Click here for a printable version of the Order of Worship
Dear Church Family,
We are happy to share the Order of Worship for our service on Sunday, May 10, 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
*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, May 10, 2026: The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Mothers Day
Please welcome Betsy Lord as our organist today.
PRELUDE: Prelude in C —César Franck
WELCOME
*CALL TO WORSHIP —Cf. John 14 & Psalm 19
L: Jesus said: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
A: The law of the Lord is perfect; it revives the soul.
L: Jesus said:
“The Advocate will help you and be with you forever.”
A: The testimony of the Lord is sure,
giving wisdom to the simple.
L: Jesus said: “Because I live, you will live also.”
A: The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
*OPENING HYMN: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart UMH 160
*OPENING PRAYER: —UMH 321
Almighty God,
you give us the joy of celebrating our Lord’s resurrection.
Give us also the joys of life in your service,
and bring us at last to the full joy of life eternal,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*ACT OF PRAISE: Gloria Patri UMH 71
JOYS & CONCERNS
A Litany for Mothers Day — UM Book of Worship #438
For our mothers, who have given us life and love,
that we may show them reverence and love.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For mothers who have lost a child through death,
that their faith may give them hope,
and their family and friends support and console them.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For women, though without children of their own,
who like mothers have nurtured and cared for us.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
For mothers, who have been unable to be a source of strength,
who have not responded to their children
and have not sustained their families.
We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God,
as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
Bless these women,
that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters,
may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
PASSING OF THE PEACE
*HYMN BEFORE SCRIPTURE:
Children of the Heavenly Father UMH 141
Today’s Epistle reading is from the First Letter of Peter (1 Peter 3:13-22)
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
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 John (John 14:15-21)
Jesus said to the disciples: 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
The Gospel of the Lord. THANKS BE TO GOD.
MUSIC FOR MEDITATION: Caricature of a Sunday School Song (Excerpt) —Dale Wood
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
MUSIC AT THE GRADUAL: Caricature of a Sunday School Song (Excerpt) —Dale Wood
MESSAGE —Rev. JW Park
THANKSGIVING PRAYER BEFORE THE OFFERING
MUSIC DURING THE OFFERING: Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded
words by Delores Dufner, music by Giovanni Gastoldi, Jane Thessin, soloist
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CLOSING HYMN:
From All That Dwell Below the Skies UMH 101
*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Shalom to You UMH 666
POSTLUDE: Trumpet Tune in D —Robert C. Lau
The flowers adorning the altar today are given to the glory of God and…
In loving memory of my mother, Melody Grimm. ~ Jessica Zadura-Beecher
In loving memory of my son, Alex LaMorie. ~Jill Harrington LaMorie
DAILY SCRIPTURES
Mon: Isaiah 63:7-9 Tues: Isaiah 45:1-8
Wed: Genesis 9:8-17 Thur: Romans 5:1-11
Fri: Joel 2:18-27 Sat: 1 Peter 2:1-10
SPECIAL THANKS TO TODAY’S VOLUNTEERS!
| Greeters | St. Matthew’s Members |
| Ushers | Erin Berfield*, Rodman Berfield, Diana Scatliffe, Ray Denmark |
| Acolytes | James Belcher, Shurn Scatliffe |
| Liturgist | Pat Clunies |
| Counters | Allison Pena (lead), Carolyn Fisher, Ed Darnell |
| Musicians | Jane Thessin, soprano; Betsy Lord, organist |
| Broadcasting | The Hulens, George Wood, Steve Smith, Bruce Thoman, Zoom Team |
| Welcome Desk | Jody Rudd |
| Coffee Hour | United Methodist Men |
WHAT’S HAPPENING…
| Today | 11am | Coffee Hour | Fellowship Hall |
| Children’s Sunday School | Room 222 | ||
| Adult Sunday School | Parlor | ||
| 4pm | Youth Group | ||
| Mon. | 1pm | Friendship Circle Meeting | Parlor |
| Tues. | 945am | Bible Study w/Isaac Borocz | Parlor |
| 11am | Angel Gang | ZOOM | |
| 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 | Choir Room |
| Sat. | 930am | Altar Guild | Sanctuary |
| 10am | ASP Car Wash Fundraiser | Upper Lot |
MORNING PRAYER CALL: Monday-Saturday, 630-645am
Dial 267-807-9601 and enter access code: 111-576-270 #
Monday, May 11th – Saturday, May 16th: Pastor Marguerite Matthews
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Special God & Guinness – TODAY at 12pm
Today, God and Guinness becomes “God, Mom and Guinness”. Join us at Molloy’s Irish Pub in Gambrills for a Mother’s Day brunch.
Help Us Congratulate Our Graduates!
Are you or your child/grandchild graduating this spring? Give them a shout-out during our Graduation Sunday on June 7th! Please send a photo by this afternoon to beckyroper@stmatthews-bowie.org with information on where they are graduating from and where they are headed.
Circuit Rider Deadline is May 15th
Please submit your Circuit Rider articles and information to circuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.org. Thank you!
Annual Youth Car Wash – Saturday, May 16th | 10am-12pm
The St. Matthew’s youth will hold their annual car wash for a cause next Saturday! Every donation will go to help support the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) mission trip in July. Come out to support our youth and leave with a clean car!
Special Offering for Sunday, May 17th
On Sunday, May 17th, there will be a special offering for the Trevor Project. Please plan to support this
Suicide Prevention Hotline in any way you can. Online giving is available by selecting the drop-down option
“The Trevor Project”. Thank you.
Christian Book Club Update – Tuesday, May 19th at 7pm – Parlor
Our May meeting will be held IN PERSON in the parlor. Local teacher, author and poet, Aressa Verdell Williams, will join us to discuss her memoir, “In Deanwood.” The book captures the good, bad, and ugly of growing up in far Northeast DC during the fifties and ending in 1970 when she graduated from Howard University. Her book can be purchased through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. As ever, everyone is welcome!
Women’s Bible Study Available May 15th
Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, alongside fourteen United Methodist women, announced the release of Her Faith Still Speaks: Women of the Bible Who Shape Our Faith. This Bible study explores the stories of biblical women and how their faith speaks to our lives today, drawing on Scripture, reflection, and Wesleyan theological insight. It is ideal for personal devotion, small groups, or church-wide study. Bishop Easterling herself authored the chapter on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Ordering info can be found in the Midweek Messenger.
Little Free Pantry Update
The current needs for the LFP are cereal, shelf-stable milk, mashed potatoes, and rice. Please put your donations in the bin in the coatroom or in bins by the narthex door. We appreciate all of your donations! (bethlingg@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
At this time, the Pantry is most in need of soup, low-sodium soup, and toilet paper. Please leave donations in the shopping cart in the coatroom. Thank you!
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 |