To view entire suggested worship service for this day,
click here.
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for a PowerPoint presentation to support the story.
For stories about what’s happening in the North Atlantic (Europe/USA) Mission Field, read the November Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.
Philippines—See Through Children’s Eyes
Donetsk, Ukraine—Be Faithful Stewards
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, Be Faithful Stewards, takes us to Donetsk, Ukraine, in the Europe
Mission Center. The root word in Russian for “donation” is the same word as the
root for Jesus’ giving himself on the cross. So teaching people they should
“donate” was not an easy idea to communicate. Igor Karpachov, the pastor of the
Donetsk, Ukraine congregation, shared this experience: When our congregation
recently met for worship, I presented this question to our community, “How do
you understand the idea of Christian generosity and giving?” Although giving is
discussed near the beginning of worship services each Sunday when we receive the
offering, what I was asking them that day was a larger question. I was trying to
discover if the congregation understood that giving freely should be the main
disposition of Christians. Just as Jesus gave himself freely, we ought to do so
also.
The responses filled me with love for our congregation. Those outside Ukraine
need to understand there was a seventy–year period during which the state
actively discouraged acts of charity and giving because these were a government
responsibility. Yet the Saints in Ukraine and Russia are growing in their
understanding of what a true disciple’s generous response means. The first
person to speak said, “Before Christians can be ready to sacrifice freely for
others, they must first be willing to subordinate their will to the will of
God.” Then, rapidly, others said: true obedience to God is always shown through
our generosity to others. When we give to others, we are giving to our God who
loves all people equally.” Your contributions to World Ministries Mission Tithes
provide field ministers and ministry to nations such as Ukraine, reaching
thousands who are hungry for the healing balm of the gospel. Thank you for
responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Igor Karpachov, pastor,
Donetsk, Ukriane congregation, with Leonard Young, North Atlantic (Europe/USA)
Mission Field
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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From Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 we read: Faithful disciples respond to an
increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of god by sharing according to
the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint. Break free of the
shackles of conventional culture that mainly promote self – serving interests.
Give generously according to your true capacity.
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.
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