03 Apr Worship Bulletin: 4/6/25
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, April 6, 2025 @ 10:15 a.m. – Lenten Theme: Eco-Spirituality
Fifth Sunday of Lent – Prayer Pocket Prayer
God, thank you for every tiny atom that moves me through your world today
♫Gathering Music | “God So Loved the World” from The Crucifixion | John Stainer/arr. Masterson
Resonance Trio: Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, piano; Bruce Wagoner, cello
Video Welcome
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | TBD
♫Centering Music | “It is Well with My Soul” | Ville Du Havre/arr. K. Campbell
Resonance Trio: Bryan Hess, violin; Dan Masterson, piano; Bruce Wagoner, cello
Unison Opening Prayer (inspired by John 12: 1-8)
starters for Sunday website – Church of Scotland
God of lavish grace: with thankful hearts we rejoice in your goodness towards us and in the many blessings that we receive each day.
In love you provide for your people’s needs and you accompany us along the way.
We give you our thanks for the physical gifts that sustain us and for the added blessings which make life more joyful and full.
We rejoice that you freely pour out the perfume of your love.
We are thankful for those who have been bountiful towards us, giving of their time, their skills and their love.
As a token of our gladness, may we also bless others, being generous with all that you have bestowed. AMEN
♫Opening Song | “Fairest Lord Jesus” | #117
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 | “You Walk with Me” | David Yazbek
Dan Lichty, Lara Lichty Schoming, vocals; Westen Gehring, clarinet; Olivia Gehring, piano
Is it the wind over my shoulder? Is it the wind that I hear gently whispering,
“Are you alone there in the valley?” No, not alone for you walk, you walk with me.
Is it the wind there over my shoulder? Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley, never alone for you walk with me.
When evening falls and the air gets colder, when shadows cover the road I am following
will I be alone there in the darkness?
No, not alone, not alone and I’ll never be… Never alone. You are walking, you’re walking with me.
Is it the wind there over my shoulder? Is it your voice calling quietly?
Over the hilltop, down in the valley, never alone for you walk with me.
Over the hilltop down in the valley. Never alone for you walk with me.
Never alone for you walk with me.
Scripture Foci | Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Matthew 26:6-13
… a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head
… “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
Mark 14:3-9
… a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
… “Leave her alone. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.
But you will not always have me.
Luke 7:36-50
A woman … came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. …. she began to wet his feet with her tears
Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
… You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I
entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
John 12:1-8
… Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
… “Leave her alone,… You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
♫Scripture Song | “A prophet Woman Broke a Jar”
A prophet woman broke a jar, by Love’s divine appointing,
with rare perfume she filled the room, presiding and anointing.
A prophet woman broke a jar, the sneers of scorn defying,
with rare perfume she filled the room, preparing Christ for dying.
A faithful woman left a tomb by Love’s divine commission,
she saw, she heard, she preached the Word, arising from submission.
A faithful woman left a tomb, with resurrection gospel.
She saw, she heard, she preached the Word, apostle to apostles.
Though woman wisdom, woman truth, for centuries were hidden,
unsung, unwritten, and unheard, derided and forbidden,
the Spirit’s breath, the Spirit’s fire, on free and slave descending,
can tumble our dividing walls, our shame and sadness mending.
The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, by Love’s divine ordaining,
the friends we need to serve and lead, their powers and gifts unchaining.
The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, from women, men and children,
the friends we need, to serve and lead. Rejoice, and make them welcome!
Message | “extravagant love” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “Will You Let Me be Your Servant” | #307
Unison Sending Words | written by Jan L. Richardson
When we encounter the body of God – still broken in this world,
may we meet it with lavish grace and pour ourselves out with extravagant love.
♫Sending Music | “All is Well” | arr. Masterson
Dan Masterson, 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