Sunday Worship Service
March 23, 2025 – 10:30 AM
The worship service begins 15 minutes into the recording.
In our spiritual journey, we experience a profound tension between God’s urgent call to repentance and God’s patient work of transformation. While God urgently calls us to turn from our sins, God also patiently transforms us over time into the image of Christ. This Sunday, we’ll explore how to live faithfully in this tension between God’s urgent call to repentance and the ongoing process of transformation.
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
Jesus Keep me Near the Cross arranged by Anna Laura Page
OPENING PRAYER
† SONG – Together
Come Back Quickly to the Lord – UM Hymnal (blue book) #343
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 13:6-9
GOOD NEWS
Everything in Between Urgency and Ongoing Progress
† SONG – Together
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – UM Hymnal (blue book) #348
OPEN HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg, and dairy free)
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
Pastor: God calls us to turn away from sin, to repent without delay.
People: Lord, we hear Your call. Turn our hearts to You.
Pastor: The time for salvation is now; the kin-dom of God is at hand.
People: We confess our sins and seek Your mercy.
Pastor: Though our sins are many, Your grace is greater still.
People: Wash us clean, O Lord, and make us new.
Pastor: God’s call is urgent, yet God’s love is patient.
People: You do not cast us away but shape us in Your mercy.
Pastor: Like clay in the potter’s hands, You mold us day by day.
People: Transform us, O God, according to Your will.
Pastor: The Spirit urges us to repent today, yet walks with us each step of the journey.
People: Let us not delay in turning to the Lord, for God’s mercy is ready and God’s love endures forever.
All: Thanks be to God, who calls us urgently and transforms us patiently! Amen.
OFFERTORY (Stewardship is about an attitude of gratitude.)
Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley arranged by Anna Laura Page
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
Reverie by Jason Krug