Order of Worship for Sunday, August 27th 2023

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Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: Brothers and sisters, we gather here today in the name of our loving Savior.
People: We come, seeking His wisdom and grace.

Leader: He reminds us not to judge but to examine our hearts first.
People: We seek His forgiveness and transformation.

Leader: May God's Spirit guide us in our worship today.
People: May our lives be transformed in His presence.

Opening Hymn

Amazing Grace UMH 378

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, your Word reminds us to approach you with humility and childlike faith. Yet, we often come to you with pride and self-assurance. We confess that we have been quick to point out the faults of others while ignoring the plank in our own eyes. Forgive us, Lord, for our lack of self-examination and for failing to love as you love. Forgive us when we have experienced your grace and failed to share it with others. Transform our hearts so that we might see others as you see them and treat them as people you have already died to save. We pray this in the name of the one who died so that we might be rescued from our sins.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

Leader: In Christ, we find forgiveness and transformation.
People: We embrace this forgiveness with grateful hearts.

Passing of the Peace

First Reading:

Matthew 18:1-9

Second Reading:

Matthew 7:1-5

Sermon:

Love the Sinner Hate the Sin by Pastor Kevin Rutledge

Hymn of Response

Grace Greater Than Our Sin UMH 365

Tithes and Offerings

Give Now

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH 95

Offertory Prayer

Lord, we offer these gifts as an expression of our gratitude for your boundless grace and mercy. Just as Jesus extended compassion to sinners, we seek to be vessels of your love in this world. Bless these offerings, O God, and use them to spread your transformative love to those in need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer and Lord's Prayer

Announcements

Closing Hymn

Lord, You have Come to the Lakeshore UMH 344

Benediction

Said Each Week as A Communal Prayer:
Send to us all the people who feel unwanted and unloved in other places, and if they can't come to us, send us to them.

Postlude

This Week's Reading Plan

Day: Reading:
Monday The Humility of Faith: Matthew 18:1-9
Tuesday Breaking the Habit of Judgment: Matthew 7:1-5
Wednesday Embracing Unconditional Love: 1 John 4:7-12
Thursday Inclusivity in Christ: Galatians 3:26-29
Friday Love, Grace, and Mercy: Romans 5:6-8
Saturday The Compassion of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
Sunday

Reflections and Caring Conversations

Please use the prompts and prayers below to aid you in your devotions for this week.

  • Morning Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank you for the gift of a new day. As we awaken and ready ourselves for the day's challenges, we pray for understanding and clarity. Guide us as we strive to reconcile complex biblical interpretations, and grant us the wisdom to love and accept all, as Christ did. Teach us to love others unconditionally, not just the sinner but also understand the complexities of sin. May we always seek to understand Your word in its full context, avoiding the pitfalls of 'Versitis.' In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

  • Evening Prayer: Lord of Grace, as we retire for the night, we pray for Your mercy and love. We've spent the day wrestling with scriptures and grappling with complex biblical interpretations. Please, Father, illuminate our minds and hearts with Your divine wisdom. Teach us to love sinners and grapple with our own sins, as we seek to embody Christ's teachings. We ask that our dreams be filled with revelations of Your will and the true essence of Christian faith. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

  • Reflection Question - What is your understanding of the phrase "Love the sinner, hate the sin"? Can you think of instances where it may be used inappropriately or harmfully, particularly towards the LGBTQ+ community? 

  • Reflection Question - The sermon touched on the concept of 'Versitis' - the act of isolating verses from the Bible for personal interpretation. Can you think of examples where this may lead to a distorted understanding of the scriptures? How can we ensure we maintain the true context of the Bible? (Refer to 2 Timothy 2:15)

  • Reflection Question - Reflect on the importance of self-examination in dealing with sin, as suggested by the rephrasing of "Love the sinner, hate the sin" to "Love the sinner, hate your own sin". How does this shift the focus of our spiritual growth? (Refer to Matthew 7:3-5)

Featured Upcoming Events:

Lunch and Learn with Pastor Kevin

on 11/27/2024 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Join us for a weekly Bible study and lunch with Pastor Kevin on Wednesdays at 12:30pm. Bring your lunch and come ready to dive deeper into the Sunday morning scripture. This is a great opportunity to discuss and learn more about the word of God in a small group setting with the guidance of our pastor. See you there!

Learn More

Community Thanksgiving Eve Service

on 11/27/2024 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

This is a community service at St Matthew's United Methodist meant to thank God for all he has blessed us with.

Learn More

Next Steps

on 12/1/2024 from 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM

"Join us at 'Next Steps,' our recurring gathering where we explore the future of our church's ministry and your role within it. Discover how you can make a meaningful impact by plugging into our diverse ministries."

Learn More

Breakfast With Santa

on 12/7/2024 from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Join us for a magical morning of holiday cheer! Bring your family and friends to enjoy a delicious breakfast, meet Santa, and capture the perfect holiday photo. There will be festive activities for the kids, and plenty of holiday spirit for everyone!

Learn More

The Next Two Weeks at Berwyn UMC:

Date: Time: Summary
Nov 24 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Every Topic Considered Small Group Learn More
Nov 24 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM Weekly Worship Learn More
Nov 25 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM Monthly Food Distribution at Trinity House Learn More
Nov 26 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Food Pantry Distribution Hours: Learn More
Nov 26 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Troop 181 Meeting Learn More
Nov 27 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch and Learn with Pastor Kevin Learn More
Nov 27 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Steps to Freedom - Women's AA Meeting Learn More
Nov 27 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Community Thanksgiving Eve Service Learn More
Dec 01 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Every Topic Considered Small Group Learn More
Dec 01 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM Weekly Worship Learn More
Dec 01 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM Next Steps Learn More
Dec 03 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Food Pantry Distribution Hours: Learn More
Dec 03 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Troop 181 Meeting Learn More
Dec 04 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Steps to Freedom - Women's AA Meeting Learn More
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