03 Oct Worship Bulletin: 10/6/24
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, October 6, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – World Communion Sunday
♫Gathering Music | “Toccata in F Major” | Buxtehude
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | “Heilig, Heilig, Heilig” | Franz Schubert
Luke Loganbill, piano
Responsive Opening Words | PCUSA (adapted)
Today we are gathered around the earth to share communion at God’s table.
Across political and economic lines – in places of affluence and poverty; we share a meal.
Today we remember and celebrate – the One – who proved shalom possible.
And so, come:
come with your doubts – come with your hopes – come with your inadequacies and your strengths.
We Come; for this is a table where all are invited and all are welcome.
♫Congregational Opening Song | “All are Welcome” | Hans Peterson, Larry Olson
Kevin Jones, piano
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Third Grade Bible for Calix Rierson
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 | “Be Known to us in Breaking Bread” | Jay Althouse
Worship Choir
Be known to us in breaking bread but then do not depart.
Remain with us, O Lord, and spread Thy table in our heart.
Lord, sup with us in love divine, Thy body and Thy blood.
That living bread, that heavenly wine be our immortal food.
Hear us O Lord, we come to Thee; and listen as we pray.
As we partake this bread and wine, guide us ev’ry day.
Be known to us in breaking bread but then do not depart.
Remain with us, O Lord, and spread Thy table in our heart
Thy table in our heart, in our heart.
Scripture Focus | Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, [siblings, one to the other], in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper
worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – God’s
good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with
the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we,
though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then
prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give
generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but
keep your spiritual fervor, serving God. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those
who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low
position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says God. 20 On the contrary: “If
your enemy is hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on their head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
♫Scripture Song | “Will you let me be your Servant” | #307
Message | “Community is Communion – Communion is Community” | Kathryn Whitacre
Joining in Membership
Statements of commitment – recommitment:
Knowing that Christians never fully arrive, but are always in the process of becoming –
do you now affirm or reaffirm your faith in:
the ever-present, never-changing God;
the missional work and life of Jesus;
and the ongoing, surprising presence of the Holy Spirit.
If yes – say “I Do”
Believing that Christianity is experienced in;
a faith community that supports and strengthens us in times of weakness and doubt,
and a faith community that learns from us – as we learn from it
do you promise to live and share with us in the bonds of Christian fellowship?
If yes – say “I Will”
Recognizing that the church is organized to fulfill its mission,
will you worship and share in the programs of the McPherson Church of the Brethren
with your prayers, attendance, service, outreach, and faithful stewardship of time talent and treasure?
If yes – say “I Will”
Becoming a member of this congregation,
will you make every effort to witness to the love of God
and keep alive the concerns of the Church of the Brethren where you live and work?
If yes – say “I Will”
Unison Words of Welcome:
We welcome one another with joy and affection into this family of faith.
We freely share with one another – our support, our prayers, our love.
We commit to walk with one another in Jesus’ footsteps; inviting the inspiration of the Spirit –
as together – we humbly seek God’s peace and love. Welcome Everyone!
Prayer for the Community
Invitation to Share the Bread and Cup:
Responsive Communion Words of Invitation | Anita Monro
Grain is gathered from the field; threshed and milled for flour.
We are formed from the grain of God’s harvest.
Flour is mixed with water to produce basic dough.
The water of baptism unites us.
Yeast is added to transform the mixture.
The vision of God’s realm draws us onwards.
Oil softens the dough and makes a new texture.
The Holy Spirit anoints us as the body of God in this world.
A little salt improves the taste.
Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth.
The bread is kneaded and shaped, molded and baked.
It is God who kneads, shapes and molds us.
Grapes are harvested and crushed for juice.
God is the vine, we are the branches.
Juice and skins are mixed with yeast for fermentation.
God’s reign is coming. God’s hope is here.
There is a time of waiting; then a time of pressing.
God’s new life presses forth through the sediment of our lives.
And finally, the feast is here!
Let us celebrate the feast of our life in God.
Unison Words for the Bread and Cup:
We eat this bread in memory of the Living Bread –
who calls us to feed ALL and ANY who are hungry.
We drink this cup in memory of the Living Cup –
who calls us to offer drink to ALL and ANY who are thirsty.
May we remember – may we answer God’s call.
Communion is Offered
Unison Prayer | Blessing: And the Table Will Be Wide | written by Jan L. Richardson, and posted on The Painted Prayerbook
And the table [is] wide.
And the welcome [is] wide.
And the arms [are] open wide to gather us in.
And our hearts [are] open wide to receive.
And we will [go forth] as children who trust there is enough.
And we will [go out] unhindered and free.
And our aching will be met with bread.
And our sorrow will be met with wine.
And we will open our hands to [share] the feast without shame.
And we will turn toward each other without fear.
And we will give up our appetite for despair.
And [together] we will taste and know of delight.
And we will [be] bread for a hungering world.
And we will [be] drink for those who thirst.
And the blessed will become the blessing.
And everywhere will be the feast. [May it be so]
♫Sending Song | “Here in This Place” | #6
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Christ the Redeemer” | Tom Birchwood
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