Worship Bulletin: 12/18/22

Worship Bulletin: 12/18/22

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.
FOURTH ADVENT: WE SEEK LOVE

Gathering Hymn

Video Welcome

Sharing Joys & Concerns | Bud Taylor

Centering Music | “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella” | arr. Matt Hyzer
Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute; Ellen Gilbert, piano

Opening Words | Be Glad!
written by Edwina Gateley in There Was No Path So I Trod One (1996, 2013)

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel
(which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14

God is soaked in our world. God’s Spirit lives and breathes in and through all that is.
We are lost only when we do not understand that God is already with and in each one of us.
Our task is recognition of God’s initiative – to be at home in us – acceptance of God-With-Us.

Opening Song | “O Come, All Ye Faithful” | #212

Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner

Christmas Duets | “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and “What Child is This?”
Brielle Rothrock & Elliot Schoming

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

Dedication of Christmas Gifts
Circles Families and Children of Incarcerated Adults

Musical Offering | “Love came Down at Christmas” | Rosetti & van Kampen
Worship Choir

Scripture Focus | Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:
His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be
pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 
19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace,
he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of God appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in
her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what God had said through the prophet: 
23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” 
(which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of god had commanded him and took Mary home
as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.
And he gave him the name Jesus.

Scripture Song | “Angels from the Realms of Glory”

Messsage | “LOVE – let it go” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.

Sending Song | “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” | #201

Sending Words

Sending Music | “O Little Town of Bethlehem” | arr. Lani Smith
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