Designated Ministry: Missionary Outreach—October 19, 2008

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 Apostle Jim Slauter's ministerial area, read the February Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Philippines—See Through Children’s Eyes

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, See Through Children’s Eyes, takes us to the Philippines, in the Southeast Asia Mission Center. Alicia Clore relates:
“We love you, Ate [big sister] Alicia!” Those five words will forever be printed on my heart—the five words that a chorus of children yelled from their second-story classroom window as I walked past the nearby elementary school for the last time. I had only spent a short thirty minutes sharing in their classroom the week before, but every time I saw them after that, we always shared a greeting, a smile, and often a big hug. I was no longer the strange “Americana” walking down the street; I was their big sister. In every congregation and community I walked into—even if we shared for only a few moments, even if smiles were the only way to communicate—I was already part of the family and shown a love that can be found only within a family founded on the love of God.

I applied to be a part of the WorldService Corps with the hope that I could better understand what it means to be a world church and what it means to be a member of a global family. I never imagined that I would be embraced and loved so freely by family who did not even know me. Time and time again, my needs were met by the generous hands of folks who did not yet know my name. I was equally blessed to witness the ways that this unrestricted love and care so naturally flows throughout communities. Where there were disease-rampant areas, my partners and I joined church and community members on medical missions to provide free vaccinations. Where there were hungry mouths, we sat side-by-side at dinner tables that became the site for multiple souls to find nourishment of both food and fellowship. And where there were crying children, we saw comfort extended by the gentle hands of family and neighbor alike. Your generous contributions to World Ministries Mission Tithes make possible the ministry without borders of WorldService Corps. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Alicia Clore, WorldService Corps volunteer

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 Doctrine and Covenants 163:4a we read: God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries changes our lives and those who receive the blessings from it. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.