29 Aug Worship Bulletin: 9/1/24
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, September 1, 2024 @ 10:15 a.m.
♫Gathering Hymn Sing
“Christ is Our Cornerstone” verses 1 & 4 | #43
“Christian, Let Your Burning Light” verses 1 & 3 | #402
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” verses 1 and 5 | #145
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | Ellen Gilbert
Opening Words | “O God in Whom All Life Begins” | Carl P. Daw Jr. (lightly adapted)
All life begins in God, who births the seed to fruit.
Bestow your blessing on our lives God; let your love find root.
Bring forth in us the Spirit’s gifts of patience, joy, and peace;
Deliver us from numbing fear, and grant an increase of our faith.
Grant us your grace as we seek the power your peace imparts.
Unite us in mutual ministry – our minds, hands and hearts.
Let our varied gifts combine to bring glory to your name, proclaiming your love in word and deed.
Through shared tears and laughter, grief and joy; enlarge our trust and care.
Bind us in community that together we might risk and dare.
Be with us as we gather to worship, sing, pray and then send us forth
in power and faith – to live the words we say.
♫Opening Song | “Called as Partners in Christ’s Service”
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 | “Like A Circle” | Ben Abraham
Jd Bowman, vocalist
“Make my love like a river,” I said, thinking it would be. “Covering the in-between and joining you to me.”
See I knew that you would wander and I thought you could be free.
I guess I thought that this is what you wanted.
But I won’t love like this again because it wears the heart too thin.
So make my heart like a circle, no beginning and no end. Give me love like a circle and I’ll be happy then.
“Make my love like an ocean,” I said, “deep as deep can be. My might of heart enfolding you, your heart defining me. Is there anything as awesome as the fury of the sea?
The violence was beauty for a moment.”
But I won’t love like this again. It changes with the Southern wind.
So make my heart like a circle, ground on which I can depend. Give me love like a circle and I’ll be happy then.
I seem to live in straight lines. My life is made of straight lines.
Always before or behind. I can’t escape the straight lines…
So make my love like a circle, oh and teach my heart to bend. Give me love like a circle and I’ll be happy then.
Scripture Focus | Psalm 15 | a Psalm of David
1 God, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person but honors those who [stand in awe of God];
who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
♫Scripture Song | “We Give Thee but Thine Own” | #384
Message | “Let’s Gather in God’s Tent” | Jerry Bowen
♫Sending Song | ‘The Church of Christ in Every Age”
The Church of Christ in every age beset by change but Spirit led,
must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead.
Across the world, across the street, the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat, and never live until they die.
Then let the servant Church arise, a caring Church that longs to be
a partner in Christ’s sacrifice, and clothed in Christ’s humanity.
We have no mission but to serve in full obedience to our Lord:
To care for all, without reserve, and spread his liberating Word.
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Ayre” | Jeremiah Clarke
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