Sunday Worship Service
October 17, 2021
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
OPENING SONG – Reach Out and Touch
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Cry of My Heart Faith We Sing (black book) # 2165
MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – All Night, All Day (Bells of St. Matthew’s)
TESTIMONY
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
GOOD NEWS – “Take Your Cross and Follow Me!” part 2
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Me.” How can I deny myself and crucify my ego on the cross? It does not happen over night. It takes daily spiritual exercise. This Sunday, we are going to learn the followings from Philippians 2:1-11:
1. John Wesley’s spiritual disciplines
2. the reason for daily spiritual exercise
3. the essence of spiritual discipline.
SONG – Living for Jesus Faith We Sing (black book) # 2149
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amounts of our offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
All: As we count all the blessings God has already given to us, we cheerfully give our offerings to God, the Provider, with grateful hearts. Amen! (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UM Hymnal, navy blue book, # 895)
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of God
LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY
BLESSING AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
CLOSING SONG – Rondeau (Kim Ward)