McPherson Church of the Brethren | Worship Bulletin: 2/4/24

31 Jan Worship Bulletin: 2/4/24

Posted at 10:50h in Worship Bulletin by Joanna Davidson Smith

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, February 4, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.

Gathering Music | “We Have Come Into His House” | arr. John Purifoy
Ellen Gilbert, piano

Video Welcome

Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover

Centering Music | “Adagio” | Cesar Franck
Ellen Gilbert, organ

Responsive Opening Words
ONE:   Jesus was God on earth;
ALL:    For us; he casts out that which haunts us, chokes our souls and stifles our joy.
            For us; he loosens our raging griefs, jealous fears and shackled hearts.
            For us; he breaks down barriers and breathes hope into our exiled existence.
ONE:   For us; Jesus was God on earth, bringing us health, strength and new life.
ALL:    Jesus calls us to live peacefully – to live the gospel call.
            Jesus is God – Jesus IS the WORD!

Opening Song | “Lord, Speak to Me” | #499

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 | “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” | Mack Kids Sing
(Mack Kids sing entire song then Congregation joins in singing Vs. 1 and Chorus again)

Vs. 1
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

CHORUS:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

Vs. 2
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land. CHORUS

Vs. 3
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride. CHORUS

Scripture Focus | Mark 1:21-28 | Jesus Drives out an Impure Spirit

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.
22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out,
24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”
26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other,
“What is this? A new teaching – and with authority!
He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”
28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

♫Scripture Song | “O Lord, Hear My Prayer” | #348

Unison Prayer/Song of Intercession | Bruce Prewer (adapted)

Sacred God, please give us more of the compassion and authority of Jesus.
Embolden us to heal the multiple diseases that afflict humanity and drive out the demons
that afflict our contemporary world. Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Blessed Creator, send your Spirit to the places that lie under darkness and oppression;
where corruption is rampant, justice is rare, abuse is endemic, and the weak and the poor have nowhere to turn.
We pray that you will increase the spiritual authority of the agencies that give assistance – those well-known and little-known – that they might more adequately become your
ready channels of compassion, justice, practical aid, reconciliation and peace. Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Holy Presence, send your Messengers to situations where diseases are reaping a grim harvest. Please give authority to people of disciplined compassion, to provide
pharmaceutical help, nursing care, and better health education that will drive out the demons of superstition and fatalism. Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Hallowed Architect, send your Servants into places where food is scarce and crops are poor. Please strengthen the authority of those local leaders and outside advisers, who
seek to empower the people to conserve water, dig new wells, plant trees, grow new food crops, farm fish, start new cottage industries, and obtain better prices for their goods.
Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Revered Author, send your human angels of mercy into situations where there is neglect, illness, sorrow, frustration and anger. Please give some of the compassionate authority
of Jesus to chaplains in hospitals and prisons, to nurses and ambulance offices, physicians and surgeons, social workers and foster parents, police officers and counsellors.
Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

Compassionate Companion, send your gifts of comfort and great joy among the many seeking to know you. May more of the spiritual authority of Jesus empower every
ordinary soul, and the wisdom and compassion of Jesus enlarge the outreach of the faithful. By the grace of God may our deeds more adequately match our creeds, and our
love expand to embrace those misfits who appear lonely and unlovable. Hear us, O God.
♫ “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”

♫Three-fold AMEN

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