16 Nov Worship Bulletin: 11/19/23
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 19, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music | “Allegro Appassionato” | Norman Landis
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Centering Music | “O God of Light” traditional English melody | arr. Lani Smith
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Call to Discipleship | Inspired by an essay written by John M. Buchanan
Jesus calls us to be his disciples
We are called not so much to believe ideas about Jesus but to follow Jesus;
to be bold and brave, to reach high and care deeply.
Jesus calls us as God’s children.
We are called to experience renewed responsibility for the use and investment of these precious lives of ours
Jesus calls us as followers of God.
We are called to live our lives as fully as possible by investing them, by risking, by expanding the horizons of our responsibilities.
This is an invitation to the adventure of faith;
the high-risk venture of being a disciple of Jesus.
Opening Song | “Take My Life and Let it be” | #389
Mack Kids Sing | “Aleluya Y’in Oluwa” | Director Carol Ward
(Alleluia, Praise the Lord) This is a song sung by children in some Nigerian Churches
Verse 1:
Alleluia, praise the Lord X2
Praises, high praises, now bring to the Lord – Alleluia, praise the Lord
Verse 2:
Songs of joy sing to the Lord X2
Dancing and singing your praises to God – Songs of joy sing to the Lord
Verse 3:
Beat the drums, sing out for the Lord X2
Praises, high praises, give thanks to the Lord – Beat the drums, sing out for the Lord
Verse 4:
Aleluya Y’in Oluwa X2
O seun, o seun, o seun, o seun baba – Aleluya Y’in Oluwa – Aleluya Y’in Oluwa
Mack Kids Ring | “We Gather Together” | Director Carolyn Schrock
Story for the Children | Lara 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
Musical Offering | Movements from “Cello Suite No. 1” | JS Bach
Westen Gehring, saxophone
Scripture Focus | Matthew 25:14-30 | The Parable of the Bags of Gold
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.
15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.
17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.
18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s
happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good
and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you
have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So
you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that
when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Scripture Song | “God Whose Giving Knows No Ending” | #383
Message | “Risk Management” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “Sing a New Church”
Sending Words
♫ Sending Music | “Day of Glory” | William Barnett
Ellen Gilbert, piano
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