Home | Miracle Sunday | Sunday, April 26 – Love Boldly

MIRACLE SUNDAY, MAY 17

Worship Resources for Sunday, April 26 – Love Boldly

Suggested Scripture:

• Leviticus 19:9–18 – Love expressed through justice, compassion, and neighborly care
• John 13:34–35 – Loving as Christ has loved: bold, visible, and sacrificial
• Mark 12:28–34 – Loving God and neighbor as the heart of faithful living
  
  

One-minute script to be shared aloud or printed in the bulletin:

The Council of Bishops and leaders from across The United Methodist Church invite our congregation to join with 30,000 other churches across the denomination to participate in Miracle Sunday on May 17. Today and for the next two weeks leading up to Miracle Sunday we will highlight ways that our worldwide Church loves boldly, serves joyfully, and leads courageously.

The shared offering received on Miracle Sunday May 17 will be used to support theological education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. With the goal of educating 500 clergy leaders annually – in perpetuity – through a permanent endowment.

In the United States, approximately 71% of clergy have earned a Master of Theology. Outside the U.S., fewer than 5% of clergy possess this degree. This disparity is not about calling or competence. It is about access.

Many pastors in Central Conferences serve faithfully in communities shaped by poverty, displacement, and fragile infrastructure. They are called. They are courageous. But their access to theological education is often limited by resources.

We can make a difference by showing bold love in generously supporting the Miracle Sunday offering.

A video testimony:
Today we hear Gabriella’s testimony. She is a student at United Seminary in Harare who discovered joy, meaning, and purpose when life felt like it was falling apart. Her education was made possible through the generosity of United Methodists around the world.

A downloadable/printable bulletin insert:

Why Miracle Sunday Matters for the Whole Church
Gabriella lives in a rural community in Zimbabwe. A few years ago, she felt her life unraveling because of economic instability, limited opportunity, and uncertainty about her future.

Today she is studying theology – not for status or prestige – but to serve congregations that gather with extraordinary faith, but limited resources.

In Liberia, pastors preach beside cemeteries because there is no formal sanctuary – only a people hungry for hope.

Across parts of Romania, pastors lead worship with and for refugees displaced by war.

These leaders are called to be pastors just as surely as pastors here. Yet theological education is not equally accessible across our worldwide Church.

• In the U.S., about 71% of clergy hold advanced theological degrees.
• Outside the U.S., fewer than 5% hold advanced theological degrees.

Miracle Sunday is not about choosing global ministry over local needs. It is about recognizing we are one body.

When one part of the Church lacks access, the whole Church is affected.

On May 17, we will join thousands of congregations in strengthening theological education for generations to come.

Please pray about how you can best support the Miracle Sunday offering and make a difference in the lives of others.

Prayer:

Gracious God,

You call leaders in every place — in cities and villages, in comfort and in struggle.

We thank you for pastors who serve faithfully around the world, often in places where resources are limited but faith is strong.

Stir our hearts over these coming weeks.

Help us see beyond our immediate horizon.
Remind us that we are one church.

Strengthen our ministry as we continue to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

Amen.