24 Jul Worship Bulletin: 7/24/22
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, July 24, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys and Concerns | Bud Taylor
Centering Music | “O Bless the Lord, My Soul” from Godspell – based on psalm 103 | Stephen Schwarz
Dan Lichty, vocal; Ellen Gilbert, piano
O, bless the Lord, my soul, his grace to thee proclaim. And all that is within me join to bless his holy name.
O, bless the Lord, my soul, his mercies bear in mind. Forget not all his benefits, the Lord to thee is kind.
He will not always chide, he will with patience wait. His wrath is ever slow to rise. And ready to abate.
He pardons all thy sins, prolongs thy feeble breath. He healeth thy infirmities and ransoms thee from death.
He clothes thee with his love, upholds thee with his truth. And like the Eagle he renews the vigor of thy youth.
Then bless his holy name, whose grace has made thee whole. Whole loving kindness crowns they days.
O, bless the Lord, my soul. O, bless the Lord, my soul. O, bless the Lord, my soul. Bless the Lord.
Unison Opening Prayer | based on Psalm 138 | Christine Longhurst
Faithful God, we come into Your presence with thanksgiving, deeply grateful for the unfailing love and
faithfulness You have shown toward us, Your people.
When we call out to You, You answer.
When we are exhausted, You give us the strength to go on.
When we find ourselves in trouble, You are there, standing beside us.
And so we come before You with gratitude and praise, offering You the worship of our hearts and lives.
Open our eyes to see and know You here among us; open our ears to recognize Your voice.
And then send us out from here, to live and work in the world as Your faithful disciples.
In the name of Jesus the teacher, the prophet, Your son. Amen
Opening Song | “My Shepherd will supply my need” | #589
Video Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Musical Offering | “What Wondrous Love is This” | arr. Duane Funderburk
Bryan Hess, violin; 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 | Genesis 18:20-32 (NIV)
20 Then God said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what
they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” 22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but
Abraham remained standing before God 23 Then Abraham approached God and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare[b] the place for the sake of the fifty
righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked
alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” 26 God said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will
spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to God, though I am
nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five
people?” “If I find forty-five there,” God said, “I will not destroy it.” 29 Once again Abraham spoke to God, “What if only forty are found there?”
God said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 30 Then Abraham said, “May God not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can
be found there?” God answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to God,
what if only twenty can be found there?” God said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32 Then Abraham said, “May the Lord not
be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” God answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
Message | “If there is but one” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “On Eagle’s Wings”
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Trumpet Tune” | John Stanley
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