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.
• Prayers for Chad and the Delaney family as they embark on a relaxing vacation for the next two Sundays.
• This vacation is leading up to our first week back in the church! Our first Sunday in the building will be July 4th. We are so thankful for all of the voices and care that have gone into planning this reunion under MCCC’s roof. Watch your email for more information.
• Last little mini announcement before we jump in, happy Father’s day to all of our biological and spiritual father’s who have been such a blessing in our lives. 
• In worship today, we will be talking about our fourth fruit of the spirit, patience. Our message today comes from Frank Schenck.
• As we prepare for worship, let’s listen to our scripture reading by Pam Baynes.

Opening Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31 - Pam Baynes

Let’s sing together Weave

*Response - Weave (recorded) 

*Call to Worship (live)
ONE: Understanding God, we gather with thanksgiving on our lips–
ALL: for the graciousness with which you hear; 
for the patience with which you listen;
for the grace with which you care; 
ONE: Fathering God, we lift up our cries of gratitude--
ALL: for the ways you accompany us through deep valleys; 
for the ways you lead us to still meadows; 
for the ways you meet us in our great times of need
ONE: Patience God, our hearts praise you--
ALL: for bringing light into our darkness;
for bringing wisdom into our confusion
for bringing courage into our greatest fears.
Thanks be to God! Amen. 

*Song of Praise: (recorded)  Open My Eyes that I May See  (IN FOLDER)

1 Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

2 Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

3 Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Children’s Moment (live) - Nora Brant

Pastoral Prayer (live) - Pastor Sarah Smith

Scripture Reading James 5:7-11

Sermon - Frank Schenck - Peace

Communion

Meditation (live) - Tim Bennett

Communion Hymn (recorded)  Sweet Hour of Prayer v.1

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father's throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter's snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Prayer & Lord’s Prayer (live) - Tim Bennett

Words of Institution (live)

Distribution

Closing Hymn (recorded)   In the Bulb there is a Flower

1 In the bulb there is a flower;
in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there's a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

2 There's a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody;
there's a dawn in every darkness
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

3 In our end is our beginning;
in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
in our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.

*Benediction (live) - Sarah

Thank you so much for joining us here at Mantua Center this morning for worship. We are so blessed to be able to find faithful and holy community in the arms of one another. If you’re interested in fellowship and discussion, stick around for our fellowship time here on the lawn after worship. 

If the spirit moves you, please stand and join me in the reading of the benediction from Rev Barclay of Enfleshed: Liturgy that Matters.

“Come and be still,” says the Holy.
Linger in Love’s presence.
Let striving cease.
Accept what is,
for what is.
All is held in Sacred embrace.
Here,
your pain is honored.
Your loss is acknowledged.
Your struggle is neither dismissed nor inflated.
It rests in the web of shared existence,
cruel and beautiful.
Eventually, love will ask more of you…
Honesty.
Change.
Commitment.
Compassion.
But in this moment,
feel the nearness of the Source of Life Itself,
tender and fierce.
Know that the Infinite embraces you
in all the ways you are essential –
and not.
Let your chest rise and fall
to the rhythm of eternity’s breath:
slow.
gentle.
consistent.

May we make space to pause, being patient, watching and waiting for the movement of the divine in our lives this week. Amen

Departing Music - DEPARTING - O God Beyond All Praising by Lloyd Larson [tune_ Thaxted by Gustav T. Holst, 1918] Track 1 played by Jan Green