20 Jul Worship Bulletin: 7/23/23
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, July 23, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music | “Joy Overflowing” | Cindy Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover
Centering Music | “I Still Have Joy” | arr. Peter Amidon
Dan Lichty, Allan, Deb and Grace van Asselt
CHORUS
I still have joy, I still have joy, after all the things I’ve been through I still have joy. X2
There are times in my life when I felt I couldn’t go on but the Lord he blessed me and he made me strong
I kept the faith and I held on through the night this is my testimony, he’ll make everything all right. CHORUS
I get joy when I think about all he’s done for me. He even broke the habits trying to conquer me.
I spoke to the mountain and it ran down to the sea. I can’t begin to tell you what he’s done for me. CHORUS
Opening Words
Opening Song | “Joy to the World | #318 | verse 4 – sing in unison
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Invitation to Give
Offering will be gathered while the hymn “For the Healing of the Nations” #367 is sung.
The gifts in the offering plates will be used to defray expenses of the Western Plains District Conference.
McPherson CoB gifts may be placed in the offering box (back wall of the sanctuary) at the close of worship.
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Unison Thanks Giving – for the Offering
Creator God, thank You for blessings that can be shared – in service for You.
Incarnate Jesus, thank You for Your words and deeds that continue to call us – into service for You.
Guiding Spirit, thank You for whispers and shouts – that challenge us to respond – in service for You.
We pray to use these gifts to love one another and work together with one heart and mind –
bringing glory and honor to You. AMEN
Musical Offering | “Nocturno” | Franz Strauss
Kyle Hopkins, horn; Ellen Gilbert, piano
A Responsive Litany | “The Mind of Christ” | twice adapted Life in Liturgy (Disciples of Christ)
Let us remember Jesus:
Who was humble and dwelt among us; who was content to be the child of a poor family.
Who lived the common life, earned his living with his own hands and declined no modest task;
Whom the common people heard gladly, for he understood their ways.
May this mind be in us – which was in Jesus.
Let us remember Jesus:
Who was mighty in deed, healing the sick and afflicted, using for others the powers he would not invoke for himself;
Who was the son of God and yet; mentor, teacher, companion and friend – one who served.
May this mind be in us – which was in Jesus.
Let us remember Jesus:
Who loved people, yet retired from them to pray; rising a great while before day, watching through the night, staying in the wilderness.
Who went up into a mountain and sought out a garden.
Who prayed for his tempted disciple and for the forgiveness of all who rejected him.
Who observed good customs, but defied conventions that did not serve the purposes of God.
Who scorned sin because he knew the cost of pride and selfishness – of cruelty and impurity and the cost to humanity and to God.
May this mind be in us – which was in Jesus.
Let us remember Jesus:
Who, when he was reviled, did not retaliate and when he suffered did not threaten.
Who emptied himself and carried obedience to God – to the point of death.
May this mind be in us – which was in Jesus.
Let us remember Jesus and pray for Jesus to dwell within our hearts.
Come, Jesus – dwell in us – that we may go forth with the light of your hope in our eyes, and with your faith and love in our hearts. AMEN
Scripture Song | “Teresa’s Prayer (Christ be in my Mind) | sing twice
Christ be in my mind and in my thinking, Christ be in my eyes, in ev’rything I see,
Christ be in my ears and in my hearing, Christ be in my mouth, in ev’ry word I speak,
Christ be in my heart and in my longing, Christ be in my life, each moment that I live
Scripture Focus | Philippians 2:1-5
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Message | “The Church’s GPS: Core Values for Jesus’ People” | James McCollough
Sending Song | “We are Called to be God’s People”
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.
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.
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.
You are invited to be seated for the Sending Words & Music
Sending Words
Sending Music | “This Is The Day” | with Theme by Charles Widor | arr. Ron Sprunger
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Installation Service for Western Plains District Leadership
Interim District Executive Minister Randy Yoder
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