27 Jul Worship Bulletin: 7/30/23
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 30, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music | “What is this Place” (verses 1 & 3) | #1
“O Worship the King” (verses 1 & 2) | #66
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover
Centering Music | “Holy, Holy, Holy” | arr. Mark Hayes
Call to Worship | based on Matthew 12: 31-33, 44-53 | Katherine Hawker
The kingdom of God is here, and coming.
A mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but
when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air
come and make nests in its branches.
The kingdom of God is here, and coming.
Yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all was leavened.
The kingdom of God is here, and coming.
Treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then joyfully sells all he has
and buys the field.
The kingdom of God is here, and coming.
A merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one of great value, sells all of his possessions
and buys the pearl.
The kingdom of God is here, and coming.
Let all who have ears, hear.
Opening Song | “As Trees from Tiny Seeds Can Grow”
1 As trees from tiny seeds can grow, as yeast expands the lifeless dough,
as light, unhampered, shines around, so does God’s gracious love abound.
2 As hidden treasure is reclaimed, we, God’s new people, are renamed.
For us the pearl, long sought, is found. Christ is our treasure sure and sound.
3 We are not promised weedless fields. Nor are we given equal yields.
But God’s true faithfulness shall stay with us, supporting all the way.
4 As coins, once lost, are found with joy, as Jesus loves each girl and boy,
so we, now found by God, rejoice, lifting in praise one heart and voice.
Story for the Children | Lucy Bowman
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 | “The Prayer” | arr. Sager & Foster
Bruce Wagoner, cello; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it
grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
The Parable of the Yeast
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
The Parable of the Pearl
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then
they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from
the righteous 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied.
52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new
treasures as well as old.”
Scripture Song | “The Kingdom of our God is Like” | Christopher Webber
1 The kingdom of our God is like a treasure trove concealed
beneath the ground, for which one sells all else to buy that field.
2 The kingdom of our God is like a mustard seed in size
which grows to offer nesting space for every bird that flies.
3 The kingdom of our God is like the yeast a woman takes
and mixes in to leaven each and every loaf she bakes.
4 The kingdom of our God is like a merchant who, to own
the rarest pearl, sells everything to gain that pearl alone.
5 The kingdom of our God is like a net which has been cast
and draws in good and bad which must be sorted out at last.
Message | “What is of Value” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “We Plant a Grain of Mustard Seed” | Mary Bryan Matney
We plant a grain of mustard seed, and in our faith we find
The proof of God is love, indeed, which blossoms from its kind.
Our actions, more than words, define how love’s example feeds
A greater love, for love divine bursts forth from smallest seeds;
When stooped to lend a helping hand, we find a touch that heals,
For love invested will expand to bear the fruit love yields.
Make love our purpose, love our aim, for love endures all things,
And choosing love our lives will claim the peace forgiveness brings.
Our lives will be fulfilled and blessed if through the seeds we’ve sown
And by the love that we profess the love of Christ is known
Sending Words
Sending Music | “Come, Thou Almighty King” | arr. Edward Broughton
Ellen Gilbert, organ
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