November 26 – Reign of Christ

As we give thanks to God, let this worship be a time to quiet our souls, watching intently for God. A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

SILENT REFLECTION – Thanksgiving to God – #636

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Let All Things Now Living – Tune: Ash Grove

*CALL TO WORSHIP (based on Psalm 95) – John Weiland
One: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
All: God cares for everyone.
One: Like a shepherd, searching for lost sheep, God calls to us.
All: God calls out to us by name.
One: God reaches out to rescue all who have strayed.
All: Scattered, weak and injured ones are cared for by God.
One: We are the sheep of God’s pasture.
All: O come, let us kneel before God our Maker.

*HYMN – Rejoice, the Lord Is King! #282

Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord and judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – John Weiland
O Breath of Life; you are with us in our going out and our coming in. Wherever we are, you are steadily leading us, God. We are grateful.
Come, Holy Spirit; we need you now. Come in your strength and your power; come in your own gentle way. O Breath of Life; open every heart to your promise of steadfast love. You are a God of astounding faithfulness!
We come this morning, seeking guidance that you alone can provide, God of Life and Breath. Fill us with your holy love and lead us, we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE – 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.

GOD’S WORD – Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 – John Weiland

SPECIAL MUSIC – Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:31-46 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Our God Reigns! – #290

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news,good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!

Chorus:
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!

He had no stately form; He had no majesty,
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised, and we took no account of Him,
Yet now He reigns with the Most High. [Chorus]

Out of the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so see here His hands, His feet, His side.
Yes, we know He is alive. [Chorus]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Crown Him with Many Crowns

November 19 – Extravagant Opportunity

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! Heartfelt wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving.

SILENT REFLECTION – Summons to Thanksgiving – #589

WELCOME

PRELUDE – For the Fruit of All Creation

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come into God’s presence with thanksgiving!
All: Make a joyful noise to God!
One: Praise God for wonders all around the world!
All: Rejoice!
One: Give thanks.
All: Bless God’s holy name.

*HYMN – We Gather Together – #597

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Daring, Adventurous God, we marvel at the enormity of all that you have made and all that you are in the process of making! You are the Creator and the Caretaker of life everywhere.
Faithful God, there are times when life lulls us to sleep. We forget that you are the Giver of every good gift. Give us hearts to praise your unparalleled strength and goodness. Christ Jesus, you teach us to seek your Kingdom and to believe that nothing is impossible for you.
Extravagant Savior, bring us alive in your Spirit; for we long to be part of your daring, adventurous acts of creation! Make us instruments of your compassion and creativity! Ultimately, may we look beyond ourselves toward becoming a blessing to others. Amen.

*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

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN – The Greatest Thing – #106

The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
I want to know You more, I want to know you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;

The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
I want to love You more, I want to love you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;

The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
I want to serve You more, I want to serve you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.

RESPONSIVE READING – Thanksgiving to God – #636

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.

Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:14-30

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Now Thank We All Our God – #592

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Now go into the world, rejoicing and giving thanks to God!

November 12 – Light

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. God loves all people! And we express our love for God by living in ways leading toward “A just world for all.”

Check this space once worship begins at 10 a.m. Sunday for a link to the live worshp service.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Sanctuary

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Ann Molyneaux
One: We come to this place because we want to know God,
All: who helps us to set aside the past, to walk the path to new life.
One: We come in these moments because we want to know Jesus,
All: who anoints us with the resurrection, who shares our lives with us.
One: We come with these people because we want to know the Spirit,
All: who shapes us for life with God, so we may praise God forever!

*HYMN – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – #10

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Ann Molyneaux
You have done great things for us, God of great love. You make a way through our brokenness, so hope might be restored; you loosen our grip on fear, so we might take hold of the One who cradles us in the palms of grace. You are doing great things through us, Brother of the poor. You make a way through our doubt, so we may have the faith to follow, as well as to serve by your side; you gather up our tears, turning them into fountains of joy. You will do great things in us, Anointer of our hearts. You make a way through our hardened hearts, melting them into rivers of wonder for all; you touch our tongues, so they tingle with delights, and laughter tumbles out of our mouths. Continue to make a way through us, God in Community, Holy One, we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Precious Lord, Take My Hand – #494

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone;
Hear my cry, Hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall –

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 43:16-21 ¬– Ann Molyneaux

SPECIAL MUSIC – Revive Us Again

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:1-13 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Revive Us Again – #95

We praise Thee, O God! for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died, and is now gone above.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God! for Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior, and scattered our night.
All glory and praise To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins, and hath cleansed every stain.
Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – The Heavens Are Telling – Psalm 19 (Marcello)

Go into the world, rejoicing and giving thanks!

November 5 – Partners in Christ’s Service

Our Totenfest observance in worship this morning is an expression of thanks to God for loved ones who have passed on to life eternal during the past year.

Today, we will also celebrate communion. If you are worshipping with us from home, please gather the elements before you begin so you may partake with us. All are welcome at Christ’s table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Shall We Gather at the River?

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Jn Wirtz
One: Come; marvel at the splendor of God.
All: This morning, God’s altar serves as a banquet table.
One: Come; accept your invitation.
All: Look, here’s a place card with your name on it!
One: Come; be a guest of the One who sets all people free.
All: All are welcome at the table of this Amazing Savior!

*HYMN – For All the Saints (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #548

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness dread, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Jan Wirtz
God of grace, we struggle to trust you in all aspects of our lives. Mistakenly, we seek validation from impermanent, inadequate sources. We confess that we base our identity on human structures, plans, and schemes. We fail to be satisfied with the gifts and purposes which you are giving us.

Deliver us from our inability to depend on you, Faithful God. Lead us to appreciate the ways in which we are uniquely and wonderfully made. Help us to be in community with one another rather than in competition with one another. Guide us, so that we will perceive situations where we may offer your love and care. Move us to respond faithfully where there is real need; for then we truly will be living out your commandment to love our neighbors. Lead us to love you more than anyone or anything else. Renew a spirit of humility and peace within us, we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (Verse 1) – #74

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful name;
The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious, He rules over all.

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 23:1-12 – Jan Wirtz

TOTENFEST – Thanksgiving for Loved Ones

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

SPECIAL MUSIC – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

GOD’S WORD – Joshua 3:1, 7-17 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Speak, Lord, in the Stillness – #157

Speak, Lord, in the stillness, While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen In expectancy.

Speak, O blessèd Master, In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord, Feel Thy touch of power.

For the words Thou speakest, They are life indeed;
Living bread from heaven, Now my spirit freed!

All to Thee is yielded, I am not my own;
Blissful, glad surrender, I am Thine alone.

Fill me with the knowledge Of Thy glorious will’
All Thine own good pleasure In Thy child fulfill.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All people are invited to Christ’s Table. All who desire are welcome to receive the bread and the cup. The cups in the outer ring on the communion tray contain grape juice. The other cups contain wine.

*HYMN – O Jesus, I Have Promised – #466

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus,Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be.
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Today’s featured Image by jcomp on Freepik