Purple Chalice Month
Good morning and welcome to MCCC! We hope you will find here a space for rest, connection, and worship. We trust the Holy Spirit will be with you and minister to your spirit wherever you are in the world. This month we are looking at passages of scripture calling for unity among God’s people. In a time such as this, we hope the Church can be a beacon of hope, love, and peace. Thank you for being with us and may God’s Spirit inspire you in this time of worship!
Prelude - “Joys are Flowing Like a River” [Arr. by J. M. Kirk] - Sarah Park
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.
Greet with your neighbors…
Thank you for joining us here in the house and online. Welcome to everyone!
- ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Wednesday Bible Study & Life Study
- Prayer Vigil NEXT Sunday at 6pm
- Building Updates
Scripture Reading - John 17:21-23
As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Jesus knew there would be times in the present and future where the people of God would not share a common witness, but would be divided. In such a time as this in our country and world, we hope to strive for unity. In a time that only sees Red and Blue…there is more purple. To see what brings us together and not what tears us apart. And may that transformation start within each one of us.
Thomas Merton, in response to Jesus' words here, offers this prayer. Let us pray…
O God, we are one with you.
You have made us one with you.
You have taught us that if we are open to one another,
you dwell in us.
Help us to preserve this openness
and to fight for it with all our hearts.
Help us to realize that there can be no understanding
where there is mutual rejection.
O God, in accepting one another wholeheartedly, fully, completely,
we accept you, and we thank you, and we adore you,
and we love you with our whole being,
because our being is in your being,
our spirit is rooted in your spirit.
*Welcoming Song - Come and Find the Quiet Center #575, v. 1
1 Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
*Call to Worship - Linda Idoine
ONE: Good morning! Today we’re celebrating how our differences come together in unity.
ALL: We’re like a big, colorful mosaic—each of us adding something beautiful!
ONE: From different walks of life to unique talents, we bring a vibrant mix to this gathering.
ALL: Here, we all have a seat at the table, and every voice matters!
ONE: So, let’s join our hearts and voices in worship, embracing the One who makes us whole.
ALL: With joy and thanks, let’s worship our amazing God!
*Opening Hymn - In Christ There is No East or West #687, vs. 1, 3-4
1 In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north,
but one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.
3 Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate'er your race may be;
all children of the living God are surely kin to me.
4 In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north:
all loving hearts are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation - Linda Idoine
Offertory
Music: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” [by C. C. Converse] - Sarah Park
*Response - Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #47
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host: Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer - Linda Idoine
Children’s Moment
- What’s your favorite colors?
- Crayons -- hand them out.
- Can just one of you make a rainbow with the color you have?
- We can make a rainbow if we work together
- BLESSING TAGS
May God’s love mix all of God’s children together like paint on a palette, creating something beautiful and bright as we work together! Just like a rainbow needs all its colors to shine, our church and world need these special kids to make the world bright and beautiful. Bless them with your joy and love. Inspire them to be good friends, to share God’s love. Bless their families and help us all work together to make amazing things happen in Jesus Name. God of All Life, bless each child in our church and community and inspire all of us to keep reaching out in love. Amen.
Special Music
A Prayer for Peace [by Lani Smith] - Jan Green
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer - Rev. Chad Delaney
- Please pray for John and Peg's 4-year-old grandson Apollo. He is having another major surgery on September 11, and will be in a full body cast for 12-weeks.
- This month we are praying for unity. If you want to take a purple candle home to light please take one off the communion table.
Gracious and loving God, we come before You, acknowledging that we are all part of Your creation, beautifully and wonderfully made. On this Labor Day weekend, we give thanks for the gift of work and for those whose labor enriches our lives and communities. We remember those who work tirelessly, often without recognition, and ask for Your blessings upon them. You have called us to live in harmony with one another, to bear each other's burdens, and to lift each other up. Yet, too often, we allow differences to divide us. Help us, O Lord, to see the world through Your eyes, to love as You love, and to seek unity where there is division.
We lift up to You, O God, our world—a world that often seems fractured and broken. We pray for nations torn apart by war and conflict, where the bonds of humanity are strained by violence and hatred. Bring peace, O Lord, where there is strife. Heal the wounds of division and inspire leaders to pursue justice and reconciliation.
Lord, we bring before You our country, where the forces of division often seem stronger than the ties that bind us together. In this season of political tension, help us to remember that we are not just citizens of this nation, but members of Your kindom. Guide our leaders with wisdom and compassion. Help us as citizens to seek understanding, to listen more than we speak, and to find common ground with those who see the world differently than we do.
In our own community, Lord, we see both beauty and brokenness. We pray for our neighbors who are struggling—those who are sick, lonely, or in need. Help us to be a source of support and encouragement to those around us. Be with our ministries as a congregation as we serve and represent you as your hands and feet here in this place. Teach us to love our neighbors as ourselves, breaking down any barriers that keep us apart.
And now, in the quiet of this moment, we bring You our own joys and sorrows….
We trust, O Lord, that You hear our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and that You are with us in every moment. Unite us in Your love, as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray, saying….
Communion
Meditation - Sandi Kossick
Communion Hymn- “One Bread, One Body” #393, v. 1-2
[Refrain]
One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.
1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man no more. [Refrain]
2 Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all. [Refrain]
Prayer - Nora Brant
Words of Institution - Nora Brant
Music: “Go Carry Thy Burden to Jesus” [by W. J. Kirkpatrick] - Sarah Park
Scripture - 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ 22On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, 25that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Sermon - "I Have Need of You" - Rev. Chad Delaney
As many of you know, I have a rough relationship with bees—especially yellow jackets. To be honest, I don’t like them, and I struggle to see their purpose.
It was a Labor Day weekend about 10-12 years ago, when we lived in the parsonage across the street. I was peacefully mowing the lawn when I inadvertently ran over a yellow jacket nest. They look down upon this and proceeded to chase me about the yard stinging me multiple times. It was horrible.
Then, if that weren’t enough, later that evening I went to a family picnic at Roger and Linda Hurd’s house. Still rattled, I found comfort in the good food and company.But then, some of the youth approached me and said, “Pastor Chad, there are bees all over your car.” I thought they were messing with me, but there they were—a swarm covering my car. So apparently, when I parked, I placed my front tire right on their nest, blocking their way home for the night. It was quite the ordeal.
So yeah, I don’t like them and struggle to see their purpose. Sure, they’re part of God’s creation…but I could do without them.
Now, maybe it’s not yellow jackets for you. Perhaps it’s spiders, snakes, or mosquitoes—something in creation that you feel we could easily live without. Something you might be tempted to dismiss with a phrase the Apostle Paul uses in our passage: “I have no need of you!”
Paul, though, isn’t talking about bees, snakes, or spiders. He’s talking about people. Flesh and blood. Brothers and sisters in Christ. Their fellow human beings.
The Corinthians faced enough tension within their community that some felt, believed, or even said, “I don’t belong here.” “I am weak and dispensable.” “Some of us are lesser than others.” “I have no need of you.” There was dissension, division, and a belief that they didn’t belong to each other. Accepting each other was difficult 2,000 years ago, and it’s still difficult today.
So inspired by God, Paul urges the church to look beyond their instincts, preconceptions, and tribalism. He calls them to see value in those they might discard, to uplift the weaker members, to honor those they might overlook, and to recognize that they depend on one another. Will the church listen?
I’ve often viewed this passage as a powerful declaration of unity and togetherness, worthy of celebration. But I wonder if some in the Corinthian church at that time might have found Paul’s words irritating. “Really? You want me to lift them up?” “You want me to see value in what they do?” “I don’t like them; and I struggle to see their purpose.” “Do we really need them?” Living out unity and seeing GOOD in those we disagree with is hard. Sometimes it seems as though (or IS as though) we have different aims and goals and interests. Paul likens the church to a body and recognizes the struggle. Yes…eyes, feet, and hands are different in function and approach. Left on their own, they might start to think they have no use for each other. But the Body is greater than the sum of its parts. There’s a dynamic interdependence that makes each part essential—even the ones we might find unsavory or uncomfortable. Can’t we just step back for a moment, use this beautiful metaphor, and ALL will be well.
Well…the metaphor can get complicated. Because in the church or society sometimes we don’t see those different from us as merely different; but can see them as cancers that need to be removed. That has a very different vibe and that kind of mindset is rampant today. Social media, news outlets, and some leaders seem eager to treat others as disposable. This isn’t Christian. Scripture calls us to step back, to take another look, to get a second opinion (if you will!), and to see others through the lens of Jesus—to be more generous, forgiving, and accepting. To be curious to understand, rather than quick to judge. Yes, we must stand for justice, stand with the oppressed, and speak the truth. But we also remember that what we might perceive as cancer…might be less threatening, more benign, more redeemable than we think. This is very hard work! It is easier to dismiss and cast off…but we have to do better as a church and as a society.
A few weeks ago, as a congregation, we read in Ephesians 4 that we are urged to “Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This month, we’re calling it Purple Chalice Month. The powers of anger, violence, and fear seek to divide and conquer. And as humans, it’s easier to hate when we believe we share nothing in common. Instead, we want to make space for conversation and for prayer. We’ll have bible study Wednesday afternoons to look at scripture. We’ll have a Life Study Wednesday evenings to try to understand and think about why people might believe what they believe. We’ll begin a weekly prayer vigil next Sunday at 6 p.m. to pray for our country. What might it look like for you to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?
Paul calls us to search deeply within ourselves…to search our hearts.
- Have we demonized and dehumanized those who are different from us—whether in beliefs, skin color, nationality, sexuality, or politics—to the point that we’ve forgotten we belong to each other?
- Have we become so convinced that others are less than or that we have “no need of them” that we’ve forgotten that all are children of God?
- Can we be quicker to listen and seek understanding rather than rushing to cut off and dispose?
- Can we still believe that our diversity is a strength, not a weakness? That everyone’s gifts and talents matter, and we can do more together than apart?
Yes, people have different values, ideas, loyalties, and parties--we have that in this very room. Yes, people have different beliefs, gifts, talents, and roles--we have that in this very room. But despite these differences, we are all human beings with stories, histories, and reasons for why we believe what we believe. Instead of leading with anger and suspicion, can we see Paul’s vision of interconnectedness. Can we start saying to one another “I do have need of you!”
I may not like yellow jackets, and struggle to see their purpose. But OK I’ll admit it—they’re pollinators, decomposers, pest controllers, and even food for some animals (yes, I had to look this up). As hard as it is for me to say, I suppose they do have a place in God’s creation. And while I’ll maintain a strong and appropriate boundary for my spiritual, mental, and physical health, I’m willing to acknowledge they have a place in this world. And…gulp…I guess God loves them too.
But more importantly, this realization pushes me to consider how I view the people around me—those I find difficult, those who challenge me, those I may have written off. Just as the yellow jackets play a crucial role in the ecosystem, perhaps those people I struggle with have a role to play in the body of Christ that I don’t yet understand. Maybe they bring something valuable to our community that I’ve overlooked.
So, let’s pray together on: Who are the "yellow jackets" in our lives? Who are the people we’ve distanced ourselves from, thinking we have no need of them? Who do I need to maintain a boundary with, but still work on seeing them as a child of God? After all, we follow the One who said to even love our enemies.
As we move forward, may we seek to build bridges, nurture understanding, and cultivate a unity that reflects the heart of Christ—a unity that sees the worth in every person, where we honor the weaker parts, and together to live and share the Good News. Amen.
*Closing Hymn - Help Us Accept Each Other #487, v.1-2,4
1 Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
2 Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life
we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them or as they may become.
4 Lord, for today's encounters with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
Benediction - Rev. Chad Delaney
- In the Spirit of Christ we are joined together in Unity. Through our unity of mind and purpose we proclaim God’s mercy and peace in the world.
- We have been blessed and challenge in our worship today.
- Grateful for the gift of music from Jan.
- BANNERS
- Join us this week for activities
Hear now the closing of Thomas Merton’s prayer for unity:
Fill us then with love, and let us be bound together with love as we go our diverse ways,
united in this one spirit which makes you present in the world,
and makes you witness to the ultimate reality that is love.
Love has overcome.
Love is victorious. Amen!
Let us Sing!
Benediction Response - Blest Be the Tie that Binds #433, v.1
1 Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love:
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Postlude - “I Am Thine, O Lord” [by W. H. Doane ] - Sarah Park