Sunday Worship Service
December 8, 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
Ballad of Bethlehem by Pepper Choplin
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 together. Let us begin arm in arm. Let us begin by holding each other up, instead of tearing each other down. Let us begin with words of peace.
Leader: Yes, let us begin with peace. Today we light the candles of hope and peace.
People: May these lights remind us of what could be. May these lights mark a new beginning. May peace flow like a river, and may it start with us.
All: Arm in arm, hand in hand, side by side. May we begin again. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
† SONG – Together
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1, 6, & 7) – UM Hymnal (blue book) #211
CHILDREN’S TIME WITH A MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
SCRIPTURE READING
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
GOOD NEWS
We Can’t Go Alone
† SONG – Together
Love Came Down at Christmas – UM Hymnal (blue book) #242
THE HOLY COMMUNION (The Communion bread is gluten, egg, and dairy free)
Great Thanksgiving in Music – UM Hymnal (blue book) #23-24
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE
Pastor: We believe in a with-us God: a God who walks with us in the valley, dances with us on the mountaintop, sings with us through the night and rejoices in the morning.
People: We believe that this with-us God wired us for relationship, saying to creation on the very first week, “Humans should not be alone.”
Pastor: Therefore, in an effort to be who God called us to be, we strive to live like the Trinity—connected, united, and centered.
People: We believe in the power of community. We commit to learning each other’s names. We choose to journey with each other, like Ruth with Naomi.
All: And we remember that no one can go through life alone. Thanks be to God, for lighting our way.
OFFERTORY
Voice in the Wilderness by Pepper Choplin
PRAYING TOGETHER
THE LORD’S PRAYER IN MUSIC – Worship & Song (green book) #3068
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
Advent Joy by Hal Hopso