To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.'"
(¶ 217 The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2008)

Laity Sunday is a day designed for the lay members of local congregations around the World to lead the worship service and to give the clergy a much needed time away from the pulpit.  This year?s theme is about the use of Prayer to transform the world.  The power of prayer is often misunderstood and under estimated.  Is there anything that our broken world needs more today than prayer?

As the Conference Director of Lay Speaking, I encourage all of our Greater New Jersey Conference Lay Speakers to make sure that their pastors find themselves in the pews once again this October.  And if your church does not have active lay speakers, I encourage  other members of the laity to take part in putting together the worship service experience as many of the most meaningful messages come to the people through the words and actions of the laity.

Instructional files to help in set-up the worship service and develop the message for the day can be found in the Lay Speaking Ministries section of the conference website.  We are each in the ministry of Discipleship.  This is what Christ has called us to do.

Mark Halverson
Conference Director of Lay Speaking Ministries

For more worship resources please click http://www.gbod.org/laity/articles.asp?item_id=47542