Prelude - “I Come to the Garden Alone ” [by C. A. Miles] - Sarah Park
We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms, building community in a fragmented world. Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church!
Opening Scripture - Leviticus 19:33-34
When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
*Response - Weave
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 - Sandi Kossick and Youth Leader
ONE: We welcome everyone to this place!
Youth: A place to get some spiritual rest and comfort
ALL: A place to come and lay our troubles down
ONE: We welcome everyone who hopes to grow in their faith
Youth: Who hopes God will meet us here and teach us something new
ALL: Who are excited to wonder, seek, and explore
ONE: We welcome everyone who is looking for a spiritual home
Youth: Who want to feel safe to ask questions and to be themselves
ALL: Who want a little company on this journey of life
ONE: Whoever we are…
Youth: Wherever we are on life’s journey…
ALL: God meets us here and all are welcome here!
*Opening Hymn - “Gather Us In” #284, v. 1-4
1. Here in this place, the new light is streaming, shadows of doubt are vanished away.
See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in, the lost and forsaken, gather us in; our spirits inflame.
Call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.
2. We are the young--our lives are a mystery, we are the old who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in--the rich and the haughty; gather us in--the proud and the strong;
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.
3. Here we receive new life in the waters; here we receive the bread of new birth
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth
Give us to drink the wine of compassion, give us to eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true.
4. Not just in buildings, small and confining, not in some heaven light years away,
Here in this place the new light is shining; now is God present, and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever; gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Sandi Kossick
Offertory
Music: “O, Lord My God, When I in Awesome Wonder ” [by E. A. Edgren]
The Doxology #46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer - Sandi Kossick
Children’s Moment
Pastoral Prayer
Communion
Meditation - Pam Baynes
Communion Hymn - When you do this, Remember Me #400, v.1-2
1 You my friend, a stranger once, do now belong to heaven.
Once far away, you are brought home into God's family.
""When you do this, remember me.""
2 Now my Lord is also yours, my people are your own;
embraced together in God's arms, I enfold you now in mine.
""When you do this, remember me.""
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer - Pam Baynes
Words of Institution - Rev. Chad Delaney
Music: “Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee” [Arr. by W. Shield]
Scripture - Hebrews 13:1-2 & Matthew 25:34-36
Hebrews 13:1-2
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Matthew 25:34-36
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Sermon - “Being Welcome” - MCCC Youth
*Closing Hymn - Blest Be the Tie that Binds #433, v. 1-2
1 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love:
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
2 When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
Benediction
Postlude - “There’s Sunshine in My Soul Today” [by J. R. Sweney] - Sarah Park