22 Feb Worship Bulletin: 2/25/24
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, February 25, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – Second Sunday in Lent
Gathering Hymn Sing | “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Vs. 1 & 2 | #592
“Wonderful Grace of Jesus” Vs. 1 & 2 | #150
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Deb Wagoner
♫Centering Music | “I Need Thee Every Hour” | arr. L. Bastian
Bryan Hess, viola; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Opening Scripture | Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
17 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God appeared to him and said,
“I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.
2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,
4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham,
for I have made you a father of many nations.
6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.
7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant – between me and you – and your descendants after you – for the generations to come –
to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
15 God also said to Abraham,
“As for Sarai [Sehr’-rye] your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai [Sehr’-rye];
her name will be Sarah [Sehr’-uh]. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her.
I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Initially Abram became a father, a minister, and prominent person, only to (the nation of) Aram, so he was called Abram, father [av] of Aram; and ultimately with God’s blessing he became the father of the entire world, so he was called Abraham, father of the masses [av hamon]
The same concept applies to Sarai. Initially she was a princess only to her nation: ‘My princess’ [Sarai], but ultimately she became Sarah, a general term indicating that she was princess for the entire world.
In both cases they graduated from the level of authority over a certain people; to the level of universality.
♫Opening Song | “How Firm a Foundation” | #567
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 | “Arioso” | J.S. Bach
Bryan Hess, viola; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Romans 4:13-25
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness (worthiness) that comes by
faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath.
And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only to those who are of the law but also to
those who have the faith of Abraham. Abraham is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”
Abraham is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in
his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had
power to do what God had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness (worthiness).” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him
alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness (worthiness) – for us who believe in God who raised Jesus from death to new life. 25 Jesus was delivered over to
death for our sins and was raised to life – for our justification (to make us worthy in the sight of God).
♫Scripture Song | “And I Will Raise You Up” (On Eagle’s Wings)
Verse 4
For to His angels He’s given a command, to guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone
Message | “Hoping Against Hope” | Jerry Bowen
Sending Song | “Standing on the Promises of God”
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Fantasy in A Minor” | J.S. Bach
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