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, September 27, 2026
This worship was designed with resources provided by the Disciples of Christ & the United Church of Christ
World Communion celebrates the oneness of the gathered community and shared global faith across diverse denominations and cultures; emphasizing inclusive communion open to all believers. Communion is more than a ritual we share - it is a tangible sign of our belonging to one another in faith. Though we come from different cultures, countries, traditions, and circumstances, we gather around one bread and one cup as one body. At the shared table divisions give way to connection, diversity is celebrated, and the global church is united.
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Sing Praise to God” | arr. Edward Broughton
Ellen Gilbert, organ
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
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Suzanne Wolcott
♫Centering Music | “This is My Father’s World” | arr. Matt Riley
Bryan Hess, violin; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Unison Opening Words
We gather today as people of God, as a community who follows Jesus.
We gather to share Word, sacrament and song; to discern the ways of faithful service.
We seek to serve God in this community and throughout every land.
Let us serve
by working toward justice where there is oppression,
by offering comfort where there is pain,
by sharing love where there is hatred.
Jesus bids us to enact our faith. The Spirit summons us. Let us worship the ONE, who calls us!
♫Opening Song | “One Bread, One Body”
Led by Dan Lichty and Lara Schoming
Message for the Kids | Cara Hudson
♫Special Music | “Closer to the Flame” | David Lantz III
Vocals: Dan Lichty, Lara Schoming, Thea Schoming
Jean Hendricks, piano and Bryan Hess, violin
New day dawning, light before us unexplored, morning sun and fire above us lights the way.
New worlds calling feel the wind beneath your wings. Fly into the promise of a bright new day.
REFRAIN 1
Like a moth drawn to the candle, I am drawn to future’s fire.
Lift my wings and let me fly. Lift my wings and let me fly.
Let me fly closer to the flame. I’ll fly closer to the flame, ever closer to the flame.
Soaring upward with a passion for the day. Loving my life and flying closer to the flame.
REFRAIN 2
Like a moth drawn to the candle. I am drawn to future’s fire.
Lift my wings and let me fly. Lift my wings and let me fly.
Let me fly closer to the flame. X2
I’ll fly closer to the flame, ever closer to the flame.
Face the future, flying closer to the flame, ever closer to the flame, ever closer to the flame.
Introduction of New Members
Dorothy Davidson, Kenneth Davidson, Donna Emmert, Blaine Miner, Nancy Miner
Introduction of Baptismal Candidates
Charlie Gustafson, Jonathan Ullom
Sharing the Baptismal/Membership Vows
Statements of commitment – recommitment:
Affirmation and Welcome
With joy and affection, we welcome one another.
With support, prayers and unconditional love we commit to one another.
We freely share with one another. We commit to walking in the footsteps of Jesus;
as together we humbly seek God’s peace and love. Welcome
Prayer of Blessing
♫Baptismal Song | “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian”
Baptism(s)
Scripture Focus | Mark 12: 28-31 | The Greatest Commandment
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.
Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him,
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 Jesus answered,
“The most important one, is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”
Reflection | “love is the measure of all things” | Kathryn Whitacre
Invitation to Communion
Responsive Call to Communion
One: From every corner of the earth, God calls us to the table.
All: We come from All peoples, All places, All traditions.
One: We come with the songs of our ancestors and the prayers of those who came before us.
All: We come carrying stories of faith, struggle, hope, and joy.
One: From the villages of Africa and the islands of the Pacific, from the mountains of Asia and the cities of the Americas,
from the churches of Europe and the Middle East -
All: We come as one people, gathered in God’s name.
One: Some come to this table with abundance. Some come longing for daily bread.
All: God welcomes us all.
One: Some come singing. Some come grieving. Some come with questions.
Some come with gratitude.
All: God welcomes us all.
One: Today, the walls that divide us do not have the final word. Language does not divide us.
Geography does not divide us. Culture does not divide us.
All: At God’s table, there is room for all.
One: Come, people of God. Come with open hands and open hearts.
All: We come to receive. We come to remember. We come to share. We come to be made one.
Words for the Bread and Cup
The bread of life is given for all. We receive it with gratitude.
The cup of blessing is shared for all. We receive it with gratitude.
Communion is Served
Prayer of Sending
♫Sending Song | “God be with you” | #430
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
