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.

Jan. 31 Livestream – Power

As we pray for the health and safety of our world, we reflect on the peace we can find through God, and how His leadership will show us the way forward.

The Ivy Chapel Board of Deacons, working with the virtual worship team, is continuing to watch case numbers, hospitalizations and vaccination rates across our area to create a strategy for returning to in-person worship. We hope to make an announcement soon with more details.

Here’s this week’s order for worship:

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Come to Christ, the Living One,
All: Rejected by the world, but in God’s sight chosen and precious.
One: The Messiah that God promised has arrived!
All: Be glad, and celebrate!
One: New life is rising among us!
All: We rejoice at the miraculous ways God brings creation alive!
One: Come! And hear God’s Word for our day.
All: How majestic is God’s name in all the earth!

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of Power and Might; your wisdom is beyond ours. Your patience surpasses ours. Your compassion exceeds ours. We continue finding ourselves amazed by you, Living God. This morning, we join together to praise you.
Christ Jesus, your life, death and resurrection are our model for faithful discipleship. Strengthen us, we pray, as we seek to walk in your ways: living wisely, patiently, and compassionately. Fill us, we pray, with your Spirit of unselfishness and love. Amen.

Hymn – “Holy, Holy, Holy” – #2

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and might!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Children’s Message – Anna DiVesta Scripture Reading – Psalm – Pastor Dan

Special Music – “All Hail King Jesus with Majesty”

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:21-28 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – “How Majestic Is Your Name” – #9

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth.

O Lord, we praise Your name. O Lord, we magnify Your name,
Prince of peace, Mighty God’ O Lord God Almighty.

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Jan. 24 Livestream – Follow Me

The warmest of greetings from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Thank you for worshipping with us. We continue to pray for the health and safety of our world, and for brighter days ahead for all.

Do you want to know more about Ivy Chapel or do you have a question about our stream services? Get in touch with us.

Here’s this week’s order for worship:

Third Sunday after Epiphany
“Follow Me”

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from God.
All: God only is my rock and my salvation. I shall not be shaken.
One: Pour out your hearts before God. Trust in God at all times.
All: Our trust is in God, Maker of heaven and earth!

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of all times and places, may we receive your message now. Sometimes we do not like what we hear, but we know we need to listen. Your message is true and universal, although we would like to make distinctions that favor us and our friends. You call us out of our comfort zones to live courageously and to try new things. Rejoice; welcome; forgive; heal; love. These are acts of faith that you want to see us put into practice. You command us to reach out to people with whom we seem to have little in common.
Still-Speaking God, you call us to accompany you on a pathway – your sacred path of living grace. You inspire us, Jesus! Help us to absorb what you are saying and to respond to what you are asking. Then we will follow you by carrying what we have received from you to the places you want us to go, to the people you desire to reach. Amen.

Hymn      â€œYou Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” worship booklet, p. 101

1. You have come down to the lakeshore seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,
   But only asking for me to follow.

REFRAIN
O Jesus, you have looked into my eyes; kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name.
On the sand I have abandoned my small boat; now with you I will seek other seas.

2. You know full well my possessions. neither treasure nor weapons for conquest,
   Just these my fishnets and will for working.

REFRAIN

3. You need hands, my exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary
   A love that’s willing to go on loving.

REFRAIN

4. You who have fished other waters; you, the longing of souls that are yearning;
   As loving Friend, you have come to call me.

REFRAIN

Children’s Message – Sue Wilson

Scripture Reading – Psalm 62:5-12 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – “Come, Follow Me”

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:14-20 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – “Spirit” – pp. 82-83, worship booklet

REFRAIN
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

1. You move on the waters, you called to the deep,
   Then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep,
   and over the eons you called to each thing,
   “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.”

REFRAIN

2. You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand,
   and you gifted your people with a law and a land,
   When they were confounded with idols and lies,
   then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.

REFRAIN

3. You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
   then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still,
   and down in the city you called once again
   when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind.

REFRAIN

4. You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
   from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams;
   our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.
   With bold new decisions your people arise.

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Jan. 17 Livestream – Known and Loved

This week, we pray for all God’s children to remember they are known and loved. We pray that the momentous week ahead is peaceful, and that we can all pause to find the unity we so desperately need.

Here is this week’s order for worship:

Prelude — Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship — Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Find strength in God’s power.
All: In all times and places, rely on God.
One: Find hope in all that God promises.
All: God in Christ Jesus sets all people free!
One: Find joy in all that God provides!
All: God’s mercies are new every morning!

Hymn — “Shout to the Lord” — p. 80, worship booklet

My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
Al of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all the I am, never cease to worship You.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing,
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
For ever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand;
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.

REPEAT

Prayer of Invocation — Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Loving God, you care for us so faithfully and so thoroughly. Seeing that you delight in us brings out our best. When you rejoice in us, we come to realize and to believe in our capacity for goodness. When your light dawns in our lives, we want to share the joy! We want to spread the good word… your Gospel! We are amazed by the marvelous gifts which you give. Loving God, we dream of living as you do. Help us to recall the power of our own baptism and our personal commitment to you. God of cleansing, living water; you renew our souls. You name us as your children: precious, gifted, good.Every chance that we get may we delight you by serving others in the gentle and caring manner of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 139:1-6, 12-20 — Pastor Dan

Children’s Message — Jo Ann Moody

Special Music — “He Lifted Me”

Scripture Reading — John 1:43-51 — Pastor Dan

Sermon — Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer — Pastor Dan

Hymn — “The Potter’s Hand”

Beautiful Lord, wonderful savior I know for sure, all of my days are held in Your hands
Crafted into Your perfect plan
You gently call me, into Your presence Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord To live all of my life through Your eyes
I’m captured by, Your Holy calling
Set me apart I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray
Take me, and mold me
Use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter’s hands
Call me guide me Lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
You gently call me, into Your presence Guiding me by, Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord To live all of my life through Your eyes
I’m captured by, Your Holy calling
Set me apart I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray
Take me, and mold me Use me, fill me
I give my life to my Potter’s hands
Call me, guide me Lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to my Potter’s hand
Take me, and mold me Use me, fill me
I give my life to my Potter’s hands
Call me, guide me
Lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to my Potter’s hand

Benediction — Pastor Dan

Postlude — Anna DiVesta

Jan. 10 Livestream – The Baptism of Christ

Thank you for joining us today, January 10, 2021.

As we reflect on the events at the U.S. Capitol this past week, we are thinking about defining moments. This coincides with the remembrance of the baptism of Jesus. Will this week be a turning point for our world, our country – and even for you? Worship with us, and be the change the world so desperately needs.

If you have questions or problems about Ivy Chapel or our virtual worship, please contact us.

Here’s the order for worship for today:

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: God is the Creator of all life.
All: God sends light to shine in the darkness.
One: God sends Christ to calm this world’s turbulent seas.
All: God takes care of humankind – calming fears and giving faith.
One: God’s love is real.
All: God’s grace is eternal.
One: Our cup overflows!
All: Together, let us praise God!

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Living God, we worship you this day. You are the One who offers life and breath to all creation. From the very beginning, you have been moving over the face of the waters. Faithful and Loving God, we turn to you in prayer this day for reassurance. Holy Spirit, you are the One with the power to calm a stormy sea or to “trouble” a pool of still water. From water, life springs up! By water, life is nourished. Through water, new life begins. Christ Jesus, as we remember your baptism in the Jordan River, may we celebrate anew our holy baptism. Amen.

Hymn – “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” – #154

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as You art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay.
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross – there teach my heart to cling;
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always high;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me too love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame,
The baptism of the heav’n descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

Scripture Reading – Psalm 29:1-4, 9-11 – Pastor Dan

Children’s Message – Ashton Wilson

Special Music

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:4-11 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – “Spirit Song” – pp. 84-85, worship booklet

1. O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love,
   let Him fill your life and satisfy your soul.
   O let him have the things that hold you and his Spirit, like a dove,
   will descend upon your life and make you whole.

REFRAIN
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.

2. O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy,
   lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
   O give him all your tears and sadness, give him all your years of pain
   and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.

REFRAIN

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Dec. 27 Livestream

On the First Sunday after Christmas, we have traditionally invited members to request their favorite carols to sing in church.

Watch the service and the requested hymns here:

Here’s this week’s order for worship:

Prelude – Abby Foehrkolb

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Sing of God’s glory!
All: Shout to God, all the earth!
One: Rejoice!
All: Christ is born!

Hymn – “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” – #191

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of steadfast love, you are with us! We have heard the promise
of the prophets. We have rejoiced at the melody of angels’ songs. We have seen
your star in the heavens. We have followed your star to a humble birthplace.
Christ Jesus, we have come to be with you, because you have come to be with us. This morning, may hope and joy fill our lives, as we echo your angels, proclaiming,
“Glory to God in the highest! Peace to God’s people on earth.” Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan
– The Advent Candles and the Christ Candle

Response – “Angels We Have Heard on High” – #206
Verse 1 ONLY

Children’s Message – Ashton Wilson

Scripture Readings – Psalm 148, Isaiah 61:10-62:3 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – O Holy Night (arr. Dan Coates) – Abby Foehrkolb

Responsive Reading – “The Savior’s Advent” Luke 2:8-20 – #639

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you goodness of great joy that will be for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign toy: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with he angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherd said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for al the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Virtual Hymn Sing

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Abby Foehrkolb

Shouts of Joy! Dec. 13 Cantata Livestream

2020 has been quite a year. Let’s pause for a moment during this Season of Advent and find the joy! Our 2020 Christmas Cantata features treasured memories from our congregation.

Prelude: “He Is Lord” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta 

Responsive Call to Worship & Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan                                                                                                                   

     One:  The Savior of the world is Jesus Christ! 

     All:  Make a joyful noise to God!

     One:  Our God is a God of great joy!

     All:  Rely on God, who is our refuge and strength.

     One:  Give thanks to God, who is our salvation.   

     All:  We will sing praises to God’s name!

     One:  Let us pray.

     All:  God of great joy, we rejoice with anticipation as we look forward to future ways that you will reveal yourself among us.  May all people perceive your Spirit living within us, and may all people celebrate this blessing!  Strengthen us for your loving service.  We give thanks that you are calling us to be your followers and to live in ways that make life-giving differences in your world.  Lead us to carry out the caring ministries that you are inviting us to offer, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

 HYMN:  â€œJoyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”– #13

1.         Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love;

            Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.

            Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;

            Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.

2.         All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays

            Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.

            Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,

            Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee.

3.         Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever Blessing, ever blest,

            Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!

            Thou our Father, Christ our Brother – All who live in love are Thine,

            Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.

4.         Mortals join the mighty chorus Which the morning stars began;

            Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man.

            Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife,

            Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life.

Children’s Message – Liz Schurwan 

Prayers of the People concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors) –  Pastor Dan

Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan: The Candle of Joy

 Praise Response – â€œWhen God Is a Child”  p. 95, worship booklet

 Verse 3 ONLY

3.         Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Telling the world that the Savior is born

            When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first 

            and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

“Shouts of Joy:  A Christmas Concert for 2020”

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Psalm 98:1, 4

        HYMN – “Joy to the World” #194 

1.       Joy to the world the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;

            Let every heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing, 

            and heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

2.         Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;

            While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy,

            repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

3.         No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; 

            He comes to make HIs blessings flow Far as the curse is found,

            far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.

4.         He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove

            The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,

            And wonders of HIs love, and wonders, and wonders, of His love.

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture –  John 3:16-17 – Galatians 4:4-5

       â€œHe Is Born” – Julie McAllister and Anna DiVesta, Piano and Organ  

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Psalm 125:1-2 – Isaiah 40:9 – Isaiah 52:7      

       â€œGo, Tell It on the Mountain” –  Anna DiVesta, Piano       

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Isaiah 7:13-14 – Luke 2:16-19      

       â€œBreath of Heaven” –  Sue Wilson, Vocalist   

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Isaiah 9:6                               

       â€œMary, Did You Know?” – Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta, Saxophone and Piano

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Isaiah 60:4-6 – Matthew 2:1, 9-11 

        HYMN –  â€œWe Three Kings” #220   

1.         We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we travers afar

            Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

REFRAIN

            O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,

            Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

2.         Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,

            King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

REFRAIN

3.         Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh;

            Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

REFRAIN

4.         Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom

            Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

REFRAIN

5.         Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;

            Alleluia, Alleluia, Peals through the earth and skies.

REFRAIN

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-7, 9

       â€œCarol of the Drum” (The Little Drummer Boy) – Anna DiVesta, Piano         

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – Amos 5:24 – Revelation 19:5-7a, 11, 16

       â€œO Holy Night” – Marsha Fix, Vocalist 

        A Treasured Memory

        Holy Scripture – John 1:3-5 – Luke 2:9-11

       â€œSilent Night”                                                                                    

 Benediction – Anna DiVesta

 Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Thanksgiving message from the United Church of Christ

Thank you to Rev. Damien Lake, associate conference minister from the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ, for this inspiring Thanksgiving message.

During this Thanksgiving season, let’s pause for a moment and remember one of the most important messages of all: to love your neighbor as yourself. To accept all. To welcome all. To love all.

Celebrate Ivy Chapel’s 50th Anniversary

2014 is the golden anniversary of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ – and we’d like to invite you to celebrate with us throughout the year.

Here’s what’s happening so far… more events will be added, so check back often.

Sunday, May 18 our Sunday worship will commemorate the official start (5/13/1964) of Ivy Chapel UCC. Acting Missouri Mid-South Conference Minister, Rev. Allen Fluent, will join us as a guest pastor for this special day.

Sunday, September 14, an afternoon concert will celebrate the exceptional music ministry with which God has blessed Ivy over the past 50 years. We’ll fill you in on the details as the date grows closer.

Please join us for these special events. If you have any memories you’d like to share, please email 50years@ivychapel.org. We’ll be creating a special blog post to collect the memories as the year goes on.

Mission 4/1 Earth

Many of us were witness to a phenomenal level of generosity displayed by this congregation in response to our 2011 United Church of Christ “Mission: 1” initiative.  All across our denomination, people responded faithfully and we far exceeded lofty “Mission: 1” goals.  Now, a new denomination-wide “mission initiative” is in the works.  We are calling it, “Mission 4/1 Earth: Fifty Great Days.”

This future mission effort already has a time-frame:  April 1 to May 18, 2013. (These are the dates of Eastertide 2013.  Historically, God’s Church has described the Season of Easter with the superlative name “The Great Fifty Days.”)  Beginning the day after Easter Sunday, all of us who are the United Church of Christ will join together in 50 Great Days of Mission 4/1 Earth.  Goals will include hopes of reaching more than 1 million hours of engaged earth care, 100,000 tree plantings across the globe, and 100,000 advocacy letters written and mailed in support of environmental care.

Working on behalf of environmental concerns is not new to our denomination.  Our United Church of Christ has been embracing this cause for over 30 years, so we see this shared ministry of caring for God’s Planet Earth as a continuation of ongoing U.C.C. work for environmental justice.  Mission 4/1 Earth will provide simple yet meaningful ways that each of us can take action wherever God places us  -  living out our faith by caring for God’s creation.

To learn more; please visit  www.ucc.org/news/mission-for-one-earth-website.html

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