09 May Worship Bulletin: 5/12/24
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, May 12, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
♫Gathering Music | “Harmony of the Angels” | Burgmuller
Brielle Rothrock, piano
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Roger Schrock
Moment in Mission – Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America) | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Centering Music | “We Worship and Adore You” | arr. Tim Doran
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Responsive Opening Prayer and Commitment: | George Stuart (adapted)
Prayer is being with the ‘God Within’;
that spiritual dimension in each of us which makes us sacred
Prayer allows the ‘God Within’ to be involved so;
the good, the loving, the healthy, the generous, the forgiving and the thankful can result.
Prayer as a deed of active listening to ‘God Within’;
encourages us to think positively about ‘the other’
invites our love to surround ‘the other’
challenges us to do whatever we can to stand with ‘the other’ in their suffering
suggests ways of possibly preventing similar suffering in the future ‘for another’
alerts us to situations of suffering we may not otherwise be aware of
brings us closer to one another
Intercessory Prayer;
Challenges us to be responsible and sensitive in our time, place and situation
Intercessory Prayer;
Enjoins others that they might also be responsible and sensitive in the same time, place and situation.
Intercessory Prayer can help us be channels of love to the world;
who bring about justice and equality – who give comfort and support
If we don’t decide to live lives of compassion
there is no point praying to a God of compassion.
If we don’t work for justice
there is no point praying to a God of justice.
If we don’t support those who are suffering
there is no point praying for support from God on behalf of the suffering.
UNISON:
When I pray I feel more deeply; reaching out with thanks and praise.
When I pray I think more deeply, pondering life’s puzzling maze.
When I pray I live more deeply in the values love convey.
When I pray I can’t act badly giving way to grim deceit.
When I pray I can’t be angry, wishing for some vengeance sweet.
When I pray I’m far more ready to befriend each one I meet.
I WILL pray!
♫Opening Song | “Come and Find the Quiet Center”
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 | “Aria for Alto Saxophone and Piano” | Eugene Bozza
Westen Gehring, sax; Olivia Gehring, piano
Scripture Focus | John 17: 6-19 | Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed You God, to those whom You gave me out of the world.
They were Yours [O God]; You gave them to me and they have obeyed Your word.
7 Now they know that everything You have given me comes from You.
8 For I gave given them the words You gave me and they accepted them.
They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given me, for they are Yours.
10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You.
Holy God, protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave me.
None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
18 As You sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
♫Scripture Song | “Into My Heart” (sing twice)
Message | “There He Goes . . . ” | Jerry Bowen
Intercessory Prayer | Toronto Uniting Church, New South Wales, Australia (Di Atkinson & others)
(prayer cycle repeats 6 times & 6 candles are lit)
Voice 1: Introductions | Jerry
Voice 2: Prayers of the People | Kathryn
Congregational Response: From the depth of the silence, we are called to LISTEN!
We light a candle as we pray. (Silence)
♫Threefold Amen | #382
♫Sending Song | “What a Friend We have in Jesus” | #574
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “All Hail King Jesus” | Dave Moody
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