19 Dec Worship Bulletin – 12/19/21
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 19, 2021
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT | CHANGED THROUGH LOVE
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 Hymn | “Love Came Down at Christmas” | #208
Welcome
Centering Music | “God Rest Ye Merry” | arr. Geoffrey T. Bell
Worship Choir
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Dan Lichty
Opening | Roddy Hamilton
gather round – I have a story to tell
of one who reached inside himself – and took a handful of love – like a pile of stardust – and said:
this is for you – it is all you need – it is all you will ever need
there is enough here – to change the whole world – take it
many laughed at him – mocked him and ignored the invitation
but some dared to take it – and those who did – noticed something about this love
they found they could do what the gift-giver could do
they could stand with the lost – welcome the traveler – eat with the hungry
they found themselves doing what the man first did to them – give something of themselves to others
they became like the man – offering themselves
and as they offered themselves – others took the invitation
and many still do – and many still trust – it is enough to change the whole world
Christmas Song | “Oh, How Shall I Receive Thee” | #182
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Invitation to Give
Blessing and Prayer for the Christmas Gift Families
Musical Christmas Offering | “The First Noel”
Laila Samland, clarinet; Becca Schlosser, alto sax; Caleb Samland, tenor Sax
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the
house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her
womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among
women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord
comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked with
favor on the lowliness of this servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty
One has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name.
God’s mercy is for those who fear God from generation to generation
God has shown strength with an arm; God has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
God has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
God has helped this servant Israel, in remembrance of God’s mercy, according to the promise God made to
our ancestors, to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
Message | “God’s Love Changes Everything and Everyone” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message
Christmas Song | “Angels we have heard on High” | #197
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words
Sending Christmas Music | “Mary Had a Baby” | arr. Mark Hayes
Ellen Gilbert, piano
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