15 Jun Worship Bulletin: 6/18/23
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 18, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns
Centering Music
Ellen Gilbert
Opening Scripture | based on Genesis 18:1-15
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them . . . He said, . . Let a little water be brought,
wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat . . “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will
surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” . . . Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself . . . Then God said to
Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh . . Is anything too hard for God?
Opening Song | “How Many Times We Start Again” | Voices Together #553
How many times we start again on faith’s unwinding way: We want, O Lord, to settle in, to build a home and stay, but then a dream, a voice, a light disturbs our peace and rest
and sets before our straining sight new stages on our quest.
Before we go, we look around, surveying where we are. Some ask, why leave familiar ground for somewhere strange and far? We know from all our startings out each journey
has its cost: that sometimes faith gives way to doubt, and sometimes we get lost.
But greater than the cost we find is our expanded view of what it means with heart and mind to trust and follow you: we hear a music never heard, a diff’rent light descends, and
meeting strangers we are stirred to welcome them as friends.
With eager heart we now depart the places that we know to travel regions in your heart where you would have us go. In you we live and move and dwell. And close as breath
and prayer, you are our home: Emmanuel, God-with-us everywhere.
Story for the Children | Jerry Bowen
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 | “Nearer, My God, To Thee” | arr. Hardey & Welch
Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, piano
Scripture Focus | Matthew 9:35 – 10:8
The Workers are Few
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and
sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his
disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew;
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of
Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, and cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely you have received; freely give.
Scripture Song | “God of Justice (We Must Go)” | Voices Together #772
Eric Johnson, vocals; Dan Masterson, piano; Congregation join in singing – as comfortable
God of Justice – Savior to all – came to rescue – the weak and the poor –
chose to serve and not be served.
Jesus – You have called us – freely we’ve received – now – freely we will give
REFRAIN
We must go – live to feed the hungry – stand beside the broken – we must go
stepping forward – keep us from just singing – move us into action – we must go
To act justly – everyday – loving mercy – in every way – walking humbly – before you God.
You have shown us – what you require – freely we’ve received – now – freely we will give REFRAIN
BRIDGE
Fill us up, send us out X2 – Fill us up, send us out now
Fill us up, send us out X2 – Fill us up, send us out now
Fill us up, send us out X2 – Fill us up, send us out now REFRAIN
Message | “The Compassion of Jesus ” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Song | “O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come” | Worship & Rejoice #638
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Fairest Lord Jesus” | arr. Matt Riley
Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, 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