May 1 Livestream – The Way Forward

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. With astonishment, we discover that we are walking with Christ our Risen Savior! Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall after worship for the Plant Sale and refreshments.

Join us in person in our open and welcoming church at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield at 10 a.m. Sundays. Our services are also streamed live each week on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude and Fughetta – J. K. F.

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: It’s springtime; and things are coming alive!
All: As life blossoms, we rejoice in earthly beauties of God.
One: Spring is a worldly rebirth.
All: Imagine all of the possibilities for life with God!
One: We are blessed.
All: Christ is alive!
One: God enables us to follow Christ.
All: This very moment, God is walking with us!

*HYMN – Come, Ye Faithful Raise the Strain – #273
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness,
loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.
See the spring of souls today;
Christ has burst his prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death
as a sun hath risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give
laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to gladden faithful hearts
which with true affection
welcome in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection!
For today among his own
Christ appeared, bestowing
blessed peace, which evermore
passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
nor the tomb’s dark portal
nor the watchers nor the seal
hold him as a mortal.
“Alleluia!” Now we cry
to our King immortal,
who, triumphant, burst the bars
of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness!

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Loving God, you graciously spread a Sacred Table for all people to enjoy! We offer you our praises today! Risen Savior, you fill us with life! Especially when no one else can, you raise our spirits. In your uplifting, renewing way, you fill souls with lasting joy!
As we now walk into the future, we hope you will join us on the road. Come near; and walk along with us. Open the scriptures to us; nourish us with the sweet honey of your Word. Open our eyes, that we may recognize the depth and the richness of your grace in everyday moments, such as
the meeting of eyes;
the sharing of a meal;
the crossing of paths;
and walking side by side.
Come alive among us now, Christ Jesus. It means so much to us that you are with your people in commonplace events and situations where we are ourselves. Thank you, Risen Savior, for loving us and for staying with us. Bless us with eyes and ears, hearts and souls to recognize you, Jesus! Be made known to us and through us, we pray. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart – worship booklet, p. 42

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his
Son. (Repeat)
And now let the weak say, “We are strong!”
Let the poor say, “We are rich
because of what the Lord has done for us!” (Repeat)
Give thanks.
Give thanks.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 30 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – The Church’s One Foundation – Wesley/Hayes

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

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Come, Share the Lord – #260

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We rejoice to celebrate “Open Communion.”
All who desire are welcome to receive the bread and the cup at Christ’s Table.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Because He Lives – #275

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Refrain
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Refrain

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Refrain

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Prelude, G Minor – J. S. Bach

April 24 Livestream – Peace Be With You

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC.
You are welcome here. God loves all people. God is still speaking… Christ is risen!

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude and Fugue – J. K. F.

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Children of God, come and worship.
All: We come to worship Jesus Christ, risen forever!
One: Come to receive forgiveness for your sins.
All: We come to discover hope in the face of fear.
One: Jesus Christ appears and declares, “My peace I give to you.”
All: Our Savior is here!
One: Our Savior is alive!
All: We come to rejoice in life born out of death. Alleluia!

*HYMN – My Hope Is in the Lord – #279

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of all our beginnings; may this day begin with praises for you! Let every breath become a witness to your Spirit, living within us and among us. Open our hearts to receive your saving gifts. Use our voices to proclaim your unsurpassed greatness. May the sound of our celebration help people to sense your powerful presence and to claim the joy of serving you, in Christ’s name. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Jesus Paid It All (Verses 1 and 2) – #255
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

GOD’S WORD – Revelation 1:8 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Excerpts from Jesus Christ Superstar – arr. Waller

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 150 – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross –#253

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

GOD’S WORD – John 20:19-3 –Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – My Redeemer – #324

I will sing of my Redeemer
and his wondrous love to me;
on the cruel cross he suffered,
from the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
how my lost estate to save,
in his boundless love and mercy,
he the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer,
his triumphant power I’ll tell:
how the victory he gives me
over sin and death and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer
and his heavenly love for me;
he from death to life has brought me,
Son of God, with him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – Hustad

April 17 Easter Livestream – He is Risen!

WELCOME

PRELUDE – All Hail, King Jesus with Majesty – Hayes

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Rejoice! It’s Resurrection Day!
All: Today, we celebrate amazing news – Christ is risen!
One: God has opened the way to Paradise.
All: The massive tombstone has been rolled out of the way.
One: The tomb is empty!
All: Christ is alive!

*HYMN – Christ the Lord Is Risen Today – #268
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!
Where’s thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Life-giving God, you are the One who sends the dawn and who fills people with hope. We are here on this Day of days to worship you. Your love for all people is so deep that you give your life for us, dying in our place on the cross. But your Gospel doesn’t end there, Jesus. To top it all off, you display your ultimate power by rising from the dead.
Christ Jesus, you have blessed the world forever through the miracle of your resurrection. Your empty tomb proclaims that you are alive! Alleluia! Amen!

*RESPONSE – Were You There? (Verses 1,2,3 and 4) – #266
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when He rose up from the dead?
Were you there when He rose up from the dead?
Oh, sometimes I feel like shouting, glory, glory, glory!
Were you there when He rose up from the dead

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Dottie Foster

RESPONSE – He Is Lord – #103
He is Lord, He is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and he is Lord!
Ev’ry knee shall bow, ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Was It a Morning Like This? (Valerie Waterman, Vocalist) – Croegaert

GOD’S WORD – Luke 24:1-12 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Thine Is the Glory – #281
Thine is the glory, Risen conquering Son!
Endless is the victr’y Thou or death has won!
Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave clothes Where Thy body lay.

Refrain:
Thine is the glory, Risen Conquering Son!
Endless is the victr’y Thou o’er death hast won!

Lo! Jesus meets us. Risen from the tomb,
Lovingly He greets us, Scatters fear and gloom.
Let His church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing,
For the Lord now liveth; Death has lost its sting. [Refrain]

No more we doubt Thee, Glorious Prince of Life!
Life is naught without Thee; Aid us in our strife;
Make us more than conqu’rors, Through thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan To Thy home above. (Refrain)

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – How Firm a Foundation – Cherwien

April 15 Livestream – Good Friday – The Last Words from the Cross

Our Savior Jesus Christ is crucified on a cross. We remember this holy sacrifice, this loving act of God.

PRELUDE – Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen – Walcha

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Christ Jesus empties himself,
All: Taking the form of a servant.
One: Christ Jesus humbles himself,
All: And becomes obedient unto death – even death on a cross.
One: There is no greater love than this – to lay down one’s very life.
All: Christ Jesus died for you and me.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Merciful God, our souls ache with grief and guilt over your Crucifixion. You are aware of all our burdens. Come, Holy Spirit, we need you now. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

*HYMN – Beneath the Cross of Jesus – #239
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 noontide heat And the burden of the day.

Upon the 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.

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.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Blessed Savior, each Good Friday invites the whole world to the foot of your cross. This is a forlorn and difficult place to be. Here we are shown our mockeries, our betrayals and our denials of you. Yes, like Simon Peter, sometimes we also draw swords in anger. We lash out at one another. We criticize; we envy; we injure one another. Worst of all, we continue pretending to serve you without making true sacrifices.
Beneath your cross, Jesus, we see our own guilt. At the foot of your cross, sorrow and love mingle. Forgive us for crucifying you. Amen.

SILENCE

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON – Pastor Dan

*RESPONSE – Were You There? (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #266
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 – Pastor Dan

THE LORD’S PRAYER

SPECIAL MUSIC – Lamb of God – Hamilton

The Last Words from the Cross

Forgive – Luke 23:34

Behold – John 19:26-27

Today,… Paradise! – Luke 23:43

I Thirst – John 19:28

My God, My God – Mark 15:34

Into Your Hands – Luke 23:46

It Is Finished – John 19:30

SPECIAL MUSIC – It Is Finished – Hartman
Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

DEPART IN SILENCE

April 10 Livestream – Palm Sunday – Hosanna!

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Please join us for a special service on Good Friday at 7:30 p.m., and then for our Easter Celebration Worship at 10 a.m. next Sunday.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Beneath the Cross – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP – (inspired by lyrics of Jennette Threlfall, 1873)
One: Hosanna, loud Hosanna!
All: Blessed is the One who is coming!
One: Hosanna, loud Hosanna!
All: May the rivers of justice run!
One: Children singing, families dancing,
All: Elders give a shout!
One: Glory in the highest!
All: Even stones cry out!
One: Hosanna, loud hosanna!
All: May this refrain never cease.
One: Hosanna in the highest!
All: Here comes the One who brings peace.

*OPENING HYMN – All Glory, Laud and Honor – #234
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel, Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name cometh, the King and Blessed One!

The company of angels Are praising Thee on high;
And mortal men and all things Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews with palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems Before Thee we present.

To Thee before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (liturgy by Michael Anthony Howard, adapted)
Dear God; Creator of Life; Giver of all that is Good; we confess that we have disregarded your calling and abandoned your love.
We have paid lip service to life while serving the powers of death.
Violence vulgarly scars the streets of Bucha, Ukraine and many other places throughout your world, God. We witness horrible acts of brutality, cruelty and evil-displaying no regard for human life.
We even accept violence at our own nation’s borders and in the Metro East. It seems that we have become accustomed to violence in the schools, the sanctuaries, the Sacramentos of our day.
In our politics; in our pockets; in our religion; in our relationships;
violence has invaded the imagination of our hearts. How can this be?
The time for transformation has come, but has found us unresponsive.
Creation groans. The very stones cry out!
Yet the Church has remained silent. Forgive us, O God. Cleanse our hearts and souls! Move us to action. Rejuvenate our communities. Restore our humanity. Revive our fervor for justice. Resurrect us as
your people, so that we may join with all creation in proclaiming,
“Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” Amen.

*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS

*RESPONSE – Shout to the Lord! – worship booklet, pp. 80-81
My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All 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 that 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
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Near the Cross – Curry

GOD’S WORD – Luke 19:28-40 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

*HYMN – Hosanna, Loud, Hosanna! – #233
Hosanna, loud hosanna The little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple The lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them, Close folded to his Breast,
The children sang their praises, The simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed Mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving, And chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of men and angels Rode on in lowly state,
Nor scorned that little children Should on his bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – A Song of Comfort – Brahms

April 3 Livestream – Fifth Sunday of Lent – A New Thing

Thank you for joining us in this, the fifth Sunday of Lent.

WELCOME

 PRELUDE – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross – Hobby

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                 

    One: We gather in the presence of God.
    All:  We gather to worship God.

    One:  We are not meeting by ourselves.

    All:  We gather with many ancestors. 
    One:  With Moses and Aaron;                                                                                                                        

    All:  With Sarah and Abraham
One:  With Mary and Joseph;                                                                            

    All:  With women of faith, and with fishermen;

    One:  With tax collectors  –  Zacchaeus and Matthew;

    All:  With converts  –  Nathaniel, Nicodemus and Paul;

    One:  With saints of every persuasion, from every generation;                                                                                                   

    All:  Let us declare God’s praises together!

*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!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION                                                       

       Life-Saving God; above all, you make our spirits soar like no one else!  You give us sanctuary from a frightening and exhausting outside world. As Mary did long ago in Bethany, we come to worship you, Blessed Jesus. Our joy in response to all that you give moves us to offer you our praises.  

       If we get a little carried away, it’s because your abundant love changes everything. That’s what happened back when Mary anointed you. Like her, we are grateful beyond words for a chance to be close to you, Jesus. Come alive within us now. Cleanse us; change us; lead us, we pray.  Amen. 

*RESPONSE – O How He Loves You and Me – #254

            Oh, how He loves you and me,

Oh, how He loves you and me.

He gave His life, what more could He give;

Oh, how He loves you,

Oh, how He loves me,

Oh, how He loves you and me.

Jesus to Calv’ry did go,

His love for mankind to show.

What He did there, brought hope from despair.

Oh, how He loves you,

Oh, how He loves me,

Oh, how He loves you and me.

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 43:15-2 – Pastor Dan

 SPECIAL MUSIC – Were You There? – Leavitt

 GOD’S WORD – John 12:1-8 – Pastor Dan 

 SERMON – Pastor Dan 

*HYMN – Let Us Break Bread Together – #265

            Let us break bread together on our knees.

Let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain:

When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,

O Lord have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees.

Let us drink wine together on our knees. [Refrain]

Let us praise God together on our knees.

Let us praise God together on our knees. [Refrain]

 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION      

As the United Church of Christ, we celebrate “open” communion. All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at this communion table.

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

*HYMN – Are Ye Able? Said the Master – #507

            “Are ye able,” said the Master,

“To be crucified with me?”

“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,

“To the death we follow Thee

Refrain:

Lord, we are able.  Our spirits are Thine.

Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine.

Thy guiding radiance Above us shall be

A beacon to God, To love, and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember,

When a thief lifts up his eyes,

That his pardoned soul is worthy

Of a place in paradise? [Refrain]

 Are ye able when the shadows

Close around you with the sod,

To believe that spirit triumphs,

To commend your soul to God? [Refrain]

“Are ye able?” Still the Master

Whispers down eternity,

And heroic spirits answer

Now, as then, in Galilee. [Refrain]

*SENDING OUT – Pastor Dan             

*POSTLUDE – Iste Confessor – Tallis