23 Feb Worship Bulletin: 2/26/23
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, February 26, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. | First Sunday in Lent
Gathering Music | “Come We That Love the Lord” | #12
“I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace” | #338
Video Welcome
Centering Music | “Voluntary in A Minor” | Purcell
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Dan Lichty
Responsive Opening Words | Rev. Patrick Ryan, Presbyterian Church, USA (adapted)
During Lent we are challenged to hand over our lives to God –
Let us – rid ourselves of what clutters our lives and distracts us from the simple truth of God’s love.
During Lent we are challenged to cease living in ways that disconnect us from God –
Let us – give up ‘our way’ and give ourselves to ‘God’s way’.
During Lent we are challenged to take action in word and deed –
Let us seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
During Lent we are challenged each and every day –
Let us – follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Opening Song | “Take My Life” | #389
Story for the Children | Lucy Bowman
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 | “Hope is the Breath of Music” | Frombach and Johnson
Reyna Bowen, Laila Samland, Hannah Wilgers; vocals
Bryan Hess, violin; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Giving to the Needy
1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will
have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in
full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is
doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Prayer
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But
when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to God, who is unseen. Then God, who sees
what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show
others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil
on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but
only to God, who is unseen; and God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where
thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin
do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also.
Scripture Song | “The Gift of Love”
Message | “Humble Piety” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Song | “Lord I want to be a Christian” | #444
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and the message
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Allegro Movement from “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” | Mozart
Bryan Hess, violin; 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