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, January 25, 2026
“Created in God’s Image; all Creation is Blessed and Welcome”
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” | arr. Brad Nix
Donna Emmert, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Jean Hendricks
♫Centering Music | “Pastorale" | arr. George Blake
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Opening Responsive Words
Violence is a symptom of underlying systems of oppression (sexism, racism, heterosexism, colonialism,
capitalism, imperialism) that perpetuate acts of violence.
May we seek to address these root causes at an interpersonal, organizational, state, and global level
so ALL of creation might know blessedness and welcome.
Much of our world has been violently colonized by empires throughout history and continually
oppressed through racist, extract-ivist, and capitalist systems of destruction.
May we advocate for decolonization: dismantling these systems of oppression and moving towards
systems of caregiving, balance, and mutual aid so ALL of creation might know blessedness and
welcome.
Blessedness and welcome are grown and come to be known when partnerships are initiated and
developed between local peacebuilders.
May we commit to long-term relationships with these partners who resist oppression every day;
not only during emergencies - so that ALL of creation might know blessedness and welcome.
Creative nonviolent resistance is a tool of direct action to confront systems of violence and oppression.
May we engage in these inventive challenges that are rooted in liberating love so ALL of
creation might know blessedness and welcome.
Born out of a response to increased militarism and violence, peacemakers are a diverse group; many
of whom draw inspiration for their nonviolent practices from multiple spiritual and philosophical
understandings and beliefs.
May we affirm and celebrate that the sacredness of peacemaking is recognized and revealed in
many traditions and tongues, identities and images, colors and cultures; bringing blessedness
and welcome to ALL of creation.
We understand the value of collective liberation whereby each act of peacemaking and each effort
toward justice – must pay close attention to diverse and contextually nuanced needs.
May we be mindful that we cannot dismantle the structures of oppression without the
knowledge and experience of our diverse identities. Together, we will overcome so that ALL of
creation might be blessed and welcomed.
The grasp of the military-industrial complex on our world not only results in the destabilization and
defunding of our communities but also contributes to the ongoing climate crisis, endangering the
collective survival of our global community. Being an active part of anti-militarism movements like;
School of the Americas’ Watch, Apartheid-Free Communities and other coalitions and initiatives that
work toward dismantling false ideas that police and military keep us safe - by unmasking these
capitalist underpinnings of the military - we make it evident that militarism is not about safety but profit.
May we reject all military and police intervention and demand the reallocation of public funds toward community-based initiatives for care, so that ALL of creation might be safe, blessed and welcomed.
♫Opening Song | “We Shall Overcome”
We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome someday!
Oh, deep in my heart I do believe we shall overcome someday
We’ll walk hand in hand . . . someday!
We shall live in peace . . . someday!
We are not afraid . . . today!
God will see us through . . . today!
Message for the Kids | Pastor Jerry Bowen
Invitation to Give Video
Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren," 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
♫Musical Offering | Song for Peace | “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands”
Community Peacemaker Teams and On Earth Peace | Pastor Jerry Bowen
♫Song for Justice | “What Does the Lord Require" | #409
Community Peacemaker Teams -
Video Presentation from the Field Team in Columbia
Responsive Litany of Commitment
May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships.
May we seek truth boldly and love deep within our hearts.
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people.
May we work tirelessly for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with all who suffer.
May we reach out to those who ache, who are rejected and starving;
bringing comfort that transforms their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world.
May we, with God’s grace, do what others claim cannot be done!
♫Song of Commitment | “Make me a Channel of Your Peace”
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words
As you go forth may the Light of God shine upon you and guide your heart, hands and feet;
In the ways of justice and peace.
♫Sending Song | “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
♫Sending Music | “Go Forth into the World in Peace” | John Rutter
Worship Choir
Go forth into the world in peace, be of good courage;
hold fast, that which is good; render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted;
honor all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
be upon you and remain with you forever.
AMEN
Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT)
CPT places teams at the invitation of local peacemaking communities that are confronting situations of lethal conflict. These teams support and amplify the voices of local peacemakers who risk injury and death by waging nonviolent direct action to confront systems of violence and oppression.
CPT understands violence to be rooted in systemic structures of oppression. We are committed to
undoing oppressions, starting within our own lives and in the practices of our organization.
CPT enlists spiritual communities and individuals in an organized, nonviolent alternative to war.
CPT’s initial roots among Mennonites, Church of the Brethren and Quakers have spread into a broad
multi-faith network that supports spiritually-centered peacemaking, creative public witness, nonviolent direct action, and protection of human rights.
On Earth Peace (OEP)
On Earth Peace (OEP) is a U.S.-based group rooted in the Church of the Brethren,
promoting peacebuilding, anti-racism, and Kingian Nonviolence,
often collaborating or supporting CPT's work.
Both CPT and OEP aim to build just and peaceful communities using restorative practices and direct
action.
CPT is known for an international presence and OEP for local empowerment in the US,
often through training and advocacy.
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, Janette Hess, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner, Marie Neher & Lara Schoming
