We’ve traditionally used the PC(USA) Mission Yearbook for our “Minute for Mission” during worship each Sunday. But, some of you have had questions about it recently. Here is some of what we’ve heard:

• “Why do we have a Minute for Mission every Sunday?”
• “Why is it about people and places we don’t know about?”
• “Why is it always a lot more than a minute?”

Those are the kinds of questions we pastor-types enjoy hearing. That means you’re taking worship seriously.

One of the ways we Presbyterians have talked about worship over the centuries is that “through the Word and Sacrament the church is empowered to serve God in the world.” Notice that last phrase: “to serve God in the world.” When we come together to worship it isn’t to hide out from a harsh world. We worship to give thanks for God’s presence in our lives and to help us see more clearly that God is active in our world. Worship will give us more commitment and energy to serve God beyond the church walls.

So, to make that part of our worship more clear and less boring, we’re going to be doing some things differently:

• The Minute for Mission will be more focused, more clear, more condensed;
• It will include more information about church mission in our community, our state, and our region, as well as the rest of the world;
• It will help us learn more about how our mission dollars and other gifts are being used in the name of Jesus Christ to ease people’s burdens and give them hope;
• It will challenge us to find ways to give thanks for God’s blessings to us by making gifts that will help others also experience God’s blessings.

We hope to see you Sunday!