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 21, 2026
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “A Rondel” | Charles Callahan
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | “Voluntary in G” | William Walond
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Opening Litany: The Sacred Strange
ONE: For the holy mysteries that defy our neat categories,
ALL: We give you thanks, O God, for the beautiful strange.
ONE: For the parts of ourselves that fee lpeculiar, misunderstood, or wild,
ALL: We give you thanks, O God, for the beautiful strange.
ONE: When we are called to be set apart, walking to the rhythm of a different grace,
ALL: Guide our steps and embolden our hearts.
ONE: When the world demands sameness and conformity,
ALL: Remind us we are wonderfully made, a tapestry of holy eccentricities.
ONE: You are the author of the wilderness—of untamed oceans and unmapped stars.
ALL: May we never be afraid to wander off the beaten path of love.
ONE: We claim our weirdness as a divine fingerprint, our wildness as the breath of the Spirit.
ALL: May our strangeness be a beacon of Your boundless, uncontainable love. Amen.
♫Opening Song | “All Creatures, Worship God Most High”
inclusive words | #48 Hymnal a Worship Book; All creatures of our God and King
1 *All creatures worship God most high, lift up your voice in earth and sky, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail in heav’n along, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening, find a voice,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 Thou flowing water, pure and clear, make music for thy God to hear, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright, that givest all both warmth and light,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 Dear mother earth, who day by day, unfoldest blessings on our way, alleluia, alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow, let them God’s glory also show,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5 And ev’ryone, with tender heart, forgiving others, take your part, alleluia, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, sing praise and cast on God your care,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6 And thou, most kind and gentle death, waiting to hush our final breath, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God, as Christ before that way hath trod,
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
7 Let all things their Creator bless, and worship God in humbleness, alleluia, alleluia!
To God all thanks and praise belong! Join in the everlasting song:
O sing ye, O sing ye, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Message for the Kids | Cara Hudson
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 | “Arise!” (I Will Arise) | C.E.Walz
Nancy Miner, piano
Scripture Focus | Job 12:7-10
“… ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of God has done this?
10 In God’s hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humankind.
♫Scripture Song | “Creating God, Your Fingers Trace”
Message | “Variety, Diversity, Mystery” | Kathryn Whitacre
“Weird, Wild, Wonderful”
♫Sending Song | “Sing a New World into Being“
Sing to the tune of #71 Hymnal a Worship Book; Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
1 Sing a new world into being. Sound a bold and hopeful theme.
Find a tune for silent yearnings. Lend your voice and dare to dream:
Dream a church where all who worship find their lives and loves belong.
Sing a new world into being. Sing as Christ inspires your song!
2 Sing a new world into being where each gender, class and race
Brings its rainbow gifts and colors to God’s limitless embrace:
Where the lines that once divided form instead the ties that bind.
Sing a new world into being: risk transforming heart and mind.
3 Sing a new world into being where the homeless find a home,
Where no children ever hunger but are filled in God’s Shalom:
Where all people work for justice, where all hate and vengeance cease.
Sing a new world into being: raise the harmonies of peace.
4 Sing a new world into being, join the ancient prophets’ cry
For a time of health and plenty, when all tears have been wiped dry:
When compassion flows like waters, pouring balm for all who grieve,
Sing a new world into being: live the promise you believe!
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him” | arr. Anna Page
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, Janette Hess, Michele Johnson, Shane Kirchner, Marie Neher & Lara Schoming
