Sunday Worship Service
July 17, 2022 – 10:30am
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
OPENING SONG – Spirit of God
OPENING PRAYER
SONG –Stand By Me (verses 1, 2, 3, & 5) – UM Hymnal (blue book) #512
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – The Servant Song
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
2 Timothy 4:6-18
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
GOOD NEWS – Letting Go of Loneliness Part 1
SONG –Open My Eyes, That I May See – UM Hymnal (blue book) #454
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: Because of our faith in You, O Lord…
People: … we acknowledge You as the Source of all that we have and all that we are.
Pastor: Help us to place You, our loving Creator, first in our lives…
People: by becoming more prayerful and more focused on loving and caring for our families and our neighbors in need, and by becoming less preoccupied with material things.
Pastor: God, help us to hear Your call to be good stewards of all Your gifts…
People: …by sharing them for Your purposes.
Pastor: Help us make Your priorities …
People: …our priorities. (pause)
Pastor: As we plan the things in our lives that are most important to us…
People: …Lord, help us plan to faithfully participate in Your church’s ministries by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. (pause)
Pastor: We do this, O Lord, as a sign of our love…
People: …and in thanksgiving for the many blessings You have already given to us. (pause)
Pastor: As faithful Christian stewards,
All: …we pray we have a joyful spirit of mind and heart. Amen.
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
THE LORD’S PRAYER – UM Hymnal (blue book) # 895
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT by 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 – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot