Worship Bulletin: 3/20/22

Worship Bulletin: 3/20/22

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.
The McPherson Church of the Brethren Leadership Team approved unanimously to open the church building to all functions with masks being
optional at the discretion of each individual beginning March 6, 2022.

Sunday, March 20, 2022 | Third Sunday of Lent | “Waiting for the Light”

Sometimes darkness seems to last forever. We gaze toward the horizon for any gleams of light, rays of hope.
This is the nature of Lent, a season . . . given to wilderness wandering and discernment, prayer and preparation . . .
embrace the journey, but keep an eye on the horizon. The light is coming. Walt Wiltschek

Gathering Hymn

Video Welcome

Sharing Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle

Centering Music | “Sacred Head/Go to Dark Gethsemane” | arr. Masterson
Resonance Trio: Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, piano; Bruce Wagoner, cello

Opening Prayer | Leonard Sweet (adapted)
Creating, nurturing God, may we be drawn into fresh encounters with You.
May we learn to see the possibilities in new pastures, whether they be green or brown or parched.
Even as the world becomes more callous and chaotic, may we never underestimate Your capacity
to fashion the miraculous from the monstrous; to make a choice masterpiece from the mire and the clay.

Opening Song | “For Beauty of Meadows”

Verse 1
For beauty of meadows, for grandeur of trees, for flowers of woodlands, for creatures of seas,
For all you created and gave us to share, we praise you, Creator, extolling your care.

Verse 2
As stewards of beauty received at your hand, as creatures who hear your most urgent command,
we turn form our wasteful destruction of life, confessing our failures, confessing our strife.

Verse 3
Teach us once again to be gardeners in peace; all nature around us is ours but on lease;
Your name we would hallow in all that we do, fulfilling our calling, creating with you.

Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner

Video Invitation to Give

Musical Offering | “There is a Balm in Gilead” | arr. Boesiger/McDonald
Worship Choir

Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460

Scripture Focus | Luke 13:6-9
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he
said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.
Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Message | “you will be tested” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message

Sending Song | “In the Bulb There is a Flower” | #614

Sending Words

Sending Music | “Amazing Grace” | arr. Grace Kim
Resonance Trio: Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, piano; Bruce Wagoner, cello




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