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, August 16, 2026
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” | arr. Fred Bock
Ellen Gilbert, piano
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | Tricia Hartshorn
♫Centering Song | “All Good Gifts” | Stephen Schwartz
Bud Taylor, with Amy Hoffman, Melia Jones, vocals; Westen Gehring, clarinet; Kevin Jones, piano
We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land
but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand.
He [God] sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above so thank the Lord,
oh thank the Lord, for all His [God’s] love.
So don't store up your treasure on earth where it grows rusty and moth-eaten
and thieves break in to steal it.
No, store up your treasure in heaven where there is no moth and no rust
and no thief breaks in to steal it.
For where your treasure is, so will your heart be also.
We thank Thee then, oh Father [Creator], for all things bright and good;
the seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer for all Thy love imparts but that which Thou desirest;
our humble thankful hearts.
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above so thank the Lord,
oh thank the Lord, for all His [God’s] love.
I really wanna thank You, Lord (All good gifts around us).
I wanna thank You, Lord (Are sent from heaven above).
For Your love, I wanna thank You, Lord (All good gifts around us).
Scripture Foci | Mark, Psalms, Luke | Cara Hudson
Mark 6:31
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat,
Jesus said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Psalm 46:10
“….. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Luke 5:16
“….. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Reflection | Pearl Miller
True centering does not happen by fighting chaos and demands. It happens by walking away.
Jesus did not wait for the crowds to leave; He left the crowds to find an isolated place.
When you step into change, you are not escaping reality. You are returning to it.
Responsive Prayer | Pearl Miller
ONE: Help us sense you Holy Creator, as we pause, as we take one deep breath and let it out.
Be with us as we let go of what burdens us – even if - for only this one hour.
ALL: God, the world is demanding, and my mind is full.
I step away sometimes to find my center in You.
When it is needful, help me to shut the door on my distractions. Teach my heart to be still.
Remind me that my worth is found in Your presence, not my productivity.
Recharge my spirit in the space that is different from everyday space;
the space that fills me with what I most require - the space that may be –
exactly what I need - to once again focus on You. AMEN
♫Opening Camp Song | “Way up in the Sky" | led by Becky Snell
(sing twice – join in as you know it OR learn it)
Way up in the sky, the little birds fly
(point up, then flap "wings")
Way down in the nest, the baby birds rest.
(prayer hands, then rest head on them)
With a wing on the left, and a wing on the right
(left arm wing-wiggle, same with right)
The little birds sleep - all through the night
(rest head on hands)
Shhhhhh! They're sleeping
(index fingers to lips)
The bright sun comes up
(big circle with arms)
The dew falls away
(fingers rain down)
"Good morning, good morning," the little birds say
(make little talking beaks with hands)
Message for the Kids | Cara Hudson
Invitation to Give
You may Give online or send a check made payable to "McPherson Church of the Brethren,"
200 N. Carrie, McPherson, KS 67460
Thankful ‘Shout-Outs’ for different Summer Experiences | Kathryn Whitacre
Giving Thanks Camp Songs | Becky Snell
Johnny Apple Seed
Oh the Lord’s been good to me and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need
the sun and the rain and the apple seed.
The Lord’s been good to me.
Amen, Amen, Amen-Amen-Amen!
Superman Thanksgiving Song
Thank you God, for giving us food! Thank you God, for giving us food!
For the food we eat, for the friends we meet,
Thank you God, for giving us food!
THANK YOU GOD!
Reflection | Kathryn Whitacre
How did we connect to God while we were away from the weekly Home Church routine?
Spiritually we grow and connect in the summer through:
Annual Conference, District Conference, Young Adult Conference, National Youth Conference,
Work Camps/Faith X, Family Reunions, Hiking, Water Skiing, Vacationing, ???
‘Shout-Outs’ – what ‘different ’experience did you have this summer where you felt God?
♫Special Music | “Tomorrow" | Charles Strouse/Martin Charnin
Ritter Lange, Mona Lange-Wisdom, vocals; Kevin Jones, piano
The sun'll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about tomorrow, clears away the cobwebs, and the sorrow, 'til there's none!
When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin, and say,
Oh! The sun'll come out tomorrow, so ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya tomorrow! You're always a day away!
Responsive Prayer of Return | Westen Gehring
ONE: Transitioning back requires a mindful release from the past rhythm and a grounded embrace of home.
ALL: For the set-aside time, the varied pace, the grace of rest, the different encounters,
patterns and tempos - we give thanks and say goodbye.
For the lessons learned, the people met, the experiences gained, the beauty seen as we -
depart those moments of our lives - we hold them all close as we leave them behind
ONE: As we re-enter the Threshold of Home – the McPherson Church of the Brethren –
this place of return, where we are called to dwell - we open our hearts.
ALL: Here, in the place where we love God with all our soul - may our worship fill the spaces.
Here, in the place where we learn to love ourselves - may we walk in peace and tender care.
Here, in the place where we love our neighbors, as ourselves - may our hands
do the work of grace.
Welcome us home, O God, and guide our steps anew. AMEN
Ritual of Returning
Think about what you will release so you might fully engage again in the work of this Faith Community
AND/OR
Think about what you will reclaim so you might fully engage again in the work of this Faith Community
When you have either or both of those ideas in your head
come forward and symbolically pour a small container of colored water into the larger container;
releasing and/or reclaiming your life – in relationship to the life and work of this Faith Community
(please come forward down the center aisles and return to your seat via the outside aisles)
(IF you would like to participate from your seat – raise your hand)
♫Sending Song
please sing a cappella and end by singing verse 1 again
Unison Sending Words | Ann Flory
In the summer we scatter – we are the diaspora.
Now we bring ourselves back – and join as the gathered community.
We meet again - after being gone.
We refocus – reconnect – recommit to the work of this – our local Faith Community.
May our work be for God and our neighbors good. AMEN
♫Sending Round | “Peace, be Still, and Know that I am God” | Becky Snell
please follow the instructions of the song-leader
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
