27 Mar Worship Bulletin: 3/27/22
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 27, 2022 | Fourth 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 | “With One Voice” | Ricky Manalo
Worship Band
Vocals: Ellen Gilbert, Eric Goering, Francis Hendricks, Dawn Hoffman, Mona Lange, Wylene Lengel, Dan Lichty, Ann Stover, Carol Ward
Guitars: Dan Hoffman, Marta Moorman
Pianist: Jean Hendricks
Verse 1
Take the Word and go out to every land. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the lives of those we touch sing praise to God above?
Let us sing, we’ll sing…
Refrain
With one voice we’ll pass the Word along. With one voice, bring justice to the world.
And with all the angels, we’ll spread the goodness of God.
With all power and glory the Word of God shall reign.
Verse 2
Take the Word to our neighborhoods and streets. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May we all set out to live in peace and harmony?
They will see and sing…Refrain
Verse 3
Take the Word to the people in despair. Shine the light of Christ for all to see
May our actions and our deeds bring comfort to their needs.
And they’ll know and sing…Refrain
Verse 4
Take the Word to the nations everywhere. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the witness of our lives transform the world anew?
And we’ll shine, we’ll shine…Refrain…Refrain (extended)
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys and Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Centering Music | “Lead Me, Lord” | arr. Mark Hayes
Worship Band
Vocals: Ellen Gilbert, Eric Goering, Francis Hendricks, Dawn Hoffman, Mona Lange, Wylene Lengel, Dan Lichty, Ann Stover, Carol Ward
Guitars: Dan Hoffman, Marta Moorman
Pianist: Jean Hendricks
Verse 1
Blessed are the poor in spirit, longing for their Lord, for God’s coming kingdom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing for they shall be consoled and the meek shall come to rule the world.
Refrain
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth, to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way, be my truth, be my life, my Lord and lead me, Lord, today.
Verse 2
Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs and the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill for I say they shall be satisfied. Refrain
Verse 3
Blest are they who through their lifetimes sow the seeds of peace; all will call them children of the Lord.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life, for in heaven, great is your reward. Refrain
Opening Prayer | Ann Siddall (adapted)
God of mercy and grace; Help us to wake up to ourselves, and to You.
Set us free from the illusion of trying to be perfect so that we might be more fully human.
Help us not to chase after an imaginary life, and to find satisfaction in our real lives.
Turn us away from our self-rejection so that we might see that Your arms are open in welcome. AMEN
Opening Song | “Softly and Tenderly” | 491
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “Be Thou My Vision” | in the setting of “Intermezzo” by Pietro Mascagni | arr. Cindy Berry
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 | Luke 15;1-3, 11b-32
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable:
The Parable of the Lost Son
11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his
property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered
his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything – there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with
the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired
servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and
went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw
his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy
to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive
again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house,
he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied,
‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to
go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never
disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who
has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always
with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again;
he was lost and is found.’”
Message | “What if the Prodigal Left Again?” | Jerry Bowen
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message
Sending Song | “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” | #145
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Postlude in G Minor” | Edward Broughton
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