20 Oct Worship Bulletin – 10/20/19
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 20, 2019
Gathering Music – “Creation Sings” (arr. Lloyd Larson)
Sharing Time
Moment in Mission
Bethany Theological Seminary; the Seminary of the Church of the Brethren
…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 – “Open the Eyes of My Heart” (Paul Baloche)
Centering Poem – “We Are a Void” (Kenneth Patton)
Are you afraid of the void, the empty future, your own undefined face?
Do you want it spelled out, written in prose?
Do you want tomorrow filled in, neat and chinked,
no crevice for the unannounced wind to blow in?
We are sorry, but that is not the way things are.
None of us has answers, certainties, definitions for ourselves.
How can we give them to you?
The question is not whether you want the void, the unfulfilled,
the gap of time and becoming that founts before you.
You will get it whether you want it or not.
The question is, what are you to do with it…?
*Opening Song – “Bless the Lord (10,000 Reasons)” Inserts/Screens
Written by Jonas Myrin/Matt Redman
Invitation to Offering
On the empty space of your bulletin or on a piece of scrap paper write:
two hopes you have for the FUTURE Church;
one for the FUTURE of this church in five years – by the end of 2025
one for the FUTURE of religion worldwide in five years – by the end of 2025
one action you will take by May 2020 – to promote one of these hopes
Giving Music
Litany of Response (MDurber-adapted/sco)
ONE: God of all living, we have seen your presence in the rhythm and surprises of our years.
ALL: You have accompanied us through all that is past. We are thankful.
ONE: We recognize your closeness in this day.
ALL: You challenge and encourage us in each act and decision. We seek to be courageous.
ONE: Now we look to you in the promises which stretch before us.
ALL: You meet us with hope and call us to freedom to live as your new people.
We commit ourselves again, to live as people of faith.
Worship Choir – “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” (arr.Mark Hayes)
Children’s Time
Following story: Childcare provided – infant thru K-garten – Education Building
Prayer Song – “God of Our Life” #486
Scripture Focus – Luke 18:1-8 (Inclusive Text)
Message – “…never lose heart” (Kathryn Whitacre)
*Sending Song – “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” #328
*Sending Words
Sending Music – “Bagatelle, Opus 5, #10” (A. Tcherepnin)
*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 – Elliott Schoming & Hannah Wilgers
Sharing Time – Ann Stover
Worship Leader – To Be Determined
Children’s Time – Dan Lichty
Piano – Jean Hendricks
Worship Band – Francis Hendricks, Dan Hoffman, Dawn Hoffman, Jim Hoffman, Dan Lichty & Carol Ward
Screens – Chris Whitacre
Director/Camera – To Be Determined
Sound – Ira Whitacre
Greeters – Jonathan & Jaymie Rothrock
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.