Worship Bulletin – 6/6/21

Worship Bulletin – 6/6/21

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, June 6, 2021
Remembering and Sharing our Joys and our Losses

Welcome

Gathering Music | “Adoration” with “Be Thou My Vision” | arr. Tom Fettke
Ellen Gilbert, piano

Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Bruce or Janell Clary

Call to Worship
We’ve come to worship God, who loved us before we were yet born, who knows us even better than we know
ourselves, whose presence never leaves us, and whose love for us never ceases. This is our God.
Let’s worship together!

Opening Hymn | “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” | #575

Children’s Story | Kathryn Whitacre
Samples of our children/youth stories of loss and joy over the past 16 months

Invitation to Give
Offering Music | “Ever Faithful, Ever Near” | Franklin Ritter
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 674

Scripture Foci | 1 Samuel 2:1-10 & Luke 1:39-57 NIV
Childless Hannah prays for a child and promises, if she becomes pregnant, to give him into God’s service.
She begets Samuel who she then takes to the temple and gives to the priests so he might serve God.
This is her prayer of praise for God giving her this child – when she had been barren.

I Samuel 2:1-10
2 Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my [strength] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in God’s deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like [God]; there is no one besides God; there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows,
and by God – deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more.
She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive; God brings down to the grave and raises up.
7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; God humbles and exalts.
8 God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; God seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are [God’s]; on them God has set the world.
9 God will guard the feet of the faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose [God] will be broken.
The Most High will thunder from heaven; [God] will judge the ends of the earth.
“God will give strength to the king and exalt the horn of the anointed.”

Luke 1:39-57
Elizabeth and Mary celebrate their pregnancies – not knowing the terrible losses that lie ahead.
Elizabeth’s son John – will serve God by serving Jesus but will later – be beheaded.
Mary’s son Jesus – will serve God but be put to death on the cross.
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 
41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 
42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 
45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for God has been mindful of the humble state of this servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is God’s name50 Mercy extends to those who fear God, from generation to generation.
51 With an arm, God has performed mighty deeds; God has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 God has brought down rulers
from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 God has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54 God has helped this servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants 
forever, just as God promised our ancestors.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. (The Birth of John the Baptist)

Message | “Mourning the Losses – Celebrating the Joys” | Kathryn Whitacre

Sending Hymn | “My Life Flows On” | #580

Sending Words
Please be seated for the sending music

Sending Music | “I’ll Be On My Way” | arr. Shawn Kirchner
Dan Lichty, vocal; Ellen Gilbert, piano


Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert

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