help a friend, or show kindness to someone, remember that Jesus calls us to work together and love one another.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for loving us. Help us share with others. Help us be kind and work together. Thank you for churches that help people learn about Jesus. Use us to share your love everywhere we go. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Generous God, you invite all people to come to your table and receive the gift of your grace. Bless these offerings given through the General Administration Fund to strengthen the shared ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through connectional giving, unite our gifts with others across the church so ministries may flourish, leaders may discern your vision, and people everywhere may experience the love of Christ. Remind us that every gift tells a story of faith, hope, and covenant as we serve together in your name. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Attentive God, you see us as we are and meet us in the movement of our days. As we bring these gifts, shape our lives to reflect your righteousness—faithful in love, honest in action, steady in compassion. Open our eyes to behold your face in the neighbors we serve and the work we share. Let our giving become praise in motion, a testimony that we seek your presence not only in stillness, but in faithful steps forward. Receive these offerings as signs of our trust and our desire to live in right relationship with you and with one another, until we are satisfied in the likeness of your grace. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In Isaiah 55:1–5, God invites all who are thirsty to come and receive what gives life. This scripture reminds us that ministry in The United Methodist Church is rooted in God’s invitation to gather, share, and walk together in covenant. Through the General Administration Fund, churches support shared ministries like the Connectional Table, which helps discern and guide the vision and mission of the church in partnership with the Council of Bishops. Through connectional giving, our gifts join with others to strengthen ministries that help people experience the love of Christ.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate how our shared giving strengthens the mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church together.