20 Apr Worship Bulletin: 4/23/23
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 23, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m. | Third Sunday of Easter
Gathering Music
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | LeRoy Weddle
Moment in Mission – The Cedars
Centering Music | “God You Reign” | Lincoln Brewster, Mia Fieldes
Worship Band
You paint the night, You count the stars and You call them by name. The skies proclaim, God, You
reign Your glory shines, You teach the sun when to bring a new day. Creation sings, God, You reign
God, You reign, God, You reign. Forever and ever, God, You reign.
You part the seas, You move the mountains with the words that You say. My song remains, God, You
Reign You hold my life, You know my heart and You call me by name. I live to say, God, You reign
God, You reign, God, You reign. Forever and ever, God, You reign. Hallelujah, allelu, Hallelujah, allelu
Opening Responsive Prayer | Inspired by Isaiah 65: 17a, 19, 23b-24
Still creating God. We hear your promise “I will create new heavens and a new earth.”
We pray to set aside skepticism and embrace the blessings that surround us.
We pray to be a joyful people; honoring creation and celebrating life’s inspiring diversity.
Thank You Creating God – for your promises for our future, “I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in
my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. They will be a people blessed by
God, they and their descendants. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”
We invite you into our hearts. Help us to hear you – as you work within us to do a new thing.
Receive our praise and thanks giving for your abundant love and care. AMEN
Opening Song | “New Earth, Heavens New” | #299
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video | Earth Stewardship | “What are the Bioneers” | Kenny Ausubel
Musical Offering | “Creation Sings the Father’s Song” | Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Peter Townend
Worship Band
Creation sings the Father’s song; he calls the sun to wake the dawn and run the course of day, ‘til evening
comes in crimson rays. His fingerprints in flakes of snow, his breath upon this spinning globe, he charts the
eagle’s flight, commands the newborn baby’s cry.
CHORUS: Hallelujah! Let all creation stand and sing: “Hallelujah!”
Fill the earth with songs of worship, tell the wonders of creation’s King.
Creation gazed upon His face; the ageless One in time’s embrace, unveiled the Father’s plan of reconciling
God and man. A second Adam walked the earth, whose blameless life would break the curse, whose death
would set us free to live with Him eternally. (Chorus)
Creation longs for His return, when Christ shall reign upon the earth; the bitter wars that rage are birth
Pains of a coming age. When He renews the land and sky, all heaven will sing and earth reply with one
resplendent theme: the glory of our God and King. (Chorus)
Message | “Permaculture: Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share” | Shane Kirchner
Video, “The Honorable Harvest” narrated by Robin Wall Kimmerer
12 principles of Permaculture
1. Observe & Interact
2. Catch & Store Energy
3. Obtain a Yield
4. Apply Self-Regulation & Accept Feedback
5. Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services
6. Produce No Waste
7. Design From Patterns To Details
8. Integrate Rather Than Segregate
9. Use Small & Slow Solutions
10. Use & Value Diversity
11. Use Edges & Value The Marginal
12. Creatively Use & Respond To Change
Sending Song | “Creating God, Your Fingers Trace”
Unison Sending Words of Commitment | Christian Aid and Christian Ecology (adapted)
I pray to be granted the strength and courage to live radically transformed – walking gently upon this Earth;
in right relationship, nurtured by God’s love, open to the wind of the Spirit, taking only what I need, always
open to the needs of others, making choices that bring wellbeing, living with generosity, striving for justice,
honoring all with reverence, reconciling and peacemaking, mindful of those who will come after, recognizing
my proper place as part of this GOOD creation. May it be so – AMEN
Sending Music | “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” | Robert Thygerson
Ellen Gilbert, piano
(congregation is invited to stand, sing, clap, dance – as moved)
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy.
I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me
daily and I must return the gift.” ~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
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