16 May Worship Bulletin: 5/19/24
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 19, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m. – Pentecost Sunday
♫Gathering Music | “Canzona” | Mozart
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time | Joys & Concerns | Becky Snell
♫Centering Music | “Come Holy Spirit (Spirit of God Descend upon My Heart)” | arr. Schrader
Worship Choir
Come Holy Spirit, Come Spirt Come. Here us calling, here us calling to you.
Come give your gifts, edify your church. Come bring your truth, glorify our Lord.
Come be our guide, point the way. Come walk beside.
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart. Wean it form earth, through all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art, and make me love thee as I ought to love.
Opening Responsive Words
Words …
Words …
Light …
Light …
New Life …
New Life …
Spirit…
Spirit…
The – in-breaking word – the flow of light – the rush of living water
Spirit……….
Come Holy Spirit – you scoundrel of grace – —
Come Holy Spirit – invade and infect us – with goosebumps and justice
Come Holy Spirit – you spark in the chaos – —
Come Holy Spirit – unstop our ears – to the songs in creation
Come Holy Spirit – you rascal of heaven – —
Come Holy Spirit – bring us to the edge – of all things created
Come Now …..
Come Spirit of grace – Come Spirit of life – Come Spirit of creation
Come now…
Come now…
♫Opening Song | “Spirit Working in Creation”
1. Spirit, working in creation, bringing order out of strife,
come among God’s gathered people, giving harmony and life.
2. Spirit, speaking through the prophets so the voice of God was heard,
come, inspire, alert your people to this day’s prophetic word.
3. Spirit, breathed upon disciples, giving peace where there was fear,
come among us, touch us, send us, making Jesus’ presence near.
4. Spirit, wind and flame, empow’ring, fearless witness to the lost:
come unite, renew your wonders; give us your new Pentecost.
Story for the Children | Lucy Bowman
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 | “Spirit of God” with “O Breath of Life” | arr. Cindy Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | Acts 2: 1-21
Acts 2: 1-13 | The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house
where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak in other tongue] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked:
“Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs –
we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
♫Scripture Song | “Spirit of the Living God” | #349
Acts 2: 14-21 | Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
“Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood – before the coming of the great and glorious day of God.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of God will be saved.’
♫Pentecost Song | “Now Let the Fire of Heaven Come Down” | Shawn Kirchner
Worship Choir
Now let the fire of heaven of heaven come down – as tongues of flame on every brow.
Holy Spirit breathe upon us. Holy Spirit Come!
And the fruit of the Spirit is Love! Joy! Peace! Patience! Kindness! Gentleness! Goodness! Faithfulness!
Message | “Declare the Wonders of God” | Kathryn Whitacre
Please take a moment to contemplate the scripture and message
♫Sending Song | “Wind Who Makes All Winds”
Wind who makes all winds that blow – gusts that bend the saplings low,
gales that heave the sea in waves, stirrings in the mind’s deep caves –
aim your breath with steady pow’r – on your church, this day, this hour.
Raise, renew the life we’ve lost, Spirit God of Pentecost.
Raise, renew the life we’ve lost, Spirit God of Pentecost.
Fire who fuels all fires that burn – suns around which planets turn,
beacons marking reefs and shoals, – shining truth to guide our souls –
come to us as once you came; burst in tongues of sacred flame!
Light and Power, Might and Strength, fill your church, its breadth and length.
Light and Power, Might and Strength, fill your church, its breadth and length.
Holy Spirit, Wind and Flame, move within our mortal frame.
Make our heart an altar pyre. Kindle them with your own fire.
Breathe and blow upon that blaze – till our lives, our deeds, and ways
speak that tongue which ev’ry land – by your grace shall understand.
speak that tongue which ev’ry land – by your grace shall understand.
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” | Oliver Holden/Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
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