28 Mar Worship Bulletin: 3/31/24
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 31, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – Easter Sunday
Gathering Music | “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” | arr. Terry Johnson
Winona Godfrey & Seth Schoming, horn; Ellen Gilbert, organ; Eric Goering & LaMonte Rothrock, trombone;
Lindy Reynolds & Allan van Asselt, trumpet; Brielle Rothrock, timpani
(Congregation join on the last verse when directed)
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Video Welcome
Video Invitation to Give
Give online or send a check made payable to “McPherson Church of the Brethren,” 200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | “Thine Is The Glory” | Handel/Smith
Dan Masterson, piano; Ellen Gilbert, organ
Easter Scripture | Mark 16:1-8
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first
day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another,
“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them,
“Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him.
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee;
there you will see him, just as he told you.”
8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid.
Responsive Opening Words | New Kilpatrick Parish Church | Glasgow, Scotland, UK
One: There are only stories.
All: Stories are all we have –
to explore the emotions – to seek the truth – to express the hope we have –
that today’s news – this morning’s empty tomb – might be true.
One: Stories are all we have when explanation cannot help.
All: So we continue to tell stories but dare we tell this story?
One: Telling not with some kind of conclusion –
where resurrection becomes a full stop – a grand ending – a dramatic finish.
All: But telling where stone rolling becomes a page turn – a new story –
where the light is different – and the words are alive again!
♫Opening Song | “Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna!”
(sing verse 2 in unison)
- Christ is risen! Shout hosanna! Celebrate this day of days!
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder: all creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding, see, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown.
Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant, but a friend.
Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end.
Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: “Christ is risen! Get you gone!”
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna everyone!
Baptismal Candidates: Introductions and Vows
Congregational Response of Affirmation and Welcome:
We welcome you with joy and affection into this family of faith.
We freely share with you – our support, our prayers, our love.
We commit to walk with you in Jesus’ footsteps;
as together we humbly seek God’s peace and love. Welcome
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Baptisms: E.J. Griffith, Delfino Magnall, Alejandro Pfeiff
Kaia Pfeiff (will be baptized this summer at camp)
♫Song of Commitment | “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”
Scripture Focus | Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
1 Give thanks to God, for God is good; God’s love endures forever. 2 Let Israel say: God’s love endures forever.” 14 God is my strength and my defense; God has become my
salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: God’s right hand has done mighty things! 16 God’s right hand is lifted high; God’s right hand has done
mighty things!” 17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what God has done.
18 God has chastened me severely, but God has not given me over to death. 19 Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to God. 20 This is the gate of
God through which the righteous may enter. 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. 22 The stone the builders rejected has become the
cornerstone; 23 God has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 God has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
♫Scripture Song | “Cornerstone” | Shawn Kirchner
Worship Choir; Jean Hendricks, piano
REFRAIN: The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone of a whole new world.
1. A grain of wheat may be knocked to the ground and suffer through the winter’s cold
only to rise right up again and bear its seed a thousand fold. RERAIN
2. Never shall our journey fail; a little child shall lead the way
whose eyes are filled with a shining light, to whom the night is bright as day. REFRAIN
3. The love that rolls the stone away gives us life that we may sing
“Grave, where is thy victory? Death, O death, where is thy sting?” REFRAIN
Message | “The Stone that the Builder Rejected . . .” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “Now the Green Blade Rises”
Sending Words | CJW – Chaplains Corner – Cedars Newsletter March 2024
“May the “stones” found in your life and life of faith be rolled away to reveal new hope and possibility; to let
The Light stream into your heart and soul to give you strength in faith and courage for the living of these days.”
♫Sending Music | “Fanfare for a Resurrection Day” | Steven Scott
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