08 Jun Worship Bulletin: 6/11/23
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, June 11, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns
Centering Music | “How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place” | Johannes Brahms
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Opening Unison Prayer | Geoffrey Brown & John Pridmore, St. Martin-in-the-Fields’ (adapted)
Compassionate God – we are seeking:
a world where the weak are protected and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the benefits of civilized life are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races, nations and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect,
a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love;
We pray for; the inspiration to envision it – the courage to build it and the will to enact it with mercy.
May it be so!
Opening Song | “Brothers and Sisters of Mine” | #142
Story for the Children | Dawn Hoffman
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 | “I Will Keep My Eyes on You” | Cindy Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Matthew 9:9-13, 18-25
The Calling of Matthew
9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow
me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him
and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with
tax collectors and sinners?”
12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what
this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just
died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his
disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the
edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was
healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing
pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had
been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
Responsive Prayer | Have Mercy Upon Us | Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua (adapted)
Compassionate Jesus – have mercy upon us – heal us!
We are like the Jewish tax-collector Matthew – whom you called from his tax booth.
Have mercy upon us when life hardens our hearts, making it difficult to accept release from that which binds.
We are like the crowd gathered to mourn the dead girl.
Have mercy upon us when we are so numbed by death and loss, we can no longer imagine life restored.
We are like the woman who was sick for years and reached out to touch the hem of your garment.
Have mercy upon us when we can no longer find health and wholeness.
Help us to come before you like the Roman Centurion;
certain you have not forgotten us -confident in your power and presence – humbly desirous of your help.
Loving Jesus – have mercy upon us and grant us your peace. AMEN
Scripture Song | “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” | #145
Message | “Compassion & Mercy = Healing ” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “Healer of our Every Ill” | #377
Sending Words
Sending Music | Finale from “Water Music” | Handel/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