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 15, 2026
“A Taste of NOAC”
National Older Adult Conference is held every other year and last met in September 2025 at the Lake Junaluska, North Carolina Conference and Retreat Center
Theme: “Alive in the Spirit” - Scripture Focus: Romans 15:13 (NRSV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Today’s worship was planned by NOAC attendees;
Sonja Griffith, Lois Grove, Pearl Miller and Ann Stover. Nancy Miner was Conference Pianist.
♫Gathering Music | “Brethren, we have met to Worship” | arr. Mark Hayes & Marvin Gaspard
Nancy Miner, piano; Ellen Gilbert, organ
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Kevin Jones
NOAC News Clip
♫Centering Music | “Come,Thou Fount of Every Blessing” | arr. James E. Clemens
Nancy Miner, piano
Land Acknowledgement | Phil Miller
Please rise for the Opening Unison Words and Opening Song
Unison Opening Words | Sonja Griffith
The Spirit of Life gathers us together for worship.
We come with joys and burdens, hopes and fears.
We come from many places, with different experiences.
May the Spirit empower us to become God’s Beloved Community.
- Bonnie Kline Smeltzer
♫Opening Song | “O Holy Spirit, Making Whole" | #300
Please be seated
Video Summary of NOAC
Bible Study Highlights | Phil Miller
Time of Giving/Kid’s Message | “NoisyOffering” | Lois Grove
♫Music for the Giving | “Amazing Grace” | arr. Mark Hayes & Marvin Gaspard
Nancy Miner, piano; Ellen Gilbert, organ
Worship Summaries | Ann Stover
♫Song of Preparation | “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”
Lois Grove, piano; Westen Gehring, saxophone
Keynote Speakers | Sonja Griffith
Prayer for the Community | Sonja Griffith
Workshop Highlight Audio
Lois Grove and Tim Grove share about their workshop on Trauma
Please stand for the Sending Song and Responsive Sending Words
♫SendingSong | “Movein our Midst” | #418
Responsive Sending Words | Sonja Griffith
Alive in the Spirit, go forth with new insights.
We leave this place living with hope.
Alive in the Spirit, go now with uplifted hearts.
We leave this community living with gratitude.
Alive in the Spirit, go now with new passion and commitment.
We leave this conference [recap and worship], living with power.
Alive in the Spirit, go now to be God’s witnesses.
We go, choosing to live with hope, gratitude, power, and joy!
– Bonnie Kline Smeltzer
Please be seated
♫SendingMusic | “My Soul Cries Out“(Canticle of Turning) | text, Rory Cooney; arr. Mark Hayes
Worship Choir directed by Becky Snell
My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blessed could the world be about to turn?
REFRAIN
My heart shall sing of the day you bring let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near and the world is about to turn.
Though I am small, my God, my all,you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past, to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight for the world is about to turn. REFRAIN
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. REFRAIN
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God's mercy must deliver us from the conqueror's crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
‘til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. REFRAIN (x2)
* Fellowship Time with Ice Cream
Please join us after worship for “Dessert First” as we honor a CoB tradition of sharing ice-cream & fellowship
Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren," 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
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
