16 Mar Worship Bulletin: 3/19/23
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, March 19, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. | Fourth Sunday in Lent
Gathering Music
Piano, Karlene Tyler
Video Welcome
Centering Music
Piano, Karlene Tyler
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Bud Taylor
Responsive Opening Words | Inspired by Psalm 23 | Joanna Harader
In the darkest valley – at the banquet table;
in the hard work of life – at the moments of ease;
in our day-to-day reality – at times set aside –
like this time, now – for worship, for listening, for seeing, for paying attention;
with every step we take: goodness and mercy follow us; our cups overflow.
Opening Song | “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” | #170
Piano, Karlene Tyler
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 | “Shepherd Me, O God” | Marty Haugen
Worship Band
Unison Prayer Reflection | “Through Light and Shadow” | written by Sally | posted on Eternal Echoes
through light and shadow – I am led – I follow,
through the ins and outs – the ups and downs of these days,
when my heart is failing, when my spirit rejoices,
when I can barely put one foot in front of the other – still you beckon me on…
when I stumble you support me – when I can go no further you carry me,
through light and shadow, in death’s dark vale, and on the mountain peaks – you lead me,
through tangled webs, on rocky ground, on smoother paths,
through light and shadow – you lead me – I follow,
may I never walk alone… AMEN
Scripture Focus | John 9:1-41
A Man Born Blind Receives Sight
9 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man
or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was
born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We [a] must work the works of him who sent
me [b] while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world.” 6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on
the man’s eyes, 7 saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and
washed and came back able to see. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to
ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but
it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am he.” 10 But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes
opened?” 11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to
Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” He
said, “I do not know.”
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when
Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received
his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees
said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a
sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. 17 So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say
about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the
man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then
does he now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we
do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will
speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already
agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus [c] to be the Messiah [d] would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore
his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We
know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know,
that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your
eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it
again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” 28 Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but
we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know
where he comes from.” 30 The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes
from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who
worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes
of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were
born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
Spiritual Blindness
35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of
Man?” [e] 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir? [f] Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said to him, “You
have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” 38 He said, “Lord, [g] I believe.” And he worshiped
him. 39 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see and those who
do see may become blind.” 40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we
are not blind, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say,
‘We see,’ your sin remains.
John 10:1-21
Jesus the Good Shepherd
10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a
thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the
gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he
has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his
voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of
strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to
them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me [a] are
thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved
and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that
they may have life and have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not
the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the
wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the
sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I
know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I
must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this
reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes [b] it from me,
but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have
received this command from my Father.”
19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is
out of his mind. Why listen to him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the words of one who has a demon.
Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Message | “Who is to Blame?” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and the message
Sending Song | “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” | #589
Piano, Karlene Tyler
Sending Words
Sending Music | “The River is Here” | Andy Park
Worship Band
1 & 4
Down the mountain the river flows – And it brings refreshing wherever it goes
Through the valleys and over the fields – The river is rushing and the river is here
Refrain:
The river of God Sets our feet to dancing – The river of God Fills our hearts with cheer
The river of God Fills our mouths with laughter – And we rejoice for the river is here
2
The river of God is teaming with life – And all who touch it can be revived
And all who linger on this river’s shore – will come back thirsting – For more of the Lord – Refrain
3
Up to the mountain we love to go – To find the presence of the Lord
Along the banks of the river we run – We dance with laughter – Giving praise to the Son – Refrain
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