For a printable version of the Order of Worship, click HERE.
Dear Church Family,
We are happy to share the Order of Worship for our service on Sunday, August 30, 2026. We will gather for worship at 10am, and we would love for you to join us.
You are welcome to worship with us in person or virtually by conference call, Zoom, Facebook Live, or through our website—whatever works best for you.
Our hope is that everyone has the opportunity to worship and feel connected, wherever they may be.
Thank you, and as always, welcome to St. Matthew’s UMC!
If you have difficulties with the Facebook link, feel free to join Zoom.
Live-Stream
- St. Matthew’s UMC via Zoom
-
- 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
*SMUMC Access Reminder: Thank you for helping care for our community. Access codes are assigned individually and should not be shared. During Early Education Center hours, entry is through your own code or the church office, and we kindly ask that doors not be held open for others.
Sunday, August 30, 2026:
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
PRELUDE: Composition on Llanfair —Robert J. Powell
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP —Cf. Romans 12: 9-12
L: Jesus calls us to follow him:
A: Let love be genuine; hold fast to what is good.
L: Jesus calls us to follow him:
A: Love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.
L: Jesus calls us to follow him:
A: Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction;
persevere in prayer.
*OPENING HYMN: The Summons TFWS 2130
*OPENING PRAYER:
O God,
author and giver of all good things,
plant in our hearts the love of your name;
increase in us true religion;
nourish us with all goodness;
and bring forth in us the fruit of good works,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reign with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE: Gloria Patri UMH 71
JOYS & CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
*HYMN BEFORE SCRIPTURE:
Blest Be the Tie that Binds UMH 557
Today’s Epistle reading is from Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Romans 12:9-21)
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 affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue 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 arrogant, 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. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Word of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
*Please stand as you are able for the Gospel Acclamation
& remain standing for the reading of the Gospel.
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Halle, Hallelujah TWFS 2026
*The Gospel Reading this morning is from the Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 16:21-28)
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The Gospel of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION: Composition on Prospect
—Robert J. Powell
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
MUSIC AT THE GRADUAL: Adagio molto un poco rubato, from Sonatina for Flute & piano —Pál Járdányi
MESSAGE —Rev. JW Park
THANKSGIVING PRAYER BEFORE THE OFFERING
MUSIC DURING THE OFFERING: Peace for Flute and Piano
—Grant Horsley
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CLOSING HYMN: Great Is Thy Faithfulness UMH 140
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Shalom to You UMH 666
POSTLUDE: Fantasy on Engelberg —Mark Albrecht
The flowers on the altar today are dedicated to the glory of God and to the pursuit of peace.
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~Beth Obear
DAILY SCRIPTURES
Mon: Matthew 23:1-36 Tues: Matthew 20:20-28
Wed: Matthew 6:1-24 Thur: Matthew 6:25-34
Fri: Matthew 5:1-11 Sat: Matthew 5:13-20
SPECIAL THANKS TO TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS!
| Greeters | St. Matthew’s Members |
| Welcome Desk | George Huffman |
| Ushers | Erin Berfield*, Rodman Berfield, Angela Cockrell, Maysen Gore-Duran |
| Acolytes | Shurn Scatliffe, James Belcher |
| Liturgist | Gene Saderholm |
| Musicians | Helen-Jean Talbott, flute; Meghan Shuey, Song Leader |
| Counters | Dick Baker, Ruth Miller, Pat Layfield |
| Projection Design | Jane Thessin |
| Broadcasting | The Hulens, George Wood, Steve Smith, Bruce Thoman, Zoom Team |
| Coffee Hour | Ruth Miller |
WHAT’S HAPPENING…
| Today | 11am | Coffee Hour | Fellowship Hall |
| Tues. | 945am | Bible Study w/Isaac Borocz | Parlor |
| 11am | Angel Gang | ZOOM | |
| Wed. | 8am | Men’s Breakfast | Rip’s Country Inn |
| 1030am | Helping Hands Meets | Rooms 223-225 | |
| 530pm | Worship Planning Committee Meeting | Parlor | |
| 7pm | Simple Prayer Service | Sanctuary | |
| 730pm | SPRC Meeting | ZOOM | |
| Sat. | 930am | Altar Guild | Sanctuary |
MORNING PRAYER CALL: Monday-Saturday, 630-645am
Dial 267-807-9601 and enter access code: 111-576-270 #
Monday, August 31st – Saturday, September 5th:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kickoff Sunday! – Sunday, September 13th
Are you ready for some football? Oh, I mean some amazing worship at St. Matts! September 13th will be our kickoff Sunday! We ask you to invite your family, friends, neighbors, a passing acquaintance, or anyone you can think of to join us for worship! Children’s Sunday School will be back, and we are looking forward to worshipping with everyone! Also, since this is a kickoff event, please feel free to wear a sports jersey to worship with us!
Chancel Choir Update
Rehearsals resume on Thursday, September 10th at 7pm in the choir room. Come and join us. No audition required. Make a joyful noise!
Gloria Ringers Updates
Will meet on Monday, September 14th at 7pm in the choir room to begin our new season. If you have interest in learning about ringing handbells, why not stop by and see what it’s all about.
All are welcome!
After 40 years of use the cases for the Gloria Ringers’ newly refurbished bells needed unexpected, costly repairs. If you love the handbells and would like to help cover the expense, you can give to the Music Fund — select it online, or write “Music Fund” on your check memo. The Ringers will chime a special note for you!
Christian Book Club – Tuesday, September 15th at 7pm | ZOOM
The Christian Book Club completes its study of Frederica Mathewes-Green’s book, Mary as the Eary Christians Knew Her. Our discussion will focus on Part Three of the book.
The book for October will be the best-selling novel by Allen Levi, Theo of Golden. That discussion will take place on October 13th at 7pm via ZOOM. Please note the date change from the usual 3rd Tuesday.
Annual Church Conference – Saturday, October 10th at 9am
This year’s conference will take place at Mayo UMC located at 1005 Old Turkey Rd, Edgewater, MD, 21037.
Little Free Pantry Update
Thank you for your donations to the LFP. The current needs are cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, pancake mix, and syrup. Thank you for your generous donations. (bethlingg@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
At this time, the Pantry is most in need of canned tomato products (diced, stewed), peanut butter, and low sugar cereal. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the coat room.
Please support the September 20th CROP Walk! A portion of the funds raised will go to the Bowie Food Pantry! Watch for news on how to participate.
CONTACT US
| Facebook Page | www.facebook.com/stmbowie | |
| Senior Pastor | Rev. JW Park | jwpark@stmatthews-bowie.org |
| Dir. Music Ministries &
Adult Education |
Isaac Borocz | isaacborocz @stmatthews-bowie.org |
| Dir. Children & Youth Ministry | Becky Roper | childrenandyouth @stmatthews-bowie.org |
| Office Administrator | Melissa Hauer | admin@stmatthews-bowie.org |
| Financial Administrator | Scot Dahl | bookkeeper |