18 Jan Worship Bulletin: 1/21/24
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 21, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Gathering Music | “In His Hand” (medley) | arr. M. Ham
Jean Hendricks, piano
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Malia Pfeiff
Centering Music | “Many and One” | Text, Sarah Hart; Music, Steve Angrisano
Worship Band
Refrain:
We are many, yet we are one. We are sep’rate, yet bound in His love.
And together we are all his hands and His feet, bringing mercy and peace to this world.
We are many and one.
1st Verse:
We are fallen but we are forgiven; broken and scattered, yet being made whole
by our redeemer, one Lord and one savior, the shepherd who gathers us all, gathers us all. Refrain
2nd Verse:
We are diff’rent as morning and evening, each of us living as we have been called, all of us seeking,
each of us reaching to the shepherd who gathers us all, gathers us all. Refrain
3rd Verse:
We are brothers and sisters in spirit, found in all nations yet near to the Lord,
each one belonging, together now longing for the shepherd who gathers us all, gathers us all. Refrain
Opening Responsive Litany | excerpts from “The Hill We Climb” | Amanda Gorman
When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
… We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is
isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it….
… we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all….
… When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Opening Song | “Lift Every Voice and Sing” | #579
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 | “Stand By Me” | Tom Kendzia, text and music
Worship Band
1st Verse:
When the storms of life are raging, Lord, stand by me.
When the current pulls me under, Lord, stand by me.
When the rising waters toss me like a ship upon the sea,
You who rule the wind and water, Lord, stand by me.
Refrain:
Stand by me, stand by me. Lift me up from the restless sea.
When I am lost, when love can’t be found, when no one cares, Lord, stand by me.
2nd Verse:
In the midst of persecution, Lord, stand by me.
When my enemies surround me, Lord, stand by me.
When the tyrant wields his terror and the armies wage their might,
When the darkness overwhelms me, Lord, stand by me. Refrain
Scripture Focus | John 1: 43-51 | Jesus Calls Philip & Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”
51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
♫Scripture Song |“This Little Light of Mine” | #401
Message | “We May Yet See Greater Things” | Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | “We Shall Overcome”
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” | J. Black, arr. M. Bober
Jean Hendricks, 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