Designated Ministry: Field Ministry—June 21, 2009

To view entire suggested worship service for this day, click here.
Click here for a PowerPoint presentation to support the story.

For stories about what’s happening in the Asia Mission Field, read the June Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Asia Mission Field—Calm Our Storms

Each Sunday we are invited to “share equally” with Mission Tithes for local and world ministries. These stories are provided to keep us in touch with how your contributions to Mission Tithes are spreading the peace of Jesus Christ.

This story, Calm Our Storms, takes us to the Asia Mission Field. Through Steve Shields, a Community of Christ member relates: The congregations in our area were blessed recently when seven new elders were ordained. We are grateful that World Ministries Mission Tithes provided for their preordination training. Members of our congregations value education, and they want the members of the priesthood to understand Community of Christ values and beliefs.

We have sixty-three congregations in our area of India, and for several years have had only two elders to administer the sacraments, and to help calm the storms of our lives. Now, instead of sharing in the Lord’s Supper once or twice a year, we will be able to do so more often. The message of God’s love for each person is shared from pulpits and in homes in some of the world’s largest cities and in some of the most remote jungle villages—literally bringing the gospel to life. Your generous response to World Ministries Mission Tithes makes all this possible. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Steven L. Shields, field appointee, Asia Mission Field

B. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: Local

What is happening to you or in your congregation as a result of giving to local ministries through Mission Tithes? Share those experiences as part of your congregation’s Disciples’ Generous Response.

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C. Blessing on Our Offering

From Mark 4:35–39, adapted (NRSV) we read: On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was…A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries allows others to share the witness of Christ. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.