Sunday Worship Service
July 31, 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 – Jesus Above All Names
OPENING PRAYER
SONG – Faith Is Patience in the Night – Faith We Sing (black book) # 2211
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
ANTHEM – How Can I Keep From Singing?
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Exodus 13:17-22
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.” 20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
GOOD NEWS – The God of the Roundabout Way
SONG – Because He Lives UM Hymnal (blue book) # 364
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: Because of our faith in You, O Lord…
People: … we acknowledge You as the Source of all that we have and all that we are.
Pastor: Help us to place You, our loving Creator, first in our lives…
People: by becoming more prayerful and more focused on loving and caring for our families and our neighbors in need, and by becoming less preoccupied with material things.
Pastor: God, help us to hear Your call to be good stewards of all Your gifts…
People: …by sharing them for Your purposes.
Pastor: Help us make Your priorities …
People: …our priorities. (pause)
Pastor: As we plan the things in our lives that are most important to us…
People: …Lord, help us plan to faithfully participate in Your church’s ministries by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. (pause)
Pastor: We do this, O Lord, as a sign of our love…
People: …and in thanksgiving for the many blessings You have already given to us. (pause)
Pastor: As faithful Christian stewards,
All: …we pray we have a joyful spirit of mind and heart. Amen.
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
THE LORD’S PRAYER – UM Hymnal (blue book) # 895
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
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 – Postlude in G Major