13 Nov Worship Bulletin: 11/13/22
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, November 13, 2022 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Hymn
Video Welcome
Sharing Joys & Concerns | Karlene Tyler
Centering Music | “Praise to the Lord” | arr. Melvin Rottermund
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Opening | Inspired by Luke 15:1-10 | Worship Leader Cara Hudson
written by Pastor Daniel Erlander, ELCA(adapted)
ONE: Praise to God – who loves!
ALL: Praise to God – who cares!
ONE: When we are lost; there is One who seeks!
ALL: When we are lost; there is One who finds!
ONE: And – REJOICES!
ALL: And – CELEBRATES!
ONE: Rejoices with the angels
ALL: Celebrates with song
ONE: Rejoices for us
ALL: Celebrates with us
ONE: Rejoice and be glad – Celebrate!
ALL: For that which was lost has been found!
Opening Song | “Rejoice in the Lord Always”
First time in Unison – then – Four Part Round X 3
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Musical Offering | “Breathe” | Diaz, Smith and Wood
Jd. Bowman, vocals; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Luke 15 | Cara Hudson
Scriptures have been adapted for gender neutrality
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,
“This one welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses
one of them. Do you not – leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until you find it? 5 And when you find it, you
joyfully put it on your shoulders 6 and go home. Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found
my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose you have ten silver coins and lose one. Do you not – light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until you find it? 9 And
when you find it, you call your friends and neighbors together and say, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell
you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Lost Child
11 Jesus continued: “There was a family who had two children. 12 The youngest child said to the parents, ‘Give me my share of the estate.’ So
the estate was divided between the two children. 13 “Not long after that, the youngest – got together all that was in the child’s possession – set
off for a distant country and there squandered all the wealth in wild living. 14 After having spent everything, there was a severe famine in that
whole country, and the child began to be in need. 15 So the child went and was hired out – to a citizen of that country, who sent the child to the
fields to feed pigs. 16 This child longed to have a full stomach – to fill it with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave the child
anything. 17 “When the child once again began to think and behave reasonably it pondered aloud, ‘How many of my parent’s hired servants
have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my parents and say to them: I have sinned against heaven
and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your child; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So the child got up and went
toward home. “But while still a long way off, the parents saw this youngest child and were filled with compassion; they ran to their child, threw
their arms around their child and kissed their child. 21 “The child said, ‘I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to
be called your child.’ 22 “But they said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe for our child to wear. Put a ring on our child’s finger and
sandals on our child’s feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this child of ours was dead and is alive
again; this child was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older child was in the field. Coming near the house,
hearing music, seeing dancing – 26 This eldest child called one of the servants and asked, ‘What is going on?” 27 ‘Your sibling has come home,’
the servant replied, ‘and your parent’s have killed the fattened calf because their youngest is back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older child became
angry and refused to go in. So the parents went out and pleaded. 29 But the child answered, ‘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 child of yours
who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf?!’ 31 “‘Our eldest,’ the parents said, ‘you are always
with us, and everything we have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this sibling of yours was dead and is alive again; our
child was lost and is found.’”
Scripture Song | “God’s Great Love Is So Amazing” | Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Verse 1
God’s great love is so amazing! See — a shepherd with his flocks!
Ninety-nine are safely grazing; one is lost among the rocks.
That good shepherd goes and searches till he finds the one astray.
So God says to fill our churches with the ones who’ve lost their way.
Verse 2
God in love is always seeking! See — a woman with her broom!
For a single coin she’s sweeping every corner of the room.
When it’s found she calls each neighbor, telling friends from all around.
So God says to search and labor till God’s precious ones are found.
Verse 3
God keeps waiting, searching, yearning! See — a father’s heartfelt joy!
Thankful for his son’s returning, he runs out to greet his boy.
To the angry older brother, hear the father’s patient call.
So God says to love each other, for in Christ, God loves us all.
Messsage | “Across the Gravel Road” | Gabe Padilla
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message.
Sending Song | “You Shall Go Out with Joy” | #427
Sending Words | Cara Hudson
May we – in the image and likeness of God; pursue the lost, the least, the lonely
May we – with the compassion and love of God; open our arms in welcome
May we – Celebrate and Rejoice – when ALL of God’s Creation is HOME!
Sending Music | “Let All Things Now Living” | arr. John Carter
Ellen Gilbert, piano
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