UPDATED: How to join us for worship

June 1, 2021 by  
Filed under What's happening

The world continues to change around us – but we want you to know you are always welcome at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. This is the core of who we are – and even as it seems like things are pushing us apart, we want it to be easy to bring everyone together.

We gather for worship every Sunday at 10 a.m. If you know Ivy Chapel, that sometimes means 10:02 a.m. or even 10:05. Check our Facebook page for updates – we’ll post there if there is a delay.

Here’s how to join us:

In person
You can join us in the sanctuary for worship each Sunday as long as the COVID-19 numbers do not spike again in St. Louis County. Masks are required while you are in the building and you will be seated in a socially distanced manner. Reservations are no longer required. You may join us anytime you want.

Online
We have recently started using a new AV system which changed how we stream worship. Worship will stream live on the Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ YouTube channel. You will find links at the top of this site and on our Facebook page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We’re ready to help you find a way to worship with us that works for you.


In-person worship to resume March 7

Great news! COVID-19 cases continue to decline in the St. Louis area and across the country. While there is still a need for great caution, the Ivy Chapel Council and Board of Deacons have determined the time is right to resume in-person worship.

You must make a reservation to attend Ivy Chapel’s in-person worship. We will continue to offer virtual worship for those who cannot attend.

To make your reservation, please email Gail Thoele.

An important note: Things will be a little different. Here’s what to expect.

  1. Virtual services will continue.
  2. Masks MUST be worn inside the building; masks will be provided, if needed.
  3. Hand sanitizer will be provided in several areas.
  4. Sign-in is required for contact tracing.
  5. White dry erase boards will give directions to those entering the sanctuary.
  6. The floor will be marked for 6’ social distancing.
  7. Ushers will seat each individual or family group (from front to back.)
  8. Children will be seated and should remain with their family throughout the entire worship service. (There will be no Sunday School or nursery.)
  9. Communion will not be served at this time.
  10. There will be no congregational singing at this time.
  11. Ushers will dismiss the congregation from the pews after the service (from back to front.)
  12. Worshipers will leave the sanctuary by the outside door with safe social distancing.
  13. There will be no gathering in Fellowship Hall before or after services.
  14. Those who are sick, at risk or don’t feel safe are requested to stay at home and worship virtually.
  15. Announcements and prayer requests should be emailed to Pastor Dan at his direct email.
  16. At the present time, there will be no use of fluorescent lights or sound system in the sanctuary, because these interfere with the sound quality of our live stream worship service.
  17. Offering Gifts: A stationary offering plate will be located at the back of the sanctuary for people to offer a gift in person. [Anyone who prefers continuing to give church offering gifts as they have been doing up to now during the pandemic is welcome to continue.] Thank you for giving to support Ivy Chapel UCC ministries.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Gail Thoele.

Praying for the return to in-person worship

Like all of you, we’re looking forward to the day when we can worship together in person again. The Ivy Chapel Board of Deacons – together with our virtual worship team – have been working hard to create a plan to make this all possible.

We’re closely watching case numbers, hospitalizations and vaccination rates so we can do what is right for our members and the community at large.

In addition to the health concerns, there are technical and logistical hurdles to overcome. We are in the process of upgrading the sound system so we can continue to provide a livestream of the worship even once we have people back in the sanctuary.

We’re almost there, with just a few more components to acquire and install. From there, we’ll be testing the new set up. You will likely notice significant changes to the online experience, but we will keep you updated.

Please note that even once we are back in person, the worship experience will be very different. We will strictly enforce the mask requirements and social distancing. We won’t have coffee hour or children in the sanctuary, and will not have congregational singing.

If you need more information, please contact us or reach out to someone from the Board of Deacons or the Ivy Chapel council.

Thank you for your patience and for sticking with us.

Holy Week 2020: Good Friday

A crown casts a shadow of thorns.

The Christian high holy day of Good Friday is the somber occasion when God’s Church remembers and grieves with deep sorrow the Crucifixion of Christ.

The Seven Last Words of Christ spoken from the Cross:

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.”  Then Jesus said to the disciple, “This is your mother.” John 19:26-27

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

“I am thirsty.” John 19:28

“It is finished.” John 19:30

“Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

After this final, spoken word, Jesus breathed his last.  As Matthew 27:50 states, “And when Jesus had cried out again with a loud voice; he gave up the ghost (breath).”

Jesus Christ died on the cross.  The End.

Tonight’s Hymn

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand –
The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noon-tide heat, And the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess –
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the Cross.

CCLI License #456361

Ivy Chapel Virtual Worship Experiences

The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we think about everything. As people across St. Louis and around the world continue to remain isolated to prevent its spread, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is proud to play at least a small role in reminding everyone that through it all, God is still speaking, and He will help us find our way through this time – together.

Please enjoy our virtual worship experiences as our way to share God’s love.

March 22, 2020

March 29, 2020

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