Worship Bulletin 10/18/26

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.
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Sunday, October 18, 2026

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Welcome Video

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♫Gathering Hymn Sing                             #1 What Is This Place Vs 1 and 3

                                                             #389 Take My Life Vs 1, 4, 5, 6

                                                             #81O For a Thousand Tongues Vs 1 and 3

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Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Dan Lichty

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♫Centering Music | “In Amazing Graceland” | by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Phil Madeira

Worship Band; Kevin Jones, director, pianist

                                   Verse 1:

                                   What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

                                   What can make me who again? Nothing but the sacrifice.  

                                   I don’t understand how You could save someone like me.

                                   But here in Your hand, there’s no place my heart would rather be.

                                   Chorus:

                                   Without Your love there’d be no healing.

                                   There’d be no blood raining down to cover me.

                                   I once was lost but You found me and brought me here.

                                   Now there’s a halo over me in Amazing Graceland.

                                   Verse 2:

                                   Even though at times I walk in the valley of the shadow,

                                   I know You’re watching over me, and so I have no fear.

                                   I rest in Your field, and I feel save in Your fold.

                                   The water is still right here where You restore my soul. Chorus

Opening Responsive Words | based on Exodus 33: 12-23, Psalm 99, Matthew 22: 15-22

           ONE:   The earth has its kings, its tech-giants, its billionaires and trillionaires - but God is ruler of all.

           ALL:    We praise God above all else and all others since God is the giver of life!

           ONE:   Mountains sometimes tremble, oceans sometimes roar,
                        nation states sometimes oppress and dominate.

           ALL:    However, God's presence is more powerful than the earth itself
                         or the devices of humans.

           ONE:   We pray to be fully existent in Your spirit God, for You are eternally among us!

           ALL:    Creating God, we seek your ways, your purposes; praying to walk,
                          talk and put into actions - Your abiding grace.

♫Opening Song | “Immortal, Invisible, God only wise” | #70

Message for the Kids | Barbara Wagoner

‍Invitation to Give          ‍

‍You may Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren,"
200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460

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♫Offering Music | You Are My King (Amazing Love)| by Billy James Foote

Worship Band; Kevin Jones, director, pianist

                       I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted; You were condemned.

                       I’m alive and well, Your Spirt is within me because You died and rose again.

                       Amazing Love, how can it be that You, my King, would die for me? ‍

                            Amazing love, I know it’s true; it’s my joy to honor You.

                            In all I do, I honor You.

                       You are my King. You are my King. Jesus, You are my King. Jesus, You are my King.

Scripture Focus | Matthew 22: 15-22 | Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar

           15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to

           him along with the Herodians. They said,

                   “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in                
                    accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who
                     they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

           18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said,

                       “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.”

           They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them,

                       “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

           They replied,

                       21 “Caesar’s.”

           Then he said to them,

                       “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

           22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

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Unison Prayer of Response            
‍adapted from writings of MaryScifres; Worship & Evangelism Consultant
(based on Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22)

           Loving, living God, show us your ways and guide our steps.
           Live in us, that we may be people of steadfast hope and powerful living and giving.

           Help us hear your words, challenging us to give you all the things that are yours.

           Help us remember that all we are and all we have - are gifts from you,

                       gifts to be shared in service and love.

           God of Grace among us, help us also to offer grace to the earth and all we meet.

           We pray - to live your message with love. AMEN

♫Scripture Song | “I Need Thee Every Hour” | #555

Message | “Are Folks Amazed?” | Jerry Bowen                                    

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♫Sending Song | “I Surrender All”

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Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music

Sending Words

♫Sending Music

Ellen Gilbert, organ

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