Worship Bulletin – 01/05/20

Worship Bulletin – 01/05/20

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, January 5, 2020

EPIPHANY
Jesus revealed as the Living God to all creation – even to the Gentile Sages from afar.
“A spark of divine light is within each of us.” – Pope Francis

Gathering Music
“Gloria in Excelsis Deo” | arr. Roger Wilson

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.

Lighting the Christ Candle | “People Look East”
People look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Open your hearts, our God is near. All are invited, to come without fear.
People, look east. Prepare the way. God, the Child, is here today.

*Responsive Opening Prayer | from Education for Justice
ONE:  Holy Presence.
As we transition from this Christmas Season into the routines of our everyday lives;
ALL:  may your Spirit move us beyond what is ‘reasonable’ –
and toward the Star of Wonder
ONE:  may your Spirit move us
ALL:   beyond grasping tight to what we have – to unclenching our hands
and letting go, following the Light where it leads;
ONE:  may your Spirit move us
ALL:   beyond competition – toward cooperation, seeing that all humans
are sisters and brothers;
ONE:   may your Spirit move us
ALL:    May the transforming acceptance of Mary and Joseph,
the imagination of the shepherds, and the persistence of the sages, guide us
as we seek the Truth; always moving toward the Divine promise, always aware
God can be hidden in the frailest among us, always open to the unexpected flash
of Grace, to the showing forth of that Love that embraces us all.  AMEN

*Opening Song | “The First Noel” | #199

Invitation to Give
Giving Music | “To Follow the Star” | Franklin Ritter
Giving Prayer | Written by Jan Richardson

Special Music | “De Tierra Lejana Venimos a Verte” | traditional Puerto Rican Carol
“From a Distant Home” | translators Evans/Ehret
Dan Lichty, Lara Lichty Schoming – vocalists | Jean Lichty Hendricks – pianist

Invitation to Anointing
Anointing
Prayer

Prayer Song | “Mary Did You Know” | Insert

Children’s Story
Following story: Childcare provided for infant thru Kindergarten in the Education Building

Scripture Foci | Isaiah 60:1-5a and Matthew 2:1-2

Message | “Seeking Light” | Kathryn Whitacre
After an intentional pause – please rise for the Sending Song

*Sending Song | “There’s a Song in the Air” | Insert
*Sending Words
Sending Music

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Pastoral Staff – Jerry Bowen, Chris Whitacre & Kathryn Whitacre
Coordinator of Music and Organist/Pianist/Accompanist – Ellen Gilbert
Director of Bells – Kendra Flory
Director of Worship Choir – Becky Snell
Bulletin Cover – Christopher Kirchner
Chancel Décor – Advent/Christmas Team
Acolytes – Nichols Family
Sharing Time – To Be Determined
Worship Leader – Jerry Bowen
Children’s Time – To Be Determined
Screens – Ira Whitacre
Director/Camera – To Be Determined
Sound – To Be Determined
Greeters – To Be Determined
Ushers – Stephen & Tina Burkholder; Dani & Jeff Crist
Head Usher – Jim Hoffman
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.