May 8 Livestream – Mother’s Day – Life-Giving Acts

Happy Mother’s Day from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are proud to honor the mothers around us who have both given us life and enriched our lives.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Melodie – Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The Good Shepherd invites us to green pastures.
All: We are refreshed beside still waters.
One: We have been given everything we have.
All: God offers us everything we need.
One: Every valley that we walk through – God is with us.
All: We are comforted and reassured.
One: God leads us down the right path.
All: Our cup overflows.
One: We have received from God in abundance.
All: Let us joyfully share this abundance!

*HYMN – Fairest Lord Jesus – #104

Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Good Shepherd, you have enabled us to gather this day in your sanctuary. We are deeply grateful to be known and loved by you. We marvel at the wholeness which you offer everyone. In worship, we receive guidance for living as your people.
Gentle Shepherd, you tirelessly watch over all your sheep. In turn, you ask us to care for one another in life-giving ways. Help us to grow in love that displays genuine caring and self-sacrifice. May we dare to accept the roles that you give us to fulfill, God. Equip us for your service everywhere you lead us. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Gentle Shepherd – #450

Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us,
For we need You to help us find our way.
Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us,
For we need Your strength from day to day.
There’s no other we can turn to
Who can help us face another day;
Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us,
For we need You to help us find our way.

UNISON READING – Psalm 23 – #445

The Lord’s my shepherd; I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
e’en for his own name’s sake;
within the paths of righteousness,
e’en for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me, and thy rod
and staff me comfort still;
for thou art with me, and thy rod
and staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me,
and in God’s house forevermore
my dwelling place shall be;
and in God’s house forevermore
my dwelling place shall be.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Be Thou My Vision – Tate

GOD’S WORD – John 10:1-5, 11-18, 27-28 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Why Do I Sing About Jesus? – #321

Deep in my heart there’s a gladness;
Jesus has saved me from sin!
Praise to His name, what a Savior!
Cleansing without and within!

Refrain:
Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Savior;
dying, He set me free!

Only a glimpse of His goodness;
that was sufficient for me.
Only one look at the Savior;
then was my spirit set free. [Refrain]

He is the fairest of fair ones;
He is the Lily, the Rose.
Rivers of mercy surround Him;
grace, love and pity He shows. [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Rejoice in the Lord! – Wolford