Sunday Worship Service
December 22, 2024 – 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 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
Christmas Joy – by Joseph M. Martin
CALL TO WORSHIP (ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING)
Leader: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
People: Let us begin with tenderness. Let us begin with our hearts on our sleeve. Let us begin from a place of vulnerability and hope. Let us begin with love.
Leader: Yes, let us start with love. Today we light the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love.
People: May the warmth of these lights be our cornerstone. May the truth in these lights help us begin again.
All: May it be so! Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
† SONG – Together
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus – UM Hymnal (blue book) #196
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:46-55
GOOD NEWS
Hope Is Worth the Risk
† SONG – Together
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light – UM Hymnal (blue book) #206
THE 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 God who gives us reason to hope, a God who fills our nights with stars, who follows winter with spring, who dwells with and among us.
People: We believe that this God has dreams for creation, dreams of justice like a mighty stream and swords that will be beaten into plowshares.
Pastor: Therefore, we push cynicism aside.
People: We risk vulnerability. We hold onto hope, and we declare:
All: “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Amen.
OFFERTORY (lyrics in insert)
Shout with the Shepherds by Pepper Choplin
Chorus: I want to shout with the shepherds, and sing with the angels, and hurry to the town of Bethlehem. I want to walk with the wisemen to where the Child was born. I want to worship Christ the Lord.
1 There in the same country, the shepherds watched their sheep. They settled down their flocks, and they were almost falling asleep. But there appeared an angel who said, “Be not afraid. For Christ the Lord today is born. Now go and find the Babe.” Chorus
2 I want to follow the wisemen who traveled very far, and lift my eye into the skies
and see the beautiful star. I want to bow in worship and lay my offerings down. And when I go, I’m sure to know that glory’s all around. Chorus
3 Glory be to God up in the highest. And glory be to God on earth below. Gloria, gloria to God. Glory to God in the highest. Chorus
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
Shalom to You – UM Hymnal (blue book) #666
Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends. May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving, Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.
CLOSING SONG (lyrics in insert)
Rejoice, Rejoice This Happy Morn by Dana Mengel
In Bethlehem a King is born. His humble birth brings joy on earth,
His name is Christ the Lord.
Chorus: Come to the manger now and see him sleeping on the hay.
Go tell the news to everyone that Christ is born today.
Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn, in Bethlehem a King is born.
Let all creation join in song; All praise to him belong. Chorus