13 Apr Worship Bulletin: 4/16/23
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, April 16, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. | First Sunday after Easter
Gathering Music
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Centering Music | “Zion’s Walls” | arr. Aaron Copeland
Dan Lichty, vocal; Jean Hendricks, piano
Come fathers and mothers, come sisters and brothers, come join us in singing the praises of Zion.
O fathers, don’t you feel determined to meet within the walls of Zion?
We’ll shout and go round the walls of Zion.
Unison Opening Prayer | Inspired by John 20:19-31 | Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer
God, we are in a liminal space, one where chaos and disorder have confused our lives,
yet one where we also find time to rest and receive your peace.
We sit with the disciples behind our locked doors and wait in fear,
and when you appear, we are given a spirit of peace only you can give.
Hold us in your grace this morning,
offering us the same hopeful word you offered those frightened disciples
that Easter evening so many years ago.
We pray this all in the name of your son, the LIVING JESUS – who taught us all to pray, saying:
Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your name.
Your kin-dom come, Your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day – our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins – as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us – not into temptation – but deliver us – from evil.
For Yours is the kin-dom and the power and the glory forever. AMEN
Opening Song | “Joys Are Flowing Like A River” | #301
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 | “Adagio Cantabile” | from the 2nd movement of Piano Sonata in C Minor | Beethoven
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | John 20:19-31
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for
fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the
Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins,
their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus
came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see
the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will
not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the
doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then [Jesus]
said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him,
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this
book. 31 But these are written that you may believe – that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and
that by believing you may have life in his name.
Scripture Song | “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Grant Us Peace) | #346
Sing as directed in a round
Message | “You Are A Witness” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and the message
Sending Song | “We Are Called To Be God’s People”
1. We are called to be God’s people, showing by our lives God’s grace, one in heart and one in spirit, sign
of hope for all the race. Let us show how God has changed us, and remade us as God’s own, let us
share our life together as we shall around God’s throne.
2. We are called to be God’s servants, working in God’s world today, taking God’s own task upon us, all
God’s sacred words obey. Let us rise, then, to God’s summons, dedicate to God our all, that we may be
faithful servants, quick to answer now God’s call.
3. We are called to be God’s prophets, speaking for the truth and right, standing firm for godly justice,
bringing evil things to light. Let us seek the courage needed, our high calling to fulfill, that the world may
know the blessing of the doing of God’s will.
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Crown Him With Many Crowns” | arr. Robert Hughes
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