A Moment for Mission
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise through him… and don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices. Hebrews 13:8, 15-16, CEB
We live in a world where everything seems to shift constantly—news, trends, politics, even people’s values. In the middle of it all, Hebrews 13 offers a powerful reminder: Jesus Christ is steady. He doesn’t change. And because of that, our response is clear—we are called to live lives of gratitude, kindness, and generosity.
Doing good and sharing what we have aren’t just good ideas—they’re acts of worship.
In The United Methodist Church, one way we live this out is through connectional giving. It simply means we give together—because when we do, we can support ministries that are bigger than any one church could take on alone.
One of those ministries is the Youth Service Fund (YSF).
YSF is unique. It’s led by youth, given by youth, and created to support youth-led ministries. Every year, YSF empowers young people to answer God’s call to serve—whether by feeding neighbors, planting gardens, leading retreats, or organizing justice efforts.
It’s more than funding. It’s formation.
YSF gives young people the opportunity to live out Hebrews 13—to “do good and share what they have”—offering their own sacrifices of praise through service and leadership. Youth across the church support each other’s ministries, lift one another’s voices, and remind us that discipleship is something we all grow into, not just inherit.
YSF also reminds us that when we give, we don’t just make donations—we make disciples. In a church that believes young people are not just the future but the now of the Church, giving to YSF puts faith into action and invests in what’s lasting.
In a world that constantly changes, this is how we hold steady—by praising Christ, living generously, and building together a kingdom that will not fade.
Reflection Question:
How can I use what I have—my time, my voice, my gifts—to help young people lead and thrive in faith?
Children’s Message
Title: Jesus Never Changes
Materials: something that changes, like a leaf or a toy with changeable parts like a transformer robot
Good morning, friends!
Today I brought something that looks one way, but changes into something else. (Show Transformer toy.) Right now, it looks like a car—but watch what happens when I move a few parts… it turns into a robot! Isn’t that cool?
Lots of things around us change—can you think of something else that changes like that? (Pause and let children respond.)
Things change a lot, don’t they? One day it’s sunny, the next it rains. One day you love peanut butter, the next day you don’t. Even your favorite color or game might change! But do you know who never, ever changes? Jesus.
Today’s Bible story tells us something amazing, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” That means no matter what happens around us, Jesus stays the same. His love never runs out. He never forgets us. He never stops caring. Even when we make mistakes or have a hard day, Jesus still loves us just as much yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever!
Isn’t that good news? When everything around us changes, Jesus stays the same. We can always trust Him.
So how do we say “thank you” to Jesus for always being with us? The Bible says we can praise God by doing good and sharing what we have. That makes God very happy!
And guess what? Even kids can do that! You can:
Help someone at school
Pray for a friend
Share a snack or toy
Say kind words
And did you know that some older kids—teenagers—are doing really big things too?
In our church, there’s something special called the Youth Service Fund. That’s a big name, but it just means that kids and youth are doing great things to help others. They might plan retreats, plant gardens, give food to people who are hungry, or raise money to help those in need.
And do you know what’s really cool? When we give money at church, we help them do all those good things!
So even though you’re little, you can still do a lot to show God’s love. You can help others, just like the Bible says. You can do good, share what you have, and trust Jesus—because He is always the same.
Let’s say that together: “Jesus is always the same!”
Prayer: Dear God, Dear God, thank you for never changing. Help us to share, to do good, and to follow Jesus every day. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. With grateful hearts, we bring our gifts to you. May they be used to do good, to share with others, and to raise up the voices of young people in your Church. Bless the work of the Youth Service Fund, and all those who lead with courage and faith. May our giving reflect your unchanging love and our commitment to live lives of praise. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Faithful and Unchanging God, in a world that shifts and sways, you remain our firm foundation. You have called us into a life of mutual love, teaching us to serve, to welcome, and to give with generous hearts. Bless these gifts we offer today, that they may extend your love to those who hunger, who seek justice, and who long for hope. Shape us into a people whose generosity reflects your own, that through our giving, we may proclaim your unshakable kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, our constant and faithful guide. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. The elders in the past were approved because they showed faith. By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible.” Hebrews 11:1-3, CEB
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And we offer our lives in praise by doing good and sharing what we have—because these are the sacrifices that please God (Hebrews 13). In The United Methodist Church, the Youth Service Fund empowers young people to do just that. Funded by youth, for youth, YSF supports ministries designed and led by young people across the connection. It’s a living example of faith in action—consistent in purpose, bold in spirit.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate the leadership of young people and commit to lives of praise, generosity, and purpose.