Designated Ministry: Oblation—April 5, 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 Apostle Rick Maupin’s Caribbean, Mexico and South Central USA Mission Field, read the April Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Dominican Republic—Enter Humbly

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, Enter Humbly, takes us to the Dominican Republic in Apostle Rick Maupin’s Caribbean, Mexico and Texas Mission Field. Rick relates: As we drove into the village in the Dominican Republic, poverty surrounded us on every side. Nearly all of the houses were built of materials which have been recycled time and time again: bits of tin, scraps of lumber, and other items most would have discarded long ago. Adding to the difficult conditions is an increasing level of violent crime in the pathways and rocky trails the people who live in the Dominican Republic call streets. One of our Community of Christ sisters and her five children live on one of those rugged streets. A short time ago, her 34-year-old husband died of cancer. Life was not easy when her husband was alive, but together they found a variety of ways to survive. Now without him, our sister spoke of how more difficult life is now.

Attempting to raise and support five children—one in need of serious medical attention—would be difficult in any setting. As I visited, prayed, and cried with her, it was apparent that she had entered humbly into a time of hope, but she struggled to cling to that hope. Her only source of income is a very small store which she and her children operate out of one side of their house. The church’s congregational financial officer used Oblation funds to assist our sister and her family during this difficult time. Because of your generosity, you are a real part of the hope in this family’s life. Your contributions to Oblation help bring hope into very desperate situations. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Rick Maupin, apostle, Caribbean, Mexico, and South Central USA 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 Philippians 2:5 (NRSV) we read: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Sharing our Mission Tithes equally between local and world ministries change lives around the world. Let us share in the prayer of blessing for our offering.