31 Oct Worship Bulletin: 11/3/24
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, November 3, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – National Jr High Youth Sunday
Gathering Hymn | “Gratitude” | Brandon Lake
Kevin Jones
All my words fall short, I got nothing new. How could I express all my gratitude?
I could sing these songs as I often do but every song must end and You never do.
REFRAIN
So I throw up my hands and praise You again and again, cause all that I have is a hallelujah, hallelujah.
And I know it’s not much but I’ve nothing else fit for a King except for a heart singing hallelujah, hallelujah.
I’ve got one response; I’ve got just one move with my arm stretched wide I will worship You. REFRAIN
So come on, my soul, oh, don’t you get shy on me.
Lift up your song ‘cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs.
Get up and praise the Lord. X3
Get up and praise the Lord, hey, Praise the Lord X3 REFRAIN
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys & Concerns | Oliver Coyle and Nathan Friesen
Centering Music | “Love Makes a Way” | Friends with the Weather
*used with permission
How many trembling miles? How many steps from home?
Yearning & terrified to be seen. What awaits?
A land of promise or the walls of an empire? A cellblock or a sanctuary, finding sanctuary?
Can you hear the angels sing? Can you hear the angels sing? The angels sing? They’re singing out
Love makes a way. Love makes a way, for us.
To the teachers, dreamers, believers in another way
Waging battles with weapons that heal, risking hope in spite of the fear.
What awaits, through courageous eyes, in visions of peace?
The strength to believe, the will to be free – may peace be the means to that which we seek?
Call to worship | Elliot Schoming and Hannah Wilgers
First Reader: “All are invited to unpack their stuff before God.”
Second Reader: “God’s love reaches beyond economic boundaries.”
People: “We come to worship leaving our baggage at the altar so we can make room for God!”
Second Reader: “Today we honor the call to also let go of our prejudices…”
First Reader: “So we can learn to see our neighbors with a new set of lenses.”
People: “We gather for worship with eyes wide open, happy to reunite with old friends and excited about making new ones.”
Both: “We gather this morning unchained and ready to be God’s hands and feet.”
People: “We worship this morning knowing it is a beginning of a new adventure, one with less baggage and more room for God and God’s people. Amen!”
Opening Song | “Come, let us all unite to sing” | #12
Story for the Children | Hannah Wilgers and Reyna Bowen
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 | “My Lighthouse” | by Rend Collective
Youth Sing
Congregational Prayer | Everett Duerksen
Congregational Prayer Song | “Come, thou fount” | #521
Scripture Skit | based on James 2:1-6 | Veda Ayers, Reyna Bowen, Oliver Coyle
Favoritism Forbidden
2 My siblings [my family], believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you must not show favoritism.
2 Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in.
3 If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say,
“Here’s a good seat for you,”
but say to the poor person,
“You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet.”
4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5 Listen, my dear [family]: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom God promised those who love God?
6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
Message | Table Talk with Faith X/SPARK and Pastor Jerry Bowen
Sending song | “They’ll Know We are Christians”
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 | Brielle Rothrock
Sending Music | “Be a Light” | Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
Youth Sing
In a time full of war, be peace. In a time full of doubt, just believe.
Yeah, there ain’t that much difference between you and me.
In a time full of war, be peace. In a world full of hate, be a light.
When you do somebody wrong, make it right. Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine.
In a world full of hate, be a light. (La-la-la, – la, la, la, la)
In a place that needs change, make a difference. In a time full of noise, just listen.
‘Cause life is but a breeze, better live it. In a place that needs a change, make a difference.
In a world full of hate, be a light. When you do somebody wrong, make it right.
Oh, don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine. In a world full of hate, be a light.
La-la-la, la, la, la, la – La-la-la, la, la, la, la – La-la-la, la, la, la, la – La-la-la, la, la, la, la
In a race that you can’t win, slow it down. Yeah, you only get one go around.
‘Cause the finish line is six feet in the ground. In a race you can’t win, just slow it down.
In a world full of hate, be a light (oh-oh).
When you do somebody wrong, make it right (make it right).
Don’t hide in the dark, you were born to shine. In a world full of hate, be a light.
Yeah, it’s hard to live in color, when you just see black and white.
In a world full of hate, be a light.
Greeters: Nathan Friesen, Oliver Coyle, Veda Ayers, Elliot Schoming, and Everett Duerkson
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