Order of Worship SCRIPTURES

Order of Worship
October 26, 2014
PRELUDE
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Now Sings My Soul
Pachelbel
CHIMING OF THE HOUR
*PROCESSIONAL HYMN
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
89
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(adapted from a prayer BY Erik Rees in Only You Can Be You,)
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME
Nancy Moseley
(Following the Children’s Time, 3K-1st grade children may go to the
Sanctuary entrance to be led to Children’s Church on the second floor of
the Education Building. If escorted by a parent, children younger than
three may be taken to the nursery on the first floor of the Education
Building.)
Gracious Heavenly Father, help us to be aware of the people
around me, especially to those that are in need. Then help me
not to be selfish with my time and my abilities when it dawns on
me — or they ask of me — I can do something to help. Let me
be ready and willing to extend your love and service through my
efforts. Remind me throughout the day that the world you have
placed me in needs to see you, and that they can see you in me
when I allow you to live in me and give through me. I thank you
for all the ways you have given to me and blessed me. In turn,
show me how to give all I can to others for your Kingdom’s sake
and in worship of you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
*HYMN
GREETINGS AND CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
OFFERTORY PRAYER
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
OFFERTORY
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Kevin and Julie Buchanan and their daughter Stella
*SCRIPTURE READING
Reader: The Word of God for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God
CONFESSION OF FAITH: NO. 181
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against
us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Tender Savior, Trusted Lord
(Handbell Choir)
*DOXOLOGY
Luke 6:32-36
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried;
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
400
Wagner
95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God, above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*SCRIPTURE LESSON
Romans 12:9-17
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON
“The Investment of a Lifetime: Serving”
*CLOSING HYMN
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Here, I Am Lord”
Blessed Be The Lord
Fugue In E Flat (St Ann)
SCRIPTURES
70
Luke 6:32-36
32
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to
those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even
sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to
receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to
receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend,
expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will
be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the
wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Romans 12:9-17
9
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is
good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one
another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in
spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers.
14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but
associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is
noble in the sight of all.
Matthew 10:42
42
and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these
little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these
will lose their reward.”
Colossians 3:23-24
23
Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the
Lord and not for your masters, 24 since you know that from the
Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve
the Lord Christ.
Prayer Concerns
Rev. Brown
593
Arr.
Bach
Judy Cochran
Ashley Cobb
(Anna Cobb’s daughter-in-law)
Bill Cox
Art Eberly
June Gaillard
Georgia Clarke
Miles Day
Doris Fisher
Those In Need Of Prayer
Gage Hood
Mary Kittles
Eric Lockwood
Alvin McCall
Tom Pizzolato
The Homebound
Out Of Town Prayers
Ann Shock
(Helen’s Mom)
Parker Gaillard
Jim Gibbs
Eric & Teri
Lockwood
Bruce Richmond
Ellen Slatton
Jim Taylor
Dick Young
Mary Walker Morris
Lois Smith
Mildred Thompson
Serving Our Country
Evan Childers
Michael Compton
Chad Cunningham
Tom Jordan
Jeffrey Van Camp, Jr.
Kris Welanetz
Opportunities and Announcements
Church Calendar
Sunday, October 26
8:45 am Day by Day Service
10:00 am Sunday School
11:00 am Traditional Service
1:00 pm Greenville Lay Servant
Ministries School
5:00 pm Sr Boys (Bizell) Basketball
5:00 pm Fall Festival– No MYF
Tuesday, October 28
6:00 pm
I-Mites Basketball Practice
7:00 pm
Men’s Marital Group
7:30 pm
CMA Group
Wednesday, October 29
5:45 pm Wonderful Wed. meal
6:15 pm Younger Children’s Choir
6:20 pm Handbells
6:30 pm Bible study- Fellowship Hall
6:35 pm Older Children’s Choir
7:00 pm Adult Choir Practice
7:30 pm Sr Boys (Brown/Anderson)
Basketball Practice
Thursday, October 30
10:30 am Bible Study
7:15 pm International Folkdance
Practice
Friday, October 31
7:00 am Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
6:30 pm NA meeting
Saturday, November 1
9:00 am Pumpkin Clean-Up
3:30 pm Early Service Setup
The flowers on the alter
today are from the wedding
of Matthew and Julie
Swilley to the glory of God
and in memory of our loved
ones who were unable to be
with us on our special day:
Bill Swilley, Ed & Virginia
Cansler and Elizabeth
Rochester
Serving This Sunday
Children’s Church Assistant
Mallory Mitchell
Crucifer
Evans Easler
Acolytes
Olivia Dosher & Robbie Dosher
Serving This Month
Ushers
Jay Meredith, Michael Dosher, Laurin Nocks,
Michael Burn, and Jimmy Orr
Altar Guild
Kim Geddie and Carrie Johnson
Pew Angels
Gay Davis & Helen Graben
Have you visited St Matthew’s
Facebook Page recently?
Don’t forget to “Like” us!
Account:
http://on.fb.me/1uispkd
Serve by being a
Communion Steward!
Looking for anyone who has 2 hours a
year to spare to serve the church. A
Communion Steward prepares the
altar for communion and cleans up
after communion. It takes just a
couple of hours (or less) to do it.
We’d love to have you on the team!
For more information, contact
Kristin Brady:
Kristinh2@bellsouth.net or
call 864-908-7200
St. Matthew
United Methodist Church
701 Cleveland Street
Greenville, SC 29601
www.stmatthewumc.net
Office: 864-242-1966
M-Th 8:30 - 5:00
F
Closed
Preschool: 864-242-2880
Please join us tonight!
Fun for all ages!
Hot Dog Supper!
Costumes are encouraged
but not required.
Operation Christmas Child!
Please consider filling a shoebox (either a shoebox you have at home or one of the
plastic shoeboxes available in the narthex) for Samaritan's Purse. Instruction brochures
are available in the narthex and the office! All filled shoeboxes should be returned to the
narthex or church office by this Wednesday, October 29th!
All Saints’ Sunday – Stewardship Sunday
November 2nd...Next Sunday
Please make every effort to be in worship at either service on Sunday, November 2, as we
celebrate All Saints’ Sunday and Stewardship Sunday. The faithfulness of the past and
the faithfulness of the present come together for a special worship experience that
Sunday. We are invited to bring our pledge commitment cards to either service and
bring them to the altar for dedication and thanksgiving. And, of course, at noon
immediately after the 11:00 AM Service, we will be our Stewardship Banquet in the
Family Life Center to celebrate this great Sunday. All are invited, so let us celebrate
being the church together.
Ministers
The Congregation
Interim Church Office
Administrator
Rosalee MacIntosh
864-242-1966
officeadmin@stmatthewumc.net
Senior Pastor
Rev. Steven Brown
864-242-1966
Director of Preschool
Christina Via
864-242-1966
preschool@stmatthewumc.net
Organist
Sam Taylor
Day by Day Service
earlyservice@stmatthewumc.net
Church Custodian
Pam Worthy
pamelapilgrim4@msn.com
Follow us on Twitter to keep up with
exciting news and learn about what’s
going on at St Matthew UMC!
Account: StMattUMC
Just type this link and
you can follow us:
https://twitter.com/StMattUMC
Our Mission
To continue Christ’s work in the
world.
Our Vision
To be a congregation of disciples that
values children, youth and families, and
communicates the story of faith to
them in creative ways. To build the
Christian community by increasing our
ministry to all ages through a variety of
activities and worship approaches that
reach out to others with the lifetransforming message of the gospel.
Youth Director
Clint Henderson
864-430-0861
Clint2k3@gmail.com
Children’s Choir Director
Jody Webb
864-640-2832.
Jbjwebb@gmail.com
Interim Children’s Ministry
Director
Nancy Moseley
864-384-8451
Lee-111@att.net
Facilities Manager
Michael Craig
God’s Hands & Feet Ministry
864-242-1966
Nursery
Valerie Gray
Sandra Niven
Katelyn Kirkpatrick Jessie Zettler
Beverly Hawkins
October 26, 2014
20thSunday after Pentecost
26
[Jesus said to His disciples,] “. . . whoever wishes to be great among
you must be your servant.”
(Matthew 20:26)
Most people I know are looking for good advice on investing. My
suspicions were confirmed when I recently googled the word
“investment” and was confronted with 26,700,000 articles and
websites (in .25 seconds I might add). Although I am sure I would have
benefited from reading any one of them, I didn’t. However, this did
underscore for me the desire people like you and me have to make
good investments, the best investment that will help us gain a lot and
not lose anything.
I have to admit that another reason I did not dive into a pool of
26,700,000 articles is I am more concerned about another, a more
important investment. I am talking about the investment of our lives in
others. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,
mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:3031). These are the two great commandments, the directions to
follow for a full and abundant life, the best life. Love God and love
those near us. It would seem in God’s economy (lest we forget, He
put the world together and knows how things work best) the
measure of our success in life will not be decided by our investment
portfolio of stocks and bonds but by the success of our investment in
our relationships with God and others.
In fact, in a statement that would seem to be an investment strategy
turned upside down, Jesus says, “Hey, you want greatness. Do you
want success? Then, here’s the best investment you could ever make
— serve other people! Help them, share with them, and give to them
of your time and of yourself.” God is calling us to invest ourselves in
the lives of others in the relationships that we have -- be it spouse,
family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances, people who
cross our paths or whose paths we cross, and especially those we see
in need. It is good to notice that the promises we make when we join
St. Matthew help us understand this investment. We say we will give
“our prayers, our gifts, our presence, and our service.” This is loving
each other. This is investing ourselves in others -- both within the
church and outside it, both within our families and beyond them.
This is the time of year when we think about stewardship, the
management of our life as we live it each day. Let us be wise and
generous and good investors -- in our relationships that God has given
us and in the lives of others God places around us. If we do this, if we
give ourselves and invest our lives for God and others, it will change
our lives, now and for a lifetime. This, indeed, is the best investment
of a lifetime.
With Joy,
Steve