30 Dec Worship Bulletin: 1/1/23
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, January 1, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
New Year’s Worship | We Seek a New Way | Communion
Gathering Christmastide PowerPoint | Out-Takes from Christmas Nativity
Video Welcome
Centering Christmastide Music | “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” | arr. Mark Hayes
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, when thou camest to earth for me;
but in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room for Thy Holy Nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee.
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Jean Hendricks
Christmastide Litany | “You Break in, O God” | Roddy Hamilton (adapted)
The season thinned – the light got weaker – the year got tired – and the time ran out –
yet here we are – in a new season – in new light – in a new year – in this place of life –
for this place believes – in things beyond time and season
We might live – in the echo of stables – and incarnation – holding onto faith – that may seem weary –
yet what do we do – but perform acts of renewal and rebirth – of baptism and hope –
of seeking new life – shaped and changed by Jesus.
So let us gather in what the world sees – as the cusp of the year –
yet we know as another day – in the eternity of love.
Let us gather and celebrate who we are – and who we are yet to be – and what God yet – has for us to do.
Christmastide Song | “He is Born“
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
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 Christmastide Offering | “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” | arr. Lani Smith
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Communion Invitation
Communion Song | “Mary Did You Know”
Words for the Bread
May this communion bread – remind us to SEEK new ways of being in our lives and work – that might –
lead us – to concrete and tangible expressions of – God’s Love and Spirit.
Words for the Cup
May this communion cup –remind us to SEEK new ways of being in our lives and work – that might –
lead us – to concrete and tangible expressions of – God’s Love and Spirit.
Communion Prayer
Scripture Focus | Matthew 2:13-23 | The Escape to Egypt
13 When the [Magi] had gone, an angel of God appeared to Joseph in a dream. Saying,
“Get up, and take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.
Stay there until I tell you – for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
14 So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod.
And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem
and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said
through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
The Return to Nazareth
19 After Herod died, an angel of God appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said,
“Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
21 So Joseph got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
22 But – when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there.
Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.
So was fulfilled – what was said through the prophets – that [Jesus] would be called a Nazarene.
Message | “The Escape to Egypt | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Christmastide Sending Song | “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Sending Words
Sending Christmastide Music | “Joy to the World” | arr. Frank Ritter
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