06 Oct Worship Bulletin – 10/6/19
McPherson First Church of the Brethren
We invite your active participation in the life of this congregation, as together we continue to grow in grace and seek justice for God’s creation.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
World Communion Sunday
World Communion Sunday has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm the life and living of Jesus. On this day, whether shared in a grand cathedral, a mud hut, outside on a hilltop, in a meetinghouse, or in a storefront; Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations and remember that they are part of the global community of faith.
Gathering Music
Variations on “Come Thou Fount” (Edward Broughton)
Prelude and Fugue on “Fairest Lord Jesus” (Gordon Young)
Sharing Time
Creation Care – Kendra Flory
…a time of greeting and sharing those things which inform who we are as a community of faith and how God is moving among us. You are invited to welcome visitors, share joys, prayer requests and announcements.
Centering Music – “Communion” (arr. Stewart Landon)
Opening Prayer – Hymn Society of the United States
*Opening Song – “Let All Things Now Living” (insert)
Litany for World Communion
ONE: Let us give thanks to God: Creator of all that is.
ALL: We thank you, God—for everything. A long time ago, you decided to start something new. Out of that newness came all that exists; the stars in the sky, the planets, and moons, the water, the air—and life! You created life that took many shapes. Single-celled creatures that became many-celled creatures; that became plants, became animals, became us.
ONE: Throughout our history, we human beings have tried to understand how WE came to be, and why WE came to be – and how to be in relationship with each other and with You.
ALL: Throughout our history, we human beings have tried to understand how ALL THINGS came to be, and why ALL THINGS came to be, and how to be in relationship with all creation and with You. Sometimes, we’ve not done a good job of listening or loving; not done a good job of being in relationship with You, with what you have created, or with each other.
ONE: We are sorry, God. We ask for your forgiveness. We ask for your help.
ALL: Open our ears, our eyes, our hearts, and our minds – so that we might listen to your call, so that we might listen to the needs of what you have created, so that we might speak those needs and live your love.
ONE: When our ancestors made mistakes, You sent them guides to help them on their way – priests and prophets, teachers and healers, who called people back to your love.
ALL: And in Jesus You were with us to teach us, to love us, to save us from ourselves. Jesus laughed with those who laughed, and cried with those who cried. He learned what it meant to be part of Your creation and tried to teach us with stories of seeds and sowers, of bushes and birds; in his love, he called us back into relationship with You.
ONE: And so we pray the words he gave to all of his disciples, the ones that remind us that You love us with all the love a mother can give, with all the love a father can give, saying;
ALL: Our Father, who art in heaven ….. AMEN
On the night that Jesus was taken away, by people afraid of what he was teaching of Your love, he gathered with his friends, took a loaf of bread and gave thanks to You, saying, “Blessed are you, Lord God of the Universe, who brings forth grain from the earth.” He took the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body, given for you. Each time you eat it…remember me.” He took a cup full of wine and gave thanks to You, saying, “Blessed are you, Lord God of the Universe, who brings forth fruit from the vine.” He took the cup and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink it. This is my blood. My forever promise to you and to everyone. Each time you drink, remember me.”
ONE: We ask that You, Creating God, would send your Spirit upon this bread and this cup that they, and we, might be the body of Christ—hope in the world, speaking, acting, and living the change that brings healing and wholeness to ALL OF CREATION.
ALL: In this hope, we Your people praise you: Holy God! Holy One! Holy Three! Holy Creator! Praise now and forever! Amen. Amen! AMEN!
Worship Choir – “Jesus Offered Up As Bread” (David Wright)
Invitation to Communion
Communion Song – “God Let Us Be a Bridge of Care”
God, let us be a bridge of care connecting people ev’ry where.
Help us confront all fear and hate and lust for power that separate.
God, let us be a table spread with gifts of love and broken bread,
where all find welcome, grace attends, and enemies arise as friends.
Unison Words for the Bread and Cup – written by Thom Shuman (adapted)
God of ALL making;
May we find you in the brokenness of the Bread —
as our hearts break open to all of creation?
May we find you when we drain the Cup —
as you refill it with blessings for us to share with all of creation?
Partake of the Bread and Cup
Prayer for the Bread and Cup
Feet Washing Scripture – John 13: 1-17
Feet Washing Song – “Jesus Took a Towel” #449
Children’s Time
Invitation to Give
Giving Music – “Beach Spring” (arr. McChesney)
Giving Blessing
Sending Song – “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant” #307
*Sending Words
ONE: God is leading. We do know this.
Will we listen – to the cries and songs of creation, to the moving Spirit of God?
Will we speak up – to give voice to the voiceless,
to call out for healing and harmony for all?
Will we act – filled with the love of the Creator, filled with the peace of the Christ,
filled with the passion of the Holy Spirit?
ALL: We go, knowing that we are blessed and blessing,
knowing that we are ears and lips and hands for creation.
We go, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
ONE: Go With God’s Blessing and Peace! Go to serve God’s Creation! AMEN
*Sending Music
*Indicates please rise in Body and/or Spirit
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Pastoral Staff – Jerry Bowen, Chris and Kathryn Whitacre
Coordinator of Music and Organist/Pianist/Accompanist – Ellen Gilbert
Director of Bells – Kendra Flory
Director of Worship Choir – Becky Snell
Chancel Decor – Shane Kirchner
Acolytes – Reyna Bowen & Oliver Bowman
Sharing Time – To Be Determined
Worship Leader – Kathryn Whitacre
Children’s Time – Paul Ullom-Minnich
Flute – Kaitlyn van Asselt
Guitar – Dan Hoffman
Vocalists – Kendra Flory, Bud Taylor, Deb van Asselt & Allan van Asselt
Screens – Ira Whitacre
Director/Camera – To Be Determined
Sound – Shane Kirchner
Greeters – Scott & Beth Versaw
Ushers – Jeff & Dani Crist; Brian & Kristen Reynolds
Head Usher – Glenn Gayer
Balcony Usher – Mike Goering
Childcare Attendant – Barbara Wagoner
Reminder: The bulletin announcements/weekly newsletter are sent to your email address every Friday with “COB Communications” caption in the address line. You may pick up a paper copy from the stand on the sanctuary level or from the literature rack immediately inside the Education Building front door.