12 Dec Worship Bulletin – 12/12/21
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, December 12, 2021
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT | CHANGED THROUGH JOY
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.
Christmas Carol | “Virgin Mary” | p. 202
Welcome
Centering Christmas Music | “With Unending Joy” | Edward Broughton
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Opening
Christmas Song | “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” | #210
Story for the Children
Invitation to Give
Musical Christmas Offering | “Mary, Did you Know?” | arr. The Hound & The Fox
Dan Lichty and Lara Schoming, vocals; 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 | Isaiah 12:2-6 and Philippians 4:4-7
Isiah 12:2-6
12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation. 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 12:4 And you will say in
that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name
is exalted. 12:5 Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. 12:6 Shout aloud
and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Philippians 4:4-7
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Message | “Joy to the World!” | Jerry Bowen
Panel Discussion: Lara Schoming, Karlene Tyler, Paul Ullom-Minnich & Dustin Wilgers
Christmas Song | “Joy to the World” | #318
Interlude after verse 3; sing verse 4 in unison
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words
Sending Christmas Music | “Carole for Advent” | Words by Claire Cloninger and Robert Sterling | Music by Robert Sterling
Worship Band: Ellen Gilbert, Eric Goering, Francis Hendricks, Jim Hoffman, Wylene Lengel, Dan Lichty, Ann Stover & Carol Ward
Guitarist: Marta Moorman
Verse 1
Hark! Hear the voice that cries in the desert, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Make straight the way in a world dark and barren: Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
And ev’ry valley shall be raised. Mountains will tremble with their praise.
Witness His glory, mankind together. Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”
Verse 2
Lo! Hear the song the angels are singing, proclaiming the Light of the Lord.
“Glory to God!” the heavens are ringing the song for the Light of the Lord.
There in the manger see Him lay, He who deserves our highest praise.
Shepherds adore and wise men are bringing their gifts to the Light of the Lord.
Chorus 1a
Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia!
Sing alleluia! Christ is born!
Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia!
Sing alleluia! Christ is born!
Verse 3
Jesus is born! How long we have waited, for he is the Hope of the Lord.
Light has arrived and darkness has faded. Yes, He is the Hope of the Lord.
Loving us each just as His own, He comes to make our hearts His home.
He longs for all to be liberated, for this is the Hope of the Lord.
Chorus 1b
Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia!
Sing alleluia! Christ is born!
Sing alleluia! Sing alleluia!
Sing alleluia! Christ is born!
Repeat chorus 1b
Sing alleluia! Christ is born!
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
Chancel Decoration Team: Jill Brax, Colleen Gustafson, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner & Lara Schoming