Sunday Worship Service
January 2, 2022 – 10:30am
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
OPENING SONG – A Christmas Carol
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Just a Closer Walk with Thee Faith We Sing (black book) # 2158
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – Berceuse de Noel
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Mark 8:34-37
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus said, “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
GOOD NEWS – Being Freed from Addictions/Brokenness/Sins
God wants you to be well, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. And God is able and willing to recover you from your addictions/brokenness/sins. How can I participate in God’s recovery program? This Sunday, we are going to listen to what the Bible has to say about it.
SONG – I Surrender All UM Hymnal (blue book) # 354
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 – Toccata in C