Miracle Sunday Worship & Study Resources
In May 2025, the bishops of The United Methodist Church, in conjunction with the Connectional Table, released a new and bold vision for the church. This vision reflects the Church's deep commitment to embodying God's dream for the world. The vision states: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. This vision statement complements the Church's longstanding mission statement, inspired by Matthew 28:18-20: "The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
The denomination also recently approved a one-time special offering called Miracle Sunday—May 17, 2026—to benefit The Endowment Fund for Theological Education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
You are invited beginning April 12th and ending on Miracle Sunday, May 17th, to lead your congregation in this six-week worship and small group series designed to help you explore our new vision and to help establish sustainable support for theological education in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
To access the worship series, [click here].
To access the small group guide, [click here].
To access the video testimonies, [click here].
To access the global resources, [click here].
Worship Series Preview
Week 1 - Disciples Formed by Jesus Christ
As disciples, we are called to go deep in our understanding and practice of the faith. We are called to follow Christ with our whole being.
Week 2 - Disciples Empowered by the Holy Spirit
An adverbial faith is passionate and full-bodied. It doesn’t sit on the sidelines but engages with a hungry world. We have help; it is not by our own power that we live and work, but we receive power from the Holy Spirit.
Week 3 - Love Boldly
Who knew loving would be so dangerous? As disciples, we are called to love God and our neighbor, even when it means taking risks and going against social pressures. We will love boldly.
Week 4 - Serve Joyfully
Serving might sound like a duty to some, but to a disciple, it is an opportunity to model Christ, so we find joy in it. When our hearts are in it, we can serve joyfully.
Week 5 - Lead Courageously
Leaning on the promise of God’s presence and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, disciples find strength to lead courageously. Whether we lead from the front, from the middle, or from a distance, our call is to go out to the margins where God’s work is being done.
Week 6 -Disciples Transform the World - Miracle Sunday
Charged by the Great Commission, disciples of Jesus Christ seek to live into the vision of the kingdom that our Lord proclaimed. This is a world-changing task, one we embrace with adverbial faith, as we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Download the Worship Series
This worship series includes six weeks of worship materials, including planning notes, preaching notes, music notes, liturgical resources, children’s messages, youth lessons, and small-group lessons. Reflecting our worldwide United Methodist connection, the worship materials are currently available in English, French, Korean, and Portuguese. Shona, Swahili, Hausa, Spanish, and German translations will be available soon.
Download the Small-Group Resources
Created to support the bishops’ six-week vision series, these small-group resources help disciples explore what it means to be formed by Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and sent to transform the world. Designed for group or individual use, each session connects scripture, Wesleyan theology, and practical discipleship, culminating in Miracle Sunday, a shared opportunity to strengthen theological education across our global connection. The resource is currently available in English, French, Korean, and Portuguese. Shona, Swahili, Hausa, Spanish, and German translations will be available soon.
Video Testimonies
Stories have the power to connect us. These video testimonies from United Methodist leaders around the world offer a glimpse into our shared calling: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. These weekly videos are a wonderful resource to share during worship, in your church newsletter, or on social media as we celebrate Miracle Sunday and our worldwide connection as United Methodists.
Global Resources
Reflecting the truly worldwide connection of The United Methodist Church, these global resources for Miracle Sunday offer meditations, scripture reflections, and prayers from United Methodist leaders in Europe, Africa, and the Philippines. Whether you share them in a newsletter or use them to inspire your sermon and liturgy, take a moment to listen to and join with the voices of our siblings from around the world. These resources are available in English, French, Korean, and Portuguese. Shona, Swahili, Hausa, Spanish, and German translations will be available soon.
Contact Us for Help
Contact Discipleship Ministries staff for additional guidance.