Worship Bulletin – 5/9/21

Worship Bulletin – 5/9/21

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.

9:55 a.m. – OUTDOOR HYMN SING

Sunday, May 9, 2021
MOTHER’S DAY

Gathering Hymns | Ellen Gilbert

Welcome

Centering Music | “Lord God of Hosts” | arr. Edward Broughton
Ellen Gilbert, organ

Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover

Centering Scripture | Acts 10:44-48 NIV
10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. 10:45 The circumcised
believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on
the Gentiles, 10:46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.
Then Peter said, 10:47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?” 10:48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they
invited him to stay for several days.

Centering Hymn | “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
Eric Johnson, vocals; Ellen Gilbert, piano

Children’s Story | Barbara Wagoner

Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “Lamb of God” | arr. Stan Pethel
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460

Scripture Focus | John 15:9-17 NIV
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and
remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 

15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have
called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that
will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 
17 This is my command: Love each other.

Message | “This was Jesus’ Commandment” | Jerry Bowen
Love wins. Love heals. Love unites. Love restores.

Hymn | “New Earth, Heavens New”
Carol Ward, vocals; Ellen Gilbert, piano

Responsive Prayer of Thanksgiving: For Love
(inspired by 1 John 4:18 and similar passages)
written by Bruce Prewer and posted on his home page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Let us give thanks for the remarkable gifts of God’s creating and redeeming love;
the loving that casts out all fear.

For the love that frees us to ask questions and explore,
to frame doubts and investigate new possibilities, to build theories and then cross-examine them.
We thank you, God of adventurous love.

For the love that enables us to marvel at our own existence, to ponder and remember,
recognize our own needs and affirm our own knowledge and purpose.
We thank you, God of determined love.

For the love that helps us to communicate with one another, to express trust and respect,
share heartaches and visions, to convey love and mercy.
We thank you, God of reconciling love.

For the love that inspires us to warmly encourage those around us,
to affirm and build up, comfort and enlighten.
We thank you, God of nurturing love.

For the love that liberates us to celebrate the world around us in poetry and song,
to delight in shapes and colors, intricacies and patterns, awesome forces and deep mysteries.
We thank you God of visionary love.

For the love that encourages us to express something of our faith;
for litanies and prayers, hymns and readings, discussion groups and sermons.
We thank you, God of creative love.

Above all else we thank you for the love that allows us to admit that we have no words in which to adequately
describe the process of faith in Jesus, the awesome worship of you, O God, and the holy wonder of the Spirit.
We thank you God for that point where our love becomes wordless adoration.

Through Jesus, who is the pure glory of your loving, we pray. Amen! 

Sending Music | “How Firm a Foundation | Funk/Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano


Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert

Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre