Sunday Worship Service
February 27, 2022 – 10:30am
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
OPENING SONG – In the Morning When I Rise
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UM Hymnal (blue book) # 269
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Joshua 1:7-9
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Matthew 4:1-4
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
GOOD NEWS – You Are What You “Eat”
As Lent begins this coming Wednesday, we are reminded of Jesus’ life in the wilderness, enduring temptations and preparing His ministry. As you face life-challenges and temptations in your wilderness-like daily life, where do you find God’s strength to help you to deal with them and overcome them? This Sunday, we are going to reflect on what the Bible has to say about this question.
SONG – Thy Word Is a Lamp UM Hymnal (blue book) # 601
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God says, “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
All: God, we give what we have decided in our hearts to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for You love a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
INTERCESSORY PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER UM Hymnal (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
CLOSING SONG – I Danced in the Morning