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, September 20, 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
-
- 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, September 20, 2026:
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
CROP Walk Sunday
PRELUDE: Processional in B Flat Major
—Anthony Giamanco (b. 1958)
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP
L: We come,
for God gathers us here with a community called faith:
where the hungry are served first,
and where the thirsty drink life’s water.
A: We come,
for God welcomes us into a home called grace:
where the naked are clothed in hope
and the stranger is embraced.
L: We come,
for God reunites us as sisters and brothers
in a family called love.
A: Let us worship God together
with open hearts and willing hands. Amen.
*OPENING HYMN: Gather Us In TFWS 2236
*OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God,
we gather today with hearts full of gratitude
for the abundance we enjoy
and with a deep sense of responsibility
to those who struggle for daily bread, shelter and peace.
We lift up to you those who hunger for food,
those who long for a safe place to call home,
and those whose voices go unheard.
May we be reminded of our shared call
to serve, to heal and to offer hope.
Guide our actions and our efforts in working
toward a world where everyone has enough,
where all are welcomed and valued,
and where justice flows like a mighty river.
Bless the many hands that bring comfort and empowerment to the displaced, the hungry and the overlooked.
May we be Your hands and feet,
embodying your love in every act of kindness
and every stride we take.
In your holy name we pray. Amen
*ACT OF PRAISE: Gloria Patri UMH 71
JOYS & CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
*HYMN BEFORE SCRIPTURE: Here I am, Lord UMH 593
Today’s Epistle reading is taken from the Letter of James (James 2:14-25)
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is worthless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and by works faith was brought to completion. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road?
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 20:1-16)
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
The Gospel of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION: Recitative
—Kevin Norris (1939-1991)
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
MUSIC AT THE GRADUAL: Intonation
—Fred B. Binckes (1939-2018)
MESSAGE
THANKSGIVING PRAYER BEFORE THE OFFERING
MUSIC DURING THE OFFERING:
Light Dawns on a Weary World
—William P. Rowan, arr. Beth Kenreich
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
CROP WALK COMMISSIONING:
L: God calls us to do justice, to love mercy
and to walk humbly.
A: As we prepare for our CROP Hunger Walk,
open our hearts by helping us be a source of hope
and light to our siblings who long for justice.
L: In a world where one in eleven people face hunger,
A: Help us to share our gifts
to create sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty
so that families can thrive today and in the future,
providing enough for all.
L: Where one in three people globally
lack access to clean water,
A: Remind us of the many ways You have used water
to restore, renew and deliver Your people to safety.
L: When natural disaster strikes,
A: Help us meet urgent needs and comfort our neighbors
by providing emergency supplies
and supporting long-term recovery efforts.
L: When 110 million people are displaced from their homes
due to war, persecution or natural disasters,
A: Move our hearts to welcome the stranger,
believing that everyone deserves a safe place
to call home.
L: The suffering in our world can feel overwhelming
and sometimes leave us feeling powerless.
A: When we work together
to share our gifts and resources,
we compassionately show hope
by transforming communities around the globe
through just and sustainable responses
to hunger, poverty, disaster and displacement;
helping all people achieve their big dreams. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CLOSING HYMN: They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love TFWS 2223
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Shalom to You UMH 666
POSTLUDE: Postlude for a Festive Occasion
—Robert A. Roesch (1943-2009)
The flowers on the altar today are dedicated to the glory of God and
in celebration of 35 years at St. Matthew’s.
~ Isaac Borocz
DAILY SCRIPTURES
Mon: Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 Tues: 1 Kings 3:3-28
Wed: James 3:13-18 Thur: Ephesians 3:1-20
Fri: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 Sat: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13
SPECIAL THANKS TO TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS!
| Greeters | St. Matthew’s Members |
| Welcome Desk | St. Matthew’s Members |
| Ushers | Melissa Neace*, Stacy Ann Samuels, Ray Denmark, Diana Scatliffe |
| Acolytes | Cheyanne Belcher, Kenzie Smith |
| Liturgist | Margie Pekala |
| Musicians | Chancel Choir |
| Counters | Debra Marshall, Melissa Neace, Tom de Seve |
| Projection Design | Lorri Meadows |
| Broadcasting | The Hulens, George Wood, Steve Smith, Bruce Thoman, Zoom Team |
| Coffee Hour | Deanna Lesche, Margie Pekala |
WHAT’S HAPPENING…
| Today | 11am | Coffee Hour | Fellowship Hall |
| Adult Sunday School | Parlor | ||
| Children’s Sunday School | Room 222 | ||
| 1230pm | CROP Walk | STMUMC | |
| Mon. | 7pm | Gloria Ringers Rehearsal | Choir Room |
| Koinonia Circle | Parlor | ||
| Tues. | 945am | Bible Study w/Isaac Borocz | Parlor |
| 11am | Angel Gang | ZOOM | |
| 6pm | EEC Board Meeting | Room 126 | |
| 7pm | Evening Bible Study w/Rev. Park | ZOOM | |
| Wed. | 8am | Men’s Breakfast | Rip’s Country Inn |
| 7pm | Simple Prayer Service | Sanctuary | |
| Thurs. | 7pm | Chancel Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room |
| Sat. | 930am | Altar Guild | Sanctuary |
MORNING PRAYER CALL: Monday-Saturday, 630-645am
Dial 267-807-9601 and enter access code: 111-576-270 #
Monday, September 21st – Saturday, September 27th:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CROP Walk – TODAY!
Our Bowie CROP Hunger Walk has finally arrived! It is not too late to join us this afternoon as we walk together to address hunger. Check-in for our walkers and rockers is at 1230pm, and we begin walking at 1pm. We will celebrate with ice cream sundaes at the conclusion of our walk. If you can’t join us, you can still make a donation to one of our walkers. Proceeds benefit CWS global food programs and the Bowie Food Pantry. Together we can end hunger one step at a time.
Plates & Possibilities Drive for House on the Hill
Are your kitchen cabinets feeling a bit crowded? September 13th – 30th, we are collecting gently used cooking, storing and serving supplies to equip homes for families who lack the basic tools to prepare a meal. Clear your cabinets, protect the earth, and provide possibilities to a family! See flyer and Midweek Messenger for more information.
Children’s Sunday School – TODAY at 1110am
Children’s Sunday School will meet in Room 126 until further notice.
Benefit Concert for Bowie C.L.A.W – Tuesday, September 29th at 7pm | Sanctuary
Join local classical musicians, including our very own Gloria Ringers, Chris Bayes, and Isaac Borocz, for a performance benefiting Bowie C.L.A.W. (Citizens for Local Animal Welfare). Pet food and monetary donations will be accepted in lieu of tickets! An informal reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. For more information on Bowie C.L.A.W. visit: https://bowieclaw.org/
Blessing of the Pets – Saturday, October 3rd at 5pm
In celebration of God’s creation, we invite you to bring your beloved pets for our annual Blessing of the Pets!
Dogs, cats, and critters of all kinds are welcome to join us for this special time of prayer and gratitude for the
animal companions who bring us joy. All are welcome — pets and people alike!
2026 Worldwide Communion Day – Sunday, October 4th
Christian Churches around the world will observe Worldwide Communion on October 4th. Join St. Matthew’s in observing the sacrament of holy communion. Breads from around the world will be shared.
Annual Church Conference – Saturday, October 10th at 9am
This year’s conference will take place at Mayo UMC located at 1005 Old Turkey Point Rd, Edgewater, MD, 21037.
Little Free Pantry Update
Thank you for your donations to the LFP. The current needs are canned and dried fruit, dried beans, rice, cereal, and shelf-stable milk. (bethlingg@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
At this time, the Pantry is most in need of canned tomato products (diced, stewed, etc.), canned fruit or applesauce, and peanut butter. Please place donations in the shopping cart in the coat room.
Please support this TODAY’s CROP Walk! The Pantry will receive 25% of the funds raised. The remainder will help fight hunger in other communities in the US and around the world.