26 Apr Worship Bulletin – 4/26/20
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, April 26, 2020
Hymns to Live By
Welcome
Scripture | Deuteronomy 33:27
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Centering Music | “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
Anthony J. Showalter | 1887
Elisha Hoffman & Anthony J. Showalter | 1887
Call to Worship | based on Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 | Thom Shuman
We gather to worship the One – who composed creation out of chaos.
Our cries of joy join the anthems of the universe.
We gather to harmoniously acclaim the God who gives us voice.
We bring the songs which have echoed in our hearts.
We gather to lift the songs of faith.
We gather; young and old, tone deaf and perfect-pitched.
We gather as the children of God, singing our hymns of praise.
Scripture | Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ – and to die – is gain.”
Opening Song | “Blessed Assurance” | #332
Fanny Crosby | 1873
Phoebe Palmer Knapp | 1873
Children’s Time | Barbara Wagoner
The Story | “Amazing Grace” | #143
John Newton | 1779
William Walker (current tune) | 1835
The Story | “Be Thou My Vision” | #545
Mary Elizabeth Byrne (translated) | 1905
Eleanor Henrietta Hull (versified) | 1905
Dallán Forgaill | early Christian Irish poetry | 6th Century
Traditional Irish Folk Tune Melody
Martin Fallas Shaw (harmonies) | 1931
Invitation to Give
Scripture I John 4:19 | “because [Jesus] first loved us”
Giving Music | “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
William Ralph Featherstone | 1862
Adoniram Judson (A.J.) Gordon | 1872
Giving Prayer
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture | Revelation 22:1-2
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
The Story | “Shall We Gather at the River” | #615
Robert Lowry | 1864
The Story| “I Love to Tell the Story” | #398
(Annabelle) Catherine Hankey | 1866
William Gustavus Fischer | 1869
Unison Prayer Litany | Inspired by Psalm 98 | Thom Shuman – adapted
Conductor God, You raise your hand and gently begin the concerto of creation:
birds carry the melody while stars keep the beat;
mountains dance in merriment and little children clap their hands with joy.
Love’s Composer – our new songs are sung for You.
The old, old song is made new in our hearts: Sing Alleluia!
You invite us to sing to a world deafened by despair and haunted by the tunes of fear.
Lord of the Dance – our new songs are sung for You.
Believing we cannot carry a tune, we hesitate to join in the chorus of praise sung by all creation.
So, you softly and gently hum the melody in our hearts until we burst with Your Glory;
raising a rousing chorus of Amazing Grace.
Music-making Spirit – our new songs are sung for You.
Every song, old and new, is sung for You – Maestro God – Holy Creator.
The Story | “Take My Life” | #389
Frances Ridley Havergal | 1874
Henri Abraham César Malan | 1827
Sending Song | “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” | #574
Joseph M. Scriven | 1855
Charles Converse | 1868/70
Sending Words
Sending Music | “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Isaac Watts | 1714
attributed to William Croft | 1708
Technical Assistance: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Doug Lengel, Steve Lolling, Shane Kirchner, Chris Whitacre
Music Coordinator/Organist/Pianist: Ellen Gilbert