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, November 1, 2026
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Simple Gifts” | arr. Cindy Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Jean Hendricks
♫Centering Music | “My Heart Ever Faithful” | Bach/Schrader
Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Unison Opening Prayer
God of love and humble service, you speak your Word to us through your son Jesus.
We pray that we: might listen, welcome what we hear and live what we hear.
We pray Your Word might change our mentality and our ways, that it might direct our lives,
making them a lived message rather than a lie.
Let our way of living be for all to see, an inspiration to follow, and a living power that leads
all creation to give you praise and glory. AMEN
♫Opening Song | “My Soul Proclaims with Wonder”
(sung to the tune #182, Oh, how shall I receive thee)
Refrain:
My soul proclaims with wonder the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness, my spirit is restored.
1 To me has God shown favor, to one the world thought frail;
and ev’ry age will echo the angel's first "All hail." Refrain
2 God's mercy shields the faithful and saves them from defeat,
with strength that turns to scatter the proud in their conceit. Refrain
3 The mighty have been vanquished; the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance; the rich, an empty cup. Refrain
4 To Abraham's descendants the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel a covenant of love. Refrain
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
♫Offering Music | “What Does the Lord Require of You” | Robert A. Hobby
Worship Choir; Becky Snell, director; Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute
What does the Lord require of You? What does the Lord require of You? Require, require of you?
Bind up the broken-hearted, off’ring God’s peace. Strengthen the weak, off’ring God’s hope.
Seek and find - find the face of Christ. Seek and find the face of Christ in each of God’s children.
What does the Lord require of You? What does the Lord require of You? Require, require of you?
Nurture the young and tend the old, off’ring God’s love.
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked off’ring God’s compassion.
Share the good news in the name of Christ.
Share the good news: with God there is welcome, with God there is welcome for all.
What does the Lord require of You? What does the Lord require of You?
To do justice and love kindness and to walk humbly with God.
To do justice and love kindness and to walk humbly with God.
What does the Lord require of You, of You? Require of You?
Scripture Focus | Matthew 23:1-12 | A Warning Against Hypocrisy
23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:
2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do
everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders,
but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide (the boxes
containing Scripture verses, worn on forehead and arm) and the tassels on their garments long;
6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;
7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all [family].
9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
♫Scripture Song | Simple gifts ('Tis a Gift to Be Simple)
Message | “defining status” | Kathryn Whitacre
Humble - not proud or boastful; showing quiet worth - simple, ordinary, or of low social status
Exalt -to raise someone or something to a higher rank/power/status - to praise & glorify someone greatly
♫Sending Song | “Will you let me be your Servant” | #307
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Thy Will Be Done” | Robert Thygerson
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
