Introit - “I’m Rejoicing Night and Day” [by D.M.Shanks] - Sarah Park
Welcome to Mantua Center Christian Church -- a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
- Whether online or in the house this morning, we want to welcome you to our service today as Dr. Rev. Alecia Evans-Hayes brings us a word from God. Please take a few moments and greet those seated near you.
Commissioning to the General Assembly - Steve Hurd
Every four years our church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, along with our global and ecumenical partners, gathers as the General Assembly of the Christian Church for worship, study, networking, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the General Church. This year the Assembly is July 29 to August 1 in Louisville, Kentucky.
While all participants are vitally important, official delegates, both those elected by congregations and by Regions as well as all clergy with standing, play a particularly important role in the deliberations. As a covenantal congregational body, the role of voting delegates is particularly essential so that the perspectives of the entire church can be part of the deliberations. Therefore today we will commission our delegates to this important ministry.
We invite our official voting delegates and clergy attending the General Assembly to come forward to commission them to this ministry.
Please join with me now in the Commissioning:
Leader: Within the Body of Christ there are many members, and while each member plays a unique role in the body, all are equally significant to the health of the entire body. (I Corinthians 12)
People: Today we celebrate and commission the delegates from our part of the Body of Christ as they soon will participate in the whole body gathering known as the General Assembly of the Christian Church.
Leader: We give thanks for this rich opportunity for these individuals to grow in their faith, to be inspired to greater service, to enjoy new and longtime friends and build deeper community, to learn new skills and share their own gifts, and to embody the local church to the General and global church.
People: May what you experience be seeds for new growth back here in your home church, may what you learn be leaven in this community for new and renewed mission and ministry. (Matt. 13:23 & Gal. 5:9)
Leader: We entrust those from our congregation with both representing the unique commitments and perspectives of our local church as well as free them to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and their own conscience as they thoughtfully and faithfully consider business items brought to the Assembly.
People: We promise to trust these delegates in whatever they say and however they vote, knowing that the God of renewed presence and deeper insight has been with them through the discussion and debate, the prayer and pondering in which they will engage.
Leader: May your travels to and from the General Assembly be safe and may your faith in God be stronger than ever before.
People: Blessings on your journey!
Prayer (unison): Gracious God, bless these delegates to the General Assembly of the Christian Church. May they experience your power and presence on their journey as well as at the Assembly. And may your entire Church be made stronger because of their participation in this gathering. Bless those of us who remain here that we, too, might be transformed and renewed for ministry in a new day. Amen.
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.
Scripture - Psalm 139:7-10 Rev. Nancy Humes
7 Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
*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: Return to the Lord your God,
All: For God is gracious.
One: Confess to the Lord your God,
All: For God is merciful.
One: Repent to the Lord your God,
All: For God is slow to anger.
One: Praise the Lord your God,
All: For God abounds in steadfast love.
One: Worship the Lord your God.
All: Together, let us worship God!
*Opening Hymn - “O Worship the King” #17, v.1-2, 4
1 O worship the King all glorious above,
and gratefully sing God's wonderful love,
our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
2 How great is your might! How steadfast your grace!
Your robe is the light; your canopy, space;
your chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
in majesty riding the wings of the storm.
4 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Rev. Nancy Humes
Offertory - “When we Walk with the Lord” [by W. H. Doane]
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
Special Music - “Beautiful Things” [by Gungor] - Ryan & Karli Lind
Children’s Moment - Kathleen Lewarchick
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Nancy Humes
Morning Prayer PLUS
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever.Amen.
Holy Communion
Meditation - Rev. Nancy Humes
Special Music - “Let Us Break Bread Together” -Ryan Lind
Prayer - Steve Hurd
Words of Institution - Steve Hurd
Music - “Jesus Comes With Power to Gladden” [By W. J. Kirkpatrick] - Sarah Park
Scripture - Rev. Dr. Alecia Evans-Hayes
Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34-35
Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
“Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear
Sermon - “Why Salt” Rev. Dr. Alecia Evans-Hayes
*Closing Hymn - Seek Ye First #354, v. 1-3
1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia
2. Ask and it shall be given unto you Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you Allelu Alleluia
3. We shall not live by bread alone, But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God. Allelu, Alleluia
Benediction - Rev. Nancy Humes
Postlude - “My Soul Today is Thirsting for Living Streams” [by H. L. Gilmour] - Sarah Park