Luke 9:1-6

Compared to our continuing journey through Genesis, this definitive text of Jesus sending out the Twelve might be more aptly titled, “And now for something completely different.” Yet on a week when we, as a church, intentionally serve our local community, it is good to be reminded that departing to serve is exactly what Jesus has always called disciples to do.

Jesus sends us out to proclaim God’s kingdom and to heal. Just as the disciples were sent, we too are sent into our community with Jesus’ power. Our trust in the love of God for all people becomes the authority from which we serve. We may not know how to fix the deep problems of this world, but we do know this: God’s love is for all! And with that assurance, we do what we can to meet the needs before us.

Jesus told the Twelve to take “no walking stick, no bag, no bread, no money, not even an extra shirt.” I can’t exactly prescribe this same approach for our church’s week of service. After all, we still have Depart to Serve t-shirts for sale! You’re welcome to purchase one on Sunday to show others where you worship as you serve. And after participating in two wildly successful mission fundraisers, I would be a hypocrite to suggest that our service does not require money. I am still in awe of our church family—raising over $25,000 at our Mission Fundraiser Dinner and separately over $24,000 at Monday’s Golf Tournament through the generosity of businesses, friends, and neighbors. Both events combined fellowship over food with opportunities to share about the vital needs our church is called to address.

On top of that, we continue to receive gifts toward General Missions and Depart to Serve projects—monetary donations, yes, but also tangible items like bedding for the beds we’ll be building this Saturday. Flower Mound UMC is striving to meet pressing needs by working against food scarcity and housing insecurity. Tackling challenges of this magnitude requires significant physical and financial resources.

So when Jesus says, “Take nothing for the journey,” what does that mean for us today? While we certainly bring resources with us as we serve, I believe Jesus is reminding us to trust God’s providence. God provides what we need as we go about God’s work. Just as the disciples likely wondered how they would be cared for on the road, we may also wonder how our efforts will be received. In the ancient world, hospitality was essential for survival when traveling. Today, when we serve outside the walls of our church, we likewise step into situations where we do not know what kind of reception we’ll find.

How will a family respond when we deliver a bed for their child? How will a teenager at Kyle’s Place react to our presence? How will the recipient of a Lovepacs bag or box truly experience God’s love through a simple gift of food?

I believe God’s is telling us not to worry. The Spirit is already at work in the hearts of those we serve, preparing the way for connection and transformation. Our task is simply to show up and find ways to serve—continuing the fight against food scarcity and housing insecurity. God takes what we bring and turns it into so much more: one bag of food at a time, one bed at a time, one relationship at a time, one pint of blood at a time, one dollar at a time.

It’s not too late to sign up for one of our remaining service events or to donate toward to increase our mission impact. May God continue to work through us as we live out our call to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community and in the world!