A Moment for Mission
“The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. “Would any of you say to your servant, who had just come in from the field after plowing or tending sheep, ‘Come! Sit down for dinner’? Wouldn’t you say instead, ‘Fix my dinner. Put on the clothes of a table servant and wait on me while I eat and drink. After that, you can eat and drink’? You won’t thank the servant because the servant did what you asked, will you? In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.’ ” — Luke 17:5-10, CEB
In Luke 17:5-10, the disciples ask Jesus, “Increase our faith!” Jesus answers by reminding them that faith is shown in the ordinary, faithful work we do each day. Even the smallest act—doing what is right, helping another, or serving God quietly—carries immense power in God’s kingdom.
World Communion Sunday is one of those moments when the Church puts this teaching into action. United Methodists around the world unite in prayer and giving, remembering that the church is bigger than any one congregation. This special Sunday allows us to share our gifts to support the ministries that help equip leaders—leaders who will guide congregations, care for communities, and share the love of Christ in new and creative ways.
Your generosity doesn’t just stay in one place. It reaches students preparing for ministry, helps churches grow in diversity and inclusivity, and equips leaders both locally and across the globe. Each gift, when joined with the gifts of others, multiplies impact in ways that one person alone could never achieve. In this way, we live out the message of Luke 17: faithful service that matters, no matter how small it may seem.
Without World Communion Sunday, many of these opportunities would be missed. Scholarships, leadership training, and support for ministries around the world rely on our collective giving. When we unite in prayer and generosity, we are actively participating in God’s mission, helping form a church that reflects God’s love and care for every person.
Luke 17 also reminds us that our service is not about recognition or reward—it’s about faithful obedience. When we give through World Communion Sunday, we trust God to use our gifts to equip others, knowing that God’s work is bigger than we can imagine. The Church is strengthened, leaders are nurtured, and the good news of Jesus is shared widely—all because ordinary people chose to follow God faithfully.
Reflection Question:
Where is God inviting you to join in faithful service, trusting that even small acts of generosity and care can grow into something much bigger in God’s kingdom?
Children’s Message
Title: Helping Leaders Grow
Materials: A loaf of bread, a cup or a simple communion set
Do you know what this is? (Let the kids answer.) Yes! Bread and juice.
On World Communion Sunday, we remember Jesus and celebrate how we are part of God’s big family.”
Jesus tells us in Luke 17 that even small acts of faith and service matter a lot. That means every time we help, give, or share, it counts!
In our church, we don’t just care for people nearby—we care about kids and adults who want to grow up to be leaders in the church. When we give and share on World Communion Sunday, we help them learn about Jesus, grow in their faith, and help other people, too. That’s called connectional giving—when we all give together to do God’s work around the world.
So remember: every act of love and every gift we share helps God’s leaders grow and spreads God’s love far and wide. When we all work together, God’s love shines everywhere!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for helping us share and care for others. Bless the leaders who are learning to follow you, and help us to help them with our gifts. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for calling us to faithful service. On this World Communion Sunday, we offer our gifts in love, knowing that together we can help students grow into strong leaders, equip churches to welcome and nurture all people, and support ministries that bring your love around the world. Bless these offerings, Lord, and let them multiply in ways we cannot see, bringing hope, encouragement, and faithfulness to communities everywhere. Help us remember that even small acts of giving and service join with others to make a big difference in your kingdom. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Faithful God, our source and sustainer, you call us to believe beyond what we see and serve without seeking reward. Take these gifts as seeds of trust, planted in hope and watered with gratitude. Even when our faith feels small, you multiply our offering into acts of healing, welcome, and justice. So, increase not only our faith, Lord, but also our willingness to serve—with humility, joy, and confidence that you are at work through every generous act. In the name of the one who came to serve, we pray. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In Luke 17:5-10, Jesus reminds us that even small acts of faithful service are powerful. On World Communion Sunday, we come together as a church to multiply our impact, giving and praying in support of ministries that help prepare the next generation of leaders. Through our generosity, students of color are supported in pursuing ministry, church communities receive training to grow and welcome everyone, and leaders around the world are equipped to serve faithfully. Without this special Sunday, these opportunities to strengthen God’s church globally and locally would be limited.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate World Communion Sunday and Christ’s love through our shared mission to equip leaders everywhere.