07 Nov Worship Bulletin: 11/10/24
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 10, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – Potluck immediately following worship with Congregational Forum beginning at 12:45
♫Gathering Music | “Faith” | Reuben Morgan
Kevin and Melia Jones with the Worship Band
I’m reaching for the prize, I’m giving everything. I give my life for this, it’s what I live for.
Nothing will keep me from all that You have for me. You hold my head up high, I live for You.
Greater is He that’s living in me, than he that is in the world.
Faith, I can move the mountain, I can do all things through Christ, I know.
Faith, standing and believing, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Cara Hudson
Moment in Mission – Step MC | Angela Brunk, Executive Director
♫Centering Music | “Faith is a Bird” | Elizabeth Alexander
Women’s Ensemble
“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark”
Responsive Opening Words | Katie Cook
Holy God, we come together to worship, a people who would like to think that we love you
with all our hearts and souls, with all our might, But ….
There are so many other things in our lives that clamor for our attention that we often relegate you to Sundays and Wednesdays and
times when we want you to rescue us.
Most of us really do want you to be the one in whom we live and move and have our being.
We really do want to hear your voice above all of the other voices in our lives. But ….
We get bogged down in the daily routine. We forget who and whose we are.
We forget who you are. We forget what the church is supposed to be and do.
So here we are, standing before you today, with our human shortcomings and
our short attention spans, asking that you would make yourself known to us,
that you would help us to recognize the presence of the Holy, that you would
continue to challenge us, inspire us, and help us grow into the people and the church you want us to be.
May it be so, Holy God?
♫Opening Song | “Come, Now is the Time to Worship”
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 | “Sonata, Allegro” | Jean-Baptiste Loeillet de Gant
Resonance Trio: Bryan Hess, Dan Masterson, Bruce Wagoner
Scripture Focus | Mark 12:28-34, 38-44
The Greatest Commandment
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him,
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus answered, “The most important one is this:
‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 The man replied,
“Well said, teacher. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
33 To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor
as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw the man had answered wisely, he said to him,
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
Warning against the Teachers of the Law
38 As he taught, Jesus said,
“Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces,
39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.
Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”
♫Scripture Song | “As the Deer” (You Alone)
Message | “Love God – Be a Neighbor – Be Generous” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “God of the Bible” (Fresh as the Morning)
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Sonata, Op. 167, Mvt II” | Saint-Saens/Larry Teal
Westen Gehring, saxophone; Olivia Gehring, 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