MCCC Sanctuary Worship Order 2024
Aug 4, 2024
Mission Sunday - Be the Light
This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! We are so glad you joined us for our worship service with the Mantua Center Christian Church. Today's service is about God's call to all of us to be in Mission in the world. We are welcoming our Youth Mission Trip and a Mongolian missionary to share their experiences. We hope you are blessed and inspired. Welcome to worship!
Prelude “O Lord my God, When I in Awesome Wonder” Sarah Park
[Arr. by E. A. Edgren]
Welcome Rev. Chad Delaney
Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church
Good Morning!
Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church
We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
Share something you are grateful for….
Thank you for joining us here in the house and online. Welcome to everyone!
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Youth Mission Trip
- Arthur Leveeeen
- Sunhwa Ryu (Sona Ryu)
2017 – Present: Full-time missionary
* Education:
* Master of Arts, Mongolia State University
* Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance, GCU, U.S.A
* Current Role:
* Full-time missionary and music professor at Mongolia International University
* Focus: Evangelism and student discipline on campus
Teaching music to build a worship team for a church in Mongolia
Scripture Reading Ephesians 5:8-10. Leighton
8For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
*Welcoming Song “Here We Gather” #294
Here we gather as God’s people with our friends from far and near;
Let our voices sound with praises knowing Christ has called us here.
Now we seek and greet each other, now in joy approach our friends.
Here we mingle, bound together as to all our love extends.
*Call to Worship. Everett
ONE: Good morning, church! Are you ready to let your light shine?
ALL: Yes! We are ready to be the Light
ONE: Like light bulbs in a dark room, can we glow with God's love?
ALL: For Sure! We will shine brightly for all to see
ONE: Like a sunrise that brings new hope each day, can we bring hope
to the world?
ALL: Of course! We will be the sunrise in someone's life
ONE: So church, are you ready to be the light?
ALL: No problem! We got this! We will be the light, shining God’s grace and love for all to see.
*Opening Hymn Be Thou My Vision #595, vs. 1-2
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my redeemer, my love thou hast won,
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation Christin Delaney
Shortly after mission trip Christin Delaney sent us all a message. This is what she wrote:
After our trip I was thinking about the phrase "Many hands make light work." It's used when lots of people work together...nobody has to work as hard because everyone is pitching in to get the job done. But I also thought about the word “light” in the way we used it this week."Many hands make light work" meant something new, too. With our powers combined we can be the light in a way that's hard to do on our own. Working together with other people for the common good sparks something in us and makes an even brighter light. When our light feels a little dim, the person beside us can light things up, and sometimes we are the ones with the brighter light. Keep shining your light, and find others to do good things with. Our lights shine even brighter together!
We will now receive our tithes, gifts, and offerings and may our many hands make light work!
Offertory
Music: “All to Jesus I surrender” Sarah Park
[by W. S. Weeden]
*Response Accept, O God, The Gifts We Bring #379, 2 lines
Accept, O God, the gifts we bring of spirit and of clay,
transform them into blessings on those we serve today.
Offering Prayer (prayer of thanksgiving for the offerings/gifts given)
Gracious God,
We thank You for the generous offerings given today. May these gifts be used to further Your mission in our community and throughout the world. Bless our efforts to serve and love others, and guide us as we strive to be faithful to Your call. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Music Moment “Rollercoaster Etude” Arthur Levine
Mission in Mongolia Prof. Sunhwa Ryu
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Chad Delaney
Loving and Gracious God,
We gather today with hearts open to Your call, reminded of the words of Jesus who said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free" (Luke 4:18).
We are a people of mission, not just to speak Your love but to live it out in tangible ways. You have called us to be Your hands and feet in the world, serving those in need, comforting the brokenhearted, and working for justice and peace.
Together we step out into our local community, help us to see the needs around us and respond with compassion and grace. May we be a light to those who feel forgotten, offering support and kindness. Let our actions reflect Your love, so that others may see and know that You are with them.
You have called us to be a part of Your global family, to care for people in every corner of the earth. We pray for those affected by poverty, war, and injustices, and ask that You guide us in how we can contribute to healing and hope. Whether through our prayers, resources, or actions, may we be faithful to Your call to serve the world. We thank you for the hearts of mission we see in those who are sharing with us today.
Grant us the courage to step out of our comfort zones and the humility to serve without seeking recognition. Remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a significant impact.
Today we bring our own joys and concerns to you in silent prayer.
And now unite us in the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray saying...
Communion
Meditation Kathleen Lewarchick
Communion Hymn Breathe on Me, Breath of God #254, vs. 1, 3
1 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.
3 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.
Prayer Carol Buzbee
Words of Institution Carol Buzbee
Music: “My Jesus, I love Thee” Sarah Park
[by A. J. Gordon]
Special Music “Higher Ground” Prof. Ryu
[by C. H. Gabriel]
Scripture Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) Kevin
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Mission Trip 2024
Team Smiley Faces
Team Banana
Team Mushrooms
*Closing Hymn Where the Spirit of the Lord is #264 (2x)
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is peace
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
There is love
There is comfort in life's darkest hour
There is light and life
There is help and power in the Spirit
In the Spirit of the Lord
Benediction
- Prayer for Prof
- Christ is the Light of our Lives AND Christ gives each of us a MISSION to share in the world.
- Thank you for joining us in worship…thank you Arthur and the Youth
- Join us downstairs to hear about the work of Prof. Ryu in Mongolia
- Join us at the river at Camp Hi for canoeing/kayaking at noon. Let Steve Hurd know if you are planning on being there.
Anne Frank said, "Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness."
Nelson Mandela: "As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
People of God, go and BE the Light--as Christ calls us to. Each of us are God’s candle and can help chase away the darkness.
God’s Grace, Mercy, and Peace be with you! Go in Peace!
Postlude “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” Sarah Park
[by H. E. Nichol]