14 Nov Worship Bulletin – 11/14/21
McPherson First Church of the Brethren
Welcome to Worship at the McPherson 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 14, 2021
PLEASE NOTE: Leadership Team requires masks during worship to address continued COVID-19 concerns.
Singing will be allowed with masks; musicians will perform 12 feet away from the masked audience.
Gathering Music
Welcome
Centering Music | “You Say” | words and music by Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram and Paul Mabury
Worship Band: Ellen Gilbert, Eric Goering, Dan Hoffman, Dawn Hoffman, Jim Hoffman, Wylene Lengel, Ann Stover and Carol Ward
Verse 1
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough,
Ev’ry single lie that tells me I will never measure up.
Verse 2
Am I more than just the sum of ev’ry high and ev’ry low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know, oh, oh.
Chorus
You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing.
You say I am strong when I think I am weak.
You say I am held when I am falling short.
And, when I don’t belong,
Oh, You say I am Yours,
And I believe, oh, I believe.
What You say of me, I believe.
Verse 3
The only thing that matters now is ev’rything You think of me.
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, oh, oh.
Chorus Repeated
(Bridge)
Taking all I have, and now I’m laying it at Your feet.
You’ll have ev’ry failure, God; You’ll have ev’ry victory, oh, oh.
Chorus Repeated
Ending
Oh, I believe,
Yes, I believe.
What You say of me,
I believe.
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Moment in Mission | Oak Harbor Cottages | McPherson Housing Coalition
Opening Prayer | Inspired by Romans 8:28
God, we know – we have faith – that everyone has a place with You – ALL – are cocooned in your abiding love.
We know great difficulties BUT ALSO great blessings.
Our lives are often a mix of devastation AND delight.
When we look back – on the journey behind us – we can note – unexpected good and unbelievable heartache.
God, we pray that the heaviness of heart that might weigh on us today might be balanced with the deep
assurance that – ALL IS WELL – ALL IS WELL – because you – are God. AMEN
Opening Song | This is a day of New Beginnings | #640
Children’s Story
Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “Theme for Clarinet” | by Michele Mangani
Kento Aizawa, clarinet; Jean Hendricks, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Romans 8 (22)
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains.”
Prayer | Inspired by Romans 8: 22-27 | written by Amy Loving
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Spirit of God prays for us “with sighs too deep for words”.
Through the Life-Giving Breath of God, we are given all that we need.
Let us breathe deeply – inhaling the good gifts that God provides,
and exhaling all of the things that we need to release.
Let us breathe in strength. (Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale our exhaustion. (Pause for breath…)
Let us breathe in freedom. (Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale all that holds us back. (Pause for breath…)
Let us breathe in a new sense of direction. (Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale the paths we no longer want to use. (Pause for breath…)
Let us breathe in hope. (Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale self-doubt. (Pause for breath…)
Let us breathe in unconditional love. (Pause for breath…)
And, let us exhale distrust and hate. (Pause for breath…)
Holy Spirit, let us feel the mighty rush of your presence in this place.
Blow away our fears and worries, and help us to breathe in your gifts of new life. Amen.
Message | “is this the darkness of the tomb or the darkness of the womb” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Hymn | “Renew Your Church” | #363
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Prelude in G Minor” | JS Bach
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Choir Director: Becky Snell
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre