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, February 1, 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 | Bud Taylor
Moment in Mission | Geothermal Challenge | Bruce Clary, Leadership Team Chair
♫CenteringMusic | “On Eagles Wings” | arr. John Carter
Karlene Tyler, piano
Responsive Opening Words | A Litany of Divine Wisdom
(Based on Proverbs 3:13-18 and 8:23-29)
One: O God of Wisdom you were established from the beginning, before the earth was made.
All: We praise you for your eternal wisdom.
One: Before the oceans existed, before the mountains were shaped, you were there.
All: You are the foundation of all creation.
One: When you marked out the foundations of the earth, wisdom was beside you.
All: You established the world with insight.
One: Truly, happy are those who gain understanding and find wisdom.
All: For her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
One: She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
All: May we seek her above all earthly treasures.
One: Long life is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.
All: Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
One: She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
All: Those who hold her fast are called happy.
One: God, set our hearts on your wisdom, that we might walk in the way of truth.
All: Guide us by your eternal, creative wisdom. Amen.
♫Opening Song | “Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring”
Message for the Kids | Marie Neher
Invitation to Give Video
Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren," 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
♫Scripture Song | “Lord, you Sometimes Speak” | #594
Scripture Reading | Proverbs 1:20-29
20 Out in the open Wisdom calls aloud, Wisdom raises a voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall Wisdom cries out, at the city gate Wisdom makes a speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you -
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear God.”
♫Song for the Scriptures & Message | “Cradle Me” | by Deborah Dougherty arr. Larson & Berg
Women’s Ensemble; Director, Becky Snell
REFRAIN
Cradle me, cradle me. Oh, dear Mother, cradle me.
Earth and breath and sky and sea all rise up and cradle me.
In the morning when I rise, wipe the nighttime from my eyes, plant my feet down on the floor,
move myself through daily chores, giving thanks while breaking bread and for kind words that are said, Spirit move me through my deeds, cradling me with all my needs. REFRAIN
When death knocks at my front door, taking a loved one to her shore, and I bend to grief’s old ways,
I am cradled in my haze. And those fears are oft relieved by giving back what I received, stretching out
with arms and heart, cradling them that death did part. REFRAIN
Circling through this walk on earth, tears for death and tears for birth, blessings quilted with the pain,
all are woven in the grain. Plant my feet down on the floor move myself through daily chores,
giving back what I received. Simple acts are sacred deeds. REFRAIN (sing twice)
Scripture Reading | 1 Kings 19:9-13
9 … (Elijah) went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of God came to him:
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 (Elijah) replied, “I have been very zealous for you, God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your
covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one
left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 God said,
“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of God, for God is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before God, but
God was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but God was not in the
earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but God was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out
and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Responsive Prayer | A Prayer of the Still, Small Voice (1 Kings 19:9-13)
One: Today, God asks of us – what was asked of Elijah in the cave: “What are you doing here?”
All: We reply, ‘We are weary, afraid, and hiding from the storms of life.
We have come seeking Your presence, but we are exhausted.
One: Once again – through the ages past – we hear,
“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of God, for God is about to pass by.”
All: We will step out of our safe hiding places O God. We will surrender our anxiety to You.
One: A great and powerful wind is tearing the mountains apart, but God is not in the wind.
All: We pray and we plead God, ‘Quiet the noise of chaos and frustration in our hearts.
We do not need the thunder; we need Your calm.
One: After the wind there is an earthquake, but neither is God in the shaking of the earth.
All: God, we pray You will settle our trembling spirits. We are shaken by circumstances
and we seek Your stability.
One: After the earthquake comes a fire, but God is not in that fire.
All: God, we pray you will extinguish this burning stress and anger within us.
We do not need dramatic displays; we need Your peace.
One: Go to the mouth of the cave. Be still. Listen.
All: We hear. Thank You God – for Your gentle whisper. AMEN
Message | “Listening to Sophia: God’s Wisdom from Within” | Marie Neher
Singing Bowls
♫Sending Song | “Go Now in Peace” | #429
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “An Irish Blessing” (God be on your road everywhere you go) | Brian Glyncannon
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
