17 Oct Worship Bulletin: 10/20/24
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 20, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – McPherson College Homecoming Sunday
♫Gathering Music | “Second Suite for Military Band in F” | Gustav Holst
McPherson College Trombone Ensemble: Landon Beltz, Edwin Buiter, Benson Hawkins, James Hluchan, Ty Kraemer, Justin Poll, Natalie Street, Sean Tully
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
“Down in the River to Pray” | Traditional
McPherson College Choir under the direction of Dr. Andrew Voth, accompanied by Dr. Brett Janssen
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way!
O sisters let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
O sisters let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear the robe and crown? Good Lord, show me the way!
O brothers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
Come on brothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way!
O fathers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
O father’s let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear the robe and crown? Good Lord, show me the way!
O mothers let’s go down, come on down, don’t you wanna go down.
Come on mothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray.
As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear the robe and crown? Good Lord, show me the way!
“Antiphon” | Vaughan Williams
Let all the world in every corner sing, ‘My God and King!’
The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly:
the earth is not too low, His praises there may grow.
Let all the world in every corner sing, ‘My God and King!
The church with Psalms must shout. No door can keep them out:
but above all, the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing, ‘My God and King!’
Responsive Opening Words | (inspired by Psalm 98) | Thom Shuman (lightly adapted)
Creating God – you raise your hands and gently direct the concerto of creation:
birds carry the melody while stars keep the beat;
mountains dance in merriment and little children clap their hands with joy.
Love’s Composer – our songs are lifted to you.
The old, old song – ‘Jesus lives! Sing Alleluia!’ – is made new in our hearts:
You invite us to compose and sing a new world into life.
Lord of the Dance, our music is lifted to you.
Worried our pitch is discordant and our rhythm off beat –
we hesitate to join in the chorus of praise sung by all creation.
So, you softly and gently hum the melody in each heart until we are filled with joyous song,
which bursts forth in a rousing chorus of ‘Amazing Grace’.
Music-making Spirit, every song – old and new – is offered to you.
Conductor of The Symphony – we come before you with praise and thanksgiving!
♫Congregation and Choirs | “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” | #37
sing vs 1-2 with parts; sing vs 3-4 in unison
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 | “Draw Us Near” | Joel Thompson
College Choir and Church Choir
This song we sing is our hearts’ vow to you, O God of Peace.
Please send your Dove, your Spirit of Love, to help our torments cease.
The world is tired of war and blood and fear, the tears we’ve cried, the pain inside: O Spirit, draw us near.
So keep us true to our hearts’ vow to show the world your love.
May bias wane and joy remain as we sing to you above?
We pray, O God, you take away our fear, the tears we’ve cried, the pain inside: O Spirit, draw us near.
♫Congregation and Worship Choir Soloists | Shepherd me, O God” | #519
Mona Lange-Wisdom, Allan van Asselt, Kaitlyn van Asselt, Dan Lichty, Deb van Asselt
Sending Prayer
♫Sending Song | “Be Ye Glad” | Michael Kelly Blanchard
College Choir and McPherson College Alum
In these days of confused situations – In this night of a restless remorse
When the heart and the soul of a nation – Lay wounded and cold as a corpse
From the grave of the innocent Adam – Comes a song bringing joy to the sad
Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom – Has been paid up in full, be ye glad
REFRAIN
Oh, be ye glad – Oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you’ve ever had – Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Now from your dungeon a rumor is stirring – Though you’ve heard it again and again
Now but this time your cell keys are turning – And outside there are faces of friends
Though your body lay weary from wasting – And your eyes show the sorrow they had
Oh the love that your heart is now tasting – Has opened the gate be ye glad REFRAIN
So be like lights on the rim of the water – Giving hope in a storm sea of night
Be a refuge amidst the slaughter – Of these fugitives in their flight
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle – You are winsome and young as a lad
And there is no disease or no struggle – That can pull you from God –
That can pull you from God REFRAIN
Oh, be ye glad – Oh, be ye glad – Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Sending Words | (based on Psalm 150)
♫Sending Music | “Festiva” | Robert J Hughe
Ellen Gilbert, organ
(Please remain seated during the Sending Music – the choirs will exit to the foyer.)
After worship you are invited to fellowship and light snacks in the Good Shepherd Foyer
McPherson College Choir Members
Faith Askin ~ Jo Bejar ~ Jasmine Bridges ~ Nathan Cartmell ~ Scott Cunningham ~ Leann Dalinghaus
Brianna Devor ~ Katie Dix ~ Danica Floyd ~ Nathaniel Gaut ~ Maddison Gorman ~ Madi Hershberger
Kermit Jackson ~ Toby Leffew ~ Jewel Marie ~ Macyn Olson ~ Tate Ornelas ~ Adisyn Rogers
Kortinzea Rue ~ Stephanie Schmidt ~ Ally Slaback ~ Hannah Smalley ~ Natalie Street
Ava Sutton ~ Gillian Ulrich ~ Chris White
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