08 May Worship Bulletin: 5/8/22
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, May 8, 2022
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys and Concerns | Lela Beam
Centering Music | “Come, Christians Join to Sing” | arr. Benjamin Carr
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Opening Responsive Prayer | inspired by Genesis 1:1
written by Jann Aldridge-Clanton from Bautistas por la Paz
In the beginning our Divine Mother gave birth to the universe.
She gave birth to light. And She said, “That’s good!”
God gave birth to the earth, and She saw that it was good.
She gave birth to the grass and trees and plants of all kinds and said, “That’s good!”
Our Mother gave birth to all the fish, both large and small, that swim in the oceans and to all the winged birds
that fly above the earth. And She said, “They are good!”
God gave birth to the cattle and to all kinds of animals, and She saw how good they are.
Then our Divine Mother gave birth to female and male human beings. And She blessed female and male
human beings with responsibility for the earth and all the other living beings that She had birthed.
We come to celebrate all these gifts from our Divine Mother.
We come to learn again what it means to be entrusted with these gifts.
We join together with our Mother and with one another in giving birth to beauty, peace, and kindness.
We join Her and one another in nurturing the earth and all living beings.
Our Mother gives us all power to give birth and to nurture life.
God, our Mother, you continually give life to us.
Nourish us and teach us to become all you created us to be in your divine image.
Help us to receive your power and love so that others may draw life from us.
May we join you in giving birth to new life and in nurturing creation. So be it!
Opening Song | “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” | #46
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “When Morning Gilds the Skies” with “Morning” by Grieg J. Barnby/arr. M. Reimer
Jean Hendricks, piano
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Acts 9:36-43 | NIV
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa;
so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went
with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the
robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down
on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to
them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a
tanner named Simon.
Message | “family – community – parenting” | Kathryn Whitacre
Unison Prayer | based on the writings of Julian of Norwich, Jean Janzen, 1991
Mothering God, you gave us birth – in the bright morning of this world.
Creator, Source of ev’ry breath, you are our rain, our wind, our sun.
Mothering Christ, you took our form, offering us your food of light, grain of life, and grape of love,
your very body for our peace.
Mothering Spirit, nurt’ring one, in arms of patience hold us close, so that in faith we might root and
grow until we flow’r, until we know. AMEN
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “Brothers and Sisters of Mine” | #142
Sending Words | Jann Aldredge-Clanton
Sending Music | “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” | Goss/Smith
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