Sunday Worship Service
December 18, 2022 – 10:30am
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 send Pastor Jinwoo an email at pastor@saint-matthews.org. We would love to stay in contact with you. Thank you.
OPENING SONG
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
CALL TO WORSHIP – 4th ADVENT Wreath Candle Lighting – from “Seeking Jesus, The Advent of Justice And Peace”. (Light the candles of HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE.)
One: Do you realize how much love it takes to send your own child into the world to be born in a rough cowshed, rejected from his very birth by the people that he came to save?
Many: For God so loved the world…
One: Can you imagine, taking your baby to the temple for a simple ceremony, and having people say, “He’s got to hurry up and grow up. There’s a world of trouble waiting for him, and he will preach the Word of God, yet many of His own people will not give heed. This boy’s got a rough life ahead of him!”
Many: For God so loved the world…
One: Think of it. You dedicated your child to the service of Almighty God and God’s people. He will be loved deeply but feared and hated too. And all you can do is encourage him and walk with him, even to the Cross.
Many: For God so loved the world…
One: What a faith! To believe your child will be rejected, will suffer, will be betrayed. Yet, God’s promise is that this same child will rise from the grave, will conquer death, and will lead us all to Everlasting Life. That is faith. That is love personified. That is the story of our Savior and Our Friend, Jesus Christ, God’s one and only Son.
Many: For God so loved the world…
All: With God who loves us that much, we who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior can do no less than to love one another the way God loves each of us. We hear and obey, Loving One. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
† SONG Together
Cuando El Pobre (When the Poor Ones) UM Hymnal (blue book) #434
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGE
ANTHEM
Breath of Heaven
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 25:34-46
GOOD NEWS
God Is Breath And Cannot Be Limited by Personification
† SONG Together
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1, 5, 6, & 7) UM Hymnal (blue book) # 211
THE HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg and dairy free)
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amount 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)
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 AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
CLOSING SONG
Christmas is Coming