Sunday Worship Service
December 24, 2024 – 9 PM
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 – Wexford Carol arranged by Sondra Tucker
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 begin with hope. Let us begin with peace. Let us begin with joy. Let us begin with love.
Leader: Yes, let us begin with love, for surely love knows your name. Today, in addition to the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, we light the Christ Candle.
People: For surely God is in this place. Surely the Spirit is near. Surely love knows our name.
Leader: May we rest in that good news. Unto us a child is born.
People: A light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.
All: Glory to God in the highest heaven! Amen.
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 139:1-4; Luke 2:1-20
GOOD NEWS – Love Knows Your Name
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Music from The Ballad of Bethlehem. Narration from from Born a Savior, Born a King
† HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING – UM Hymnal (blue book) #240
STILL GENTLE MARY by Pepper Choplin
Still, still, still, the night is peaceful and still. Still, still, still, the night is peaceful and still. The newborn baby, Mary is holding.
Wrapped in heaven’s love enfolding. Still, still, still, the night is peaceful and still
Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger. There He lay, the undefiled. To the world a stranger.
Son of God, of humble birth, Beautiful the story. Praise His name in all the earth, Christ, the King of glory.
Joy, joy, joy, Your arrival brings us joy. Joy, joy, joy, Your arrival brings us joy. We overflow with warm celebration.
Bringing you praise and adoration. Joy, joy, joy, Your arrival brings us joy. Joyful praise through all the earth. You are Christ, the King of Glory
† WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS – UM Hymnal (blue book) #236
† JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – Worship & Song (green book) #3056
A THRILL OF HOPE – by Pepper Choplin
The weary world rejoices, We have new hope for our lives. Those in despair will be lifted, and will thrive. All who are wandering through the darkness, A light has come to guide your way. Through a holy birth, God comes to earth, So we may come to say.
Chorus: There’s a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices. O night, divine, O night when Christ was born.
All who are quietly grieving, With faces resting in your hands. Lift up your heads and see the sun rise again.
The burdened souls will be lifted And wounded hearts will be restored. New hope is found when we bow down To worship Christ the Lord.
Chorus
Fall on your knees and find new hope, the thrill of hope and joy.
THE HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg, and dairy free)
The Great Thanksgiving in Music – UM Hymnal (blue book) # 23-24
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
Pastor: We believe that on a night like this one, a baby was born and placed in a manger.
People: We believe that baby was God’s love in the flesh, who grew up to love the outcast and change the world.
Pastor: We believe that Jesus’ love was so big and so personal that the world will never be the same.
People: So despite the mystery of this holy night, we believe that a star shone, that the shepherds ran, that the angels sang, and that love was born.
Pastor: Yes, we believe it when the prophets say that unto you, unto us, a savior is born.
All: Glory to God in the highest heaven! We believe. Amen.
OFFERTORY
Fum, Fum Fum – arranged by Sondra Tucker
We are SENT by the power of God
BLESSING
CLOSING SONG
Silent Night, Holy Night
1. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight; glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
3. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; radiant beams from thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.