14 Sep Worship Bulletin: 9/17/23
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, September 17, 2023 @ 10:15 a.m.
Gathering Music
Carol Ward
Video Welcome
Sharing Time: Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover
Centering Music | “In Christ there is no East or West”
Responsive Call to Worship based on Matthew 18:15-20 | © Katherine Hawker
“Truly I tell you,” says Jesus,
“whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
May we be bound with love.
To bind, to be bound, to be bound with – so many competing demands and expectations;
aging partners and parents – unplanned expenses – demands at work and home and school and church
May we be bound with love.
Bound now, bound forever – bound with whom and for what?
May we be bound with love.
What shall we carry with us into eternity?
Our gold? Our politics? Our relationships? Which? For with this choice we will be bound in heaven.
May we be bound with love.
Opening Song | “For the Healing of the Nations” | #367
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Third Graders Receive Bibles: Esme Bowman, Eli Cannon, Connor Coyle, Xavianna Pfeiff
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 | “Fill-a Me Up” (Holy Spirit) | Pepper Choplin
Percussion; Lindy Reynolds, Grace van Asselt
Fill-a me up, come a Holy Spirit, fill-a me up to the top-a my soul.
Fill-a me up, come a Holy Spirit, fill-a me up now and take control.
Fill-a me up, come a Spirit, come, fill-a me up, Holy Spirit, O come.
So many things try to fill me up. So many things try to weigh me down.
Fill-a my heart now until you stay and chase the other things away.
Now my heart is an open door. Here your Spirit is welcome Lord.
Fill-a my heart now and let it grow and change my heart so all will know.
Scripture Focus | Matthew 18:15-20 | Dealing With Sin in the Church
15 “If your FELLOW DISCIPLE (brother or sister) sins against you, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if
they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c]
17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my
name, there am I with them.”
Scripture Song | “There’s a Quiet Understanding”
Message | “Redeem” | Kathryn Whitacre
Sending Song | “This is a Day of New Beginnings” | #640
Sending Words
Sending Music | “The Heavens are Telling” | Franz Josef Haydn
Dan Masterson, piano; Ellen Gilbert, organ
Recorded 5/16/21
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