17 May Worship Bulletin – 5/17/20
McPherson First 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, May 17, 2020
High School Graduating Seniors
Addison Fishback, Kade Goss, Seth Holloway, Christopher Malaby, Elaina McMillan, Adin Replogle and Ira Whitacre
Welcome
Centering Music
Call to Worship | written by Cheryl Lawrie (adapted)
Graduates – we gather with you today as you enter a future – as yet unmapped.
We encourage you to enter that future – with faith.
Take faith into the parts of your life not yet traveled by love –
into the parts of the world unexplored by grace.
We pray that compassion and hope will be the roads that you follow – always.
Today – we gather with you – in love.
Opening Song | “Gather Us In” | #6
Seniors Speak
Children’s Story | Dawn Hoffman
Seniors Speak
Invitation to Give
Giving Music
Giving Prayer
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Photo Montage of High School Seniors
Prayer Song | ”Lord Listen to Your Children Praying” | #353 (sing three times)
Blessing for Graduates | Fr. Michael Graham
May God who has already begun good work in you –
carry it through to completion, enabling you to use your talents to the fullest.
May God give you the grace to make wise choices and to be faithful to your commitments,
always confident in the support of those who love you.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you will live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
so that you will work for justice, equality, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain into joy.
May God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world,
so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.
May your integrity be a gift to the world and may the Spirit of God be with you always. Amen.
Seniors Speak
Scripture Focus | Colossians 1:9-11 | The Voice, altered slightly
Gracious God, we pray that these, your children, may clearly know Your will and achieve the height and depth of spiritual wisdom and understanding.
May their lives be a credit to You, Lord; and what’s more, may they continue to delight You by doing every good work and growing in the true knowledge that comes from being close to You.
Strengthen them with Your infinite power, according to Your glorious might, so that they will have everything they need to hold on and endure hardship patiently and joyfully.
Words of Reflection | Jerry Bowen
Sending Song | “You Shall Go Out With Joy” | #427
Sending Words
Sending Music
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Doug Lengel, Steve Lolling, Chris Whitacre
Music Coordinator/Pianist/Organist/Accompanist: Ellen Gilbert
Hymns/Guitar: Dan and Dawn Hoffman