A Moment for Mission
“On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, show us mercy!’ When Jesus saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ As they left, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus replied, ‘Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.’” — Luke 17:11-19, CEB
As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, ten people with leprosy cried out for mercy. He instructed them to show themselves to the priests, and on the way, they were healed. While it may seem unusual that Jesus sent them to the priests instead of healing them immediately, this made sense in his time. The Law required priests to confirm healing so people could rejoin community life. By sending them, Jesus cared for both their physical and spiritual needs.
What’s striking is that the healing didn’t happen right away—it came as they obeyed, trusting Jesus enough to act before they saw change. Yet only one—a Samaritan—returned to thank Jesus. His response revealed genuine faith: gratitude that went beyond politeness, recognizing the true source of the gift and responding in grateful worship. Jesus’ words, “Your faith has made you well” (v. 19), suggest that his trust brought not only physical healing but also the wholeness of salvation.
This story raises a question: what do we do with the gifts God gives us? Do we take them for granted, or do we respond with thankfulness that transforms our lives?
For us today, gratitude can also become action. In the United Methodist Church, one way we live this out is through what we call connectional giving. It means we pool our resources so no one stands alone. Together, we fund ministries that reach far beyond what any local church could do on its own.
One powerful example of this is the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF). The MEF makes it possible for students to prepare for ordained or licensed ministry by supporting seminaries, providing scholarships, and helping those called to be pastors, deacons, and other leaders. This fund is administered by the church’s education and ministry agency (the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, or GBHEM). Without it, many students might never have the financial or spiritual support they need to answer God’s call. Imagine the impact: without this shared ministry, there would be fewer leaders prepared to preach, teach, and guide the church into the future.
Connectional giving is an act of gratitude. Just as the healed man returned to Jesus, our giving is a way of saying “thank you” to God by investing in the church’s mission. When we give to the MEF, we aren’t just paying bills or keeping institutions alive. We’re equipping people—future pastors who will baptize babies, preach Good News, comfort the grieving, lead mission work, and nurture communities of faith. Your giving creates stories of transformation—like this story about grants for UMC seminaries.
Think about the long reach of this gratitude. A gift in today’s offering plate may help a seminarian finish her degree. Years later, she may stand in a pulpit preaching the grace of Christ. She may counsel a family through hardship, or encourage a child to trust God. Your gratitude today will echo in lives you may never see.
In Luke’s story, gratitude made the difference. Ten were healed, but one lived in the fullness of faith. Gratitude turns blessings into witness. It transforms gifts into ministry. It helps ensure that God’s work will continue from generation to generation.
Reflection Question:
How can my gratitude to God shape the future of the church and its leaders?
Children’s Message
Title: Gratitude that Shapes Tomorrow
Materials: A thank-you card or simple gift bag
Good morning, friends!
Have you ever said “thank you” when someone gave you a gift or helped you? (Let children respond.) That’s wonderful!
In the Bible story today, Jesus healed ten people who were very sick. But guess what? Only one of them came back to say “thank you.” Can you imagine that? Ten people were healed, but only one remembered to thank Jesus.
Saying “thank you” is really important. It’s not just being polite—it shows your heart knows the gift is special. In the Bible story, ten men were healed, but only one came back to say thank you to Jesus. Jesus showed us that saying thank you isn’t just good manners—it shows we really trust God and know He’s the one who helps us. Gratitude—saying thank you to God—is one of the best ways to show our faith.
Our church also says “thank you” in a special way. When we give our offerings, we’re helping people who are learning to be pastors and leaders. It’s like giving a thank-you card to God that also helps someone else.
So this week, remember: every time you get something good—food, hugs, even smiles—you can say two big words: Thank You!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for helping us believe and trust you, even when we can’t see everything you’re doing. Help us share your love with the whole world. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious God,
Like the healed man who returned to thank Jesus, we pause with grateful hearts. Your gifts to us are abundant, and through our connection as United Methodists, we can do more together than we ever could alone. Today, we remember the Ministerial Education Fund, which helps prepare pastors, deacons, and leaders through the work of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Without this shared support, many could not answer Your call to ministry. Bless these gifts, O Lord, that they may equip leaders and strengthen Your church. In Christ’s name, Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Gracious healer who meets us on the way, you give gifts we never earn and mercies we often forget to name. Receive these offerings as signs of our gratitude and expressions of our faith. Let them be more than ritual—let them become praise, rising from lives made whole in your grace. May we never settle for being merely clean when you call us to wellness, to joy, to thanksgiving. Make us a generous people, healed and healing, blessing others as you have blessed us. In the name of Jesus, who makes us well. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, they raised their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, show us mercy!’ When Jesus saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ As they left, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus replied, ‘Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.’” Luke 17:11-19, CEB
In Luke 17:11–19, only one healed leper returned to give thanks to Jesus. Gratitude reminds us that God’s gifts are meant to be received and shared. One way our church practices gratitude is through connectional giving. The Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) equips future pastors, deacons, and church leaders by providing scholarships and financial support through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Without this fund, students preparing for ministry would lack vital resources. Our giving strengthens the whole church and ensures faithful leadership for generations.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we give thanks for God’s gifts and celebrate the joy of equipping future leaders.