23 Dec Worship Bulletin: 12/29/24
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 29, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
New Year Service with Communion
♫Music of the Season
Lois Grove, piano
♫Gathering Hymn Sing
From Heav’n above to Earth I Come | #205 vs 1 and 2
The angel Gabriel | #180 vs 1
The Virgin Mary had a baby boy | #202 vs 1 and 3
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Kevin Jones
♫Centering Music | “Mary, Did You Know?” | arr. Carol Tornquist
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Responsive Opening Words | “The Work of Christmas” | by Howard Thurman
from The Mood of Christmas & Other Celebrations (1985)
“When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among people, To make music in the heart.”
♫Opening Song | “He is born the Divine Christ Child”
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 | “Morning Star” | arr. Dan Masterson
Inspire with Bryan Hess, violin; Bruce Wagoner, cello; Dan Masterson, piano
Scripture Focus | “Isaiah 61:10 – 62:3”
10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For God has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign God will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Zion’s New Name
62 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of God will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in God’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
♫Scripture Song | “You Are Mine (I will come to you in the Silence)” | David Haas
I will come to you in the silence – I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice – I claim you as My choice – Be still, and know I am near
I am hope for all who are hopeless – I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night, – I will be your light – Come and rest in Me
Do not be afraid, I am with you – I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me – I will bring you home – I love you and you are mine
I am strength for all the despairing – Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free – And all will know My name
Do not be afraid, I am with you – I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me – I will bring you home – I love you and you are mine
I am the Word that leads all to freedom – I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain
Stand up, now, walk, and live – Do not be afraid, I am with you – I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me – I will bring you home – I love you and you are mine
Do not be afraid, I am with you – I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me – I will bring you home – I love you and you are mine
Message | “I will not keep silent” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Song of Calling | “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Invitation to Communion
Words for the Bread
May this communion bread – remind us to pursue new ways of being in our lives and work – that might –
lead us – to concrete and tangible expressions of – God’s Love and Spirit.
Words for the Cup
May this communion cup –remind us to pursue new ways of being in our lives and work – that might –
lead us – to concrete and tangible expressions of – God’s Love and Spirit.
Communion Prayer
♫Sending Song | “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” | #478
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” | arr. John Carter
Ellen Gilbert and Dan Masterson, 4-hand 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