22 May Worship Bulletin: 5/22/22
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.
Sunday, May 22, 2022 @ 6 p.m.
Please note time change
An evening service is being held to support area high school and McPherson College graduation ceremonies and celebratory gatherings.
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys and Concerns | Karlene Tyler
Centering Music | “Lift Your Light” | Mary McDonald
Worship Choir
Opening | Maren C. Tirabassi
Creative God, you make all things new in heaven and on earth.
We come to you at this time of graduations – of changes – of new beginnings.
We arrive with new desires and old fears, new decisions and old controversies,
new dreams and old weaknesses.
Because you are a God of hope, we know that you create all the possibilities of our future.
Because you are a God of love, we know that you accept all the mistakes of our past.
Because you are the God of our faith, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise,
we come into your presence with gladness and a joyful noise – praying that we might learn how best to
serve you and share the blessings you have given us.
We pray that we might – learn and share. AMEN
Opening Song | “Here in this Place” | #6
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “Voluntary in A Minor” | Henry Purcell
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Scripture Focus | Acts 16:9-15 | NIV
9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
11 From [trõ’-os] Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for [sam’-uh-thrace] Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.
12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak
to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of [thai-uh-tear’-uh] Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer
in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her
household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she
persuaded us.
Message | “New Beginnings” | Kathryn Whitacre
A lifetime of learning
Pastoral Prayer | inspired by Joanna Harader litanies and prayers
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “This is a Day of New Beginnings” | #640
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Come and See” Spiritual | arr. James Denton
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