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, July 5, 2026
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Air” (Fourth Movement from Holberg Suite) | Edward Grieg
Olivia Gehring, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Ann Stover
♫Centering Music | “It Is Well With my Soul” | arr. Lynn Freeman Olsen
Luke Loganbill, piano
Responsive Opening Prayer
ONE: Holy God, guide and light of our lives, you are the source of all grandeur and power.
You have entrusted us with resources and influence.
ALL: We acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from you.
ONE: When you grant us worldly authority, you do not call us to behave arrogantly as if we are
superior to others, but you call us to lead as servants.
ALL: By your grace, may we use our influence to protect the vulnerable, advocate for justice,
and uplift the oppressed.
ONE: When you entrust us with financial resources, you invite us to loosen our grip on earthly wealth
ALL: We offer our money and our treasures to advance your purposes; feed the hungry, and care for our neighbors.
ONE: Forgive us, God, when we hoard what you have provided to seek our own power and splendor.
ALL: Purify our hearts, transform our fear into radical love, and align our resources with your generous nature.
ONE: Grant us the courage to step out in faith, becoming living reflections of Jesus’ reconciling love in this world.
ALL: Empower us by your Holy Spirit - to serve you by serving one another. AMEN
♫Opening Song | “As the Deer Pants for Water”
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
♫Offering Music | “Amazing, Marvelous Grace” | Edwin Excell and Daniel Towner
Luke Loganbill, piano
Scripture Foci
I Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Luke 12:15
15 Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not
consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Matthew 20:25-26
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to
become great among you must be your servant.
♫Scripture Song | “Will you let me be your Servant” | #307
Message | ‘Money and Power' | Kathryn Whitacre
♫Sending Song | “Take my Life and Let it Be” | #389
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words
♫Sending Music | “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” | arr. Humphrey Turner
Ellen Gilbert, organ
Lyric Origins
In 1831, composer Lowell Mason gave seminary student Samuel Francis Smith several German songbooks to
translate. Inspired by one of the German songs, Smith decided to write an original patriotic hymn for America.
He drafted the lyrics for "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" in about 30 minutes. He penned the lyrics to fit the melody of the
British national anthem, "God Save the King." It was first performed publicly on July 4, 1831, by a children's choir in Boston.
Musical Roots
The famous melody has a much longer, somewhat mysterious history. While widely known as Great Britain's royal anthem,
variants of the tune have existed for hundreds of years. Some historians attribute the earliest known version to a 1619
keyboard piece by English composer John Bull, while others suggest its roots trace back to old Scottish carols
1) My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, land of the
pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside let freedom ring!
2) My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and
templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills like that above.
3) No more shall tyrants here with haughty steps appear, and soldier bands; No more shall tyrants tread
above the patriot dead. No more our blood be shed by alien hands.
4) Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song: Let mortal tongues
awake, let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
5) Our fathers’ God, to Thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing; Long may our land be bright with freedom’s
holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
An abolitionist version was written, by A. G. Duncan, 1843. The antislavery movement used the available media
to spread its message. Abolitionist writers took familiar tunes and provided them with new lyrics that were scathing
attacks on slavery and its defenders.
1) My country! ’tis of thee, stronghold of slavery, of thee I sing: land where my fathers died, where men
man’s rights deride, from every mountainside, thy deeds shall ring.
2) My native country! thee, where all men are born free, if white their skin: I love thy hills and dales, thy
mounts and pleasant vales, but hate thy negro sales, as foulest sin.
3) Let wailing swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees, the black man’s wrong; let every tongue awake
let bond and free partake, let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
4) Our Father’s God! To thee, author of Liberty, to thee we sing; Soon may our land be bright, with holy
freedom’s right, protect us by they might, great God, our King.
For the Centennial Anniversary celebration of George Washington's inauguration as president, April 30, 1889,
another verse was added to the original version.
6) Our joyful hearts today, their grateful tribute pay, happy and free. After our toils and fears, after our
blood and tears, strong with our hundred years, O God, to thee.
Important Dates Yet this Summer
Faith Quest –Wednesdays in July at First Mennonite Church – the corner of Maxwell and Avenue ‘A’
Western Plains District Conference – McPherson CoB – Friday, July 23rd through Sunday worship, July 26th
(some invitation-only meetings will begin Thursday)
Faith Quest Celebration in Morning Worship - August 2nd
WCW Welcome Back Cook-Out – Wednesday, September 2nd
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
