22 Nov Worship Bulletin – 11/22/20
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, November 22, 2020
Thanks Giving – Giving Thanks
Welcome
Heritage Moments (7 of 11) | Celebrating 100 Years at the Corner of Euclid & Carrie Street
Centering Music | “Andante” | Franz Strauss
Kyle Hopkins, horn & James Bowyer, piano
Children’s Story
Presented by Paul Ullom-Minnich
Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “Now Thank We All Our God with Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” | arr. Cindy Berry
Karlene Tyler, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 6746
Scripture | Ephesians 1:15-23 | Jerry Bowen
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people,
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may
know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope
to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably
great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised
Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one
to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the
church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Scripture | Matthew 25:31-46 | Jerry Bowen
The Sheep and the Goats
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your
inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave
me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me
in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give
you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe
you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for
the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I
was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick
or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Message | “Why Give Thanks?” | Jerry Bowen
As we prepare to have Thanksgiving perhaps alone for the first time it might seem odd to give thanks.
But it is in these most trying seasons that we must remember God’s reign shines the brightest!
Community Prayer | Jerry Bowen
Hymn | “We Gather Together” | #17 HWB
Ellen Gilbert, organ (please sing along)
Verse 1
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing, sing praises to his name: he forgets not his own.
Verse 2
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning: thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be thine!
Verse 3
We all do extol thee, our leader triumphant, and pray that thou still our defender wilt be;
let thy congregation escape tribulation: thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Sending Words | Jerry Bowen
Sending Music | “All Things Bright and Beautiful” | arr. James Mansfield
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering & Christopher J. Whitacre
Music Coordinator/Accompanist/Organist/Pianist: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Doug Lengel, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre