Worship Bulletin 6/28/26

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.
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Sunday, June 28, 2026

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Welcome Video

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♫Gathering Music | “Take Time to be Holy” | George C. Stebbins

Luke Loganbill, piano

Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Tricia Hartshorn

♫Centering Music | “Lord of the Dance” | adapted by John Carter

Piano Duet; Lois Grove, Anne Hayes

Opening Responsive Words | The Call to ALL People

        ONE:   The voice of God echoes across the universe, calling us by name.
           ALL:    Like Cornelius, may we open our doors and our hearts, ready to listen to whatever God commands.

        ONE:   Yet, sometimes we fear the destination and turn away from the voice.
           ALL:    Like Jonah, we have tried to flee from God’s presence, hiding from the tasks God sets before us.

        ONE:   But God’s mercy is wider than the oceans, and God’s call cannot be contained.
           ALL:    It breaks through our barriers; it overcomes our excuses.

        ONE:   This call is not for a select few, nor is it bound by our divisions.
           ALL:    It is a holy invitation issued to Jew and Gentile alike.

        ONE:   From the east and the west, from every nation and walk of life, we are gathered.
           ALL:    We are called into one body, served by one Spirit, under one God.

        ONE:   Arise, church, for God is doing a new thing!
           ALL:    Here we are, God. No longer fleeing, but ready to answer God’s call - together.

♫Opening Song | “Tꞿ has venido a la Orilla” | #229‍

(Lord, you have come to the Lakeshore)    

Message for the Kids | Barbara Wagoner

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

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♫Offering Music | “Arms of Love” | Carol Ward, Vocals & Piano    

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Gary Chapman

           Lord, I'm really glad You're here.

           I hope you feel the same when You see all my fear and how I’ve failed.

           I fall sometimes. It's hard to walk in shifting sand.

           I miss the rock and find I’ve nowhere left to stand and start to cry.

           Lord, please help me raise my hands so You can pick me up.

           Hold me close, hold me tighter.

           I have found a place where I can hide; it's safe inside Your arms of love.

           Like a child who's held throughout a storm, You keep me warm in Your arms of love.

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           Storms will come and storms will go.

           I wonder just how many storms it takes until I finally know You're here always;

                       even when my skies are far from gray.

           I can stay, teach me to stay there in the place I found where I can hide,

                       it's safe inside Your arms of love.

           Like a child who's held throughout a storm, You keep me warm in Your arms of love

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Scripture Foci | Jonah 1:1-3

           1 The word of God came to Jonah son of Amittai: 

                       2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

           3 But Jonah ran away from God and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a shipbound for that port.
              After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from God.
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                                                                       Acts 10:1, 3-8

           10 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
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             3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said,

                       “Cornelius!”

           4 Cornelius stared at [the angel] in fear and asked,

                       “What is it, God?”

              The angel answered,

                       “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 

                       5 Now send [someone] to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 

                       6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

           7 When the angel who spoke to Cornelius had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 

            8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

♫Scripture Song | “Lord, Speak to Me” | #499    
                                           

Message | “Jonah and Cornelius” | Kathryn Whitacre
running away – running to – the ‘others’

♫Sending Song | “Here I am, Lord” | #395

Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music

Sending Words

♫Sending Music | “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” | Bruce Greer

Donna Emmert, piano

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