Click or touch hyperlink for a printable version of Order of Worship
Dear Church Family,
We want to share with you the Order of Worship that we will use on the morning of Sunday, March 30, 2025. We will start the service at 10 am.
Please join us in-person or virtually by using either the conference call number, the live stream via Zoom, Facebook, or our website.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to worship. Thank you so much. Welcome to St. Matthew’s UMC!
If you have difficulties with the Facebook link, feel free to join Zoom.
Live-Stream
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- Meeting ID: 996 0251 9769
- Password: 14900
- St. Matthew’s UMC via Facebook
- St. Matthew’s UMC via Website
Conference Call
- Conference Call Dial-In: +1-301-715-8592
- Enter Access Code: 996 0251 9769 #
- Password: 14900 #
- Then, please wait for the host to begin.
Closed Captioning Available
Worship, classes, and meetings Zoomed now have the capability for closed captioning. The catch is that you must “turn it on”.
To do that, click on the button labeled “More…”. Then in the droplist, click on “Show Subtitles”.
If you need further assistance with this, please contact georgewood@stmatthews-bowie.org
Sunday, March 30, 2025: The Fourth Sunday in Lent
Prelude: Allego from Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Goldfinch
—Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Welcome
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Gather us in, O God.
A: Gather us under your wings of compassion and grace.
L: Call us to love you more and more.
A: Fill us with the desire to be more like you.
L: O God, come to our assistance.
A: O Lord, hurry and come to our aid.
*OPENING HYMN: Great Is Thy Faithfulness UMH 140
PRAYER OF CONFESSION: BoW 478
Holy and awesome God, we stand in your presence
filled with regret for our many sins and failings.
Though there is greatness in us, and a deep longing for goodness,
we have often denied our better selves
and refused to hear your voice calling us
to rise to the full height of our humanity.
For there is weakness in us, as well as strength.
At times we choose to walk in darkness, our vision obscured.
We do not care to look within,
and we are unwilling to look beyond at those who need our help.
O God, we are too weak to walk unaided.
Be with us as a strong and wise friend,
and teach us to walk by the light of your truth. Amen.
WORDS OF PARDON BoW478
The Lord God is merciful and gracious,
endlessly patient, loving, and true,
showing mercy to thousands,
forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin,
and granting pardon. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE: Gloria Patri UMH 71
Joys & Concerns
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
Passing of the Peace
*HYMN BEFORE SCRIPTURE:
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy UMH 121
Today’s Epistle reading is taken from Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we no longer know him in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
*Please stand as you are able for the Gospel Acclamation
and remain standing for the reading of the Gospel.
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION:
Majesty, Worship His Majesty UMH 176
This morning’s Gospel reading is from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32)
15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable:
“There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’
20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
The Gospel of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
Music for Meditation:
Cantabile from Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Goldfinch
—Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Children’s Message
Music at the Gradual: Verset in F Major
—Domenico Zipoli (1688-1726)
Message —Gemina Archer-Davies
Mission Moment: UMCOR
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Offertory
Music during the Offertory:
Allegro spiritoso from Concerto in D Major, RV 428 Goldfinch
—Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
Announcements
*CLOSING HYMN: Amazing Grace UMH 378
*Benediction
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Double Amen UMH 897
Postlude: Composition on Beecher —Charles Callahan (1951-2023)
The flowers on the altar today are dedicated in memory of Kim Huffman.
~George Huffman
DAILY SCRIPTURES
Mon: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Tues: Joshua 24:14-28
Wed: Hebrews 2:1-18 Thur: Philemon 8-21
Fri: Colossians 3:1-17 Sat: Romans 12
SPECIAL THANKS TO TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS!
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Greeters |
St. Matthew’s Members |
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Ushers |
Erin Berfield*, Rod Berfield, Angela Cockrell, Ray Denmark |
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Acolytes |
Henry Berfield and James Belcher |
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Liturgist |
St. Matthew’s Youth |
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Counters |
Dick Baker (lead), Ruth Miller, Pat Clark |
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Musicians |
Heather Eisinger, flute; Rod Berfield, Song Leader |
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Broadcasting |
The Hulens, George Wood, Steve Smith, Bruce Thoman, Zoom Team |
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Welcome Desk |
St. Matthew’s Youth |
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Coffee Hour |
Lisa Wilson |
WHAT’S HAPPENING…
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Today |
11 am |
Coffee Hour |
Fellowship Hall |
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Adult Sunday School |
Parlor |
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Children’s Sunday School |
Room 222 |
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UWF Exec. Board Meeting |
Parlor |
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4pm |
Youth Group |
Room 226 |
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Mon. |
7pm |
Gloria Ringers |
Choir Room |
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Tues. |
945am |
Bible Study |
Parlor |
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11am |
Angel Gang |
ZOOM |
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7pm |
Lenten Bible Study |
ZOOM |
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Theatre Troupe Rehearsal |
Fellowship Hall |
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Wed. |
8am |
Men’s Breakfast |
Rip’s Country Inn |
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7pm |
Lenten Simple Prayer |
Sanctuary |
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1030am |
Helping Hands |
Rooms 223-225 |
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615pm |
EEC Staff Meeting |
Fellowship Hall |
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7pm |
Theatre Troupe Rehearsal |
Fellowship Hall |
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Thurs. |
7pm |
Chancel Choir |
Choir Room |
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Fri. |
7pm |
Theatre Troupe Rehearsal |
Fellowship Hall |
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Sat. |
9am |
Theatre Troupe Rehearsal |
Fellowship Hall |
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930am |
Altar Guild |
Sanctuary |
MORNING PRAYER CALL: Monday-Saturday, 630-645am
Dial 267-807-9601 and enter access code: 111-576-270 #
March 31 – April 5: Ray Orocco-John
Opportunities to Study and Worship
– Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 945am in the Parlor.
– Tuesday Evening Bible Study Tuesdays at 7pm on Zoom*.
– Wednesday Evening Simple Prayer Join us in the Sanctuary at 7pm.
– Adult Sunday School meets in the Parlor at 845am and 11am.
– Children’s Sunday School meets at 11am in Room 222 Wesley Wing.
– Youth Group Sundays at 4pm in Room 226 Wesley Wing.
– Christian Book Club 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm on Zoom.
– God & Guinness meets the 2nd Sunday of each month at 12pm.
Announcements
Movie Showing & Discussion w/SHEEP – TODAY at 12pm
Join SHEEP after coffee hour and Sunday School in Rooms 223 & 225 for a showing of the 1961 film The Children’s Hour with Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. A short discussion will follow. Lunch will be served.
Lenten Bible Series – Tuesdays at 7pm – ZOOM
For our March 25th session, we will discuss Chapter Four of Max Lucado’s In the Footsteps of the Savior.
Simple Prayer for Lent – Wednesdays at 7pm – Sanctuary
Our service will follow a slightly longer format with the theme of Jesus’ Last Words from the Cross.
Lenten Brunch is Open to Everyone!
All of St. Matthew’s is invited to attend the Lenten Brunch on Saturday, April 12th at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Join us for a morning of faith, food, and fellowship. Rev. Marguerite Matthews will speak. Babysitting is available—please email uwf@stmatthews-bowie.org
Christian Book Club – Tuesday, April 15th at 7pm – ZOOM