30 Nov Worship Bulletin: 12/3/23
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, December 3, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. – 1st Sunday in Advent – HOPE
Gathering Music | “Two French Carols” | arr. Brant Adams
Bryan Hess, violin; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Deb Wagoner
Centering Music | “O Come Emmanuel” | arr. Peter Paul Olejar
Worship Choir
Opening Responsive Litany | Immanuel | New Kilpatrick Parish Church, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
there is a place somewhere deep in the corners of our world
where this season has been preparing from a time before we can remember
quietly moving in us through the ages with the sound of hope –
it is found in a hint of an ancient voice calling us into something new
a prophetic whisper formed by a truth
now ready to be born between us in that space that is the shape of a relationship –
that holds the sound of our coming together
that knows the touch of what we can create between us – the space where hope is born
somewhere deep in the corners of our world this season shifts once more and takes for itself a
name – an advent name – born through struggle and hope – honed by waiting and
scarred by fear – a name that is only a whisper as yet – Immanuel
Opening Song | “Helpless and Hungry” with “What Child is This” | #215
Congregation sing vs 1 and 2 of “What Child is This” – as directed
Cong. sings vs. 3 of “What Child is This” while choir simultaneously sings vs. 3 of “Helpless and Hungry”
CHOIR – “Helpless and Hungry” – Verse 1
Helpless and hungry, lowly, afraid, wrapped in the chill of mid-winter;
comes now among us, born into poverty’s embrace, new life for the world.
Who is this who lives with the lowly, sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world in the eyes of a child, a child of the poor.
CONGREGATION – “What Child is This” – Verse 1
What child is this who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping,
whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!
CHOIR – “Helpless and Hungry” – Verse 2
Who is the stranger here in our midst, looking for shelter among us?
Who is the outcast? Who do we see amid the poor, the children of God? REFRAIN
Who is this who lives with the lowly, sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world in the eyes of a child, a child of the poor.
CONGREGATION – “What Child is This” – Verse 2
Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail, the Word-made-flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!
CONGREGATION – “What Child is This” – Verse 3
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high; the virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!
CHOIR – “Helpless and Hungry” – Verse 3
Bring all the thirsty, all who seek peace; bring those with nothing to offer.
Strengthen the feeble, say to the frightened heart: “Fear not: here is your God!”
Who is this who lives with the lowly, sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world in the eyes of a child, a child of the poor.
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 | Prelude on “Picardy” (Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent) | arr. Lani Smith
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Scripture Focus | Isaiah 64:1-9
64 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!
2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil,
come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
3 For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for You.
5 You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved?
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
7 No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; or you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins.
8 Yet you, God, are our God. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9 Do not be angry beyond measure, God; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.
10 Your sacred cities have become a wasteland; even Zion is a wasteland, Jerusalem a desolation.
11 Our holy and glorious temple, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire, and all that we treasured lies in ruins.
12 After all this, LORD, will you hold yourself back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?
♫Scripture Song | “Have Thine Own Way Lord” | #504
Message | “There IS cause for Hope” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “To Us a Child of Hope is Born” | #189
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Prepare the Way” | arr. Joseph Martin
Worship Choir with Bryan Hess, violin
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
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Dec. 3 – 4:00 pm McPherson College Christmas Vespers Concert Sanctuary
Dec. 6 – 5:30 pm Regular We Connect Wednesday Activities
Dec. 10 – 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Growth Class Sanctuary Basement
10:00 am Christmas Gathering Music Sanctuary
10:15 am Worship Sanctuary
6:00 pm Manger Scene Kids Pictures Sanctuary
Dec. 13 – 5:30 pm Regular We Connect Wednesday Activities (Last for the Semester)
Dec. 17 – 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Growth Class Sanctuary Basement
10:00 am Christmas Gathering Music Sanctuary
10:15 am Worship Sanctuary
Dec. 18 – 7:30 pm McPherson High School Choir Christmas Concert Sanctuary
Dec. 20 – 5:30 pm NO We Connect Wednesday Meal or Kid/Youth Activities
Dec. 24 – 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Growth Class Sanctuary Basement
10:00 am Christmas Gathering Music Sanctuary
10:15 am Worship Sanctuary
6:15 pm Christmas Eve Gathering Music Sanctuary
6:30 pm Christmas Eve Service Sanctuary
Dec. 31 – 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Growth Class Sanctuary Basement
10:15 am Worship – New Year Communion will be Served Sanctuary
Jan. 3 – 5:30 pm We Connect Wednesday modified – No Mack Kids – Middle School and Senior High School will meet
Jan. 7 – 9:00 am Adult Spiritual Growth Class Sanctuary Basement
10:15 am Worship – Epiphany Anointing will be Offered Sanctuary