Worship Bulletin: 11/6/22

Worship Bulletin: 11/6/22

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 6, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
“Take Courage” | National Junior High Sunday | Matthew 14:22-33

Greeters | Ashleigh Coyle, Nathan Friesen, E.J. Griffith, Alejandro Pfeiff, Laila Samland & Jonathan Ullom

Gathering Hymn | “Oceans (Where Feet May Fall” | Houston/Crocker/Ligthelm
Used by permission CCLI license #2054209

You call me out upon the waters – The great unknown where feet may fail –
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand – And I will call upon Your Name –
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise – My soul will rest in Your embrace – For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters – Your sovereign hand will be my guide –
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me – You’ve never failed and You won’t start now –
So I will call upon Your Name – And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise – My soul will rest in Your embrace – For I am Yours and –
You are mine – Oh – You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders -Let me walk upon the waters –
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander –
And my faith will be made stronger – In the presence of my Savior X 3
I will call upon Your Name – Keep my eyes above the waves –
My soul will rest in Your embrace – I am Yours and You are mine

Video Welcome

Sharing Joys & Welcome | E.J. Griffith & Laila Samlan

Centering Music | “Better Place” | Rachel Platten & Sally Seltman
Used with permission from Lisa Simmelink
Vocals: Reyna Bowen, Laila Samland & Hannah Wilgers
Piano: Jean Hendricks

I’ll tell the world, I’ll sing a song – It’s a better place since you came along – Since you came along
Your touch is sunlight through the trees – Your kisses are the ocean breeze –
Everything’s alright when you’re with me

And ahh, you’re my favorite thing – Ahh, all the love that you bring
Well, it feels like I’ve opened my eyes again – And the colors are golden and bright again –
There’s a song in my heart, I feel like I belong
It’s a better place since you came along – It’s a better place since you came along

I see the whole world in your eyes – It’s like I’ve known you all my life – We just feel so right
So I pour my heart into your hands – It’s like you really understand – You love the way I am

And ahh, you’re my favorite thing – Ahh, all the happiness you bring
Well, it feels like I’ve opened my eyes again – And the colors are golden and bright again –
And the sun paints the skies and the wind sings our song
It’s a better place since you came along – It’s a better place since you came along –

Now I’m alright – Now I’m alright – Everything’s alright
‘Cause it feels like I’ve opened my eyes again – And the colors are golden and bright again
There’s a song in my heart, I feel like I belong – It’s a better place since you came along –
It’s a better place since you came along.

Call to Worship | Oliver Bowman & Alejandro Pfeiff

First Reader: “We come to worship this morning, with anxiety lingering around us like the smell of grease after eating at a fast food restaurant.”
Second Reader: “We come to worship this morning, with fear distracting us.  What is happening? Will it be ok?  What if…?”
First Reader: “We come to worship this morning, just like Peter and the disciples. We’ve had too little sleep, too much to do, and too much stress. 
Do we really have to step out of the boat to meet you, Jesus?”
Second Reader: “Come,’ says Jesus.”
First Reader: “Take courage,” says Jesus.”
Second Reader: “Let us worship together and draw near to Jesus!”

Opening Song | “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore | #229

Story for the Children | Lucy Bowman with Caysen Blake, Reyna Bowen & Hannah Wilgers

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

Musical Offering | “Here Comes Jesus” | Cordelia Spitzer & William J. Floyd
Worship Band
Words © 1971 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188

Verse 1
Here comes Jesus, see Him walking on the water, He’ll lift you up and He’ll help you to stand;
Oh, here comes Jesus, He’s the Master of the waves that roll. Here comes Jesus, let Him take your hand.

Verse 2
Here comes Jesus, see Him feed the hungry people, He’ll fill your life till you hunger no more;
Oh, here comes Jesus, he’s the answer to your every need. Here comes Jesus, He will your life restore. Verse Verse 3     
Here comes Jesus, see him cleanse the leper, He’ll heal your heart and will give you His aid;
Oh, here comes Jesus, He’s the great Physician; Here come Jesus, don’t be afraid. CHORUS

Repeat Verse 1

Congregational Prayer | Jonathan Ullom

Gracious Creator, we cling to, the Giver of life.
Loving God, we offer our entire beings to you with our fears, doubts, hopes, joys, pains, anger, and love.
Omniscient Mother, we go to you, seeking wisdom, guidance, assurance.
And omnipresent Father, we fall into your arms, experiencing your Shalom and life.
It is then we, as a people, and You, as Creator, truly become one. AMEN

Music | “Hot Cross Buns”
Ashleigh Coyle, clarinet

Scripture Jam | based on Matthew 14: 22-33 | Oliver Bowman, Alejandro Pfeiff & Jonathan Ullom
Written by Pastor Jerry Bowen

One:    Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side.
Two:    He made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while…
Three: Jesus dismissed the crowd.

Two:    Jesus told the disciples hop into the boat…
Three: They did.
One:    Then Jesus dismissed the crowd.

Two:    After Jesus sent the folks on, Jesus walked away.
Three: Where did he go?
One:    After he had dismissed the crowd, Jesus went up the mountainside to pray.
Three: Jesus said goodbye to the people then…
Two:    He went to the mountain to pray.

Three: To be alone.
One:    To listen to God.
Three: Jesus needed quiet, so…
Two:    After he dismissed the crowd, he went up to the mountainside to pray.

One:    As it got late, Jesus hung out.  Alone.
Three: Well into the night, Jesus chilled out.  Alone.
Two:    Later that night, he was there.  Alone.

One:    He went up to the mountainside to pray.  Later that night, he was there.  Alone.
Two:    Isolated.
Three: Away from everyone.
Two:    So he could pray.  Listen to God.  Be near to his Creator.
Three: At this point, the boat was far from him.
One:    Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land.
Two:    Jesus hung out.  Alone.  But the disciples made their away across the lake.
Three: But then the wind came up.
Two:    And a storm began to rock the boat.
Three: And the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves. Because the wind was against it.
Two:    The waves hit the boat and rocked it.  Moved it further from shore.  While Jesus.  Yeah Jesus. Hung out.  Alone.
One:    Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
Two:    WAIT!  WHAT?  COME ON NOW!  Jesus did what!?!
One:    Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
Three: Jesus walked on the lake? 
Two:    Jesus walked on the water?
Three: Just like that?  He stepped along the waves?

One:    Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
Two:    The disciples saw him walking on the lake, and they were scared.
Three: Of course they were!  They saw some person walking on the water.  Who wouldn’t be freaked out.
Two:    The disciples saw him walking on the lake, and they were frightened. Because they thought he was a ghost.
One:    Yeah.  I would too.
Three. Yep.  Same here.
Two.    Then disciples cried out in fear.

Three: What did Jesus do?
One:    While he was walking on the waves.  What did he do?
Two:    He said to them, “Take courage it is I.  Don’t be afraid.”
One:    Really?  That’s his answer?  Don’t be afraid of someone walking on the water?  Late at night? Just as the sun rises?
Three: Jesus said to them, “Take courage.  It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
One:    Peter responded, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water…”

Two:    You know.  You should be careful with such requests of Jesus because…
Three: He just might call you.
One:    Jesus said, “Come!”
Two:    And in the words of Forrest Gump, “He went.”

Three: Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
One:    Peter hopped out of the boat.  Stepped onto the waves.  And made his way toward Jesus.
Two:    Peter didn’t doubt.  At first.  He leapt from the boat.  Skipped across the lake. Making his way toward Jesus.
One:    But the wind blew stronger and Peter doubted.
Two:    But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink.
Three: Of course Peter sank, but is no one asking the obvious question?  Peter SAW the wind? Am I alone here in wondering how one “SEES” the wind?
One:    But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, Peter cried out…
Two:    “LORD SAVE ME!”
Three: Peter began to sink, and he did what is natural.
One:    He cried out to Jesus.
Two:    He screamed for help.
Three: And as Peter began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

One:    Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.
Two:    Jesus caught him and said, “You of little faith…”
Three: Jesus pulled Peter up out of the waves and offered, “You of little faith…”
ALL:    Jesus rescued Peter then said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

One:    They got back in the boat and all was good.
Two:    Jesus and Pete returned to the boat and the wind got chill.
Three: Both of them climbed back into the boat and the wind went away.
All:       And all who saw what had happened said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Amen.

Sending Song | “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, (no turning back,) no turning back!
Tho’ no one join me, still I will follow, Tho’ no one join me, still I will follow,
Tho’ no one join me, still I will follow. No turning back, (no turning back,) no turning back!
The world behind me, the cross before me, The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me. No turning back.

Sending Words | Nathan Friesen
written by Hayley Daubert

May you go now: Taking courage in your own lives,
Following Jesus’ guidance for living a peaceful life,
And doing as Jesus has taught the disciples. AMEN

Sending Music | “He has Made Me Glad” | Leona Von Brethorst

Worship Band and Youth

Used by permission CCLI License #2054209

VERSE 1
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

CHORUS
He has made me glad. He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad.  He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

VERSE 2
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

CHORUS



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