This is the Day that the Lord has Made! Let us Rejoice!
Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church
- we are a community seeking to have…
- Welcome whether You are here at church or worshiping with us online.
- In worship today, we will be reconnecting with what the roots of our relationship with God. Sometimes we can forget and today’s scripture is a good reminder.
- As we prepare for worship, let’s listen to our scripture reading by
Opening Scripture: Isaiah 54:10-14 - Roger Cram
Let’s sing together Weave
*Response - Weave (recorded)
*Call to Worship (live) - Chad
ONE: We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war, or the words
to negotiate peace between armies;
ALL: But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do
something.
ONE: Inspire us to commit to and act on the small difference we can make:
ALL: May we bring peace through small acts of gentleness and reconciliation;
ONE: May we bring peace through small contributions and collaborations
ALL: May we bring peace through small acts of consideration and acceptance;
ONE: May we bring peace through small acts of care and service.
ALL: In the small ways, O God, may our small difference make a
big contribution to your saving work in our world.
Written by John Van De Laar (slightly altered)
*Song of Praise: (recorded) Near to the Heart of God (CH)
There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.
There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God. [Refrain]
Children’s Moment (live) - Nora Brant
- Chad Intro - And now we will have our Children’s Moment with Ally
Pastoral Prayer (live) - Pam Auble
Scripture Reading Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Sermon Peace: Finding Calm in the Chaos Rev. Chad Delaney
Communion
Meditation (live) - Ruth Anne
Communion Hymn (recorded) - It is Well (CH)
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul!” [Refrain]
Refrain:
It is well [it is well] with my soul! [with my soul!]
It is well, it is well with my soul!
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. [Refrain]
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! [Refrain]
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live;
If dark hours about me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul. [Refrain]
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer (live) - Ruth Anne
Words of Institution (live) - Pam Auble
Distribution
Closing Hymn (recorded) Go in Peace (HYMNS)
Go in peace and the peace of God
be with you this day.
Go in peace and the peace of God
be with you always.
Celebrate and share the joy!
Celebrate new life!
Go in peace and the peace of God
be with you always.
*Benediction (live)
It has been a joy to be in worship with you today. We have been blessed today with the many voices in worship...thank you to everyone who participated today. Grateful for all those who joined us online and in-person.
I would ask for your prayers for my family and I the next 2 Sundays. This Saturday we are traveling to the beach for vacation. Next time I will be with you we will be back in the building. Looking forward to that.
As you go through this week I hope you can discern ways to be at peace within yourself and to make peace amongst neighbors, friends, and enemies. I leave you with these words again from Howard Thurman...
Lord, Lord, Open Unto Me by Howard Thurman
Open unto us—light for our darkness.
Open unto us—courage for our fear.
Open unto us—hope for our despair.
Open unto us—peace for our turmoil.
Open unto us—joy for our sorrow.
Open unto us—strength for our weakness.
Open unto us—wisdom for our confusion.
Open unto us—forgiveness for our sins.
Open unto us—tenderness for our toughness.
Open unto us—love for our hates.
Open unto us—Thy Self for ourselves. Lord, Lord, open unto us!
Departing Music I’ve Got Peace Like A River arr. by Sandra Eithun Jan Green