March 27 Livestream – 4th Sunday of Lent – Lost and Found

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Our 40-day soul-searching journey continues. Thank you, Bob Meinz for serving as our worship musician today.

Please feel free to join us in person, or live at 10 a.m. on the Ivy Chapel YouTube channel.

WELCOME

 PRELUDE – Brethren, We Have Met to Worship – arr. Penny Rodriguez                      

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP                                                                     

       One: By God’s mercy,        

       All:   We are delivered from distress.

       One:  By God’s mercy,

       All:  We are extravagantly welcomed home! 

       One:  By God’s mercy,

       All:  We are cleansed, healed, made whole.

       One:  We are amazed by God’s unconditional, steadfast love!

       All:  As God’s people, let us rejoice and praise God together!

*HYMN – Just As I Am – #387

*OPENING PRAYER                                                          

        Welcoming God, we need you. Apart from you, life lacks meaning. We come seeking what money cannot buy. We come seeking what you alone provide – nourishment for our souls.  

        Welcoming God, your love for your children endures forever. Even if we squander all that you have given, still your eyes light up as soon as you see us approaching.  Immediately, you rejoice! You embrace us, celebrating nothing more than that we are alive. Crying tears of joy, you throw your arms around us; joyfully giving thanks, “O my child, you’re home! Welcome home!”

         Welcoming God, we are astonished by your boundless love. Come now; teach us to love as you love – spontaneously and extravagantly! May we throw our arms open wide, joyously offering your love.  Amen.

*RESPONSE – Where the Spirit of the Lord Is – #142

 MISSION MOMENT – One Great Hour of Sharing – “Love Remains”

 GOD’S WORD – Psalm 32:1-7, 11 – Pastor Dan          

 SPECIAL MUSIC – Wonderful Words of Life – arr. William Ringham  

 GOD’S WORD – Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 – Pastor Dan 

 SERMON – Pastor Dan 

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan                                              

*HYMN – The Master Has Come – #502

*SENDING OUT – Pastor Dan 

*POSTLUDE – God Be with You till We Meet Again – improvised  

March 20 Livestream – 3rd Sunday of Lent – Open Invitation

Thank you, Bob Meinz, for serving as our worship musician today!

WELCOME

PRELUDE – My Jesus, I Love Thee – improvised

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: Let us call on God’s steadfast love and mercy.
All: Brokenness can be healed and wholeness restored.
One: God offers humankind the joy of salvation.
All: Let us accept the new spirit God offers.
One: Through Jesus Christ, we are God’s new creation.
All: Praise God!

*HYMN – More Love to Thee – #428
More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
Moe love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

*OPENING PRAYER
Gentle Healer; Mighty Savior; the power to make new is yours. On this sabbath day, we come to your sanctuary, seeking relief from earthly demands. We praise you for blessing us with holy rest and healing.
God of forgiveness and mercy; we are thankful that you receive us as we are. We regret that there are times when we do not devote ourselves to serving you. We allow ourselves to become overly discouraged by the circumstances and complexities of earthly life. We are sorry for failing you, God. Forgive us, we pray. We humbly ask you to fill us with the faith to turn away from sin and toward you. When we fail, we will call on you for grace. When our lives do display faith, we will praise you, Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE – He Is Our Peace – #454
He is our peace
Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 55:1-9 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – It Is Well with My Soul – arr. Suzanne Arant

GOD’S WORD – John 4:7-14 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness – #325
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which at the mercy seat of God
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.

Lord, I believe, were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world. – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – What a Friend We Have in Jesus – arr. Bruce Greer

March 13 Livestream – 2nd Sunday of Lent – Strong and Tender

Kyrie, eleison. Christ, have mercy. Thank you, Bob Meinz, for serving as our worship musician today. And thank you to Jan Abrams, Executive Director of Caring for Kids, Inc., who is delivering today’s Mission Moment.

WELCOME

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER OF INVOCATION
One: God desires to gather us together.
Many: God is present all around us.
One: To nurture is God’s nature.
Many: For our good, God moves.
One: To mother is one of God’s gifts.
Many: For our safety, God reaches.
One: God is our fortress.
Many: God is our strength.
One: Because of us, God is wounded.
Many: By God’s wounds, we are saved.
One: Through God, we receive comfort.
Many: In God, every soul finds peace and rest.
One: Let us pray together.
Many: God, you are our stronghold, and you are with us now. Gentle and Dynamic Spirit, breathe life into this sacred time of worship. Amen.

*HYMN – Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – #389

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

*CALL TO CONFESSION AND PRAYER OF CONFESSION
One: Let us offer our confession to God. Let us pray.
Many: O Wounded Healer, Mighty and Merciful God, nothing we say can undo damage that has been done. As you once wept over Jerusalem, we now weep over this world. O God, you see what we are doing with gifts which you have given us. Your prophets speak, yet we fail to listen. You desire to bless all creation with fullness of life, yet we fail to comply. Human lives are in chaos this day, yet we fail to respond. Beyond the horrific carnage of war, we long for peace that only you can give. Forgive us, O God, Creator and Lover of life. In Jesus’ name, have mercy. Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS – Pastor Dan
Hear the good news. Our God has been faithful through all generations. Our God makes all things new. Through the mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*RESPONSE – People Need the Lord – #527
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?

CHRISTIAN ACTION – Caring for Kids, Inc. – Jan Abrams, Executive Director

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 27 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC

GOD’S WORD – Luke 13:22-24, 30-35 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – #424
Teach me Thy way, O Lord; teach meTthy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light; teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine thro’ the cloud and rain, thro’ sorrow, toil, and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain; teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

*SENDING OUT – Pastor Dan
God sends us into the world to be living instruments of God’s peace.

*POSTLUDE

March 6 Livestream – 1st Sunday of Lent – Wilderness

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We’d like to thank Sarah Bereza for serving as our worship musician today. A reminder that we will be celebrating communion today, so be sure to gather the elements before worship begins so you can share in the experience with us.

A reminder to contribute to this year’s Lenten offering to benefit area children in need. https://www.ivychapel.org/2022/02/28/help-area-children-lenten-offering/

WELCOME

PRELUDE – My Faith Looks Up to Thee– arr. Mark C. Jones

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: We have come to worship God.
All: Living God blesses people with limits and boundaries, with free will and choices.
One: This week, we have entered a new season.
All: As God’s Church, we have set out on a fresh, Lenten journey.
One: Today, we remember some of the temptations Jesus faced.
All: May the way Jesus conquered all temptations be our guide for
responding faithfully in our own personal wildernesses.
One: May this time of worship serve as an oasis in our desert wilderness.
All: Let us rely on God’s strength in all situations.

*HYMN – My Faith Looks Up to Thee – #462
My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, Oh, may my love to Thee Pure, warm, and changeless be, A living fire
While life’s dark maze I tread, And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream, When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above, A ransomed soul!

*OPENING PRAYER
Life-Saving God; above all, you are our heart’s desire. You alone make our spirits soar. You have enabled us to break free from an exacting and exhausting world to come into your sanctuary.
Breathe new life into us, Faithful and Loving God. Bless us, we pray, with eyes to see earthly demands for what they truly are. Teach us. Change us. Lead us to love all people with your steadfast love, Jesus. By your grace and peace, empower our witness, Life-Saving God; for we long to serve you. Amen.

*RESPONSE – El Shaddai – #18
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-elyon na Adonia,
Age to age you’re still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift you high,
El Shaddai.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 91:1-6, 9-16 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – arr. Michael Burkhardt

GOD’S WORD – Luke 4:1-13 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – I Need Thee Every Hour – #169
I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford

Refrain:
I need Thee oh I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power When Thou art nigh

I need Thee every hour In joy or pain
Come quickly and abide Or life is vain

I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One
Oh make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed son

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

*HYMN – I Want Jesus to Walk with Me – #480
I want Jesus to walk with me.
I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
In my trials, Lord, walk with me.
When my heart is almost breaking,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me.
When my head is bowed in sorrow,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

*SENDING OUT – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE Toccata in B Minor – Eugène Gigout

March 2 Livestream – Ash Wednesday

Welcome

Call to Worship and Opening Prayer – Pastor Dan
One: Turn away from evil; and return to your God.
All: God is gracious and merciful;
One: God is slow to anger,
All: And abounding in steadfast love.
One: “Now,” says the Holy One, “return to me with all your heart.”
All: Be still; and know that I am God.
One: Let us pray.
All: God of ever-flowing springs; you are the eternal reservoir from whom all creation
receives life. We enter this sanctuary seeking to return to you, O God.
Bless this time of worship; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn – Lord, I Lift Your Name on High– worship booklet, p. 68
Sing through Two Times
Lord, I lift your name on high:
Lord, I love to sing Your praises.
I’m so glad You’re in my life;
I’m so glad You came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way,
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay.
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high!

Responsive Call to Confession – Pastor Dan
One: Holy God, Maker of all;
All: Jesus Christ, Savior of all;
One: Holy Spirit, breath of life;
All: Have mercy on us. Let us confess our sins.

Prayer of Confession – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of wisdom and grace; you are acquainted with all our ways.
As we take this first step on a crucial Lenten spiritual journey, we turn to you in prayer. Come, O Holy Spirit; in your cleansing power, breathe on us and fill us with life anew.
God of forgiveness, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and action. We confess that we have failed to live by your Gospel of goodness and grace. Forgive us, we pray. From now on, as sinners pardoned and cleansed by you, Jesus; may we faithfully follow in your footsteps of love and compassion. This we pray in your holy name. Amen.

Silence

Assurance of Pardon – Pastor Dan

Hymn – Sanctuary – worship booklet, p. 76
Lord, prepare me to be a Sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true:
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You.

Lord, prepare me to be a testimony,
Pure and holy, tried and true:
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Testimony for You.

The Imposition of Ashes – Pastor Dan

God’s Word – Psalm 51:1-4, 6-12 – Pastor Dan

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Prayer of Thanksgiving concluding with The Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors) – Pastor Dan

Hymn – How Beautiful – worship booklet, p. 50
How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

Benediction – Pastor Dan