Designated Ministry: Oblation—May 3, 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 Linda Booth’s Southern USA Mission Field, read the May Herald “Sharing in the Field” section.

A. Disciples’ Generous Response Story: World

Fiji—Abide in Love

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, Abide in Love, takes us to Fiji in the Pacific Islands Mission Field. Kendra Friend relates: In January, the skies above Fiji turned dark. The rains poured down. Water rose and flooding began. The country’s leaders declared emergency. According to Thomson Reuters International News Agency, 11 people died in the floods with about 9,000 living in evacuation centers. Water and electricity services were scarce, roads and bridges were wiped out, and crops were destroyed.

Ralph Aona, Pacific Islands Mission Centre president, traveled to Fiji to assess damages. Though several church families were affected by the floods, they remained calm. The Fiji Saints focused on the abiding love that flowed to them from their worldwide Community of Christ family. Needs included children’s school materials, kitchen appliances, bedroom furniture, and materials to repair damaged homes. Thanks to your generous support to Oblation, the Community of Christ provided $7,000 to help the Saints affected by flooding in Fiji. Thank you for responding faithfully by sharing so very generously.—Kendra Friend, strategic communications specialist

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.

1.

2.

3.

C. Blessing on Our Offering

From 1 John 3:18 (NRSV) we read: Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

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.