A Moment for Mission
“It was appropriate for God, for whom and through whom everything exists, to use experiences of suffering to make perfect the pioneer of salvation. This salvation belongs to many sons and daughters whom he’s leading to glory. This is because the one who makes people holy and the people who are being made holy all come from one source. That is why Jesus isn’t ashamed to call them brothers and sisters when he says, ‘I will publicly announce your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you in the middle of the assembly. I will rely on him. Here I am with the children whom God has given to me.’ Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he also shared the same things in the same way. He did this to destroy the one who holds the power over death—the devil—by dying. He set free those who were held in slavery their entire lives by their fear of death. Of course, he isn’t trying to help angels, but rather he’s helping Abraham’s descendants. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. This was so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to wipe away the sins of the people.He’s able to help those who are being tempted, since he himself experienced suffering when he was tempted.” — Hebrews 2:10-18, CEB
Hebrews 2:10-18 teaches that Jesus, though fully God, became fully human so that He could bring salvation to all people. He experienced suffering, faced human weakness, and overcame it through obedience to God’s plan. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are reconciled to God and invited to participate in His mission.
The United Methodist Church is committed to living out this call through partnership. The Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) initiative partners with congregations to support and sustain historically Black churches. This connectional ministry provides leadership development, coaching, discipleship training, and opportunities for social-justice engagement. By partnering with these congregations, The United Methodist Church helps ensure that they remain vital centers of worship, discipleship, and outreach.
Connectional giving is essential to this work. When individual members and congregations contribute, their gifts are pooled across the denomination, multiplying impact. These resources help train leaders, equip churches, and expand ministries that bring hope, faith, and practical support to communities. Just as Jesus shared in our humanity to bring salvation, our gifts and participation in this partnership help Christ’s love reach more people.
This ministry highlights the power of working together. No single church or person can do it alone. By partnering with congregations through SBC21, The United Methodist Church ensures that Christ’s mission continues in communities that have historically been vital to the life of the Church.
Reflection Question:
How can you participate in God’s mission through partnership—praying, giving, or serving—to support vibrant communities and share Christ’s love?
Children’s Message
Title: Jesus Helps Us Work Together
Materials: A handheld broom and dustpan set. If possible, prepare a small, easy-to-sweep pile of objects (like paper scraps or dry cereal) for children to see the example of sweeping into the dustpan.
Have you ever worked together with friends or family to help someone? Maybe you helped clean up a mess, shared your toys, or comforted a friend when they were sad. Working together is exactly what Jesus teaches us!
Today I brought a small broom and dustpan. Do you see how well they fit together? But it’s not just about how they look—they are made to work together. If I sweep up a small mess, I can easily sweep it into the dustpan and then take it to the trash. Imagine if I had to pick up each piece by hand! The broom and dustpan make the job much easier and smoother.
In our Bible story today, Hebrews 2:10-18, we see something the same as the broom and dustpan. Jesus came to help us and show us the best way to fix our problems and work together. He got tired, felt hurt, and faced hard things—but He did it to save us and show God’s love. Jesus also taught us how to care for others and work together to do God’s work—just like the broom and dustpan work best together.
Our church uses this same idea when we support ministries through our giving. One of those ministries is called Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. That’s a long name, isn’t it? But it’s a way our church partners with Black congregations to help leaders, support churches, and share Jesus’ love in communities. It’s not just one person doing all the work—just like Jesus worked with the people around Him to teach, heal, and serve, we can work together too!
When we pray, give, or help others, we are joining Jesus’ mission and following His example of love and teamwork. Every little action—like sharing a kind word, helping a neighbor, or giving to support ministries—helps God’s work grow bigger.
This week, see how you can work together with your family or friends to help someone and show God’s love!
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Jesus, who showed us how to love and work together. Help us follow His example and share His love by helping others and working with our church family to do good things in our communities. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God,
Gracious God, thank You for sending Jesus to share in our humanity and bring salvation to the world. May our gifts support the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century initiative, so that, in partnership, Black congregations are strengthened, leaders are equipped, and communities are served. Bless these offerings and use them to multiply Your impact. As we give, remind us that together, as The United Methodist Church, we can accomplish far more than we could alone. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries — Steadfast God of refuge and promise, even when the world makes no room, even when fear seems stronger than hope, you are with us. In the flight to Egypt, in the cries of grief, in the fragile beginnings of new life, you make a way. Receive these gifts, O God, as signs of our willingness to make room for your kingdom among us. Use what we bring—not just our treasure, but our time, our voices, our compassion—to heal what is broken, to protect the vulnerable, and to embody your saving love. In the name of Jesus, our Light in the shadows. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
Hebrews 2:10-18 reminds us that Jesus shared in our humanity so that through His death and resurrection, we could be saved. In the same way, The United Methodist Church partners with congregations through the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC21) initiative. This racial-ethnic ministry supports historically Black churches by providing leadership development, coaching, discipleship training, and opportunities for social-justice engagement. SBC21 equips both clergy and lay leaders to guide healthy, missionally vibrant congregations. By giving generously, your church helps multiply impact across the connection.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate Jesus’ mission and explore how we can support vibrant Black churches and leaders in our communities.