25 Jul Worship Bulletin – 7/25/21
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, July 25, 2021
Welcome
Gathering Music | “This Little Light of Mine”
Tom Hurst, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Bud Taylor
Opening Scripture | 2 Kings 4:42-44
A man came from Baalshalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to [Elijah] the man of God: twenty loaves of
barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” But [the man]
said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So [Elisha] repeated, “Give it to the people and let them
eat, for thus says [God], ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” [The man] set it before them, they ate, and had
some left, according to the word of [God].
Let us praise God who welcomes ALL and provides for ALL.
Opening Hymn | “New Earth, Heaves New” | #299
FaithX (work camp) Commissioning | Step Out: Seeking New Paths | Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)
“I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Litany of Response:
Leader: You have heard God’s voice calling you to serve.
Congregation: Trust and respond to God’s call.
Participants: I accept God’s call; trusting God as I step into this new journey.
Leader: God provided Jesus as a role model for your service.
Congregation: Follow the example of Jesus.
Participants: I am eager to travel with the compassion and peace that Jesus has shown us.
Leader: God provides meaningful moments for spiritual connections; as you serve.
Congregation: Actively enter these moments with your fellow travelers and with all of nature.
Participants: I will work to seek God in those with whom I serve and in creation.
Leader: God calls you to strengthen relationships with others and the earth; as you serve.
Congregation: Create robust connections with those with whom you serve and with nature.
Participants: I will welcome opportunities for deeper relations with those with whom I serve and all of nature.
Leader: God provided a world full of wonder for you to discover.
Congregation: Step out of your comfort zone, be courageous and serve with eagerness.
Participants: I serve with anticipation, expectation and joy.
Leader: Go with our love.
Congregation: Go with our prayers.
Participants: Thank You. I leave with ready hands and feet and an open heart.
Children’s Story | Barbara Wagoner
Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “Lied ohne Worte” | Oscar Franz
Kyle Hopkins, horn; 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 6: 1-15 | Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
6 Sometime after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a
great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs, he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then
Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy
bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going
to do. 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to
have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five
small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the
people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were
there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they
wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather
the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with
the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus
performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that
they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Message | “Starts with; Meeting One Need” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Hymn | “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” | #478
Inclusive Words
1) Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing, the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The service is ended. Oh, now be extended the fruits of our worship in all who believe.
The fruit of the teaching, receptive souls reaching, shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us to work for God’s kingdom and answer the call.
2) With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living the tasks of our ev’ryday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring, embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your grace you feed us, with your light now lead us, unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving give honor to Christ and that name which we bear.
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words | written by Christine Longhurst (adapted)
As you leave this place of worship – this place of sanctuary;
May you look to God in hope; for God provides what is needed.
May you trust in God; for God satisfies the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
May you turn to God again and again; eating the bread of life, drinking from living streams, tasting God’s goodness and love.
May you go forth nourished, strengthened and recommitted to live in this world as God’s faithful servant.
Sending Music | The Lord’s My Shepherd” | arr. Gordon Young
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre