11 Dec Worship Bulletin: 12/11/22
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, December 11, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
THIRD ADVENT: WE SEEK JOY
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys & Concerns
Centering Music | “Shout for Joy” | arr. Peter Amidon
Worship Choir
Opening | John van de Laar
Sacredise.com © 2010
It may seem naive, in a world of grief, to choose to live in joy;
It may seem foolish, in a world where solemnity is power, to sing and dance to a different tune;
It may seem cruel, in a world of suffering and injustice, to speak of light and celebration; however
Jesus is born to bring joy into our grief, light into our darkness, singing into our mourning;
and it is an act of healing and proclamation to believe and embrace the joy that is offered.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Hallelujah!
Opening Song | “Joy to the World” | #318
Sing verse 4 in unison
Story for the Children | Dawn Hoffman
Mack Kids | “The Way of Peace” | words & music Lorna & Hannah Rand
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 | “Christmas Dreams” | music and lyrics by Heather Sorenson
Francis Hendricks, vocalist; Jean Hendricks, piano
On that Christmas night when mystic stars shone bright, a wistful blind man moved in sleep,
and dreamed that he had sight.
That night when shepherds heard an angel choir near, a deaf man stirred in slumber’s sleep,
and dreamed that he could hear.
CHORUS
Child of healing, child of hope, take the things that hurt us most,|
and with Your touch they’ll be redeemed, Holy Child of Christmas dreams.
On that night in cattle stall, a King slept through the cold. A cripple turned his twisted limbs,
and dreamed that he was whole. He dreamed.
That night when o’er the Babe, young Mary rose to lean, a loathsome leper smiled in sleep
and dreamed that he was clean. CHORUS
That night in manger lay the Child who came to save. A man moved in the sleep of death,
and dreamed there was no grave. CHORUS
Scripture Focus | Isaiah 35:1-10
35:1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus
35:2 it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.
35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
35:4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.
God will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. God will come and save you.”
35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
35:6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;
35:7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
35:8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
35:9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be
upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Scripture Song | “Oh, how Joyfully” | #209
Messsage | “Joy” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” | #210
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Gloria” | arr. William Held
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
Chancel Decoration Team: Jill Brax, Colleen Gustafson, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner & Lara Schoming