05 Sep Worship Bulletin: 9/8/24
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, September 8, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
Annual Conference Report Sunday
Delegates; Jd Bowman, Lucy Bowman, Charlotte Hayes Loewen
Pastoral Representative; Jerry Bowen
♫Gathering Music | “Sing of the Lord’s Goodness” | Ernest Sands
Worship Band
1 Sing of the Lord’s goodness, Father of all wisdom, come to him and bless his name.
Mercy he has shown us, his love is forever, faithful to the end of days.
Come, then, all you nations, sing of your Lord’s goodness, melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory, praise him with your music, worship him and bless his name.
2 Power he has wielded, honor is his garment, risen from the snares of death.
His word he has spoken, one bread he has broken, new life he now gives to all.
Come, then, all you nations, sing of your Lord’s goodness, melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory, praise him with your music, worship him and bless his name.
3 Courage in our darkness, comfort in our sorrow, Spirit of our God most high;
solace for the weary, pardon for the sinner, splendor of the living God.
Come, then, all you nations, sing of your Lord’s goodness, melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory, praise him with your music, worship him and bless his name.
4 Praise him with your singing, praise him with the trumpet, praise God with the lute and harp;
praise him with the cymbals, praise him with your dancing, praise God till the end of days.
Come, then, all you nations, sing of your Lord’s goodness, melodies of praise and thanks to God.
Ring out the Lord’s glory, praise him with your music, worship him and bless his name.
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Roger Schrock
♫Centering Music | “The Table Song” | Seth Thomas Crissman and Greg Yoder, 2024
Worship Band
Opening Words | Based on Romans 16 and Ephesians 4
(one) As we gather, welcome one another in a way worthy of God’s people.
(All) We have been called to this space to be a community of faith.
(one) Then walk with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(All) Lead us, O God, as we strive to walk in a manner worthy of the called.
(one) There is one body and one Spirit. One God of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
(All) This is our sacred calling, to welcome one another in a way worthy of God’s people.
♫Opening Song | “Bless’d Be the Tie that Binds” vs. 1,3,4 | #421
Annual Conference Reflection – Jd Bowman
The Invitation:
Reader 1: We placed chairs at the table with colorful fabric to represent everyone’s beauty and uniqueness.
Reader 2: May we all see one another, hear one another and listen to one another as we navigate and experience life’s sacred and holy encounters.
All: At God’s table, all are welcome and worthy.
Reader 1: We created a centerpiece to welcome a spirit of belonging.
Reader 2: We’re all worthy to celebrate and hold one another in the light. May Christ’s light lead us, direct us and hold us.
All: At God’s table, all are welcome and worthy.
Reader 1: We set the table with placemats, plates and silverware with plenty of room for growth.
Reader 2: May each place that we find ourselves allow us room to grow, to learn, to be challenged and to trust the Holy Spirit to hold us all.
All: At God’s table, all are welcome and worthy.
Reader 1: We placed cups at each spot to be vessels of living water.
Reader 2: Living water has the power to transform and to guide. May we embrace the living water that continues to cover us, replenish us and keep us.
All: At God’s table, all are welcome and worthy.
Reader 1: We placed napkins at every seat along with a small gift.
Reader 2: Life can be hard and sometimes it is messy. May we share and hold one another’s stories as we navigate through holy dialogue at the table.
May we celebrate and share gratitude for the space we all share
All: At God’s table, all are welcome and worthy.
♫Scripture Song | “Breathe on Me Breath of God” | #356
Annual Conference Reflection – Lucy Bowman
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Annual Conference Song | “The Table Song” | Seth Thomas Crissman and Greg Yoder, 2024
Worship Band and Congregation – sing 3 times
Jesus, Holy One, you are ever faithful. Jesus, draw us near;
gather’d at your table, gather’d in your love.
Annual Conference Reflection – Charlotte Hayes Loewen
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 | “Give Us Your Peace” | Jesse Manibusan and Sarah Hart
Worship Band
CHORUS: Give us Your Peace, O God; give us your peace, your peace.
- When we’re afraid, running from truth, gather us back to you.
Take every fear and fill our hearts. Give us Your Peace, O God. CHORUS - When we are tired, weary and worn, take us into your arms
where there is no need, there is no want. Give us Your Peace, O God. CHORUS - Lord, we belong to you alone; show us the way back home
Into your light, into your love. Give us Your Peace, O God. CHORUS
Scripture Focus | Romans 16: 1-4
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae (Cen’-cree-ā) 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the people and to give her
any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their
lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
Annual Conference Reflection – Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | They’ll Know We Are Christians by our Love
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
Sending Words | Based on 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 12, and John 15
(one) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
(all) But the greatest of these is love.
(one) May our love be genuine! Not fake, not lukewarm, not a mere attempt at friendliness.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
For this is Christ’s very command: Love one another as I have loved you.
(all) May our love be genuine!
(one) We belong to one another, the diverse body of Christ.
We gather with unique gifts, experiences, and voices. We have much to offer one another.
(all) But the greatest of these is love.
♫Sending Music | “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” | arr. Melody Bober
Ellen Gilbert and Kevin Jones, 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