Prelude “I Have Found a Friend in Jesus ” Sarah Park
[Arr by W. S. Hays]
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.
Today we are celebrating ….
Thank you for joining us here in the house and online. Welcome to everyone!
Scripture Reading Psalm 130:5-7 Rev. Nancy Humes
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in God’s word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with the Lord is great power to redeem.
*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 Rev. Nancy Humes ONE: Come and worship,
ALL: those of us who woke early and those who slept late;
ONE: those of us who come often, and those on occasion
ALL: Whether we are first or last or everywhere in between,
ONE: there is room for all of us in God’s kingdom,
ALL: and more than enough grace to go around!
ONE: Let’s worship God together!
ALL: Thanks be to God!
*Opening Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty #25, vs. 1-2, 5
1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, who rules all creation.
O my soul, worship the wellspring of health and salvation.
All ye who hear, now to God's temple draw near.
Join me in glad adoration.
2 Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
who, as on wings of an eagle uplifted, sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen? All that is needful hath been
granted in what God ordaineth?
5 Praise to the Lord! O let all of God's peoples and races,
all that hath life and breath, give thanks for manifold graces.
Let the Amen sound from God's people again.
Gladly for ever sing praises.
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation Rev. Nancy Humes
Offertory
Music: “When we Walk with the Lord” Sarah Park
[by W. H. Doane]
*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 Rev. Nancy Humes
Children’s Moment Roger Cram
- Good Bugs and Bad Bugs
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Nancy Humes
Communion
Meditation Brian Hurd
Communion 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 bloodshed 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 Ally Bozeka
Words of Institution Ally Bozeka
Music: “Savior! Thy Dying Love” Sarah Park
[by R. Lowry]
Scripture Luke 11:52 Roger Cram
Sermon “Why Scientists Believe in God” Roger Cram
*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.
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 Roger Cram
- Please join for conversation
Postlude “I Love to Tell the Story” Sarah Park
[by W. G. Fisher]