10 Aug Worship Bulletin: 8/13/23
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, August 13, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music | “Creating God” (vs 1 and 4) | #325
“Sing Praise to God“ (vs 1 and 3) | #59
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Bill Grove
Centering Music | “Oceans”
Vocalists: Dan Lichty and Carol Ward; Ellen Gilbert, piano; Marta Moorman, guitar
Opening Call to Worship | based on Matthew 14: 22-33
We gather together to worship God, who comes to us when we least expect it,
Who calls us out of the safety of our ordered lives and invites us to join in the adventure of faith.
Let us worship God together!
Opening Song | “Oceans” (Where Feet May Fail)
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 | “Seeds” | Ralph Murphy & Pat Alger
Carol Ward, vocal; Marta Moorman, guitar
Sometimes I stop on my way home and watch the children play
And I wonder if they wonder what they’ll be someday
Some will dream a big dream and make it all come true
While others go on dreaming of things they’ll never do
CHORUS
We’re all just Seeds in God’s hands
We start the same but where we land
Is sometimes fertile soil
It’s sometimes sand
We’re all just Seeds in God’s hands
I saw a friend the other day, I hardly recognized
She’d done a lot of living since I last looked in her eyes
She told her tale of how she’d failed the lessons she’d been taught
But she offered no excuses and she left me with this thought CHORUS
BRIDGE: And as I’m standing at this crossroads once again
I’m reminded we’re all the same when we begin
And in the end…. CHORUS
Scripture Focus | Matthew 14: 22-33 | Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out
in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I, do not be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink,
cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat,
the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Scripture Song | “I Sought the Lord” | #506
Message | “Gift Miracles” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “You are Mine” (I will come to you) | David Haas
Unison Sending Words | based on Matthew 14: 22-33
Jesus calls us to step out on to the water, to leave the safety of our boats,
and to walk in faith, joining Jesus in the work He is already doing in our world.
And when the wind and waves get high and threaten to overwhelm us, we remember His words:
“Don’t be afraid. Take courage. I am here.”
So let’s go with faith, to follow where Jesus leads, confident that His love and presence go with us.
Sending Music
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