13 Feb Worship Bulletin: 2/13/22
Welcome to Worship at the McPherson Church of the Brethren | Sunday, February 13, 2022
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.
Masks are required at all church activities including worship service.
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Centering Music | “Fairest Lord Jesus” | arr. Heather Sorenson
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Sharing Joys and Concerns | Bud Taylor
Psalm 1 | New International Version (NIV) & Psalm 1 paraphrase by David Rosenberg (lightly adapted)
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked.
Happy the one stepping lightly over the hearts of humanity and out of the way of mind-locked reality.
Blessed is the one who does not stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
Happy the one wearing the mask of sincerity – stepping away from a place at the glib café.
Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of God, and who meditates on God’s law day and night.
Happy the one who stands in the WORD of the Infinite – embracing it in the mind – with the heart – parting the lips for IT – lightly – day into night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water.
That one is transported like a tree to a riverbank.
The tree yields its fruit in season and its leaves do not wither – whatever it does prospers.
That one is sweet with fruit in time – a heart unselfish – whatever is done – ripens.
Not so the wicked! That one is like chaff that the wind blows away.
And bitter humans turn dry – blowing in the wind like yesterday’s paper.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
This one is unable to stand in the gathering light – this one falls – a faded mask in love’s spotlight – a burning heart of paper – unhappily locked – in the fiery glare.
For God watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
For God opens the loving one – to breathe – embracing air.
Opening Song | “How Bless’d Are They”
1 How blest are they who, fearing God, from sin restrain their feet,
who will not with the wicked stand, who shun the scorner’s seat.
2 How blest are they who make God’s law their treasure and delight,
and meditate upon that word with gladness day and night.
3 Their lives are nourished like a tree set by the river’s side–
its leaf is green, its fruit is sure: so all their works abide.
4 The wicked, like the driven chaff, are blown across the land;
they shall not gather with the just, nor in the judgment stand.
5 The way of sinners, far from God, shall surely be o’er-thrown.
But God will guard the righteous well, their way is watched and known
Noisy Offering
Story for the Children
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “If I Listen with All My Heart” | Sally DeFord/arr. Murphy
Vocal Ensemble: Kendra Flory, Wylene Lengel, Dan Lichty, Bud Taylor, Allan van Asselt & Carol Ward
Organ: Ellen Gilbert
If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on earth,
I would have liked to walk with Him and listen to His words,
But as I search the scriptures I can hear His words of peace,
And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.
I hear a living prophet speak the things that Christ would say
If He were here upon the earth to talk with me today.
The prophet teaches how to live in righteousness and peace,
And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.
I feel the Holy Spirit as She teaches truth and right.
She comforts me in times of need; She testifies of Christ.
She speaks to me in quiet ways that fill my soul with peace,
And if I listen with my heart I hear the Savior’s voice.
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Luke 6:17-26 | Blessings and Woes
17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of
people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear
him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him,
because power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their
ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who
are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone
speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
Message | “What if We Take Jesus Seriously?” | Jerry Bowen
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message
Sending Song | “O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come”
Please be seated after the song
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Loure” from the Cello Suite No. 3 | J.S. Bach
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Videography and Editing: Eric Goering
Music Coordinator: Ellen Gilbert
Choir Director: Becky Snell
Technical Crew: Eric Goering, Ryan Goering, Shane Kirchner, Steve Lolling & Chris Whitacre
Chancel Decoration Team: Jill Brax, Colleen Gustafson, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner & Lara Schoming