26 Jan Worship Bulletin: 1/29/23
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 29, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music
Video Welcome
Centering Music | “Blessed” | by Valerie Showers Crescenz
Worship Choir
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | LaMonte Rothrock
Unison Opening Prayer
Everlasting God:
Created in Your image; may we reflect Your – Justice, Grace, Mercy and Truth.
Called as Your faithful; may we join in community – Healed, Strengthened, Grateful and Focused
Co-Creating with You; may we seek new opportunities to – Dare, Do, Love and Proclaim
Everlasting God – May it be So!
Opening Song | “God You Spin the Whirling Planets”
Sing verses 1 and 3 in Unison
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
Old Testament Scripture | Micah 6: 1-8
6 Listen to what God says:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 “Hear, you mountains, God’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For God has a case against the people; God is lodging a charge against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of God.”
6 With what shall I come before God and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before God with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
7 Will God be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 God has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does God require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Musical Offering | “What Does the Lord Require”
Worship Choir
What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?
Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.
To seek justice and love kindness and walk humbly with your God.
Scripture Focus | Matthew 5: 1-12 | Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way
they persecuted the prophets – who were before you.
Scripture Song | “Blest Are They”
Message | “What Shall I Bring?” | Jerry Bowen
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “A Place at the Table”
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Let the Whole Creation Cry” | arr. Albert Travis
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