Our Church’s Wider Mission Fundraiser

Each year, a portion of the offering and other money donated to Ivy Chapel goes to support “Our Church’s Wider Mission.” This outreach by the United Church of Christ helps those in need across the globe. The following video, which was shown during worship at Ivy Chapel on Feb. 21, further explains the concept of OCWM. The video was shown in support of a special offering held on Feb. 28 to support OCWM.

If you’d like more information about OCWM, or if you would like to donate to the fundraising drive, please join us in worship on Feb. 28, e-mail us, or call 1-314-434-4991

Hot February Chili Supper raises $2,400 for Ivy Chapel programs

Thank you to everyone who came out to spice up a chilly February evening at Ivy Chapel. The chili supper raised over $2,400, which will be used to support our ongoing community outreach programs.

The youth raffle brought in over $300, which will go towards an upcoming youth mission trip.

A very special thank-you goes out to all of the volunteers who helped make the event a huge success.

Keep watching this website and Ivy Chapel’s twitter feed for upcoming fundraisers, fellowship events and other news from Ivy Chapel.

Chili Supper: Raffle Items announced

Journey toward the Miracle of Easter

From the United Church of Christ…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of self-examination, prayer, fasting and works of love. In many churches, ashes are placed on the forehead as a reminder of mortality.

The word “Lent” is from the Middle English verb meaning “to lengthen.” In the Northern Hemisphere, the season corresponds with the lengthening of days during late winter and early spring.

During Lent, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. The season spans 40 days: the number 40 symbolizes spiritual journeys home, corresponding to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert in preparation for his ministry and the 40 years Israel journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land. The traditional color of Lent is purple. During Holy Week, red is sometimes worn to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus for the salvation of humanity. In some traditions, following Maundy Thursday’s service, the sanctuary is stripped of color and ornament as a gesture which may suggest keeping vigil with Christ on the cross and in the tomb.

For more information about the journey toward the Miracle of Easter, and for information about how to make your own journey, visit the United Church of Christ’s Lent website.

Begin the Lenten journey at Ivy Chapel

The Lenten Season begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17th. The Lenten devotional booklet “Where In The World Is God?”, written for the 21st Century sinner, will be available on a table in the Narthex. With the Prayer Vigil we begin our 40-day ‘walk’ of spiritual examination to Easter.

Time line of events:
•The day starts with an all-day Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary from 6am to 5:30pm.
(Half-hour timeslots–7:30am through 9:30am, 11:30am through 1:30pm and 2:30pm through 5:30pm)

•At 6pm we will break bread together in Fellowship Hall. Our meal will be a simple supper prior to worship.
(You can still bring a soup even if you didn’t get to put your name on the bright green Sign-up sheet)

•Beginning at 7:30pm, Ivy Chapel will conclude the day with a worship service in the sanctuary.

Spice up your February! Ivy Chapel Chili Supper Feb. 20

Suffering from cabin fever? Wishing for warmth? Ivy Chapel has the cure!

Warm up with spicy red or white chili at our Chili Supper, Feb. 20 from 4-7:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends and eat in Fellowship hall, or pick up some chili for the whole gang!

$8 for adults and $4 for kids includes all you can eat chili, veggies, chips, crackers, beverages and homemade desserts… plus hot dogs for the kids! Childcare will be available.

Proceeds will benefit Ivy Chapel outreach activities.

Plus… take a chance on our special raffle to support a special youth mission trip to Honduras this summer!

Want to help spread the word?

Download the flyer here, print it out and post it all around town! (Or e-mail it to your friends…)

Ivy brightens Christmas for area families

A big thank you to all of the member of Ivy Chapel who gave gifts, money and grocery bags that were given to Joint Neighborhood Ministry for the annual “Adopt a Family” program. This year, our congregation adopted five families, a total of nineteen people. On Sunday, December 13, we loaded three vans packed with gifts and groceries – including four bikes and a tricycle.

The pink grocery bag fundraisers also netted a check to JNM for $81.

The mitten tree — an Ivy tradition — overflowed this year with mittens, hats and scarves, which were divided between JNM and Circle of Concern. Both of these organizations said how much these items were needed, especially this year.

Your generosity made Christmas brighter for many families in our area! Thank you!

Celebrate the Christmas season with Ivy Chapel

The Christmas season is an exciting, joyful, faithful journey at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ for adults and children alike. We have a lot of opportunities for you to celebrate with us. Everyone is welcome! Check the calendar page for complete details on all of the upcoming events at Ivy Chapel. If you have any questions or would like more information you can contact us via e-mail or at (314) 434-4991.

Sunday, November 29: First Sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 6: Second Sunday in Advent, Hanging of the Greens and Santa’s Workshop

Sunday, December 13: Third Sunday in Advent, Worship with Cantata by the Chancel Choir. 6:30 p.m. Advent Storytelling

Sunday, December 20: Children’s Christmas Pageant

Thursday, December 24: 6:30 p.m. Family worship, 11 p.m. Candlelight service

From all of us at Ivy Chapel, may the blessings of the season be upon you. We hope you’ll join us in anticipation as we celebrate the coming birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas resources from the UCC

Advent is an exciting season in the church as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. The United Church of Christ has a a variety resources to help you and your family experience the true spirit of the season.

• Free Advent Guide

• Christmas Kit

Follow this link for an even wider variety of Advent resources.

Starting November 28 and extending throughout Advent, visit the UCC’s Feed Your Spirit page, filled with reflections on the season and a virtual prayer chapel.

Undie Sunday brings warmth & comfort

Ivy Chapel’s Ark Youth Group (7th & 8th Graders) called upon the congregation for help… and we responded! The youth collected 291 pairs of underwear, 19 pairs of socks and six baby t-shirts for our annual Undie Sunday. The items will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry, who will pass them along to children in need. Thank you to all who reached out to help.

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