Sunday Worship Service
March 30, 2025 – 10:30 AM
The worship service begins 15 minutes into the recording.
In Luke 15:1-7, the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that Jesus associates with tax collectors and sinners and even eats with them. In response, Jesus tells them the story about “the lost and the found.” Who do you think is lost in the story? Who do you identify with? At its heart, this passage reveals the radical, searching love of God. How will we respond to this love?
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
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
Lenten Melody by Aram Khatchaturian
OPENING PRAYER
† SONG – Together
Yesu Kwetu Ni Rafiki (What a Friend We Have in Jesus) See insert
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 15:1-7
GOOD NEWS
Everything in Between Lost and Found
† SONG – Together
Broken for Me Faith – We Sing (black book) #2263
OPEN HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg, and dairy free)
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
Pastor: We believe in a seeking God, a with-us and before-us God, a chasing-after-us God.
People: For Your presence that never fails, we give thanks!
Pastor: We believe that no matter where we wander or what mountains we climb, this God – the God who walked the streets of Jerusalem, shook hands with lepers, patted children on the head, and told stories of love – is always close at hand.
People: For Your nearness in every season, we give thanks!
Pastor: So on the good days and the hard days, on the mountains and in the valleys, we believe that we are always being found.
People: For a love that seeks us, finds us, and holds us fast, we give thanks!
Pastor: Thanks be to God for a love like that.
All: Thanks be to God! Amen.
OFFERTORY (Stewardship is about an attitude of gratitude.)
Speak, O Lord by S. Townend and K. Getty
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
† CALL TO MISSION
They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love (verses 1 & 3) – Faith We Sing #2223
1. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, and we pray that all unity may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
3. We will work with each other, we will work side by side, we will work with each other, we will work side by side, and we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
CLOSING SONG
Concerto in A minor by J.S. Bach