Worship Bulletin: 10/29/23

Worship Bulletin: 10/29/23

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, October 29, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.

Gathering Music | “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him” | arr. Anna Page
Ellen Gilbert, organ                

Video Welcome

Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Deb Wagoner 

Centering Music | “O Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless” | arr. Stephen Otis
Ellen Gilbert, organ             

Call to Worship Litany | Based on Psalm 1

With reverence and awe, we approach God.
Let us give thanks that God understands us, and welcomes us.

God calls us to worship as children, made in God’s image.
Let us give thanks that God understands us, and encourages curiosity.

God invites us to grow each day in our faith.
Let us give thanks that God understands us, and challenges us.
With joy and delight, let us praise God!


Opening Song | “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” | #71
Sing vs 4 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

Musical Offering | “Be Still and Know” with “Be Still, My Soul” | arr. Mark Hayes
Ellen Gilbert, piano 

Scripture Focus | Matthew 22:34-46 | The Greatest Commandment

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 
35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor
as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Whose Son Is the Messiah?
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 
42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”
“The son of David,” they replied.
43 He said to them, 
“How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
45 If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” 
46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared
to ask him any more questions.

Scripture Song | “Fairest Lord Jesus” | #117

Message | “The Power of Questions” | Jerry Bowen

Sending Song | “Great is the Lord” | #87      

Sending Words

Sending Music | “Praise to the Lord” | arr. Brant Adams
Eric Goering, trombone; Ellen Gilbert, piano

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Worship and Wednesdays – Now into the New Year

Nov 01 WCW – regular schedule
05 National Jr. Hi Sunday – Luke 10:40-42 “Worried and Distracted”
08 WCW – regular schedule (David Radcliff with Youth)
12 Matt 25:1-13 “Passively Waiting OR Audaciously Acting” (ten virgins – keep watch)
Potluck after Worship – Fall Forum after Potluck (turkey, ham, potatoes provided)
15 WCW – Friendsgiving Meal
19 Matt 25:14-30 “Risk Management” (ten bags of gold)
22 NO WCW meal or Mack Kids or Youth Groups
26 Giving Thanks Sunday – Matthew 25: 31-46 and Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24, “Balancing the Scales of Justice”
29 WCW – regular schedule
Dec 03 First Advent – HOPE – Mark 13:24-37 (keep awake)
McPherson College Christmas Choir Concert 4:00 pm
06 WCW – regular schedule
10 Second Advent – PEACE – Isaiah 40:1-11 & Mark 1:1-8 (a voice cries out in the wilderness – make the way straight)
13 WCW – final for the semester – see you in January
17 Third Advent – JOY
24 Fourth Advent – LOVE
24 Christmas Eve service – gathering music 6:15 to 6:30 & worship 6:30 to 7:30
31 First Sunday after Christmas – New Year’s Celebration – Communion
2024
Jan 03 Second Semester WCW meal start-up – NO Mack Kids but YES Youth Activities
Jan 07 Matthew 2:1-12 – Epiphany (the kings visit the child) – Anointing
10 WCW – regular schedule


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