MISSION MOMENT
“So what are we going to say? Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply? Absolutely not! All of us died to sin. How can we still live in it? Or don’t you know that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life. If we were united together in a death like his, we will also be united together in a resurrection like his. This is what we know: the person that we used to be was crucified with him in order to get rid of the corpse that had been controlled by sin. That way we wouldn’t be slaves to sin anymore, because a person who has died has been freed from sin’s power. But if we died with Christ, we have faith that we will also live with him. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and he will never die again. Death no longer has power over him. He died to sin once and for all with his death, but he lives for God with his life. In the same way, you also should consider yourselves dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.”— Romans 6:1b–11 (CEB)
In Romans 6:1b–11 (CEB), the apostle Paul asks, “Should we continue sinning so grace will multiply?” and then answers with clarity: “Absolutely not!” Through baptism, we are united with Christ in his death and raised to walk in new life. This new life is not meant to be lived alone—it is lived together, shaped by grace, and expressed through the way we care for one another.
Men’s Ministry Sunday in The United Methodist Church invites us to see that new life in action. It is a reminder that faith is not only personal—it is shared. The men of the Church, through mentorship, service, leadership, and presence, help embody what it means to walk in new life with Christ. Their ministry reflects the truth that we are no longer bound to what was but are called into what God is doing now.
United Methodists observe awareness Sundays like this to lift up ministries that deepen our spiritual lives and strengthen our shared witness. These moments remind us of our blessings and the faith that unites us. They also help us see how each person’s role matters in the life of the Church. On this Sunday, we honor the men who show up—in quiet acts of service, in guiding younger generations, and in building communities rooted in Christ’s love.
Paul reminds us that “we know that our old self was crucified with him” so that we might no longer be controlled by sin but instead live fully for God. That kind of life is not lived in isolation. In The United Methodist Church, we live this out through a connectional way of being. We are connected so that no congregation carries ministry alone. Together, we support and strengthen one another, ensuring that ministry continues in places we may never see, but are still part of.
Every gift tells a story, and every story can begin with the impact we make through our ministry together. At its heart, giving is a covenant—to walk together in faith, to support one another, and to trust that God is working through all of us. Through this shared commitment, the work of ministries like Men’s Ministry is sustained and multiplied.
As we reflect on this new life in Christ, we are reminded that our faith calls us into community, into service, and into a shared purpose that is greater than ourselves.
Reflection Question:
Where is God inviting you to live more fully into this shared, new life with others this week?
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Title: We are made new in Christ
Materials: A clear jar with dirt or mud on the outside (or washable marker/paint on it) and a damp cloth, or paper towel and cleaner
Good morning, friends! I’m so glad to see you today! I brought something with me. (Hold up bottle.)
What do you see? It’s a bottle—but look closely… is it clean? (Show the dirt or marks.) It’s kind of dirty, isn’t it?
What should we do with it? Should we throw it away? (Pause for answers.) Yes! We could clean it! Let’s try (start wiping the bottle and use the cleaner if needed)
Look what’s happening! The dirt is coming off! (Keep wiping.) Now look at it—it’s clean again! It looks almost brand new!
Our Bible story today tells us something really important. It says that when we follow Jesus, we are made new. That doesn’t mean we become a different person—it means God washes away what’s old and gives us a fresh, new life. Kind of like this bottle! Now here’s the really cool part—God doesn’t just make one person new and send them off alone. God brings us together.
Today is Men’s Ministry Sunday. That means we are saying “thank you” to the men in our church who help others grow, learn, and follow Jesus. They help people remember that God loves them, forgives them, and makes them new. And in The United Methodist Church, we don’t do that by ourselves.
We help each other.
We care for each other.
We remind each other that God makes us new.
So every time you are kind…
Every time you help someone…
Every time you show love…
You are helping someone see that they are made new, too. And together, we share that good news with the whole world.
Prayer: Dear God, Dear God,
Thank you for loving us and making us new. Help us remember that you wash away what is old And give us new life in Jesus. Thank you for the men in our church who help others follow you. Help us love and care for one another every day. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Gracious God, Through Christ, you have raised us to new life, calling us to live not for ourselves, but for you. On this Men’s Ministry Sunday, we give thanks for those who serve, lead, and reflect your love within the Church and beyond. Receive these gifts as signs of our shared covenant to walk together in faith. Through our connectional giving, may these offerings strengthen ministries, deepen relationships, and extend your grace in ways we cannot do alone. Use all we offer to bring life, hope, and witness to your love. Amen.
OFFERTORY PRAYER from Discipleship Ministries
Listening God, you hear the cries we whisper and the cries we cannot speak. In a world still marked by fear, abandonment, and unfairness, you remain the one who listens and who hears the voices of the outcast, the wounded, the overlooked. As we bring our offerings today, open our ears as yours are open. Make our giving an act of solidarity with those whose voices rise in need. Use these gifts to reveal your presence, to bring water into desert places, and to remind all your children that they are not alone. Shape us into people who hear because we have been heard. Amen.
NEWSLETTER NUGGET
Men’s Ministry Sunday in The United Methodist Church reminds us that we are raised to new life in Christ—not alone, but together. Rooted in Romans 6:1b–11, we celebrate the men whose faith, service, and leadership strengthen our shared witness. Awareness Sundays like this lift up ministries that deepen our spiritual lives and remind us of the faith that unites us. Through our connectional giving, we support this ministry and ensure no congregation carries the work alone.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate Men’s Ministry and the new life we share in Christ—together.