05 Dec Worship Bulletin: 12/8/24
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, December 8, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
Second Sunday of Advent – PEACE
“12th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence” – December 11th, 2024
Music of the Season | Olivia Gehring
♫Gathering Music | “Noel Medley” | arr. Hawley Ades
Brass Ensemble – Trumpets: Lindy Reynolds, Austin Russell, Horn: Seth Schoming, Trombone: Eric Goering, LaMonte Rothrock
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Kevin Jones
♫Centering Music | “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” | arr. Melody Bober
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Opening Responsive Words | On Earth Peace
One: On this Second Sunday of Advent our hearts and minds are heavy with concerns how gun violence impacts so many.
All: God’s heart beats for all whose spirits feel crushed or who are overwhelmed with despair
One: For all who carry the scars of gun violence, in any form…
All: God moves near to all of us and longs to gather us as a hen gathers her chicks.
One: For all who have worked so hard to bring peace and healing and change to our communities, only to feel like nothing will ever change…
All: God meets us here. God welcomes our disappointment and anger over empty thoughts and prayers as change remains elusive.
One: For all whose daily existence is overwhelmed with trauma and scars and pain-filled memories…
All: God’s heart beats for all whose spirits feel crushed or who are overwhelmed with grief.
♫Opening Song | “Bless’d Be the God of Israel” | #174
Story for the Children | Cara Hudson
Mack Kids Sing | “Go Now in Peace”
led by Mack Kids Director, Malia Pfeiff
Invitation to a Special Offering | Bev Nye
Write on your 3×5 cards – you should have two – one to leave – one to take home
Write down one thing you are willing to do for one year – from today through December 2025
Bring one card forward as an offering – keep the duplicate card to take home as a reminder
Ideas:
Pray without ceasing ~~~~ Follow activists on social media: like Brett Cross and Fred Guttenburg
Write state legislators ~~~~~ Learn all that On Earth Peace is doing https://www.onearthpeace.org/
Write US Representatives ~~~~~ Read the state of Kansas statistics of victims of gun violence
Learn how to lobby ~~~~~ Visit your elected officials: Topeka and Washington, D.C
Wear Orange in support of stopping gun violence ~~~~~ Be intentional about getting to know your neighbors
Donate to a ‘prevent gun violence’ non-profit of your choice ~~~~~ Learn positive measures from other states
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
♫Musical Offering | “Carol Medley” | arr. Mark Hayes
Dan Masterson, piano
Congregational Unison Prayer | Adapted from St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer
God make us instruments of peace; when others hate, teach us to love
When the world harms, empower us to heal
When doubts overwhelm us, enable us to believe
When we only feel despair, fill us with hope
When darkness is all around, help us see the light
When our mourning suffocates us, give us reasons to feel joy
O loving Creator;
Create space for us to console the wounded – give us time to understand others –
grant us hearts to love all, because these gifts ensure we reflect Your goodness and will – for all of Creation.
AMEN
Prayer Song | “O, Lord Hear My Prayer” X2 | #348
Scripture Focus | Isaiah 2: 1-5
This is what Isaiah – son of Amoz – saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of God’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of God, to the temple of the God of Jacob.
God will teach us God’s ways, so that we may walk in God’s paths.”
The law will go out from Zion, the word of God from Jerusalem.
4 God will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of God.
♫Scripture Song | “Imagine” | John Lennon
Jd Bowman, vocal; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try; no hell below us above us, only sky.
Imagine all the people livin’ for today.
Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do; nothing to kill or die for and no religion, too.
Imagine all the people livin’ life in peace.
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, brotherhood of man.
Imagine all the people, sharing all the world. You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one.
I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one
Message | “That Our Love Overflows” | Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God, our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Unison Sending Words | Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
adapted from the song, “If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers”
We leave this place aware that faith without works is dead.
We name that words without action are empty.
We confess – even prayers can be shallow.
But we leave changed and inspired to do more, and we will.
We will work for peace and justice.
We will offer prayers and presence.
We will work for change without ceasing, until change comes.
AMEN
♫Sending Music | “Glory, (Let there be Peace)” | Chris Stevens & Matt Maher
Worship Band
One star burns in the darkness, shines with the promise, Emmanuel
One child born in the stillness, living within us, Emmanuel
REFRAIN
We’re singing glory, glory. Let there be peace, let there be peace
We’re singing glory, glory. Let there be peace, let it start in me
One voice speaks for the voiceless, hope for the hopeless, Emmanuel
One love brings us together. Now and forever, Emmanuel REFRAIN
Do not be afraid, His love is strong enough to save us
Nothing stands in the way. His love is strong enough to lead us. X2 REFRAIN X2
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