15 Feb Worship Bulletin: 2/18/24
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, February 18, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – First Sunday in Lent – Taize Service
Ellen Gilbert & Dan Masterson, Piano; Lindy Reynolds, Trumpet; Kaitlyn van Asselt, Flute; Bruce Wagoner, Cello
Cantors: Cara Hudson, Mona Lange-Wisdom, Bud Taylor
Gathering | What is Taize? | Kathryn Whitacre
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover
Blessing for those traveling to Sudan: Kathryn Whitacre
Lela Beam, Karen Loganbill, Larry Loganbill, Kathy Mack, Roger Schrock
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
JOURNEY IN EXPECTATION:
♫Preparing our Hearts and Minds | “Peace be Still”
Congregation – 4 part Canon
Peace be still, and know that I am God. Peace be still, and know that I am.
Peace, be still, and know. Peace, be still. Peace, be. Peace, peace, peace.
♫Inviting God’s Spirit | “Veni Sancte Spiritus” | #298 (Come Holy Spirit)
Choir & Cantors sing Verses – Congregation sing Refrain
REFRAIN
Veni, Sancte, Spiritus, Veni, Sancte, Spiritus ……
1. Come, Holy Spirt, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Choir)
2. Come, Father of the poor, come, generous Spirit, come, light of our hearts. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Bud)
3. Come from the four winds, O Spirit, come breath of God; disperse the shadows over us,
renew and strengthen your people. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Choir)
4. Father of the poor, come to our poverty. Shower upon us the seven gifts of your grace.
Spirit be the light of our lives. O come. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Mona)
5. You are our only comforter, peace of the soul. In the heat you shade us; in our labor
you refresh us, and in trouble you are our strength. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Choir)
6. Kindle in our hearts the flame of your love that in the darkness of the world it may glow
and reach to all forever. Veni Sancte Spiritus. (Cara & Mona)
JOURNEY WITH ASSURANCE:
Unison Scripture Reading | Psalm 23 paraphrase
God is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where God gives me peacefulness.
Near restful waters God leads me to revive my drooping spirit.
God guides me along the right path; God is true to the name GOD.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil will I fear.
God is there with a rod and staff; with these I am comforted.
God has prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head, God has anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life.
In God’s own house I will dwell forever and ever.
♫God Shepherds Us | “Shepherd Me, O God” | #519
Choir sing Verses – Congregation sing Refrain
REFRAIN
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Vs. 1 God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace. REFRAIN
Vs. 2 Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of
righteousness and truth; my spirit shall sing the music of your name. REFRAIN
Vs. 3 Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. REFRAIN
Vs. 4 You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond
my power to hold. REFRAIN
Vs. 5 Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house
of my God for evermore. REFRAIN
JOURNEY PEACEFULLY:
What is the Prayer for Peace | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Prayer Plea | “Make Me A Channel” | adapted by Peter Amidon
Worship Choir
Make me a channel of your peace, where there is hate may we sow love.
Where there is injury forgive, where there is doubt may we have faith.
Make me a channel of your peace, when in despair let us have hope,
Where there is darkness we bring light and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
May we not look for love’s return, but seek to love unselfishly,
It’s in consoling we’re consoled, and in our giving we receive,
Make me a channel of your peace, when we forgive we are forgiv’n,
Love as we’re loved with all our souls, and from our dying springs new life.
Make me a channel of your peace, where there is hate may we sow love.
Where there is injury forgive, where there is doubt may we have faith.
JOURNEY THANKFULLY:
Video Invitation to Give
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
♫We are Thank-full | “In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful”
Cantor, Cara Hudson
Congregation:
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful, in the Lord I will rejoice! Look to God, do not be afraid.
Lift up your voices, the Lord is near, lift up your voices, the Lord is near.
Cantor:
With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.
Give thanks to the Lord, Acclaim God’s name.
JOURNEY PRAYERFULLY:
♫Prayer Plea | “Lord, listen to Your Children” (repeat) | #353
Candle Lighting
♫Prayer Request | “Stay with Me” | #242
Cantor, Mona Lange-Wisdom
Congregation:
Stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray, watch and pray.
Cantor:
Stay here and keep watch with me. Watch and pray, watch and pray!
Watch and pray not to give way to temptation.
The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.
My heart is nearly broken with sorrow. Remain here with me, stay awake and pray.
Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by.
Father, if this cannot pass me by without my drinking it, your will be done.
JOURNEY WITH PATIENCE AND HOPE:
Responsive Scripture Reading | Psalm 130:5-8
I wait for God, my whole being waits, and in God’s word I put my hope.
6 I wait for God more than those who watch & wait for the morning,
MORE than those who watch & wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in God, for with God is unfailing love and with God is full restoration.
8 God will redeem Israel from all its wickedness.
♫Waiting for God | “Wait for the Lord”
Congregation sing Refrain – Cantor, Bud Taylor
Refrain
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near. Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart! X2
Cantor:
1. Prepare the way for the Lord; make a straight path for God. Prepare the way for the Lord.
2. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed; all the earth will see the Lord.
3. Rejoice in the Lord always; God is at hand. Joy and gladness for all who seek the Lord.
4. I waited for the Lord. God heard my cry.
5. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord our God.
JOURNEY COMFORTED BY GOD’S PRESENCE AND PEACE:
Unison Sending Scripture | Psalm 139:1-7
1 You have searched me, God, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue you, God, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
♫Sending Song | “Go Now in Peace” | #429
Two-Part Canon
Go now in peace, go now in peace – may the love of God surround you – ev’rywhere, ev’rywhere you may go.
Go now in peace, go now in peace.
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