MISSION MOMENT
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you...”— John 14:15–21 (CEB)
In John 14:15–21 (CEB), Jesus offers words of reassurance to his disciples: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” He then promises something even deeper: “I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” (John 14:18).
These words remind us that Christ’s followers are never meant to walk alone. Jesus promises the presence of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who remains with the community of believers and guides them in love and faithfulness.
The church continues to live out that promise today.
In The United Methodist Church, ministry often happens through the ways congregations support one another. At the heart of the denomination is a covenant to walk together in faith so that no congregation carries the work of ministry alone. This shared commitment allows the church to strengthen communities, encourage leadership, and support ministries across the connection.
One way this shared ministry takes shape is through the Pacific Islander’s Ministry Plan. This ministry helps support Pacific Islander communities within The United Methodist Church, encouraging leadership development, strengthening congregations, and honoring the rich gifts of culture, faith, and service that Pacific Islander members bring to the life of the church.
During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the church celebrates the many ways Asian and Pacific Islander members contribute to the body of Christ. Their stories, traditions, leadership, and faith enrich the life of the church and strengthen our shared witness.
The promise Jesus makes in John’s Gospel speaks clearly here. Christ does not leave his followers alone. Through the Spirit, Christ continues to nurture the church so that communities of faith can grow, flourish, and support one another.
This Sunday also brings Mother’s Day, a time when many people reflect on the nurturing love that shapes families and communities. The love Jesus describes in John 14 echoes this kind of care. Just as families nurture and guide one another, the church is called to nurture communities of faith so they can grow in love, strength, and hope.
In The United Methodist Church, that nurturing care is often expressed through connectional giving. When congregations give to ministries like the Pacific Islander’s Ministry Plan, their gifts become part of a shared effort to strengthen leadership, encourage ministries, and support communities across the church.
Every gift tells a story. Sometimes the story begins with a congregation choosing to support ministries that reflect Christ’s love. Sometimes it begins with a leader who is encouraged, a community that is strengthened, or a new opportunity for ministry that grows from the church’s shared commitment.
When we give together, we help ensure that communities within the church are seen, supported, and encouraged to flourish in faith.
Jesus promised his disciples that they would not be left alone. The church continues to live into that promise when it nurtures communities, celebrates diverse gifts, and supports ministries that strengthen the body of Christ.
Reflection Question:
How might your prayers, encouragement, and generosity help nurture communities of faith across the connection?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Many Pieces, One Blanket
Materials: A small quilt or patchwork blanket (or pictures of quilt squares)
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today!
I brought something special with me. (Hold up the quilt.) Does anyone know what this is? That’s right—it’s a quilt.
Let’s look closely at it. What do you notice? (Let them answer.) Yes! It has lots of different colors and pieces. Each piece of fabric is different. Some are bright, some are dark, some have patterns, and some are plain.
But when someone sews all the pieces together, they make one big blanket. And what do we use blankets for? (Let them answer.)
Yes—blankets keep us warm and comfortable. They help us feel safe and cared for. In our Bible story today, Jesus told his friends something very important. He said, “I won’t leave you as orphans.” That means Jesus was telling them, “You are not alone. I will always care for you.”
The church is a little bit like this quilt. People in the church come from many places and have many different cultures and traditions. Each person is different, just like the pieces of fabric in the quilt.
This month is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the gifts and cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander people in the church.
And in The United Methodist Church, there is a ministry called the Pacific Islander’s Ministry Plan. This ministry helps support Pacific Islander churches and leaders so they can share God’s love in their communities.
When the church works together, it’s like sewing the pieces of a quilt together. Everyone helps make something beautiful.
Today is also Mother’s Day, when we thank the people who care for us and help us grow.
Just like a warm blanket can help us feel safe and loved, God cares for us through the people around us.
When we help one another, pray for one another, and share what we have, we are helping make God’s family strong—just like the pieces of a quilt stitched together.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for caring for us. Thank you for the many different people in our church that we can be joined together like this quilt. Thank you for always making us feel safe and warm and feeling loved and cared for. Help us to share that love with others today and tomorrow. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Loving God, Jesus reminds us in John 14 that we are never left alone, for your Spirit remains with your people. As we bring our gifts today, we remember that the church is called to nurture communities of faith and strengthen one another in love. Through the Pacific Islander’s Ministry Plan, our connectional giving helps support leadership, ministry, and community within The United Methodist Church. Bless these offerings so they may encourage and strengthen those who serve and lead. May our generosity reflect Christ’s promise that the church walks together in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Abiding Spirit of Love, you have not left us orphaned. Even in our uncertainty, you draw near, whispering truth, stirring memory, teaching us to live as those who know we are loved. As Jesus offered himself in love and obedience, so we offer these gifts today—not out of obligation, but as signs of our love and trust. Take them, bless them, use them—to remind the world that Christ’s story abides in us. May your Spirit strengthen us to live what we give and give what we believe. In the name of the one who promised never to leave us. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In John 14:15–21, Jesus promises his followers, “I won’t leave you as orphans.” Through the Spirit, Christ continues to guide and nurture the church. The Pacific Islander’s Ministry Plan reflects that promise by strengthening Pacific Islander communities within The United Methodist Church through leadership development, support, and shared ministry. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we celebrate the gifts, cultures, and leadership of Asian and Pacific Islander members who enrich the life of the church. Through connectional giving, congregations help support these ministries and encourage communities to flourish in faith.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate the gifts of our diverse church and support ministries that strengthen communities across the connection.