27 Jun Worship Bulletin: 6/30/24
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 30, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
♫Gathering Music | “Blessed Be The Name” | Brian Glyncannon
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
Moment in Mission: Finance Team Insurance Change – Emily Ayers, Chair; Carolyn Masterson, Treasurer
♫Centering Music | “Amazing Grace” | arr. Philip Sparke
Eric Goering, trombone; Ellen Gilbert, piano
Unison Opening Words of Affirmation | VT #1037
Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning.
Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.
Whatever form we are, whatever our abilities, whatever our resources,
it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing;
a lifelong sharing of love with others.
♫Opening Song | “Though I May Speak” (“The Gift of Love”)
1 Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,
and have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
2 Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,
but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.
3 Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.
Consecration and Blessing for Tom and Jan Hurst
Story for the Children | Barbara Wagoner
Video Invitation to Give
♫Musical Offering | “We Can Make a Difference” | Mark Heimermann and David Mullen
Melia Dell Jones and Kevin Jones
Scripture Focus | 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 | David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan
1 After the death of Saul, David returned from striking down the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,
18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
19 “A gazelle [human dignitary] lies slain on your heights, Israel. How the mighty have fallen!
20 “Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.
21 “Mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, may no showers fall on your terraced fields
For there the shield of the mighty was despised, the shield of Saul – no longer rubbed with oil.
22 “From the blood of the slain, from the flesh of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, the sword of Saul did not return unsatisfied.
23 Saul and Jonathan – in life they were loved and admired, and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
24 “Daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.
25 “How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
27 “How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!”
♫Scripture Song | “When Love is Found” | #623
Message | “A Love Poem” | Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | “Bless’d be the Tie that Binds” | #421
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Fanfare and Trumpet” | Henry Purcell
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