A Moment for Mission
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth. You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of patient resolve and steadfastness.” — James 5:7-10, CEB
In James 5:7‑10 we find a powerful lesson in patience and faithful living. In these verses, James draws our attention to the simple yet profound rhythm of life: planting, waiting, and trusting in God’s timing. Just as the farmer plants seeds and waits for the rains and the harvest, so too does the Church participate in God’s work with patience, nurturing what is small into something fruitful. The Korean Ministry Plan of The United Methodist Church embodies this principle in its ministries. Through this plan, the Church supports Korean-speaking and Korean-American congregations, develops new leaders, and equips ministries that bring Christ’s love to communities across the United States.
The work of the Korean Ministry Plan is not about quick results or immediate recognition. It is about long-term, faithful investment in discipleship, leadership, and outreach. Much like the farmer tending the field, the Church works alongside God’s Spirit, trusting that what we plant today will bear fruit tomorrow. This ministry is a tangible expression of God’s patience and provision in action, helping communities grow in faith, hope, and love while cultivating leaders who will carry the mission forward for generations to come.
The United Methodist Church is structured so that local congregations, conferences, and the denomination as a whole support one another. Your gifts through connectional giving allow the Korean Ministry Plan to reach beyond a single congregation, touching communities and ministries that might otherwise struggle to thrive. Every dollar shared helps provide pastoral support, leadership training, youth programs, and ministry resources that strengthen congregations, nurture disciples, and extend Christ’s love into neighborhoods, schools, and homes.
As we reflect on James’ words, we are reminded that our faithfulness matters even when we cannot immediately see the results. Waiting patiently and trusting God’s timing is part of our spiritual growth, and it is the same patience that allows ministries like the Korean Ministry Plan to flourish. Each act of generosity, prayer, or service becomes a seed planted in God’s field, and every seed contributes to a harvest that benefits the global Church and furthers Christ’s mission.
This week, consider your role in God’s ongoing work. How might your patience, faithful action, and generosity through the Korean Ministry Plan help bear fruit in your community and in the lives of others? What seeds can you plant in Christ’s name, trusting God to bring the harvest in His perfect timing?
Reflection Question:
How might patience, faithful work, and generous giving help bear fruit in your ministry and community this week?
Children’s Message
Title: Waiting for the Harvest
Materials: A small potted plant (or seedling) or picture of a planted seed; a simple basket.
Good morning, friends!
Have you ever planted a seed in the ground? (Pause for answers.) You put the seed in the dirt, give it some water, and then… you wait. Waiting can be hard, can’t it? Sometimes we want things to happen right away. But just because we don’t see the seed growing tomorrow doesn’t mean it isn’t growing at all! Inside the seed, little roots are stretching down, and a tiny sprout is pushing up toward the sun.
That’s what James 5:7 tells us: ‘you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth.’ Sometimes we have to be patient and trust that God is helping things grow, even when we can’t see it yet. Just like the seed, good things in our lives—like learning, helping others, or sharing God’s love—take time to grow.
In our church, we also plant seeds—but they are a different kind of seed. These are seeds of love, kindness, and learning about Jesus. Some of those seeds we will never see grow, but we are still a part of the planting. One kind of seed we help plant is called The Korean Ministry Plan. It helps kids and families who speak Korean learn about God. Our church helps leaders, teachers, and friends in Korean-speaking churches grow in faith. And just like watering a plant, when we pray, share, and give, we help those seeds grow big and strong.
So this week, let’s think of one way we can help someone grow—maybe by sharing a toy, saying a kind word, or praying for a friend. Every little thing helps God’s love grow!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for helping us wait and grow and help others grow. Thank you for friends in far places and for our big church family that stretches around the world. Help us to share your love patiently and generously. Amen.. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, you call us to patience and service, like the farmer who waits for the harvest (James 5:7). We bring these offerings in the spirit of the Korean Ministry Plan: to start new congregations, raise up leaders, and carry your love into the world. As The United Methodist Church gives through connectional ministry, may these gifts bless Korean‑speaking and English‑speaking ministries alike, forging one body in Christ. Use our sacrificial generosity to make disciples and transform communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries — Gracious God of deep joy, even when storms rage and doubts rise, you call us to see with kingdom eyes—to look for healing, hope, and signs of your grace breaking in. In this Advent season of expectation and weariness, we bring these gifts as expressions of joy, rooted not in ease but in trust. May our giving bear witness to your good news: that the blind still see, the lame still walk, and the poor still receive care. Use these offerings and us as signs of your coming reign, lights in the storm, and carriers of joy. In the name of Jesus, our hope and our Redeemer. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth.” – James 5:7, CEB
As the farmer waits patiently for the precious crop from the earth (James 5:7), we too cultivate hope through the Korean Ministry Plan of The United Methodist Church. Rooted in Wesleyan tradition and Korean spirituality, this ministry nurtures new congregations, forms leaders, and joins in the global mission. Your generosity through connectional giving empowers Korean‑language and English‑language congregations, next‑generation ministries, and justice efforts. Every gift helps transform lives and build disciples of Jesus Christ
Join us this Sunday for worship as we commit our gifts, celebrate our shared mission, and deepen our connection in Christ.