17 Aug Worship Bulletin: 8/20/23
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 20, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music | “Let us Build a House”
Ellen Gilbert, piano; Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Bill Grove
Centering Music | “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” | Moore/Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Unison Opening Words | inspired by Psalm 67 | Bill & Kristi Gaultiere (adapted)
May God be gracious to us and bless us.
May God’s face shine upon us;
in the darkness that was – and the dawning that is – and the daylight that is to come.
God rules the people with equity and guides the nations of the earth.
May the people praise God. May the nations and the people be glad and sing for joy.
May all of creation praise God.
Opening Song | “Here in This Place” | #6
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
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 | “This is My Father’s World/He’s Got the Whole World” | arr. Brant Adams
Eric Goering, Trombone; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Isaiah 56: 1; 6-8
1This is what God says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 6And foreigners who bind
themselves to God to minister to God, to love the name of God, and to be God’s servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to God’s covenant
7 these God will bring to God’s holy mountain and give them joy in God’s house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on God’s altar; for God’s house will
be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Sovereign God declares – the ONE who gathers the exiles of Israel [declares]: “I will gather still others to [Israel] besides those
already gathered.”
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32 | The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask then: Did God reject the people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject the people, whom God
foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah – how Elijah appealed to God against Israel: 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you
who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may
now[a] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that God may have mercy on them all.
Scripture Song | “Let us Build a House” | Voices Together # 36
Deb & Grace van Asselt, vocal; Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute
Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as a symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard and loved
and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place
Message | “God Will Gather” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Song | “Creating God, your Fingers Trace”
Sending Words
Sending Music | “The Work is Thine, O Christ” | arr. Jane Carrier
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