26 Sep Worship Bulletin: 9/29/24
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 29, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
♫Gathering Music | “With One Voice” | Ricky Manalo
Congregation and Worship Band
CCLI #4512912
1. Take the Word and go out to every land. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the lives of those we touch sing praise to God above. Let us sing, we’ll sing…
Refrain
With one voice we’ll pass the Word along. With one voice, bring justice to the world.
And with all the angels, we’ll spread the goodness of God.
With all power and glory the Word of God shall reign.
2. Take the Word to our neighborhoods and streets. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May we all set out to live in peace and harmony.
They will see and sing…Refrain
3. Take the Word to the people in despair. Shine the light of Christ for all to see
May our actions and our deeds bring comfort to their needs.
And they’ll know and sing…Refrain
4. Take the Word to the nations everywhere. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the witness of our lives transform the world anew.
And we’ll shine, we’ll shine…Refrain…Refrain (extended)
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Jean Hendricks
Faith X – Extended Moment in Mission – 6 students + 2 sponsors
♫Centering Music | “How Can We Be Silent” | Michael Mahler
Worship Choir
How can we be silent when we know our God is near,
bringing light to those in darkness, to the worthless, endless worth?
How can we be silent when we are the voice of Christ,
speaking justice to the nations, breathing love to all the earth?
Refrain
None can stop the Spirit burning now inside us.
We will shape the future. We will not be silent!
How can we be silent as we turn our eyes away
and ignore the poor and broken who lie bleeding in the street?
How can we be silent when we’re called to heal and serve
in the image of Lord Jesus, who has stooped to wash our feet? Refrain
How can we be silent when our souls are filled with awe
at the beauty of creation and the mercy of our Lord?
How can we be silent when we yearn to sing new songs?
In our hearts a fire is burning and it will not be ignored! Refrain
Opening Words | Avery Arden
If the world tells you that you are unworthy of a seat at the table –
that your presence is unwelcome or even unwholesome –
know that Jesus extends an invitation to you personally.
This table does not belong to human beings, but to the God who delights in each of us –
who welcomes us without demanding we be anything but our own beautiful selves.
Come, join this joyful feast without fear. God has set a place just for you and you and you and ………
♫Opening Song | “Help Us to Help Each Other” | #362
Story for the Children | Dawn Hoffman
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 | “Carry the Light” | Twila Paris
Worship Band
Verse 1
In this world of darkness we are given light; hope for all the dying.
How will they know? How will they know that Jesus loves them and He died to save them?
Chorus
Carry the Light! Carry the Light! Go and tell the children they are precious in His sight.
Carry the Light! Carry the Light! Go and preach the gospel ‘til there is no more night.
In the name of Jesus Christ; Carry the Light!
Verse 2
Count them by the millions blinded slaves to sin; inside they are dying.
How will they know? How will they know that Jesus loves them and His heart is breaking? Chorus
Ending
Go ye into all the world. Go ye into all the world and carry the Light! Chorus
Scripture Focus | Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Story | Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Haman Impaled
7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked,
“Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
3 Then Queen Esther answered,
“If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life – this is my petition.
And spare my people – this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated.
If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther,
“Who is he? Where is he – the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said,
“An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, and said,
“A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!”
10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Purim Established
20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth
and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning
into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
New Testament Story | Mark 9: 38-50
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
38 John said,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 Jesus said,
“Do not stop him. For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Causing to Stumble
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them
if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44]
45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46]
47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
♫Scripture Song | “What Does the Lord Require” | #409
Message | “Let’s Create a World Where all Feast!” | Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Scherzo in A Minor” | Rex Koury
Ellen Gilbert, organ
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