Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org 301 Gale Street 717-766-8880
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
January 7th, 2018
Remembrance Sunday Worship Theme: Where does God’s story begin? How about Jesus’ story and ours? The significant point is when we join the story; when we claim it and it claims us. On this Remembrance Sunday, we will consider God’s place in our beginnings and endings.
Gathering Music:
“We Three Kings” (arr. Raney)
Welcome Sharing the Joy and Peace of Christ Sharing Joys, Introductions, and Announcements
-4-hand piano duet
(greeting one another)
(Prayer requests will be collected by our ushers along the center aisle and brought forward during the Prelude.)
Prelude: “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” *Words of Gathering and Prayer *Hymn of Praise: “Morning has broken” Scripture Reading: Sharing our Prayer Concerns Pastoral Prayer Anthem:
Genesis 1:1-5
(Matthews) No. 648 OT p. 1
-Chancel Choir
Service of Remembrance Scripture: Reflections Responsive Affirmation:
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
One: On this day, we pause to remember the passing of those we have loved…from the life we know, into the life You alone know, O God. *At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
NT. p. 204/205
Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org People: We remember those precious to You, and precious to us. Their memory lingers. Their place in our lives is still tender, as we journey on without them. One: Allow us to mark this time, and their place in our lives, O Lord. As we do, hold us and our loved ones in Your embrace, that as we grieve their passing we may also sense Your love surrounding us all through Christ. Amen. “In Memoriam” (a photo montage of congregants and family members) Lighting the Candles of Remembrance: (as names are read) For those of our congregation… Family members are invited to come and light candles as we remember these loved ones by name. For others who have shared the journey with us… (After we name those, there will be an opportunity for others to come forward to light a candle of remembrance for departed loved ones and friends. If you wish, you may speak their name into the microphone as you prepare to light and place a candle in their memory.) Prayer of Remembrance Hymn: “In the bulb there is a flower” Offering Invitation and Prayer Offertory: “Jesus, Name Above All Names” Scripture Reading: Time for Children of All Ages
Mark 1:4-11
No. 614 (Hearn) NT p. 34
Children ages 4 to 3rd grades are dismissed for Children’s Church at this time.
*Hymn of Preparation: “Love divine, all loves excelling” (vv. 1 and 2) Message:
“The Beginning of the Story”
*At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
No.592
- Pastor Keeney
Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org *Hymn of Response:“Love divine, all loves excelling” (vv. 3 and 4) *Benediction *Postlude: “For All the Saints”
No. 592 (Williams)
January Deacons on Call: Stan & Oceana G. & Noah & Danielle M. Remembering in prayer: Remembering those who are dealing with illness or in recovery. Even as you remember all of our homebound and retirement home residents, we invite you to extend special care this week to: Gladys K.
Today: FOOD FOR NEW HOPE / “REMEMBRANCE” SUNDAY 8:15am: Early Worship 10:30am: Morning Worship 9:15am: Sunday School Next Sunday: PEW COMMUNION IN BOTH SERVICES 8:15am: Early Worship 10:30am: Morning Worship 9:15am: Sunday School
This Week: Mon. 1pm: Knitting Group in Library Tue. 7pm-8pm: Speed-Skaters in Fellowship Hall 7pm: Bell Choir Practice Wed. NO Ensemble Practice 9am: Quilting in Choir Room 11:30am: Ladies Luncheon @ Lower Allen Diner 6pm: Outside Group Basketball 7:30pm: Chancel Choir Practice Fri. 6pm: District Youth Event @ MCOB Sat. 5pm (Ends): District Youth Event *At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org
Welcome!
We are pleased that you have come today to worship! We hope that you will return and join us for additional worship opportunities during January. If you don’t currently have a church family, we invite you to consider worshipping with us. This morning, we want to extend a special welcome to our friends who are visiting to join us in remembering their loved ones through our service of remembrance. We pray that this will be a meaningful and helpful time for you as you navigate your own journeys of loss and healing. Next Sunday, January 14, 2018 Bread and Cup Communion in both services
*At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org Check the SIGN UP SHEETS (Sign Up Area/bulletin board) for: NEW 2018 ALTAR FLOWER SIGN UP SHEET NEW 2018 GREETER SIGN UP SHEET
HELP IS NEEDED for Funeral Team Table Set Ups. The Set-Up Person would be contacted on an “as needed” basis. If interested, please contact Phyllis P.
Indoor Soccer: Our sixth season of indoor soccer will begin on January 15 and will continue every Monday evening from 6-8 pm through March 5. Youth and children are invited to participate, but children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. A sign-up sheet for providing refreshments is in the narthex.
LAST CHANCE: Do you want to receive the MESSENGER, or to be removed from the magazine mailing list? Contact the church office no later than January 15th at 717-766-8880 weekdays from 9am to 1pm to make this change.
NEEDED: A Clean-Up Crew this Saturday, January 13th around Noon after the District Youth Event here at MCOB. Contact Pat S. at 717-439-1432.
NOTICE: Both Baskets - The small tan and green laundry baskets continue to be missing from the church kitchen. If you took some dirty kitchen towels home to wash, please check to see if you still have either of the baskets and return them to the church. Thanks so much!
*At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren www.MechanicsburgCOB.org WELCOME to SUNRISE – National Park Wednesday Night Live begins January 31st through February 28th at 5:30pm to 7:20pm for Kindergarten through 6th grade. Find Registration Forms in your January Newsletter or on the clipboard in the narthex.
Mid-week Bible Study begins this Wednesday, January 10th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Please come and join us in Room 126 on Wednesday mornings! Pastor Del has agreed to lead the study as we re-launch the mid-week gathering. Those that met in December affirmed that we would do a weekly study of the preaching texts for the upcoming Sunday. Following Easter (in April and May) the group will be participating in a pilot study of materials Pastor Del is writing for the Guide to Biblical Studies.
Our Stewardship for Last Sunday, December 31, 2017 REGULAR GIVING: Last Week: Rec’d: $6,566.00 Budget: $7,433.92 Special Donations Received: 2 Cents a Meal: $148.00 Facilities Use: $350.00 (Funeral Meals) Leftovers: $7.00 (Christmas Luncheon) TOTAL RECEIVED: $7,071.00 ATTENDANCE:
Sunday School – 35
10:30 Worship – 91
Words of Thanks… Lois and I want to thank you for all the generous expressions of kindness we received in the Christmas season just past. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and support. Blessings, - Pastor Del and Lois
*At these points, the Congregation is asked to stand as they are able.
