Welcome to worship with the Mantua Center Christian Church. We are honored to have you with us and hope you feel blessed and filled in this time of music, scripture, and devotion. This Sunday we are remembering the Saints who have left a legacy of faith in our lives. Undoubtedly there are people in your life who have made a deep impact and who helped you to see God in a special way. Let’s give thanks for them today and consider how we might leave a legacy of our own! God’s richest blessings be with you in this time of worship!
Introit - Sarah Park
Welcome to Mantua Center Christian Church -- a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
Today is All Saints Sunday as we remember those who have left a legacy of life and love and faith.
Whether online or in the house this morning, we want to welcome you….
INVITATION FOR MISSION UPDATES:
Ministry Leaders and congregants are welcome to come forward to the mic, to give a mission update or share ways for people to get involved in missions and ministries.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Children help collect the Offering today…
- Thank you to Jon Secaur for putting together our slideshow.
- Thank you to Cathy Ausperk for her work on getting our Memorial funds in order.
Scripture - Psalm 91:1-6, 9 - Rev. Chad Delaney
1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2 will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.’
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence;
4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge the Most High your dwelling-place,
*Response - Weave #495
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 (based on Revelation 21:1-6)
One: We are the church that lives into God’s future today.
All: A church united across space and time.
One: A church of many races, languages and ethnicities.
All: A church that lives by the work of God in Christ that was, is now,
and is still to come.
One: Our Redeemer says to all: “See, I am making all things new!”
All: A new heaven and a new earth, where the home of God is among God’s people.
One: God’s future is epic, and it’s good news.
All: Remember God’s future, for this is our story!
*Opening Hymn “For All the Saints” #637, vs. 1-5
1 For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, alleluia!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might: their strength and solace in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, the one true light. Alleluia, alleluia!
3 O blest communion, fellowship divine! We live and struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, alleluia!
4 And when the strife is fierce, the conflict long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia, alleluia!
5 From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia, alleluia!
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Laura Parker
Children’s Moment - Rev. Chad Delaney
Kids…Part of All Saints Day is remembering those that taught us about and brought us to church growing up. I was blessed with lots of cool adults who cared about us growing up. One was Mrs. Galehouse who was always smiling and checking in us. Made a big impact on me. Around this church are many loving people who serve the church in different ways. Today, I want to invite you to help serve with some amazing people here up front. So let’s find a deacon to walk along with and you will have a chance to pass the trays. There are also extra baskets if two of the older ones would like to help out too. We will now receive our tithes, gifts, and offerings.
Offertory - [by Sarah Park
Response - “Give Thanks” #528
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ his Son. Give Thanks!
Offering - Laura Parker
Special Music
“Song For Peace” [by Michael Shea] - Jan Green
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Chad Delaney
Gracious and Everlasting God, you are our God and we are Your people. We are so very grateful that you have claimed us as your own. You have set us in the company of saints past and present, among a cloud of witnesses to Your goodness and mercy.
We thank you today for your Word which has been passed through the generations. Shared in so many different ways. Your Word opens up new futures where we see no way forward. May your Holy Spirit, may your word be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. You know the places in our hearts where we are afraid
— afraid of a future we cannot control;
— afraid of losing health and independence
— afraid for the well-being of our children
— afraid that past mistakes will ruin our future
We give to you the griefs of our years, the yearnings of our hearts on this day. Write upon us your story so we may place our trust in you and live and love as Jesus taught. Give us hearts and minds and spirits ready to trust and follow wherever your Spirit leads
On this day we lift to you the griefs, the concerns, the joys, the gratitude of our hearts in silent prayer….
We ask in Jesus’ name who taught us to pray…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
All Saints Day Tribute
Scripture - Hebrews 12:1-2 - Rev. Chad Delaney
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Meditation - “Taking Shelter in the Saints” - Rev. Chad Delaney
While in the Redwoods we encountered lots of fallen trees. Some of whom may have been standing for thousands of years. Some fallen after many years of slow decay. Some fallen victim to storms and fires and droughts. While the Redwoods have much resistance and protection from this, ultimately all will accept this fate.
All that said, it would be a mistake to say that a fallen log is an afterthought in the forest’s ecosystem. Instead, they are essential.
As the fallen redwood decomposes, it releases nutrients into the soil, enriching the forest floor. Fallen trees help prevent soil erosion by slowing down the flow of water and capturing sediment. Redwoods have symbiotic relationships with various fungi and they can continue to live in the decaying wood benefiting all. The fallen ones can create habitat for various wildlife species. They become hiding spaces and nesting places. They can become what’s known as a nursing log, which provides a base for the new plant growth. AND…they are super fun for tourists.
What impacted me the most though was when at a visitor center we learned that an unappreciated benefit of these fallen logs is they become sheltering places in times of fire. When a forest fire rages, the fallen logs are the perfect shelter for insects, small animals, and even larger animals. They have a lot of built up moisture inside of them and are still protected by the fire-resistant bark of the redwood. When the forest fire hits, many in the ecosystem will seek them out and find refuge in the fallen logs of the forest.
As soon as I heard this, I thought of the fallen people in my life who have done the same. The gifts we received from our loved one which still touch us today. I think of the loving presence of my grandmothers -- I imagine one of them setting down a slice of pie or plate of cookies and the other to share an interesting book or some jello jigglers. What gifts from loved ones do you remember? Could be something small! The memories and stories of those in our lives allow them to still be with us today. An ongoing source of encouragement, challenge, joy and comfort especially in times of difficulty, when the fires of life press in on us.
For, though they are gone from our physical presence, they remain with us in and through the Love of God.
In the forest of our own lives, there are giants who have risen and fallen in our presence. We are very much surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have blessed and--in truth--continue to bless our lives. These who still--even in death--offer to us solace, wisdom, laughter, encouragement, and even refuge. Today--on All Saints Day--let’s pause in gratitude. Let’s remember them--these who ran with perseverance the race that was set before them, who looked to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Those who gave their witness, their love, and for their faithfulness to feed and nourish our lives, our church, and our world. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Memorial Thanksgiving - Cathy Hakala-Ausperk
Video Tribute
As a church family, we each have losses of loved ones on our hearts and minds. Parents, spouses, siblings, children, friends, loved ones---the saints of our lives who have deeply impacted who we are. Some of whom passed away recently and others whom it feels like only yesterday. We offer a tribute to them and share our gratitude together for each one pictured and any on our hearts and spirits.
Prayer
Prayer written by Rev. Brandon Gilvin
A Litany For All Saints, offered as part of communion at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Chattanooga, TN, on November 5, 2017, as our remembrance of the Saints of the Church.
For the best of who we are, the saints we remember.
For those who have followed a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
For those who have followed Jesus the Christ, whether in the first century or the 21st.
For men and women who taught us to value faith and reason, heart and intellect.
For men and women who tried and failed, but were faithful nonetheless.
For Perfect Examples who taught us that we could be better.
For Imperfect Saints who taught us to share grace rather than pursue perfection.
For Paul, the apostle with the thorn in his side and Peter, the rock of the church who sank in the sea.
For Junia, the woman who was “prominent among the apostles,” for Mary, Called Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, who provided for the church out of their resources.
For Martin Luther, Jean Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, who called us to reform the church.
For Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone, who called us to live fully into the name “Disciple.”
For Oscar Romero, Mother Teresa, and Dorothy Day, who taught us to reframe our own vision, so that we might see the poor.
For Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whose prophetic words made them martyrs.
For those whose names we have not read today.
For those whose names are already forgotten.
For those who were not saints, but merely innocent, but who had no voice.
For those who were not so innocent, but had a voice, and spoke for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
For arbitrary saints, remembered for a season.
For the saints who built this congregation. Gone for many seasons.
And for those who have just lost we remember them.
For this great cloud of witnesses, let us give thanks to God.
Holy Communion
Meditation - Steve Hurd
Hymn - When You Do This, Remember Me #400, vs. 1-4
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.""
3 All your sorrows shall be mine, your joy shall be my joy;
indebted to God's love in Christ, we die and reign with him. ""When you do this, remember me.""
4 So let us renew our faith, remembering our Lord;
to our strong hope we will hold fast, unshaken to the end."When you do this, remember me."
Prayer - Ally Bozeka
Words of Institution - Ally Bozeka
Music - Sarah Park
*Closing Hymn - My Life Flows On #619, vs 1-4
1 My life flows on in endless song; above earth’s lamentation,
I hear the clear, though far off hymn that hails a new creation. [Refrain]
[Refrain:]
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
2 Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? [Refrain]
3 What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth. [Refrain]
4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing? [Refrain]
Benediction
Thank you for joining us online and in the house.
Please join us downstairs for coffee downstairs & chats
Join us this week on Wednesdays
Happy Halloween!
God’s people have celebrated all that God has done,
from creation, to the cross,
to the saints who have lived among us.
Now we go from this place, to the work place, the home place, the market place;
every place living as God’s own people.
Postlude - Sarah Park