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 2, 2026 - Faith Quest Worship: Connections: Friends, Family, Generations, Community, Jesus
Welcome Video
♫Gathering Music | “As I Went Down to the River to Pray”
Sharing Time – Joys and Concerns | LaMonte Rothrock
Moment in Mission – Transition Team – LaMonte Rothrock, Chair
What are the four strategic initiatives of our church?
Care for God’s creation;
Partner for Social and Racial Justice;
Emphasize Service and Peacemaking; and
Prioritize Young Adults, Young Families and Youth.
How do these strategic initiatives relate to the Transitional Ministry Team?
The Transitional Ministry Team’s charge is to
recommend to the Leadership Team a staffing plan that will best enable the church
to achieve the four strategic initiatives.
What has been the focus of the Transitional Ministry Team in its initial meetings?
To date, the team has focused on; the history of the church, past staffing patterns,
financial and physical resources, congregational characteristics, past mission emphases,
and district and denominational relationships and resources.
What can I do to aid the Transitional Ministry Team?
Participate in small group sessions, individual meetings, surveys, and other informational
gatherings organized by the committee.
Be considerate of all ideas presented in this discernment process.
Pray that the committee’s work will accurately reflect future staffing needs to achieve the
church’s strategic initiatives.
We will continue to communicate our plans to all of you as they unfold.
Thank you for your continued support.
♫Centering Music | “I am the Vine” | Seth Hendricks
Responsive Opening Words | Bill or Lois Grove
ONE: God calls us to connect with all ages and all people; family, friends, generations, community & Jesus.
ALL: We will worship God, learning to connect to everyone and preparing to go forth - together.
ONE: God calls us to work together; growing in faith, building community, inspiring a better world
and creating a place of belonging.
ALL: We will sing to God, learning how – together - we might connect to everyone and
share God’s love.
ONE: God calls us to be filled with love and peace - making room for all and loving one another.
ALL: We will praise God, recommitted to; being together, nurturing connections and going out
to do God’s work.
♫Opening Song | “Come and See"
Message for the Kids | Lara Schoming
♫Video and Song from Radiant Star Orphanage
Special Offering is for the Radiant Star Orphanage in Uganda | Carolyn Schrock
♫Join us as we learn to sing the Radiant Star Orphanage Children’s Song
Scripture Focus : John 15:1-5 (The Message, paraphrased) : Ritter Lange and Mona Lange-Wisdom
The Vine and the Branches
ONE: “Jesus said,
TWO: “I am the Real Vine and God is the Farmer.
God cuts off every branch of me that does not produce grapes.
And every branch that does produce grapes –
God prunes back so it will produce even more grapes.
Each of you are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.”
ONE: The people were a little confused. They did not understand.
Nobody felt pruned or cut back! So Jesus tried to explain it all again.
TWO: “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you.
In the same way that a branch cannot produce grapes by itself –
but only by being joined to the vine, -
you cannot produce fruit unless you are joined with me.
ONE: Then the people began to understand. They repeated the lesson over and over –
“I am the Vine, you are the branches! I am the Vine, you are the branches!
I am the Vine, you are the branches!” Then Jesus added more to their understanding.
TWO: “When you are joined with me and I with you -the relationship is intimate and organic,
AND the harvest is sure to be abundant.
When you are separated, from me - you cannot produce one single thing.
Anyone who separates from me is dead wood and will be gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.
HOWEVER- if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you - when you produce grapes -
when you mature as my disciples - you can be sure that whatever you ask - will be listened to and acted upon.
THIS is how God shows who God is!
ONE: Jesus is the Real Vine and God is the Farmer.
We will make our home in Jesus. We will produce grapes. God will listen and act.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches! I am the Vine, you are the branches!”
♫Scripture Song | “God’s Love is for Everybody”
Message & Response | Connections: Friends, Family, Generations, Community, Jesus
Becki Bowman, Jeremy Samland
#1 Friends: Jesus and the Children | Mark 10:13-16 (the Message)
TWO: It’s hard to be told, “No, don’t interrupt.” Jesus embraces, blesses and empowers all people,
even children; especially children. Let’s make room for everyone!
ALL: We will make room!
#2 Family: Ruth & Naomi | Ruth 1-4 (the Message)
ONE: It is hard to be hungry. It is hard to say goodbye when someone we love dies.
It is hard to move and start over. In all these times, let us love our family; whether family of birth or family of choice
ALL: We will love our family!
#3 Generations: Eli and Samuel : I Samuel 3 (the Message)
ONE: Let’s listen to God’s voice and faithfully respond.
ALL: We will, Listen Well!
TWO: Let’s listen to each other to learn, grow and thrive in healthy ways.
ALL: We will, Listen Well!
#4 Community: Paul and Silas | Acts 16:11-15, 40 (the Message)
ONE: Lydia listened, with an open heart, to her new friends Paul and Silas
as they told her about Jesus.
ALL: Let’s make new friends, welcoming ALL people into our community of faith.
TWO: Lydia’s entire family became followers of Jesus, making new friends and living in a new way.
ALL: Let’s invite ALL people - offering hospitality - with an open hearth and open heart.
#5 Jesus: Vine and Branches | John 13:33-15:19 {15:1-5} (the Message)
ONE: Just like branches are connected to a vine, Jesus wants us to stay connected to him.
ALL: Vine and Branches. Let’s stay connected to Jesus.
ONE: Rooted in God’s love, we can share God’s Good News with friends and family,
across generations and in our communities and the world.
ALL: Vine and Branches. These are words to Live By!
♫Sending Song | “I am the Vine” | Seth Hendricks
Please be seated for the Sending Words and Sending Music
Sending Words | Bill or Lois Grove
♫Sending Music
Anticipating the New Academic Year
2026
Aug 09 Worship in the Sanctuary Basement – Service Emphasis
13 Inman Public School – First Day
16 Worship focused on wrapping up the summer – Camp Songs will be sung
18 McPherson Public School – First Day
19 McPherson College – All Classes Begin
21 Western Plains CoB Fall Retreat –McPherson CoB
23 Welcome Back Sunday
26 Parent and Youth Orientation Meeting with Youth Team – Pizza Served – 6pm to 7:30pm
27 Moundridge Public School – First Day
Sep 02 WCW- Welcome Back Cookout and Intergenerational Fun
05 Dale Minnich Memorial Service – McPherson CoB
05 Marlene Neher Memorial Service – Ivester CoB
06 Worship - Labor Day Weekend
09 WCW– regular Wednesday schedule for fall begins
20 Peace Sunday
27 World Communion – New Members
Oct 04 McPherson College Homecoming– College Choir and Church Choir in Worship
10 Reynolds/Craver Wedding – McPherson CoB
11 Fall Festival – Wagoner Home
Nov 07 Alternative Christmas Gift Market – McPherson Community Building
08 National Junior High Sunday
15 Congregational Fall Forum and Potluck after Worship
22 Giving Thanks Sunday
25 NO WCW Meal or Kid/Youth Activities
26 Thanks Giving Day
29 First Advent - Hope
Dec 06 Second Advent – Peace
09 WCW – Last meal of the Semester
13 Third Advent - Joy
20 Fourth Advent - Love
24 Christmas Eve Worship
25 Christmas Day
27 New Year Worship – Communion Served
2027
Jan 03 Epiphany Worship – Anointing Offered
06 WCW – First meal of the Semester
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
