Prelude - “Jesus, Rose of Sharon” [by C. H. Gabriel] - Sarah Park
Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church! We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms, building community in a fragmented world. We want to welcome everyone who is in the house today, everyone online, and everyone downstairs watching our live telecast. We are grateful for all the many ways you can join us for worship on this Lord’s Day.
Opening Scripture - Matthew 5: 14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to the whole house. In 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
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 - Liz Meeker
ONE: Jesus said “I am the light of the world”.
ALL: Jesus also said we are the light of the world and calls us to share our light.
ONE: The world can be a dark place, in need of loving light.
ALL: We gather for worship so that our hearts may be rekindled.
ONE: The light of Christ has changed our lives.
ALL: We gather this morning to be reminded that we have a faith story to share with the world.
*Opening Hymn - "I Love To Tell The Story" #480 , v. 1-2
1 I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
[Refrain]:
I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.
2 I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy word. [Refrain]
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Liz Meeker
Offertory
Music: “We Shall be Like Him” [by C. H. Gabriel]
The Doxology #46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer - Liz Meeker
Children’s Moment - Pam Auble
Pastoral Prayer - Pam Auble
Gracious and Ever-loving God, creator of light and dark where in both there is Your goodness to be found. We come to you after a week of living in the light at times, and hiding in the dark at others. But no matter where we find ourselves, You are to be found with us. You have celebrated with us in our joy. You have cried with us in our loss. You have encouraged us in our struggles and even pushed us in our stubbornness. Your light has enlightened us, has led us, has warmed us in Your unconditional love. We pause in silence now to recall where You have touched us this week.
With thankful hearts we want to live our gratitude. We want to reflect Your light. Be present with us this week God as we strive for the courage to illuminate the dark places where Your love has gone unnoticed. Give us the words and the actions needed to uplift Your suffering children and Your damaged creation. Give us the insight to recognize when we cover our own light with a bushel basket and forget to share ourselves lovingly. We pause in silence now to hear where You want us to shine Your light.
Jesus loved perfectly; He was and is the perfect light. When in doubt as to how to best be Your light, may we recall His lessons, His life and His call that we are to be the light of the world. In His name we pray, Amen.
Communion
Meditation - Beth Schabel
Communion Hymn - “Lord, You Give the Great Commission” #459, v. 3-4
3 Lord, you make the common holy: “This my body, this my blood.”
Let us all, for earth’s true glory, daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the world around us share your children’s liberty.
[Refrain]:
With the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
4 Lord, you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.”
Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us to a just society. [Refrain]
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer - Beth Schabel
Words of Institution - Pam Auble
Music: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross ” [by W. H. Doane ]
Scripture - Matthew 28: 19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Sermon - "How Do We Share Our Faith" - Pam Auble
This scripture call The Great Commission
A story of sharing faith gone wrong: Freshman year with my roommate Anne. 1st -The Christian student leader and 2nd- Me
Possible lessons/points I hope to convey:
A. Be prepared to speak our faith.
(A1) Commit a scripture to memory.
(A2) Practice telling your person stories of faith. Kathleen Lewarchick- a Living Library exercise.
(A3) Just talk about our faith activities openly; it invites conversation.
B. Be prepared to share faith through our actions. Use words sparingly.
(B1) The lesson shared with my daughter Amy by her Coach Dye.
“Ten years from now you may not remember what someone said. But you will remember how she made you feel.”
(B2) Mission trip youth: wanting to reprimand Anne’s selfish behaviors. I did not. Her note about my behavior.
C. Be prepared at all times to simply build relationships, without judgment
(C1) “I changed my daily schedule to make myself available to the people God put in my natural pathways”; SENT: Living a life that invites people to Jesus by Heather and Ashley Holleman
(C3) Too often we put up a wall of disengagement out of fear of having to interact with others we don’t know, or others we don’t agree with or others we don’t like. Sharing our faith might mean no words at all but rather making time to engage BUT just listen….listen…. listen. …to the other.
1 James 1: 19- quick to listen, slow to speak
(C2) Jesus models this in his invitation to Matthew to be a disciple. Jesus simply said, “Follow me“ without checking first to see what Matthew believed Jesus was the Christ or threatening him with frightening doomsday rhetoric. Love ‘em where they’re at.
D. Closing
And this is exactly how Jesus loves, not just Matthew, but you and me. We’ve been invited to share in this great commission, this journey of faith, with others. And we didn’t have to pass a test first. We are simply loved the way we are. We are entrusted and endowed with the gifts needed for the task. We CAN share our faith at times with words, at times with loving actions and at times by building relationships with God’s people. May we be motivated and encouraged to do so because of the unrelenting love of Jesus. May we strive to do so without judgment and with a courageous attitude that loves people right where they are at.
*Closing Hymn - "Help Us Accept Each Other" 487, v. 1-4
1 Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
2 Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life
we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them or as they may become.
3 Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
in living situations to do the truth in love;
to practice your acceptance, until we know by heart
the table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.
4 Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
Benediction - Pam Auble
Because Christ said “You are the Light of the world” let us go forth from this community and space where we feel the love and may we Light Up The World this week.
Postlude - “I’m Rejoicing Night and Day ” [by D.M.Shanks] - Sarah Park