13 Jun Worship Bulletin: 6/16/24
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, June 16, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
♫Gathering Music | Medley of Hymns
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
Moment in Mission – The Cedars – CEO, LaMonte Rothrock
♫Centering Music | “Simple Praise” | Martin-Courtney
van Asselt family, vocalists; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Opening Responsive Words | text VT #598 (adapted)
More than we know, God’s love is with us.
God’s love is with us – more than we know!
More than we know, God cares for us.
God cares for us – more than we know!
More than we know, God’s love is in us.
God’s love is in us – more than we know!
God is walking with us, holding us, living with us – more than we know!
More than we know, God is walking with us, holding us, living with us.
God is here. God is with us.
More than we know!
♫Opening Song | “He Leadeth Me” | #599
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Vacation Bible School | Carolyn Schrock
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 | “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” | Spiritual/arr. Berry
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Scripture Focus | I Samuel 15:1-35 and 16:1-23 (lectionary text)
I Samuel 15:1-12 Saul disobeys God
1 Samuel said to Saul,
“I am the one God sent to anoint you king over the people of Israel; so listen now to the message from God.
…. go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them.
Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”
4 So Saul summoned the men and assembled them … 7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites …
9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good.
These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.
10 Then the word of God came to Samuel:
11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not
carried out my instructions.” … Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, …
I Samuel 15:13-35 Samuel rebukes then abandons Saul
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said,
“God bless you! I have carried out God’s instructions.”
14 But Samuel said,
“What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”
15 Saul answered,
“The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to God your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”
16 Samuel said to Saul. “Enough! Let me tell you what God said to me last night.”
Saul replied. “Tell me,”
17 Samuel said,
“Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel?
God anointed you king over Israel. 18 And God sent you on a mission, saying,
‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’
19 Why did you not obey God? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of God?”
20 Saul said
“But I did obey God. I went on the mission God assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.
21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to God your God at Gilgal.”
22 But Samuel replied:
“Does God delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying God? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of God, God has rejected you as king.”
24 Then Saul said to Samuel,
“I have sinned. I violated God’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.
25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship God.”
26 But Samuel said to him,
“I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of God, and God has rejected you as king over Israel!”
27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28 Samuel said to him,
“God has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors – to one better than you.
29 the One who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; [the ‘Glory of Israel’ ] is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
30 Saul replied,
“I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship God your God.”
31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped God.32 Then Samuel said,
“Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”
Agag came to him in chains. And [Agag] thought,
“Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
33 But Samuel said,
“As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless among women.”
And Samuel put Agag to death before God at Gilgal.
34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.
35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him.
And God regretted having made Saul king over Israel.
♫Scripture Song | “In Your Sickness” | #585
sing twice
Scripture Foci | I Samuel 15:1-35 and 16:1-23 (lectionary text)
I Samuel 16:1-13 Samuel Anoints David
1 God said to Samuel,
“How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?
Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem.
I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” …
4 Samuel did what God said. … Samuel saw Eliab … But God said …
“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab … But Samuel said, “God has not chosen this one either.”
9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has God chosen this one.”
10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him,
“God has not chosen these.”
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest, he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then God said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and
from that day on the Spirit of God came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
I Samuel 16:14-23 David in Saul’s Service
14 Now the Spirit of God had departed from Saul, and an [foul] spirit tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said …
“…16 Let our lord command [us] to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the [foul] spirit comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered,
“I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre.
He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And God is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said,
“Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” …
21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, …
22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the [foul] spirit came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play.
Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the [foul] spirit would leave him.
Message | “Samuel Responds . . . again” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “How Firm a Foundation” | #567
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “A Mighty Fortress” | arr. David Cherwien
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