05 Sep Worship Bulletin – 9/5/21
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, September 5, 2021
PLEASE NOTE: Leadership Team requires masks during worship to address continued COVID-19 concerns.
Singing will be allowed with masks; musicians will perform 12 feet away from the masked audience.
Welcome
Gathering Music | “Leaning—On Each Other and God“
Lois Grove, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LaMonte Rothrock
Centering Scripture | James 2:8, 14-16
2:8 You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?
Can faith save you? 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 2:16 and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?
Centering Prayer
Opening Hymn | “Help us to Help Each Other Lord” | #362
Children’s Story | Barbara Wagoner
Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “The Good Shepherd (based on Psalm 23)” | by Beardsley Van De Water
Carol Ward, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Mark 7:24-37
Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it;
yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little
daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian
Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 “First let the children eat all they want,”
he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the
dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon
has left your daughter.” 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man
31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the
Decapolis – the Ten Cities. 32 There, some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and
they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers
into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh
said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened
and he began to speak plainly. 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they
kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He
even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
Message | “Did Jesus Really Say That?” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Hymn | “Brothers and Sisters of Mine” | #142
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words
Sending Music
Tom Hurst, piano
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre