08 Mar Worship Bulletin – 3/8/20
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, March 8, 2020
Gathering Music
“Immortal, Invisible” | arr. Broughton
“Prelude in G Minor” | Paul Taylor
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
Invitation to Worship | “A Lenten Meditation” | Louis Lefebure-Wely
Scripture Focus | Genesis 12: 1-4a
Now God said to Abram,
“Go from your country and your kindred and your father Tērah’s,
house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a
blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you
I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as God told him; and his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot,
went with him.
*Call to Worship (inspired by Genesis 12: 1-4)
We are met in the presence of God
and we do not meet alone.
With Abram and Sarai
we gather to worship God.
With the saints of every age
we gather to worship God.
We embark on our own journey of faith
in the wilderness and in our everyday lives.
We journey in the presence of God,
and we do not journey alone.
*Opening Song | “Christ, You Call Us All to Service” | Insert
Invitation to Give (inspired by Genesis 12: 1-4)
Giving Music | “The Prayer” | arr. Dan Coates
Giving Prayer
Worship Choir | “Psalm of Life” | arr. Peter Amidon
An optimistic view of life; this life is precious, we should not waste it.
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Tell me not in mournful numbers, life is but an empty dream,
for the soul is dead that slumbers, and things are not what they seem.
Refrain:
Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal.
Dust thou art to dust returnest was not spoken of the soul.
Lives of great ones all remind us we can make our lives sublime,
and, departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. (Refrain)
Let us then be up and doing with a heart for any fate;
still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labor and to wait. (Refrain)
Tell me not in mournful numbers, life is but an empty dream,
for the soul is dead that slumbers, and things are not what they seem.
Children’s Time
Following story: Childcare provided for infant thru Kindergarten in the Education Building
Song of Faith and Hope | “New Earth, Heavens New” | #299
Message | “Leaving it behind in order to go forward” | Kathryn Whitacre
After an intentional pause – please rise for the sending song
*Sending Song | “Sing a New Church” | Insert
*Sending Words
Sending Music | “March in G Minor” | Charles Marie Widor
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
Chancel Décor – Lent/Easter Team
Sharing Time – Ann Stover
Acolytes – Reyna Bowen & Hannah Wilgers
Worship Leader – Jerry Bowen
Children’s Time – Dawn Hoffman
Pianist – Karlene Tyler
Screens – Ira Whitacre
Director/Camera – To Be Determined
Sound – Shane Kirchner
Greeters – Art and Karen Hoch
Ushers – Bruce and Janell Clary & Doug and Tandy Wine
Head Usher – Glenn Gayer
Balcony Usher – Mike Goering
Childcare Attendant – Kendra Maples
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.