Worship Bulletin 7/12/26

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, July 12, 2026

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Welcome Video

♫Gathering Music | “Come Thou Fount” | arr. Lloyd Larson‍

Ellen Gilbert, piano

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Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Tricia Hartshorn

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♫Centering Music | “The Lord’s My Shepherd” | arr. Gordon Young‍

Ellen Gilbert, organ

Unison Statement of Commitment

Creating God, as we gather on this new day, we recommit ourselves to Your Purposes.

We will work to: break bread with joy, share our lives in deep fellowship,

continually learn Your ways and pray without ceasing.

♫Opening Song | “Spirit of the Living God” | #349

(Please also sing additional second verse, as printed here)

           Spirit of the living God, move among us all; make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:

                       humble, caring, selfless, sharing. Sprit of the living God, fill our lives with love.

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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 | “Where He Leads Me/He Leadeth Me” | arr. Brant Adams

Eric Goering, trombone; Ellen Gilbert, piano 

Scripture Focus | Acts 2:42-47 | The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 
43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily ……‍

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♫Scripture Song | “We Meet as Friends at Table”            

Sung to the tune of #447, "O Jesus, I have promised”

                                   1. We meet as friends at table, to listen, and be heard,

                                   united by the Spirit, attentive to the Word.

                                   Through prayer and conversation we tune our varied views

                                   to Christ, whose love has made us the bearers of good news.

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                                   2. With food and drink for sharing the table soon is spread.

                                   The freedom-meal of Jesus is crowned with wine and bread,

                                   and all, without exception, may eat, and speak, and stay,

                                   for this is Christ's own table where none are turned away.

                                   3. We share our lives and longings, and when the meal is done

                                   we pray as friends at table, and promise to be one.

                                   To Christ, and to each other, we cheerfully belong:

                                   apart, our hope is fruitless; together, we are strong.

                                   4. Fulfilled, and glad to follow wherever Christ may lead,

                                   we journey from the table to love a world in need

                                   with patience, truth and kindness, that justice may increase

                                   and all may sit at table in freedom, joy, and peace.

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Message | “Four Things” | Kathryn Whitacre

break bread together, devote time and energy to the teachings of Jesus, engage in fellowship and pray

♫Sending Song | “We are Called to be God’s People”  

Sung to the tune of #619, "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken”

                                   1. We are called to be God’s people, showing by our lives God’s grace,

                                   one in heart and one in spirit, sign of hope for all the race.

                                   Let us show how God has changed us, and remade us as God’s own,

                                   let us share our life together as we shall around God’s throne.

                                   2. We are called to be God’s servants, working in God’s world today;

                                   taking God’s own task upon us, all God’s sacred words obey.

                                   Let us rise, then, to God’s summons, dedicate to God our all,

                                   that we may be faithful servants, quick to answer now God’s call.

                                   3. We are called to be God’s prophets, speaking for the truth and right,

                                   standing firm for godly justice, bringing evil things to light.

                                   Let us seek the courage needed, our high calling to fulfill,

                                   that the world may know the blessing of the doing of God’s will.

Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music

Sending Words

♫Sending Music | “Come Thou Almighty King” | arr. Edward Broughton

Ellen Gilbert, organ