14 Mar Worship Bulletin – 3/14/21
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, March 14, 2021
FOURTH 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 | “Come and See” | #20 HWB
Sarah Ullom-Minnich, guitar/vocal; Marla Ullom-Minnich, vocal
Lighting of the Candles
During Lent, we remember the events that led up to the crucifixion. Jesus had come to bring hope and light to
the world, but at every step there were those who could not accept the power of the light. He came to meet the
people’s needs, but there were those who misunderstood the kind of needs that Jesus meant to fill. Because
he would not do what they wanted, they rejected him.
According to John 3: 14-21
3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
3:15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
3:17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
3:18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already,
because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
3:19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than
light because their deeds were evil.
3:20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.
3:21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been
done in God.”
Jesus came into the world to change it, not to be made to fit into some mold that others felt was right. When
Jesus refused to be what others wanted, they turned their backs on him, and a little of the light that had come
into the world was put out.
Hymn | “To God Be the Glory” | #102 HWB
Bud Taylor, vocal; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Children’s Story
Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “God So Loved the World” | arr. Tedd Smith and Don Husted
Dan Masterson, piano; Ellen Gilbert, organ
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 6746
Scripture Focus | John 3:14-21
Message | “IF God is Love . . .” | Jerry Bowen|
Theme: Historically speaking, the most famous verse, John 3:16, has been used by some to create a narrow
way to the Divine. BUT If God is love, true love, than that path is as wide as the cosmos itself, in such a way
that “none shall parish.“
Prayer
Hymn | “God Sent His Son” | #345 HWB
Carol Ward, vocal; Ellen Gilbert piano
Sending Words
Sending Music | “God’s Blessing” | von Feilitz
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering & Shane Kirchner