A Moment for Mission
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son. And they will call him, Emmanuel. When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.” — Matthew 1:18-25, CEB
Matthew 1:18-25 tells the story of Joseph; a man faced with uncertainty. Mary, his betrothed, was expecting a child, but it was no ordinary child—it was Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph could have been afraid or confused, but an angel reminded him that God’s plan was at work. Joseph trusted God, took Mary into his home, and cared for her and the child, fulfilling God’s promise. His obedience brought Jesus safely into the world.
Like Joseph, The United Methodist Church is called to trust God’s plan as we nurture and support diverse communities. The Asian American Ministry Plan reflects this calling. It’s a connectional effort—meaning that churches across the United States and around the world work together—to strengthen Asian American congregations, raise up leaders, and provide resources for spiritual growth. This plan ensures that Christ’s love reaches all communities, including those that may be underrepresented or overlooked.
Connectional giving makes this possible. When individual members and congregations contribute, their gifts are multiplied across the Church. A small act of generosity can support leadership training, ministry programs, and community outreach for Asian American communities in ways that no single church could do alone. Just as Joseph’s obedience brought Christ to the world, our faithful giving and prayers bring Christ’s presence to communities that need hope, love, and care.
This story and ministry remind us that God’s plan often calls us to trust, even when it seems uncertain. God can use our gifts, time, and care to do far more than we could imagine.
Reflection Question:
How can you, like Joseph, trust God’s plan and participate in bringing Christ’s love to communities around you?
Children’s Message
Title: Trusting God’s Big Surprise
Materials: A small gift box, a picture of a baby, optional nativity figure
Good morning, friends!
Have you ever been surprised by something you didn’t expect? Maybe a surprise birthday gift, or finding something you thought was lost? Sometimes surprises can be fun, but sometimes surprises can be a little scary too.
In today’s Bible story, Joseph had a really big surprise. He found out that Mary was going to have a baby. But it wasn’t just any baby—it was Jesus, God’s Son! Joseph could have been very confused or even scared. He didn’t understand how it would work out. But God sent an angel to Joseph and told him everything he needed to do. First, don’t be afraid. Second, name the baby Jesus and third take care of Him because Jesus will save the world.
Joseph had to trust God. Even though God told him what he needed to know, Joseph still had to make a choice—to trust God and follow His plan. Joseph knew that God always knows what is best. Even if it might be hard, God’s plan is the best plan. Because Joseph trusted God, he took care of Mary and Jesus, and Jesus grew up to show God’s love to the whole world.
We can learn something important from Joseph. God sometimes gives us surprises too—like meeting new friends, helping someone in need, or learning something new. We might not know exactly how things will work out, but like Joseph, we can trust God.
One way we can trust God is by helping the church share God’s love. The United Methodist Church works with the Asian American Ministry Plan to care for people in Asian American communities, help leaders grow, and make sure everyone has a chance to hear about Jesus. When we give, pray, or help, we are trusting God to use us in His big plan!
See this gift box? Just like this gift can bring a big surprise to make someone happy - our gifts of love, giving and prayers can show God’s love to many people!
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the gift of Jesus and for Joseph’s example of trust. Help us trust Your plans, even when we don’t know what’s coming next. Help us share Your love with everyone, including our friends and communities, especially in people or places where we do not know or understand. Amen
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God,
As Joseph trusted your word and embraced your plan, help us trust in your guidance for our ministries. Bless our gifts as we support the Asian American Ministry Plan, so The United Methodist Church can nurture leaders, strengthen congregations, and share your love across diverse communities. May our offerings reflect our connection as one body in Christ, multiplying impact far beyond what we could do alone. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries — Faithful God of unfolding plans, when our certainty falters and our expectations collapse, you are still at work, inviting us into grace that redefines and redeems. Like Joseph, we bring our gifts and lay down our plans, trusting that your Spirit can shape our offering into something greater than we imagined. Let these gifts and our lives be signs of obedience, humility, and hope. May they help carry Christ into a world still longing for peace, hungry for love, and needing redemption. We pray in the name of the one who is Emmanuel—God with us. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In Matthew 1:18-25, we see God’s faithfulness in Joseph’s obedience to welcome Jesus into the world. Just as Joseph trusted God’s plan, The United Methodist Church seeks to embrace and support Asian American communities through the Asian American Ministry Plan—a connectional effort across the UMC to empower leadership, nurture congregations, and spread Christ’s love. By participating in this shared ministry, your giving helps the Church make a greater impact locally and globally.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate God’s plan and explore how together we can support vibrant ministries in our communities.