Worship Bulletin – 11/21/21

Worship Bulletin – 11/21/21

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 21, 2021
GIVING THANKS

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 | “Thanks Be to Thee” | Handel/Lorenz
Ellen Gilbert, piano

Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle

Moment in Mission
Oak Harbor Cottages | McPherson Housing Coalition
Alternative Christmas Gift Market (ACGM) Recipient | STEPMC – Austin Regier

Unison Opening | based on Isaiah 12:3-6 | Christine Longhurst
Give thanks to the LORD! Praise God’s name!
Tell the whole world what God has done – God’s mighty acts on our behalf.

Sing to the LORD, for God has done wonderful things for us!

Raise your hearts and voices! Shout and sing your praise!
For great is the Holy One who lives among us!

Opening Song | “Sing to the Lord of Harvest | #98

Story for the Children

Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “For This Joy” | arr. Susan Labarr 
Worship Choir with Sarah Ewing, clarinet

Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460

Scripture Focus | Psalm 104:1-9, 24,35c
104:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in
light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make
the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.
You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken. You cover it with the deep as with a garment; the waters
stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they flee; at the sound of your thunder they take to flight. They rose up to the mountains,
ran down to the valleys to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might
not again cover the earth. 24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your
creatures. 35c Praise the LORD!

Responsive Prayer | Carolyn Brown (adapted)

ONE:
God, you are the Alpha and Omega. 
You were here before anything else existed
and you will be here when everything and everyone has come to an end.
Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

ALL:
Creating God, you spoke and the entire universe came into existence. 
You know the secrets of stars and dark holes and far flung galaxies. 
Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

ONE:
Lord of the Whole Creation, you are aware of each tiny creature on each planet. 
You pay attention to insects and birds and even us.
Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

ALL:
God of History, you call us to be your people.  
You appointed us to take care of this planet Earth. 
You gave us rules for living well together. 
You call us to great things.
Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

ONE:
Loving God you created each one of us. 
You know us by name and watch over us. 
You are with us when everything is wonderful. 
And, you walk with us through our worst days.
Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

ALL:
God of Mercy, 
You know everything we do, the good and the bad. 
And, still you do not give up on us. 
When we mess up, you call us back to yourself and you forgive us when we don’t deserve it.
Thine is the Kingdom and power and the glory forever.

ONE:
You are greater than we can understand, vaster than we can imagine,
more amazing than we can put into words. So with awe and deep gratitude we pray.

ALL:
God who is ever present – within and without – holy is your name.
May your reign come, your will be done – on this good earth.
Give us each day – our daily bread.
Forgive us each day – our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
May we NOT be led into temptations but instead be delivered into blessed holiness.
For thine IS the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
AMEN

Message | “Give Thanks and Praise God” | Kathryn Whitacre

Sending Hymn | “Praise God from Whom” | #118
Please be seated after the song

Sending Words

Sending Music |  “Now Thank We All Our God” | arr. Chesterson
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