27 Dec Worship Bulletin – 12/27/20
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, December 27, 2020
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Season of . . . Hope ♥ Peace ♥ Joy ♥ Love ♥ Life ♥ Living
Welcome
Children’s Story | Barbara Wagoner
Christ Candle | words by Lois Van Leer (adapted)
On the brink of a New Year, the Christmas Candle remains – a light for the future.
It reminds us; to let go of what has been – to be open and hopeful for what may come –
embracing renewal, restoration and readiness. It reminds us; to live life – fully anew.
May we hold the light within – moving forward with great intention?
Centering Music | “He is Born” | arr. James Curnow
Eric Goering, trombone
Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “Joy to the World” | Joseph Martin
McPherson Church of the Brethren Worship Choir
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 6746
Communion
“God the Weaver”
(Tune: ‘Picardy’, 87.87.87 – Text: © Marjorie Dobson)
Verse 1
God the weaver, making patterns, spinning threads throughout our days –
Joy and sadness interwoven, strands of sorrow, strands of praise.
Help us to discern Your weaving – in this multi-colored maze.
Verse 2
Teach us, [God], to trust Your guidance when the pattern is not clear,
and to feel Your strength and comfort when life’s fabric’s torn by fear.
Help us sense that in the dark times – lightening love is always near.
Verse 3
When we see the pattern changing and a new direction starts,
let us know Your love unbroken winds through life in all its parts
by the threads of love and friendship – closely woven in our hearts.
Verse 4
Though we never see the picture with your sense of space and time,
help us, [God], to take our places in our faith’s continuing line,
as all lives are interwoven – in Your final grand design.
Words for the Bread
May this communion bread – bring new life into our souls –
that we might remember and share – the life of God’s spirit.
Words for the Cup
May this communion cup – bring new life into our souls –
that we might remember and share – the life of God’s spirit.
Communion Prayer
Communion Song | “As We Gather at Your Table” | #695 W&R
Addie Johnson & Eric Johnson, vocals; Dorothy Janzen, piano
Verse 1
As we gather at your table, as we listen to your word,
help us know, O God, your presence; let our hearts and minds be stirred.
Nourish us with sacred story till we claim it as our own;
teach us through this holy banquet how to make Love’s victory known.
Verse 2
Turn our worship into witness in the sacrament of life;
send us forth to love and serve you, bringing peace where there is strife.
Give us, Christ, your great compassion to forgive as you forgave;
may we still behold your image in the world you died to save.
Verse 3
Gracious Spirit, help us summon other guests to share that feast
where triumphant Love will welcome those who had been last and least.
There no more will envy bind us nor will pride our peace destroy,
as we join with saints and angels to repeat the sounding joy.
Scripture | Luke 2:22-24, 39-40 | Kathryn Whitacre
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought [Jesus] up to
Jerusalem to present him to God 23 (as it is written in the law of God, “Every firstborn male shall be
designated as holy to God”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of God, “a
pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of [God], they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.
Message | “what now?” | Kathryn Whitacre
Hymn | “Morning Star, O Cheering Sight!” | #214 HWB
Dan Lichty, Ada Prose & Ari Prose, vocals; Jean Hendricks, piano
Sending Words | “now what” | Thomas Shuman
now what will you do with those gifts?
now what will you do with that love God has given to you – to share with those you don’t like?
now what will you do with that hope God put under the tree – can you pass it on to a despairing neighbor?
now what will you do with that joy you didn’t expect – hoard it all for yourself or hand it to someone grieving?
now what will you do with that grace God stuck in your stocking –
leave it there or find the stranger who needs it?
now what will you do with all that forgiveness God has given to you in the Babe –
throw it out with the wrapping paper or offer it to the one who has hurt you so much?
now that Christmas is over, what will you do?
Sending Music | “Christmas Fantasy” | Clarence Kohlmann
Ellen Gilbert, organ; Dan Masterson, piano
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator/Accompanist/Organist/Pianist: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering & Ryan Goering