A Moment for Mission
“Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand through him, and we boast in the hope of God’s glory. But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:1-4, CEB
Peace with Justice Sunday invites us to examine what true peace means—not only in the quiet moments of life, but in the heart of struggle, systems, and societal change. In Romans 5, Paul paints a vision of peace that is not circumstantial, but covenantal—a peace that does not depend on the world’s comfort but on Christ’s faithfulness.
Verse 1 reminds us that peace begins with reconciliation. “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace isn’t something we earned—it’s the result of Jesus' faithful love and sacrificial grace. Because of Him, we are no longer alienated or condemned. We are welcomed into a new relationship where peace is not just a feeling, but a foundation.
Verse 2 calls us to stand in this grace. It is not a passing moment of comfort, but a position of strength. And we “boast in the hope of God’s glory.” This hope is more than wishful thinking—it’s a deep confidence that God’s justice and goodness will prevail.
But Paul doesn’t stop at hope in good times. In verses 3–4, he says we even rejoice in our sufferings—not because we enjoy pain, but because we trust in the process God is working in us. “Trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” This is the journey of discipleship, and it is also the journey of justice. Real peace is not passive. It presses on through adversity, builds resilience, shapes integrity, and leads us—again and again—to hope.
That is the kind of peace we seek through Peace with Justice ministries in The United Methodist Church. This special Sunday is more than a collection—it’s a call to live out the Gospel in tangible ways.
Your gifts help lift up communities where peace is needed most, both locally and globally. But more than that, your witness—your prayers, your voice, your stand for justice—reveals the peace of Christ that can’t be shaken.
On this day, may we not only remember that we have peace through Christ, but also take up the work of being peacemakers in His name. How can you reveal the peace of Christ today?
Children’s Message
Title: Peace That Grows
Materials: A small potted plant or seed packet
Good morning! Have you ever planted a seed? What happens if we give it sun and water and wait patiently? (Let kids answer.)
That’s what God does with our hearts! Sometimes things are hard—like sharing, or being kind when someone isn’t nice. But God helps us keep trying, and we grow stronger inside—just like a plant pushing up through the dirt.
In Romans 5: 1 – 4, the Bible says that because of Jesus, we can have peace. (Peace is when everyone feels safe, happy, and kind to each other.) And even when things get hard, God helps us be strong. Being strong helps us do the right thing. And when we do the right thing, we grow big hearts full of hope!
Today is Peace with Justice Sunday. That means our church is helping people all over the world have peace—peace that is fair, kind, and strong, just like Jesus. When we pray, give, and do kind things, we help God’s peace grow in the world, just like a little seed turning into a tree.
Dear God, Thank You for Jesus, who gives us peace. Help us grow kindness and hope, even when it’s hard. Make our hearts strong so we can help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Lord of all,
As we offer our gifts today, we do so with hearts committed to Your mission of peace and justice. Use these offerings to support ministries that challenge injustice and promote reconciliation. May our contributions be a testament to our faith and a beacon of hope in the world. Bless these gifts and those who give them, that together we may further Your kingdom on earth. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Majestic and holy God, Creator of all that is seen and unseen, we bring these gifts in awe of Your glory revealed in the heavens and here among us. As we offer these gifts, may they reflect your wisdom and share your love, building a world that proclaims your majesty. Through your Spirit, pour your grace into our lives, that our service may mirror the love You have shown us in Christ, lifting our voices with creation to declare, “How majestic is Your name in all the earth!” In the name of the Holy Trinity, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
This Peace with Justice Sunday, we’re reminded through Romans 5:1–4 that peace is more than quiet—it’s the strength to keep going, to grow through hard things, and to trust that God is making all things new. In Jesus, we are not only forgiven, we are filled—with grace, with endurance, and with hope that changes the world.
Join us in worship as we celebrate the peace we’ve received and recommit to being peacemakers in our community. Together, we’ll lift up ministries that seek justice, speak love, and walk humbly with God.
Come worship with us this Sunday and discover how your faith can plant seeds of peace in a hurting world.