Sunday Service at 10:30 A.M.
Sunday School for adults at 9:00 A.M.
Sunday School for children and youth at 9:15 A.M.

Do the Good That Is Yours to Do

Sunday Worship Service

December 15, 2024 – 10:30am

We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God

The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.

WELCOME
Welcome! We are grateful that God has brought us together. If you are a first-time visitor, please email Pastor Jinwoo at pastor@saint-matthews.org. We would love to stay in contact with you. Thank you.

CALL TO GOD’S FORGIVING LOVE

OPENING SONG
Advent Hope – by Derek Hakes

CALL TO WORSHIP (ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING)
Leader: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
People: Let us start small. Let us begin with what is right in front of us. Let us do the good that is ours to do, and let us do it with joy!
Leader: Yes, let us begin with joy. Today we light the candles of hope, peace, and joy.
People: May these lights remind us of what could be. May these lights inspire action. May the warmth of these lights fill us with joy.
All: May it be so! Amen.

OPENING PRAYER

† SONG – Together
The Friendly Beasts – UM Hymnal (blue book) #227

CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES

We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God

SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 58:9b-12; Luke 3:7-16

GOOD NEWS
Do the Good That Is Yours to Do

† SONG – Together
Star-Child – Faith We Sing (black book) #2095

THE HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg, and dairy free)

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST

RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
Pastor: People once asked John the Baptist, “What shall we do?”
St. Matthew’s, knowing the state of the world, what is your answer?
People: In the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we will not be discouraged by the weight of the world.
Instead, we will hold fast to hope. We will roll up our sleeves. We will feed the hungry.
When we have two coats, we will give one away. We will do the good that is ours to do.
Pastor: In doing so, we will experience the presence of Jesus Christ.
All: For this we believe: small acts of love can make a difference. Amen.

OFFERTORY (Come forward to light a candle in honor of the saints you commemorate.)
Offertory Bethlehem Prophecy by Pepper Choplin
O tiny Bethlehem, though you are small, f
rom you comes the ruler of Israel.
He shepherds his flock in the strength of the Lord, his greatness and majesty lives through all the earth.
O tiny Bethlehem, though you are small, from you comes the promised Messiah.
Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God. Eternal Father, He is the Prince of Peace.
Jesus, born in humble Bethlehem, come to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a Child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
Come now to Bethlehem, humble and small. Come to the place where the child is born.
Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God. Eternal Father, He is the Prince of Peace.

PRAYING TOGETHER

THE LORD’S PRAYER – UM Hymnal (blue book) #895

We are SENT by the power of God

LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY

† BLESSING AND SENDING
Shalom to You – UM Hymnal (blue book) #666
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends. May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving, Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

CLOSING SONG
Angels We Have Heard on High – arr. Lloyd Larson

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