Prelude “All Creatures of our God and King” Sarah Park
Good morning and welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church!
We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
We are grateful for your presence with us this morning and if you have any questions or want to get more involved in the church please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! This morning we will be hearing some passages in
2 Corinthians about gratitude and being grateful. Welcome to worship!
Thank you for joining us here in the house and online. Welcome to everyone!
Invitation for announcements to come forward
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Please keep all the Mission Trip Attendees in your prayers for a safe trip to Kentucky and back.
- Notice in your bulletin that there is an insert with our newly revised Welcoming Statement from the Open & Affirming team. Please take a moment to review it and be prepared to vote on it next Sunday (16th) by paper ballot.
- All you coffee lovers . . . please be prepared that next Sunday will be the LAST Sunday until Fall to have our coffee service provided. Please be sure to bring a beverage of choice with you on the 23rd, as the hospitality service is on “hiatus” for the summer!
Scripture Reading Psalm 138:1-3 Rev. Nancy Humes
1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down towards your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
3 On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
*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: We gather to worship and proclaim the Gospel!
ALL: We trust that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us.
ONE: Everything we do is for God’s glory
ALL: So that God’s grace can reach more and more people
ONE: So let’s not lose heart,
ALL: Even if we're facing tough times, inside we’re being renewed
every day.
ONE: Let’s worship the God who renews and sustains us,
ALL: We come with faith and hope to worship the Living God!
*Opening Hymn When Morning Gilds the Skies #100, vs. 1-2
1 When morning gilds the skies,
my heart awaking cries,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer
to Jesus I repair;
may Jesus Christ be praised!
2 Discordant humankind,
in this your concord find,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all earth around
ring joyous with the sound,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation Rev. Nancy Humes
Offertory
Music: “Lord, I Want to be a Christian ” Sarah Park
[Afro-American Spiritual]
*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 Kathleen Lewarchick
& Katie Stroh
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Rev. Nancy Humes
Communion
Meditation Sandi Kossick
Communion Hymn Seed, Scattered and Sown #395, vs. 1-2
[Refrain]
Seed, scattered and sown,
Wheat, gathered and grown, Bread, broken and shared as one,
The living bread of God. Vine, fruit of the land,
Wine, work of our hands, One cup that is shared by all;
The living cup, the living bread of God.
1 Is not the bread we break a sharing in our Lord?
Is not the cup we bless the blood of Christ outpoured? [Refrain]
2 The seed which falls on rock will wither and will die.
The seed within good ground will flower and have life. [Refrain]
Prayer Nora Brant
Words of Institution Nora Brant
Music: “What Can Wash Away My Sin” Sarah Park
[by R. Lowry]
Scripture 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1 Kathleen Lewarchick
Sermon “The Antidote is Gratitude” Kathleen Lewarchick
*Closing Hymn Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us #558, vs. 1, 3
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are.
3 Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast loved us, love us still;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast loved us, love us still.
Benediction Kathleen Lewarchick
- Please have some coffee and join for conversation
Postlude “We Shall be Like Him” Sarah Park
[by C. H. Gabriel]