Sunday Worship Service
December 19, 2021
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
OPENING SONG – Like a Child
CALL TO WORSHIP
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Away in a Manger UM Hymnal (blue book) # 217
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – Were You There On That Christmas Night?
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come right in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
James 4:17
Anyone then, who knows the good you ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.
Mark 2:17
It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
GOOD NEWS – A.C.T!
The Christmas story is about Incarnation. God sent God’s one and only Son in the form of human being. (If you have not listened to Good News about Incarnation, click here.) God wanted to dwell among us. And God broke into our lives through Jesus Christ. Immanuel, God with us! What good news! Then, how can we open our hearts to Jesus Christ? This Sunday, we are going to learn what the Bible has to say about how to open our hearts to Him and welcome His love story for us.
SONG – Love Came Down at Christmas UM Hymnal (blue book) # 242
THE HOLY COMMUNION
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).
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 – All is Well