13 Oct Worship Bulletin – 10/13/19
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 13, 2019
Gathering Music
“The Perfect Wisdom of Our God” (arr. Lloyd Larson)
“He Is Exalted” (arr. Mark Hayes)
Sharing Time
…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.
Focusing Music – “The Old Rugged Cross” (arr. Gary Lanier)
*Unison Prayer
God, we confess we are regularly side tracked.
We are frequently worried over things in our past.
We are often anxious over things in our future.
Help us – God of our Past, Present and Future –
to fully participate right now; without disquiet, without anxiety.
Help us – Eternally Creating God – to fully engage with You as Co-Creators;
living into Your Holy Calling – Now! AMEN
*Opening Song – “Here in This Place” #6
Invitation to Offering
Moment in Mission – Beth Versaw representing STEP of McPherson County
Giving Music – “Great Is the Lord Almighty” (arr. Joey Culpepper)
Giving Prayer
Worship Choir – “Emerald Stream” (Seth Houston)
Come now and gather in the glade, where the emerald stream and the evening shade
and meditate on the works He’s made, great God our Sov’reign Lord.
Join us now, the meadow is green, and the water pure and the woods serene,
and the flowing air is fresh and clean where God His blessings pour’d.
Feel the wind come down, hear it whistle as it goes
it brings us sun and it brings us snows, a blessing from above.
And the sun comes up and the sun goes down
and the stars and the moon go round and round in witness to His love.
Hear now ye sons of men, for danger lurks in this great garden,
the Lord will visit once again to see what we have done.
As God is the shepherd and we are the sheep,
we our Mother Earth must keep, maintain the air, protect the deep,
at Judgement Day He’ll come.
See the Lord come down, hear Him whistle as He goes.
He bears a thunderbolt and a rose. Remember all His pow’r.
See the Lord come down, face shining bright.
His holy feet are soiled, but his robe is white. You will regret that hour.
So, now, my people beware. You’re in charge of the seas and the Earth and the air.
You’d better take extr’ordinary care of the Earth, our only home.
All glory be to God on high. Shout praises loudly to the sky!
Listen to the Earth and hear her cry, and in Heav’n forever roam.
Children’s Time
Following story: Childcare provided – infant thru K-garten – Education Building
Prayer Song – “O God, in Restless Living” #557
Responsive Prayer of Supplication – Katherine Hawker (adapted)
ONE: Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet God provides for the basic sustenance of life.
ALL: May our hearts be open to trust You, O God
ONE: Look at the birds of the air;
they neither study nor plan nor plot their course and yet
God writes the instinct for migration into their hearts.
ALL: May our eyes be open to see you, O God.
ONE: Look at the birds of the air;
they neither talk nor vote nor debate their responsibility
yet God weaves them into communities which nurture and defend.
ALL: May our hands be open to serve you, O God.
ONE: Look at the birds of the air;
ALL: May we be fully present to You, O God.”
Special Music – “The Prayer” (Carol Sager/David Foster)
I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go,
and help us to be wise, in times when we don’t know.
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way.
Lead us to a place. Guide us with your grace, to a place where we’ll be safe.
La luce che tu dai – I pray we’ll find your light
Nel cuore restera – And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che – When stars go out each night
L’eterna stella sei – You are the eternal star (ooooh, ooooh, ooooh)
Nella mia preghiera – Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c’e – When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place. Guide us with your grace, to a place where we’ll be safe.
Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza – We dream of a world with no more violence
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza – A world of justice and of hope
Ognuno di la mano al suo vicino – Everyone gives his hand to his neighbor
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita – A symbol of peace and brotherhood
La forza che ci dai – We ask that life be kind
E’ il desiderio che – And watch us from above
Ognuno Trovi amor – We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se – Another soul to love
Let this be our prayer. (Let this be our prayer)
Just like every child, (Just like every child) needs to find a place;
guide us with your grace. Give us faith so we’ll be safe.
E’ la fede che hai acceso in noi sento che ci salver –
And the faith you have ignited in us, I feel will save us.
Scripture Focus – Matthew 6:19-34 (The Message)
Message – “Give Your Entire Attention to What God is Doing Now” (Jerry Bowen)
*Sending Song – “Rise Up, O Saints of God!”
*Sending Words
*Sending Music – “This Is My Song” (arr. Lyndall Leatherman)
*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 – Lucy Bowman & Laila Samland
Sharing Time – To Be Determined
Worship Leader – Kathryn Whitacre
Children’s Time – Paul Ullom-Minnich
Violin – Bryan Hess
Vocalists – Dan Lichty & Carol Ward
Screens – Ira Whitacre
Director/Camera – To Be Determined
Sound – Shane Kirchner
Greeters – Scott & Beth Versaw
Ushers – Brian & Kristen Reynolds; Doug & Tandy Wine
Head Usher – Glenn Gayer
Balcony Usher – Mike Goering
Childcare Attendant – To Be Determined
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.