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 12, 2026
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Carla Etude” | by Elton John
Kevin Jones, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Cara Hudson
♫Centering Music | “Elegy” | by Michael Baker
Kaitlyn van Asselt, flute; Kevin Jones, piano
Responsive Opening Words | The Pilgrim’s Path
ONE: The road of faith is long, and sometimes the fog of despair settles heavy upon our hearts.
ALL: We come weary, carrying burdens too heavy to hold, searching for a glimmer of light.
ONE: Yet, even in the darkness, we are not alone.
God is the whisper of hope that invites us to take another step.
ALL: Though we stumble, we are not destroyed. Though we doubt, we are not abandoned.
ONE: Come, all who struggle, all who hope, all who walk.
Bring your brokenness and your praises to the ONE who makes a way.
ALL: Let us worship the God of the journey, who turns our shadows into dancing and
our despair into unwavering hope. Amen.
♫Opening Song | “Hamba Nathi” (Come Walk with Us)
Message for the Kids | Dawn Hoffman
Invitation to Give Video
You may Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren,"
200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
♫Offering Music | “Somewhere in Time” | by John Barry
Kevin Jones, piano
Scripture Focus | Luke 24:13-35 | On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other,
Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them,
“What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him,
“Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 He asked, "What things?”
They replied,
“About Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the
people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they
crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And
what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women
amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and
told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our
companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see
Jesus.”
25 He said to them,
“How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the
Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the
Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.
29 But they urged him strongly,
“Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying,
“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
♫Scripture Song | “Open my Eyes that I May See” | #517
Message | “surprises on the journey” | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “Beauty for Brokenness”
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “You'll Never Walk Alone” | by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein
Melia Jones, soprano; Kevin Jones, piano
When you walk through a storm, keep your chin up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sky and the sweet, silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone! You’ll never walk alone.
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, Janette Hess, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner, Marie Neher & Lara Schoming
