20 Feb Worship Bulletin: 2/20/22
Welcome to Worship at the McPherson Church of the Brethren | Sunday, February 20, 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 | A medley of African-American spirituals
In honor of Black History Month concluding with the National Black Anthem (#579 in the Hymnal)
If so moved, feel free to sing along.
Lois Grove, piano
Sharing Joys and Concerns | Bud Taylor
Old Testament Scripture Reading | Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And
now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has
been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to
preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; who has made me a
father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son
Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you
and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there–since there are
five more years of famine to come–so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And he kissed all his brothers
and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
Opening Song | “Help Us to Help Each Other” | #362
Noisy Offering
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “Kyrie Eleison” (Have Mercy) | Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Worship Choir
Kyrie Eleison, have mercy, Christe Eleison, have mercy.
As we come before You with the needs of our world, we confess our failures and our sin; for our words are many
yet our deeds have been few, fan the fire of compassion once again.
When the cries of victims go unheard in the land, and the scars of war refuse to heal, will we stand for justice to
empower the weak. ‘til their bonds of oppression are no more?
If we love our God with all our heart, mind and strength, and we love our neighbors as ourselves, then this law of
love will heal the nations of earth and the glory of Christ will be revealed.
Lord, renew our vision to be Christ where we live, to reach out in mercy to the lost; for each cup of kindness to
the least in our midst is an offering of worship to the throne.
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Luke 6:27-38 | NIV
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone
who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be
repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you
will be children of the Most High, because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given
to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Message | “Jesus Expects the Impossible” | Jerry Bowen
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message
Sending Song | “Help Us Accept Each Other”
Please be seated after the song
Verse 1
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace;
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe
We ourselves are accepted and meant to love and live.
Verse 2
Teach us, O Lord, your lessons as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith,
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some;
To love them as we find them or as they may become.
Verse 3
Let your acceptance change us so that we may be moved;
In living situations to do the truth in love.
To practice your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.
Verse 4
Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on,
Renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Postlude in G” | Johann Cramer
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