A Moment for Mission
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish? In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.” — 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, CEB
Paul’s words to the Corinthians are as striking today as they were in the first century: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved” (v. 18). The cross was a tool of shame in the Roman world, yet in God’s wisdom it became the sign of salvation. What seems weak or foolish to human eyes becomes the very way God redeems the world.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live by this wisdom, even when it seems counter to the world’s logic. Instead of choosing power, we choose service. Instead of seeking only personal gain, we invest in the good of the whole community. Instead of division, we strive for unity in Christ.
This same spirit shapes the way The United Methodist Church organizes its life and mission. We call it connectionalism. It means that no congregation or ministry stands alone; we are bound together in Christ and called to serve together. One of the key ways we live this out is through connectional giving.
The World Service Fund is one of seven apportionment funds in The United Methodist Church, and it sustains many vital ministries. One of these is the Connectional Table. While its name might sound like a meeting room or committee, its work is deeply spiritual: to discern and articulate a shared vision for our church, stewarding the mission, ministries, and resources God has entrusted to us.
In partnership with the Council of Bishops and guided by the decisions of General Conference, the Connectional Table helps our global church remain united in its mission. It fosters unity, nurtures faith, and empowers ministries across the world. In many ways, it helps us as a denomination stay rooted in God’s wisdom rather than our own, ensuring that our ministries point to the cross of Christ.
Why does this matter? Because it is easy, even for churches, to become divided by competing visions or distracted by the world’s values. But through the work of the Connectional Table, supported by the World Service Fund, the church continually asks: Where is God calling us? How can our resources best serve the mission of Christ? How do we live as a faithful witness to the power of the cross in today’s world?
Paul reminds us that the wisdom of God often looks different from human wisdom. Supporting the work of the church through connectional giving might not seem “efficient” in the world’s eyes, but in God’s wisdom it is how we stay united, empowered, and fruitful. It ensures that the message of the cross—the power of God to save—is proclaimed not just in one place, but throughout the world.
This week, take time to reflect on the power of the cross in your own life. Give thanks for the ways your local church has nurtured your faith, and remember that through connectional giving, you are also part of shaping the future of the church across the globe.
Reflection Question: How does the wisdom of the cross shape the way you live, give, and serve as part of Christ’s church?
Children’s Message
Title: Trusting What We Can’t See
Materials: A puzzle piece of a building block and a cross
Good morning, friends!
(Show the puzzle piece/block.)
Do you know what this is? (Let the children answer.)
That’s right—it’s a piece of a puzzle (or a block). By itself, it doesn’t look like much, right? But when you put it together with all the other pieces, you see the whole picture (or build something strong).
(Show the cross)
Now, what about this…do you know what this is? (Let the children answer.) That’s right! It’s a cross. The shows us that Jesus died for all of us. But for some people who don’t know about Jesus, the cross was just a sad way for Jesus to die. In our Bible story today, Paul says the same thing: the cross might look silly to some people, but not for us. We know it is a powerful message about the plans God has for us and how Jesus was a part of that plan to save us.
When Jesus died on the cross, people thought it was the end. But God had other plans—through the cross came new life, forgiveness, and love for everyone. What looked silly or sad to the world, God turned into the greatest good news ever.
A puzzle piece is a lot like this story. One piece may not make sense by itself, but when it comes together with others, it helps make something beautiful. And just like a puzzle, God takes all the pieces of us—our hearts, gifts, and love—and with Jesus, puts them together to make something wonderful.
Our church is kind of like this puzzle. Each of us is a piece. By ourselves, we can do good things, but when we work together, God makes something beautiful! In The United Methodist Church, we all join our pieces together through something called the World Service Fund. That means we share what we have so God’s work can grow everywhere. Part of that work is the Connectional Table, which helps the church see the “big picture,” like putting the puzzle together.
So remember—the cross may look silly to the world, but to us it shows God’s amazing power and love. And when we work together as one church family, God uses us to share that love with the world.
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for the cross. Thank you for your love. Thank you for our church. Help us work together to share your love everywhere. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
God of wisdom and power, the cross of Christ shows us that your ways are not the world’s ways. As we give today, we do so with gratitude for the ministries supported by our connectional giving. Through the World Service Fund, you sustain the work of the Connectional Table, guiding our church with vision, unity, and purpose. Bless these gifts, that they may serve as a witness to your transforming love in the world. May our giving and our living point always to Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
Steadfast and sheltering God, you are our refuge in every age, our hope when foolishness abounds and justice seems far off. Even when the world disappoints, you call us to faithfulness, to community, to generosity that reflects your own heart. Receive these offerings as signs of our trust in you and our desire to live differently, to live redemptively, and to live hopefully. Use them—and us—for the good that ripples outward, for the healing of hearts and the strengthening of your people. We give not because all is well but because you are good. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved. It is written in scripture: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent. Where are the wise? Where are the legal experts? Where are today’s debaters? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish? In God’s wisdom, he determined that the world wouldn’t come to know him through its wisdom. Instead, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. Jews ask for signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, which is a scandal to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, CEB
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul reminds us that the message of the cross may seem like foolishness to the world, but to us it is the very power of God. As United Methodists, we live out this message together through connectional giving. The World Service Fund supports ministries that keep us rooted in Christ’s mission, including the Connectional Table, which helps discern a shared vision for our church and stewards our global ministries. Together, we are empowered to witness to God’s wisdom that unites and transforms lives.
Join us this Sunday for worship as we celebrate God’s wisdom revealed in the cross.