29 Feb Worship Bulletin: 3/3/24
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, March 3, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – Third Sunday in Lent
Gathering Music | “With One Voice”
Congregation and Worship Band
CCLI #4512912
1. Take the Word and go out to every land. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the lives of those we touch sing praise to God above. Let us sing, we’ll sing…
Refrain
With one voice we’ll pass the Word along. With one voice, bring justice to the world
And with all the angels, we’ll spread the goodness of God.
With all power and glory the Word of God shall reign.
2. Take the Word to our neighborhoods and streets. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May we all set out to live in peace and harmony.
They will see and sing . . . Refrain
3. Take the Word to the people in despair. Shine the light of Christ for all to see
May our actions and our deeds bring comfort to their needs.
And they’ll know and sing . . . Refrain
4. Take the Word to the nations everywhere. Shine the light of Christ for all to see.
May the witness of our lives transform the world anew.
And we’ll shine, we’ll shine . . . Refrain . . . Refrain (extended)
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns
♫Centering Music | “Power of Your Love” | arr. Carol Tornquist
Worship Band
1st Verse:
Lord, I come to You – Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace – That I found in You
And Lord, I’ve come to know – The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away – By the power of Your love
Chorus:
Hold me close, Let Your love surround me; bring me near, Draw me to Your side.
And as I wait, I’ll rise up like the eagle, and I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on – In the power of Your love.
2nd Verse:
Lord, unveil my eyes, – Let me see You face to face,
The knowledge of Your love – As You live in me.
Lord, renew my mind – As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day – In the power of Your love. Chorus 2x
Responsive Opening Words | Cheryl Lawrie (adapted)
There are those who doubt what we think and what we do. After all –
who but the foolish would look at barren ground and imagine food for all,
who but the crazy would see past human desolation and
envision an oasis of healing,
who but the irrational would not be stopped by war
but live and work for the day it will be peace,
who but the illogical would reach deep into the world’s fears,
addressing their roots and praying for new life.
So if faith is the terrain of the deluded – then may you enter here with the faith of the fools;
who have loved the world since its beginning and will live for its restoration until its end.
Welcome to Worship
♫Opening Song | “This is God’s Wondrous Love”
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 | “Fantasia in B Minor” | Telemann
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world – through its wisdom – did not know him,
God was pleased – through the foolishness of what was preached – to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we – preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called – both Jews and Greeks – Christ – the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God – is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God – is stronger than human strength.
♫Scripture Song | “There is Longing” | Anne Quigley
Worship Band and Congregation
REFRAIN
There is a longing in our hearts, O Lord for you to reveal yourself to us.
There is a longing in our hearts for love we only find in you, our God.
1. For justice, for freedom, for mercy, hear our prayer.
In sorrow, in grief, be near, hear our prayer, O God. REFRAIN
2. For wisdom, for courage, for comfort, hear our prayer.
In weakness, in fear, be near, hear our prayer, O God. REFRAIN
3. For healing, for wholeness, for new life, hear our prayer.
In sickness, in death, be near, hear our prayer, O God. REFRAIN
4. Lord, save us, take pity, light in our darkness.
We call you, we wait, be near, hear our prayer, O God. REFFRAIN
Unison Prayer | Rev. Richard Fairchild (adapted)
We lean into Your wisdom God; seeking encouragement and inspiration.
Your WORD gives light to all who hear.
We call out for insight and cry aloud for awareness.
We seek your vision God and search for it as for hidden treasure.
We pray to accept Your WORD and store up Your plans.
We know that from You, truth and understanding originate and flow.
“For the foolishness of You, O God – is wiser than human wisdom
and the weakness of You, O God – is stronger than human strength.”.
May we be blessed with Your wisdom and Power. AMEN
Scripture Song | “Be Thou My Vision | #545
Message | “How a Cross Became Good News” | Jerry Bowen
Unison Prayer of Petition | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship | inspired by 1 Cor. 1:18-25 (adapted)
Loving God, You are greater than we can understand;
open our eyes so that – we may see the wonderful truths you have shown to us in Jesus.
You are more loving than our hearts can respond to;
help us to give ourselves to you so that – we learn what you want us to be.
You are wiser than we can know; calm our minds so that – we can understand the things you are saying to us.
Loving God, in Jesus: You chose to come to the world in humility.
You chose the path the world saw as foolish. You used what the world considered weak.
Loving God: Teach us Your Ways. AMEN
Sending Song | “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me” | #507
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Kum Ba Yah” (Come by Here) | arr. John Carter | African-American Spiritual
4-hand piano: Ellen Gilbert and Bryan Hess
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