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 28, 2025
New Year Worship, Communion Offered
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Hymn Sing
#180 “The Angel Gabriel” all verses
#208 “Love Came Down at Christmas” vs 1 and3
#214 “Morning Star” all verses. Dan Lichty, leader
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Tricia Hartshorn
♫Centering Music | “Angels We Have Heard on High" | arr. David Lanz
Tom Hurst, piano
Unison Opening Words | based on Numbers 6:22-27 | The Priestly Blessing
God’s protection surrounds us. Glory to God in the Highest.
God’s favour shines upon us. Glory to God in the Highest.
God’s shalom brings us peace and wholeness. Glory to God in the Highest.
God’s blessings, keep us. Glory to God in the Highest.
♫Opening Song | “Angels we have Heard on High” | #197
Message for the Kids | Barbara Wagoner
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 | “Welcome to Our World” | Chris Rice
Jd Bowman, vocals; Ellen Gilbert, piano
1. Tears are falling, hearts are breaking, how we need to hear from God.
You have been promised, we've been waiting, welcome Holy Child, welcome Holy Child.
2. Hope that you don't mind our manger, how I wish we would have known.
But long-awaited, Holy Stranger, make yourself at home, please, make yourself at home.
3. Bring your peace into our violence, bid our hungry souls be filled.
Word now breaking heaven's silence, welcome to our world, welcome to our world.
4. Fragile finger sent to heal us, tender brow prepared for thorn,
tiny heart whose blood will save us, unto us is born, unto us is born.
5. So, wrap our injured flesh around you, breathe our air and walk our sod,
rob our sin and make us holy, Perfect Son of God, Perfect Son of God. Welcome to our world.
Scripture Focus | Luke 2:15-21
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which God has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
♫Scripture Song | “Lo, how a Rose e’er Blooming” | #211
Message | “praising God for all the things” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Song of Affirmation | “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” | #206
Invitation to Communion
Words for the Bread
May the communion bread – remind us:
who Jesus is, why Jesus came to earth, and
how we are called to go forth sharing that Love and Light.
Words for the Cup
May the communion cup –remind us:
who Jesus is, why Jesus came to earth, and
how we are called to go forth sharing that Love and Light.
Communion Prayer
♫Sending Song | “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” | #201
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” | arr. Christopherson
Resonance Trio
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 & Lara Schoming
