Prelude - “I Have Found a Friend in Jesus”[by J. R. Murray] Sarah Park
Welcome to Mantua Center Christian Church -- a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
Scripture - Psalm 89:1-4 Rev. Nancy Humes
1 I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, for ever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
2 I declare that your steadfast love is established for ever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
3 You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
4 “I will establish your descendants for ever,
and build your throne for all generations.” ’
*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 - Rev. Nancy Humes
One: We gather this morning appreciating our freedom to worship God as we please.
All: May God continue to bless the Church of Christ in this land.
One: We draw near to the God who rules over all nations.
All: May God continue to bless our country and all the countries in the world.
One: We seek to live in harmony and peace together with all peoples of the earth.
All: May God continue to establish peace on earth and help us understand that it begins with us, in our hearts.
One: Come, let us worship God.
*Opening Hymn - “When in our Music, God is Glorified” #7, v.1-2, & 4
1. When, in our music, God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried,
"Alleluia!"
2. How often, making music, we have found
a new dimension in the world of sound,
as worship moved us to a more profound
"Alleluia!"
4. And did not Jesus sing a Psalm that night
when utmost evil strove against the Light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight:
"Alleluia!"
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Rev. Nancy Humes
Offertory - “I’m pressing on the upward way” [by C. H. Gabriel]
-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 - Rev. Nancy Humes
Children’s Moment - Brian Hurd
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Nancy Humes
Holy Communion
Meditation - Pete Pruszynski
Hymn - In Remembrance of Me #403, v.1
In remembrance of Me eat this bread. In remembrance of Me drink this wine.
In remembrance of Me pray for the time when God's own will is done.
Take, eat and be comforted, drink and remember too.
That this is my body and precious blood shed for you, shed for you.
In remembrance of Me search for truth. In remembrance of Me always love.
In remembrance of Me don't look above, but in your heart, look for God.
Do this in remembrance of Me
Prayer - Sandi Kossick
Words of Institution - Sandi Kossick
Music -“On a Hill Far away” [By G. Bennard] - Sarah Park
Special Music - Guitar & Vocal Solo - Pam Auble
Scripture - II Kings 3:16-17 Rev. Dr. Alicia Evans-Hayes
16 He then said, "God's word: Dig ditches all over this valley. 17 Here's what will happen - you won't hear the wind, you won't see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill.
Sermon -“Make Room” - Rev. Dr. Alicia Evans-Hayes
*Closing Hymn - I Love to Tell the Story #480, v. 1-3
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]
3 I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
Benediction - Rev. Nancy Humes
Postlude - “There’s Sunshine in my Soul” [by J. R. Sweney] - Sarah Park