Welcome… you sure about this?
We are still celebrating Easter in style today with HOLY HUMOR & JOY SUNDAY
Intro - “There shall be showers of blessing” [by J. McGranahan] - Sarah Park
Welcome to Mantua Center Christian Church --
a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
INVITATION FOR MISSION UPDATES:
Ministry Leaders and congregants are welcome to come forward to the mic, to give a mission update or share ways for people to get involved in missions and ministries.
Mission ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Youth Mission Trip Supper & Auction - brought in $4400+!
- Some folks joining the church today, c’mon down front during last hymn
- Potluck today after Service!
Ancient Holy Words - Psalm 126 (The Message)
Chad: Knock knock. Who’s there? Rita. Rita who? Read a scripture-a-day keeps the gloom-away
1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations-- “God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.4-6 And now, God, do it again—bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair will shout “Yes!” at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
*We’re Glad You’re Here Song #495
Weave, weave, weave us together, Weave us together, in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together, weave us together, together in love.
*Let’s Light this Candle (as Pastor Len would say) - Carol Buzbee
One: Joy is loose,
All: In the wiggles of the children,
One: The whispers of the youth,
All: The smiles of the adults.
One: We praise God for this glorious day,
All: Let the praise break forth in the most unlikely places and in silly ways.
One: Joy and praise fills our hearts and in our songs
All: Let the laughter be deep, for we are God's people.
Let us worship the Lord!
*Joyful Noise! “Take Time to Be Funny (Holy)” #572, v.1-3
Take time to be funny, rejoice in the Lord
Let laughter explode and have fun with God’s Word
For laughter is healing, gives joy to the meek
God loves to see smiles, they give strength to the weak.
Take time to be silly, let the Spirit console.
Too many are somber, always grabbing control.
Let go and let God’s love wash over your soul
Heavenly wholeness can be your life’s goal.
For humor is holy, it sanctifies life,
Replenishes hope and often softens advice
It undercuts sorrow, deflates haughty pride
So smile and hang on, and rejoice in life’s ride.
Credit: Andrew’s Chapel UMC, Holy Humor Sunday
Let Us Emptyeth our Pocketeths
The “Please? Please? Please?” Talk - Carol Buzbee
Giving Time
Giving Music - “O spread the tidings ‘round” [by W. J. Kirkpatrick] - Sarah Park
Giving Thanks - “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!
The “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Prayer - Carol Buzbee
Share the Joy (Children’s Moment) Rev. Chad Delaney
Talkin’ to God (Pastoral Prayer) - Rev. Chad Delaney
The Great Thanksgiving
Table Talk - Katie Baird
Table Hymn - “I Come with Joy” #420 v.1, 2, & 5
1 I come with joy, a child of God, forgiven, loved and free,
the life of Jesus to recall, in love laid down for me, in love laid down for me.
2 I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed, the new community of love in Christ's communion bread, in Christ's communion bread.
5 Together met, together bound by all that God has done, we'll go with joy, to give the world, the love that makes us one,the love that makes us one.
Table Prayer - Katie Baird
Table Words - Rev. Chad Delaney
Table Music - “I Hear Thy welcome voice” [by L. Hartsough] - Sarah Park
Ancient Holy Words - Acts 2:42-47
Prayer of Illumination:
Acts 2:42-47 - Listen, Listen…
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Gracious God, may the words of my mouth…
Nap Time - “Joy! Joy! Joy!... Where?” - Rev. Chad Delaney
*Grand Finale - Joy to the World (Easter Style) - #143, v. 1-3
1 Joy to the World, the Lord's alive, awake, rejoice and sing!
It's just as he said, he's risen from the dead.
Salvation now he brings, Salvation now he brings,
Salvation, salvation now he brings.
2 Joy to the World, the empty tomb, proclaims a victory
Of light compelling, a great dispelling
Of darkness in the world, Of darkness in the world,
Of darkness, of darkness in the world.
3 Joy to the World, our Savior reigns,
Let Heaven and earth proclaim
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
©2004 by Paul Lintern. Reprinted with permission.
Y’all Come Back Now - Rev. Chad Delaney
- Members joining the church
Outro - “Benediction Medley” [Arr by Mark Hayes] - Jan Green