A Moment for Mission
“The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:42–47, CEB
The early church described in Acts offers a powerful picture of how God’s people live and work together. In Acts 2:42–47 (CEB) we read that believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.” They worshiped together, shared what they had, and cared for one another. Their faith was not lived alone. It was lived in community.
This passage reminds us that from the very beginning, the church has been a people who gather, listen, discern, and work together for the sake of Christ’s mission.
The same spirit of shared commitment continues today in The United Methodist Church through gatherings like General Conference. General Conference is where leaders and elected representatives from across the denomination come together to pray, study Scripture, and make decisions that guide the ministry of the church. It is a time for listening, discerning, and seeking God’s direction together.
This work does not happen by accident. It requires faithful preparation, coordination, and support so that the church can gather, worship, and make decisions in an orderly and prayerful way. That work is supported through the General Administration Fund, one of the apportioned funds of The United Methodist Church.
The General Administration Fund helps make possible the ministries that allow the church to function together. Through this fund, The United Methodist Church supports the work behind General Conference, as well as other essential administrative ministries that help the church remain connected, accountable, and faithful to its mission.
While administration may sound ordinary, it is actually part of the church’s covenant life together. Just as the believers in Acts organized their shared life through teaching, fellowship, and prayer, the church today gathers through structures that help us discern God’s will together.
This is where connectional giving becomes important. When United Methodists give through their local churches, they participate in a shared ministry larger than any single congregation. Each gift helps sustain the work that allows the church to gather, listen to one another, and seek Christ’s guidance for the future.
Every gift tells a story. Sometimes the story begins in a local congregation. Sometimes it continues through gatherings like General Conference, where the church listens for God’s voice together. Through connectional giving, these stories become part of a larger testimony of faith, cooperation, and mission.
In Acts we see a community devoted to learning, fellowship, and prayer. Because they shared what they had, their life together became a witness to God’s grace.
Today, we continue that same covenant through our shared ministry in The United Methodist Church. When we give, when we gather, and when we discern together, we participate in the ongoing story of Christ at work through the church.
Reflection Question:
How might your prayers, your participation, and your giving help strengthen the church’s shared work of listening for Christ together?
Children’s Message
Title: We Work Together
Materials: A small puzzle (6–10 pieces) and small table or flat surface
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you! Today I brought a puzzle with me. (Hold up puzzle pieces.)
What happens if I try to finish the puzzle with only one piece? (Pause for answers) That’s right! One piece cannot make the whole picture. We need all the pieces working together.
Let’s put the puzzle together. (Invite children to help place pieces.) Look at that! When all the pieces work together, we can see the whole picture.
Our Bible story today tells us that the first followers of Jesus worked together, too. The Bible says they “devoted themselves to teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers.” That means they learned together, prayed together, and helped one another—just like we put the puzzle together. They worked together to get things done.
We do that in our church, too. Sometimes the leaders of our church get together to talk about how to help our church. They pray, talk, and listen to God so they can help guide us.
And guess what? An even bigger group meets every four years to talk about the whole United Methodist Church. This big meeting is called General Conference.
At this meeting, people are working together—just like our puzzle. Everyone doing their part. Everyone helping. Everyone following Jesus together.
You might not think that meetings and working together are things God cares about, but they are. God wants us to work together in helpful and kind ways.
Sometimes a story of kindness begins in very small ways. But when everyone helps, those small pieces can come together like a big, beautiful puzzle.
This week, think about how you can be kind and helpful, even in the smallest chores or things you do.
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the church. Help us learn together, pray together, and help one another. Thank you for the ways we can share and give. Help us follow Jesus together. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Faithful God, in Acts we see your people devoted to teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer. You formed a community that worked together in love and purpose. As we offer our gifts today, remind us that our giving connects us to the shared ministry of The United Methodist Church. Through the General Administration Fund, we support the work that allows the church to gather in General Conference, listen for your guidance, and serve faithfully together. Bless these gifts so they strengthen our covenant life and extend Christ’s work through the church. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Faithful Shepherd, who calls us by name, you invite us into a life that is rich in meaning, deep in joy, and bold in compassion. You speak, and we long to follow—although the world is noisy and the path unclear. In this moment of offering, we quiet our hearts to listen again. Receive these gifts as signs of our trust in you. May they be used to bring abundance to others, to feed the hungry, to strengthen the lost, and to proclaim your voice of love. In coming and going, in worship and service, make us more like Christ, in whose name we give and pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In Acts 2:42–47, the early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, shared meals, and prayer. Their life together reflected a covenant of faith, cooperation, and generosity. Today, The United Methodist Church continues that shared commitment through gatherings like General Conference, where leaders come together to pray, discern, and guide the church’s ministry. The General Administration Fund helps support the work that makes these gatherings possible and strengthens the church’s connection. Through connectional giving, every gift contributes to the story of how the church listens for God’s direction together.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we reflect on how our shared giving helps the church serve faithfully together.