09 Nov Worship Bulletin: 11/12/23
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, November 12, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. – Congregational Fall Forum & Potluck
Gathering Music | “Come, Thou Fount” | arr. Jason Payne
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Centering Music | “Interlude in G Minor” | Mark Hayes
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Opening Words | Based on an original litany titled “Waiting & Watching” | Written by John van de Laar
Opening Song | “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” | Verses 1 – 4
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 | “Nearer, My God, to Thee” | arr. Mark Patterson
Worship Choir
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone’
yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
There let the way appear steps unto heav’n; all that thou sendest me in mercy giv’n;
angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee, nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
Scripture Focus | Matthew 25:1-13 | The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The
foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming,
and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out:
‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may
not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The
virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he
replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Litany of Confession and Prayer | Based on Matthew 25: 1-13 | Written for the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Copyright Katherine Hawker, 1999
Ten lamps gathered,
Ten lamps gathered, with oil enough for all.
Ten lamps gathered,
But five are empty showing careless disregard.
Ten lamps gathered,
Five blaze with oil abundant enough to share.
Ten lamps gathered,
Five lifeless when laziness and greed collide.
Ten lamps gathered,
How many will burn tonight?
Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For generous hearts to share oil with our neighbors.
Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For the vision necessary to leave our comfortable seats in search of oil.
Creator God, giver of oil, hear us as we pray…
For forgiveness for the ways our selfishness and our apathy collide.
Ten lamps gathered, with oil enough for all.
May we gather into a sacred circle where sharing creates abundance for all. AMEN
Scripture Song | “What is the World Like”
Vs 3, women only, Vs 4, men only
Message | “Passively Waiting OR Audaciously Acting” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “God, You Spin the Whirling Planets”
Sending Words
♫Sung Blessing for the Meal | “Be Present at our Table, Lord” | #457
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