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 4, 2026 - Epiphany, anointing offered
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “We Three Kings" | John Henry Hopkins
Luke Loganbill, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | “The Journey” | Louise Frier
Handbell and Percussion Ensemble, Becky Snell, Director
Emily Ayers, Ann Flory, Janelle Flory Schrock, Eric Goering, Jackie Goering, Cara Hudson, Julia Kuttler,
Bev Nye, Allan van Asselt, Deb van Asselt, Grace van Asselt, Kaitlyn van Asselt, LeRoy Weddle
Responsive Opening Words
Let us seek the Child in the manger - The First Birth – “Nah-TAH-lis"
The moment of coming into being – has arrived
Let us seek Immanuel – God with Us - The First Birth – NOEL
The time is now – bring your gifts – fall reverently on bended knee
♫Opening Song | “The First Noel” | #199
Message for the Kids | Barbara Wagoner
Christmas Eve Kids – Out-takes
Invitation to Give Video
Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren," 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 6746
♫Musical Offering | “Brightest and Best” | arr. Peter Amidon
Worship Choir
Scripture Focus | John 1:1-18 | The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 Through the Word all things were made; without the Word
nothing was made that has been made. 4 In the Word was life, and that life was the light of all
humankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify
concerning that light, so that through John all might believe.
8 John himself was not the light; John came only as a witness to the light.
9 The True Light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 The True Light was in the
world, and though the world was made through this Light, the world did not recognize the
True Light. 11 The True Light came to those that belonged to the Light but they did not receive
the Light.
12 Yet to all who did receive the Light, to those who believed in the name of the Light, to these was
given the right to become children of God - 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a parent’s will - but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and the Word dwelt among us. We have seen this glory, the glory of the
ONE –the only ONE - who came from God, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning this ONE. John cried out, saying, “This is the ONE I spoke about when I
said, ‘The ONE who comes after me has surpassed me because the ONE - was before me.’”)
16 Out of the fullness of the ONE we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God - but the ONE and only who is God and is in closest relationship with
God - has made God known.
♫Scripture Song | “What Child is This” | #215
Message | “It’s a New Beginning ….. ” | Jerry Bowen
Invitation to Anointing
Anointing
Prayer
Sending Song | "Angels from the Realms of Glory"
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Joy to the World” | arr. Franklin Ritter
Ellen Gilbert, organ
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
