Church Family, it is great to be with you in worship today! Today we will explore a passage in Ephesians and reflect on how we are ALL called to the work of ministry as followers of Jesus. We will have the pleasure of hearing special music from the Linds and Beth Schabel and also have the great joy and privilege of a child's dedication. We are blessed to have you with us and we hope you will be blessed by this time of worship! Welcome!
Introit - “Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble” [Song by Delirious/Martin Smith] - The Linds & Beth Schabel
Welcome to Mantua Center Christian Church
-- a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
Mission ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Youth Mission Trip Supper & Auction - Today at 5pm!
- Holy Humor Sunday NEXT WEEK - Kids…bring a joke to share, everyone feel free to dress in a fun way.
- Also, it's my last Sunday before I go on Sabbatical Leave.
Scripture - Matthew 5:14-16
14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
*Response - Weave #495
Weave, weave, weave us together, Weave us together, in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together, weave us together, together in love.
*Call to Worship - Carol Buzbee
One: Come, children of God, rejoice in the light of your Creator!
All: Let’s sing songs and hymns, old and new; with praise and prayers!
One: Open your eyes to the life-giving presence of Jesus Christ!
All: For God’s Light is already here, among us and within us!
*Opening Hymn - We are Walking/Singing/Dancing #442, v.1-3
1 We are walking in the light of God (4x)
We are walking, walking, we are walking ooooh We are walking in the light of God.
2 We are singing…
3 We are dancing…
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Carol Buzbee
Offertory
Offertory Music - “This is my Father’s World” [Adapt. By Franklin L. Sheppard] - -Sarah Park
Response - “Give Thanks” #528
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son. Give Thanks!
Offering Prayer - Carol Buzbee
Children’s Moment - Rev. Chad Delaney
- 4th for the 4C’s
DEDICATION OF SOPHIA GRACE VIGNE
Introduction
Hear the promise of God to Sarah and Abraham:
“I will indeed bless you, and I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven.” With the people of Israel, we give thanks to God for the coming of a child, a sign of God’s blessing and a gift of hope. Children remind us powerfully and personally of the reality of God’s creating and creative powers.
The prophet Isaiah writes: “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Jesus came into our midst as a child, and we are to come to Jesus with the openness of children.
As part of God’s Family here at Mantua Center, we have the extraordinary privilege of receiving the gift of children into our faith family. On this day, we will welcome Sophia Grace into the church’s nurturing life and care in hopes that one day she will decide in her own heart to choose her own journey of faith in Christ. In faith, we are blessing the ties that bind us to one another knowing that it takes a village to raise a child to fullness of life. And so we also welcome Sophia’s parents --- Amy & Frederic --- to express their love, commitment, and care for Sophia’s whole being -- mind, body, and spirit. We celebrate, too, with Sophia’s grandparents -- (Jon & Linda) and their whole family. Today we acknowledge God’s abounding love and light already at work in her, the miraculous journey that brought her here, and we come to pledge ourselves in covenant to nurture her into a faith journey of joy and love.
Before we dedicate her, I have asked if Amy & Frederic to share with us the story of Sophia’s arrival.
Song - Tell Me Why…
1 Tell me why the stars do shine, Tell me why the ivy twines,
Tell me why the skies are blue, And I will tell you just why I love you.
2 Because God made the stars to shine, Because God made the ivy twine,
Because God made the skies so blue, Because God made you, that's why I love you.
3 I really think that God above Created you for me to love.
God picked you out from all the rest, Because God knew I'd love you the best.
Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
Luke 18:15-17 15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’
Prayer
O God, as a mother comforts her children, you strengthen, sustain, and provide for us. As a father cares for his children, you continually look upon us with compassion and goodness. We come before you with gratitude…for the gift of this little one and for the joy that has come into her family. Pour out your Holy Spirit! Surround us with your grace that our homes may abound in Love. Amen!
Naming the Child
Minister: By what name shall you call your child?
Amy and Frederic: We name her Sophia Grace Vigne, which means feminine divine wisdom, full of grace and mercy. Sophia, another name for the Holy Spirit, led us to this child. She is a pure gift of God’s grace.
Dedication of Intentions
Minister: Amy & Frederic, in gratitude for the gift of Sophia Grace you present her in this way to her Lord. In dependence on God’s grace, will you endeavor, by example and teaching, to provide her with a home of faith and love:
•That she may know throughout her childhood and growth into adulthood the warmth, hope, and freedom of the Christian faith;
•That she may welcome life’s beauty, learn from its pain, and share in its joys;
•That her love for others may deepen with knowledge and insight of every kind;
•That she may discover what is the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of God, and of Jesus Christ through whom God has made such love known;
•That her life may be open to the grace and purpose of God and to the call of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord?
Parents' Response: With God’s help we will!
Minister: And will all of you who belong to this church, and are gathered here on this day, seek to be a community through which Sophia Grace can discover the meaning of the Christian faith and stir into flame — the gifts which God has given this child, whatever they may be?
Congregational Response: WITH GOD’S HELP WE WILL!
Minister: Do you promise as a community of faith: to surround this family with your love for the strengthening of their life together; to be for these parents and their children a family in Christ whose love for them cannot be broken; to accept Sophia Grace into your loving care and share the responsibility for her growth toward fullness of life in Christ, to help her learn Christ’s ways and to lead her in service to God and neighbor?
Congregational Response: WITH GOD’S HELP WE WILL!
Prayer of Dedication
Let us pray:
Gracious God, who cares for humanity like a loving parent cares for their child, accept the gratitude of our hearts for the life of this child, Sophia Grace, and also for the loving concern of her parents, Amy & Frederic. We pray now that you would sanctify the important vows we each have made before you this day.
Uphold Frederic & Amy, that they may guide Sophia Grace in the ways of faith, truth, justice, honor, and righteousness. Bless them with patience, wisdom, sound judgment, and understanding as they seek to bring up their daughter in a life of faith. May they find comfort and joy, happiness and fulfillment in this young one you have given to them.
O God of grace, may each of us who are present today also provide a foundation of strength, grace and Christian faith to this family. May we exercise helpfulness and be a source for wisdom and love. May we all take our call as Christian brothers and sisters of Sophia Grace seriously as she grows and seeks the gifts of guidance and friendship we have to give. Through the light of the Risen Christ we pray…Amen.
Introduction of child to congregation
Pastoral Blessing
Glory to God, who, by the power at work among us,
is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory be given to this God from generation to generation
in the church and in Christ Jesus forever! Amen.
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Chad Delaney
Let us say: Lord , in your mercy…let your light shine through us.
God of Grace and Peace, together we are grateful for the gift of today. May the seeds planted here flourish within us as we seek to be your people in the world. Give us more understanding, kindness, generosity, and love.
Lord , in your mercy…let your light shine through us.
We pray that there may be greater justice on earth, that governments and public officials might make room in their priorities and budgets for those crushed down by work and toil for low wages, for those pushed down and left out, to those shackled by systems of racism and oppression. Lord , in your mercy…let your light shine through us.
We pray that there may be more peace on earth, that people of faith and all nations might put an end to words of hatred, threats of revenge, violence and war.
Lord , in your mercy…let your light shine through us.
We pray that we might be your children of light. That there may be more joy on earth, to show more compassion and affection to one another, to be faithful in our friendships and concerned about our communities. That our work together might make change and transformation
Lord , in your mercy…let your light shine through us.
Lord God, we pray that your light may shine on all the earth--in and through all ages and people.
Give us strength and unity as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us to pray…
Special Music - “All My Tears” [Song by Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller] - Linds & Beth Schabel
Holy Communion
Meditation - Brian Hurd
Hymn - “Jesus Loves Me” #113, v.1&3
Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.
Refrain: Yes! Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! still today, walking with me on the way,
wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live. (Refrain)
Prayer - Brian Hurd
Words of Institution - Rev. Chad Delaney
Music - “Are you washed in the blood” [by E. A. Hoffman ] - Sarah Park
Scripture - Ephesians 4:11-16
Prayer of Illumination:
Help us so to hear your word to understand, that in our understanding that we might have faith, and in our faith to follow the way of your son Jesus.
Ephesians 4:11-16 - Listen, Listen…
11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
Gracious God, may the words of my mouth…
Sermon - “Let Your Light Shine” - Rev. Chad Delaney
In the season of Easter we are called to consider how as God’s people we might Live the Resurrection. To Live the Resurrection very simply means “How do we--with God--help make dead things come to life? Around us we may see hopelessness and joylessness…Easter is about bringing a little light and joy and hope in places bereft of it by our actions and words. The Risen Christ appears again and again and again when we live as Christ lived. Really, It is the exact opposite of the old Pepe LePew cartoons. The cartoon skunk takes a walk through a garden and the poor guy leaves a trail of wilting and rotting plants and flowers behind him. The church is called to be the inverse -- a trail of light and newness of life even in the darkest of places! This is our Easter Call and Challenge!
We are also very closely approaching a Sabbatical Renewal season in our church. As most of you all know I will be taking Sabbatical leave from May 1st to September 1st. I continue to stand in AWE of the wisdom, foresight, and generosity of our congregation to offer a sabbatical. On my Leave I will be exploring the great outdoors, going to a silent retreat and conference, and going to some national parks with my family. I (and my family) are seeking some rest, renewal, and rejuvenation for life and ministry. Thank you for all the love and care you show to us. Next week, will be my last Sunday until September.
Now, while I’m away I will certainly miss you and I hope you might miss me a little bit……AND it is a wonderful opportunity in the life of our church. In May & August you will hear preachers from the pews of our congregation -- come support them and hear a word of God through them. In June & July you will get the great pleasure of hearing from the pulpit -- the Rev. Dr. Alecia Evans-Hayes -- a friend, a colleague, and currently the Moderator of the Christian Church in Ohio. Rev. Laurie Metzko and our Elders will be handling pastoral care and emergencies, and the Sabbatical team of Brian Hurd, Katie Baird, and Nancy Humes have already done tremendous work to get us prepared, organized, and ready. We have new initiatives and need new leaders and participation for our Re-Centering Goals. We can do this and we can do it with GUSTO.
I’ll never forget when I first got to Mantua Center and we were moving into the parsonage and someone said something to me that was exciting…A member of our church, let’s call her Dottie S….no that’s too obvious…D. Summerlin and she said, “You know we really don’t need a pastor…but we’re glad you’re here.”
I was excited to hear this because right before I got to MCCC I heard a speaker--Bill McConnell--who said that way too many churches and pastors have warped views of ministry. Too many churches who hire pastors to be Christian on their behalf, instead of calling pastors to work with them to become more faithful disciples. And--at the same time--there are too many pastors who are foolish enough to think that they can actually be Christian on behalf of everybody else and worse, to take all the ministry for themselves, not encouraging and empowering the people they serve.
“We really don’t need a pastor, but we’re glad you’re here” told me Mantua Center already understood this equipping concept as articulated in our passage in Ephesians. 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
It was really true, Mantua Center was calling me to be a Leader, Partner, and Follower in ministry and the church was filled with people who were gifted and called and capable of not just doing church, but being the church equipped for the work of ministry--whether an ordained clergy-person was present or not. Each of us have the spark of the divine in us and something to offer.
Family of God, the vision we hold together as a community--young and old==from the precious gift of Sophia Grace today, to the children who served for the 4C’s, to our youth going on Mission Trip, to our deacons and elders, to our long-time members and visitors--all those who pray and give and serve in Jesus’ name---that vision we hold together is greater than one that we can hold by ourselves. We’re really glad all of you are here! Together we are called to be the living embodiment of Christ on earth--to be the Body of Christ. Hands reaching out to feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty, arms of love to hold close the lonely and the lost, to welcome the stranger and the estranged, to walk alongside those struggling and in pain. Mantua Center Christian Church, let your LIGHT SHINE! For as we share the love of God in living, breathing, tangible ways--we continue to do the work of ministry in the name of the Risen Christ. May it be so! Amen.
*Closing Hymn - Ours the Journey #458, 1-2,4
In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways.
Who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways?
Refrain:
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar,
We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever more.
Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair,
Who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care? Refrain
Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain,
May your blazing phoenix spirit, resurrect the church again. Refrain
Benediction - Rev. Chad Delaney
- Sunday Chats
- Next week - Holy Humor Sunday -- Have fun with it!
- Join us downstairs for a little reception in Sophia’s honor
Blessing written by the poet Jan Richardson
Blessed are you
who bear the light in unbearable times,
who testify to its endurance amid the unendurable,
who bear witness to its persistence when everything seems in shadow and grief.
Blessed are you
in whom the light lives,
in whom the brightness blazes—
your heart a chapel,
an altar where in the deepest night can be seen the fire that shines forth in you
in unaccountable faith,
in stubborn hope,
in love that illumines every broken thing it finds.
Go in Peace!
Postlude - “When we walk with the Lord” [by W. H. Doane] - Sarah Park