Sunday Worship Service
October 31, 2021
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God, you have sent us saints who have guided and inspired us; and we thank you.
All: You have given us saints who have loved and us and transformed us. We praise you.
Leader: May we be your saints, shining with your light, radiant with your love.
All: Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!
OPENING SONG – On Wings of Song (Barbara Hill, cello, and Kim Ward, piano)
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – God Bless all the Saints [Tune: Blest Be the Tie that Binds ]
God bless all the saints of our lives,
who’ve loved us through all of the years,
who shared in our struggles, who cherished our joys,
who held us and wiped all our tears.
God bless all the teachers and guides
whose wisdom enriches our days,
the prophets whose courage gives heart to our struggles,
whose truth sheds your light on our ways.
God bless all the silent ones, too
who serve you in humble ways,
who can’t see the ways that their lives are a blessing,
yet live in prayerful praise.
God, help us become your Saints
who live by your Grace all our days,
that we may be a holy blessing
by living in your loving ways.
MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – For All the Saints (Saint Matthew’s handbell quartet)
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Genesis 1:27
God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.
2 Timothy 1:3-7
I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
GOOD NEWS – Rise Up! And Revive God’s Gift.
SONG – Pass It On UM Hymnal (navy blue book) # 572
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Leader: 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).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UM Hymnal, navy blue book, # 895)
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of God
LIFE OF ST. MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY
BENEDICTION AND SENDING
CLOSING SONG – This Little Song of Mine (Cal Armistead, Jinwoo Chun, Carol Storrs)