MISSION MOMENT
“The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you. Abram left just as the Lord told him, and Lot went with him. Now Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all of their possessions, and those who became members of their household in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, Abram traveled through the land as far as the sacred place at Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. The Canaanites lived in the land at that time. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I give this land to your descendants,” so Abram built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him. From there he traveled toward the mountains east of Bethel, and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and worshipped in the Lord’s name. Then Abram set out toward the arid southern plain, making and breaking camp as he went. ”— Genesis 12:1–9 (CEB)
In Genesis 12:1–9 (CEB), God calls Abram to go—to leave what he knows and trust a promise not yet fully seen. As Abram travels, something important happens. He doesn’t just move forward—he stops. He builds altars. At Shechem. Between Bethel and Ai. Along the journey.
These altars mark the places where God spoke, where God appeared, where God’s promise took root. Abram is not only walking into the future—he is remembering along the way. He is making sure the story of God’s faithfulness is not lost.
Because without remembering, the story can fade.
As people of The United Methodist Church, we are living in that same pattern of faith. We follow where God leads, and we tell the story of how God has been with us. But remembering does not happen by accident. It takes intention. It takes care. It takes people committed to preserving what God has done.
Through connectional giving, including gifts shared through The General Administration Fund, we support the General Commission on Archives and History. This ministry helps safeguard the history of The United Methodist Church—preserving records, protecting documents, and ensuring that the witness of generations is not lost.
These are not just old papers or distant memories. They are the stories of God at work—through congregations, through communities, through ordinary people who said yes to God’s call, just like Abram.
And just as Abram built altars to mark God’s presence, this ministry helps The United Methodist Church hold onto those markers of faith. It keeps the Church’s story safe, so it can continue to be told, shared, and lived.
Many may not fully understand how The United Methodist Church works, but at its heart is a covenant to walk together. We are connected so that no congregation carries ministry alone. When we give, our gifts are joined with others across the connection, strengthening ministries that serve people we may never meet, but whom God deeply loves.
Every gift tells a story. And every story can begin with the impact we make through our giving.
On June 9, International Archives Day, we are reminded that remembering is part of faithfulness. Abram did not only go—he remembered. And because he remembered, others could know the story of God.
We give so that story continues.
Reflection Question:
Where do you see God’s faithfulness in your story, and how might your giving help tell that story for others?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: Building Memories
Materials: Small rocks or building blocks
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today! In our scripture story for today, we learn about a man named Abram. God told Abram to go to a new place. Abram trusted God and started walking. But Abram did something special along the way. When he saw that God was with him, he stopped and built a little pile of stones. These stones helped Abram remember, “God was here with me.” And he didn’t do it just once—he did it again in other places, too. Abram wanted to remember every time God was with him.
I brought some blocks with me today so we could do the same. Let’s build a little pile together. (Pause to allow the children to stack the blocks). With each stack have the children repeat “God is with me!”
We remember God, too! At church, we tell stories about what God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Why do we tell the same stories again and again? (Pause for answers.) That’s right—so we don’t forget!
In The United Methodist Church, there are people who help us remember. They take care of our church’s stories—stories about how people love God and love others. They are called the General Commission on Archives and History. That’s a big name!
They help keep our stories safe—like a special place that saves important memories.
When we give in our church, we help take care of those stories. We help make sure people can remember that God is with us.
So, this week, when you are kind…when you help someone…or when you share God’s love… you are like Abram. You are helping others remember: “God is with me.”
Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for being with us wherever we go. Help us remember your love and help us share your story with others. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of promise, you led Abram to build altars that remembered your presence along the journey. As we give today, we remember your faithfulness in our lives and in the life of The United Methodist Church. Through our connectional giving, including support for the General Commission on Archives and History through The General Administration Fund, our gifts help preserve the story of your work and protect the witness of your Church. Join our offerings together so that your story continues to be told with faithfulness and hope. In Christ’s name, Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Calling God, you spoke to Abram and set him on a journey, not with full clarity, but with full trust. You promised blessing—and with it, purpose. We come now as your people, also journeying by faith, offering these gifts not for our greatness, but so that your promise might be fulfilled through us: to bless the world. Use these offerings to build relationships, to mend the broken, and to draw all families of the earth toward your heart. May our giving reflect our trust, and may our trust lead us to go where you send, step by step, stage by stage, into your future. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
In Genesis 12:1–9, Abram builds altars along his journey to remember where God has been with him. In The United Methodist Church, we continue that practice by sharing and preserving the story of God’s work among us. Through connectional giving, including support for the General Commission on Archives and History through The General Administration Fund, we help keep the Church’s story safe and ensure it can be told for generations to come. Every gift tells a story of God’s faithfulness.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we remember God’s presence in our lives and consider how our giving helps preserve and share that story.