28 Feb Worship Bulletin – 2/28/21
McPherson First Church of the Brethren
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 28, 2021
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
From Ash Wednesday through the day before Easter; not including Sundays;
Lent is a season of reflection and contemplation in preparation for the Easter Celebration of New Life.
This 40 day journey mirrors the time Jesus withdrew to the desert.
Welcome
Centering Music | “Grave” from Fantasia in G | J.S. Bach
Ellen Gilbert, organ
The Light of Jesus
Hymn | “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” | #493
Dan Lichty, vocal; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Children’s Story
Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “This is My Father’s World” with “All Creatures of our God and King”
Sylvia Wolcott, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 6746
Scripture Foci | Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 and Romans 4:13-25
Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk
before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly
increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father
of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a
father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from
you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants
after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will
be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the
mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Romans 4:13-25
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be
heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the
law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where
there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s
offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the
father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of
God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had
been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his
body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also
dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in
his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had
promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were
written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in
him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised
to life for our justification.
Message | “Set your mind not on human things but on divine things” | Kathryn Whitacre
Prayer
Hymn | “Savior of my Soul” | #549
Kendra Flory, vocal; Ellen Gilbert piano
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Majesty”
Sylvia Wolcott, piano
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering & Shane Kirchner