A MOMENT FOR MISSION
"I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because of what you have done." —Psalm 52:8b-9a, NRSV
Perhaps Proverbs 22:6, CEB, says it best. "Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won't depart from it."
One way United Methodists follow this advice is through the Children's Fund for Christian Mission. By giving to Advance projects that help people around the world, children respond to God's presence and love. They learn to care for others, develop good habits of sharing their time and resources, build their knowledge of global cultures and practice being in mission with others.
Here are some possibilities:
- In Africa, ZOE-Helping Children Help Themselves empowers vulnerable youngsters to overcome poverty.
- In Cambodia, Children and Youth Scholarships assist Cambodian young people to improve their quality of life.
- In Europe, the Summer Camp for Lithuanian Children and Youth provides a Christian camping experience.
- In Ecuador, the Integral Ministry for Children attends to spiritual, educational and health needs of at-risk children and teens.
- In the Middle East, the Jerusalem Princess Basma Center for Disabled Children focuses on comprehensive rehabilitation and inclusive education.
- In North America, Kingdom House Children's Services strives to prevent abuse and neglect and offers childcare and other aid.
Giving is fun! Through their support of the Children's Fund for Christian Mission, young United Methodists learn the joy of generous giving and share the love of Jesus Christ with boys and girls in the United States and around the world.
* Note: Discover an array of ministries benefiting children in the new Advance catalog. Browse through the project descriptions to find those that will resonate with the children in your congregation. To order "What Difference Does It Make?" (#741019), call 800-991-6011.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for your many blessings. Through our example, help us to teach children the joy of giving, nurturing them toward a lifetime of generosity. In your name, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost — God of eternity, we bring our gifts to your altar this day, even as we are worn out and glazed over from the endless pursuit of an endless to-do list. We have crammed our lives full of activity and busyness, missing the opportunity we have today to be in your presence, bathe in your love, and open our souls to being filled, renewed, and restored by your presence. Help us to bring our whole being to your altar this morning, that we don't miss the precious gift that you have offered to us: a relationship through Jesus Christ. In that name that is above all others we pray. Amen. (Luke 10:38-42)
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
How did you learn to give as a child? I remember Lenten coin folders, where I faithfully inserted a dime each day leading to Easter. I also recall celebrating my birthday in Sunday school by putting a penny for every year of my life into a church-shaped bank. And in confirmation, I learned about tithing.
Young United Methodists today have a special opportunity to give through the Children's Fund for Christian Mission. By supporting ministries that help people around the world, children grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. They learn to care for others, develop good habits of sharing, build their knowledge of global cultures and practice being in mission with others.
Projects are related to the General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Discipleship Ministries offers helpful online resources to assist congregations in promoting the fund.
Thanks to the Children's Fund for Christian Mission, we nurture our youngest members to share their love for God through generous giving.
— Barbara Dunlap-Berg