May 18 — Limitless Love

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are blessed by the eternal love of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Praise to the Lord, the Almighty — arr. Bruce Greer

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Inspired by Psalm 148) — Linda Lowry
One: Celebrate our God, from the plains to the mountains!
Many: Celebrate our God, from the waters and hills.
One: Sing to our God who designed creation.
Many: Fill the air with song to the One who painted the world with love.
One: Let us praise our God, the author of grace.
Many: Let us worship our God, the composer of joy.

*HYMN — When Morning Gilds the Skies — #66

When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work or prayer To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day, When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space, Sing, ye that see His face,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around Ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
We praise you, O God, and celebrate your presence with us in this day and time. Your gifts surround us and dwell within us. Help us to embrace these realities. We are all your children, throughout this world. Come today to wipe away tears and comfort those in distress. Come to heal our divisions and overcome our prejudices. Come, Holy Spirit, that we might be loved into discipleship, to follow the Risen One, in whom we rejoice to pray and worship. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Spirit of the Living God — #150

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — JoAnn Moody

*HYMN — Into My Heart — #391

Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 148 — Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC — Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart — arr. James Koerts

GOD’S WORD — Acts 11:1-18 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love — #119

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

All praise to the Father from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE — The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God (Inspired by Psalm 19) — Benedetto Marcello

May 11 — Life-Giving Acts

Happy Mother’s Day from Ivy Chapel UCC. May today’s worship fill your soul with joy!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Be Thou My Vision — arr. Paul Manz

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Diann Sheahan
One: The Good Shepherd invites us to green pastures.
All: We are refreshed beside still waters.
One: We have been given everything that 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 what God has given us!

*HYMN — Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us — #449

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Diann Sheahan
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 — In This Very Room — #125

In this very room there’s quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for one like me;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all of us,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all of us;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all the world,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all the world;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 23 — Diann Sheahan

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sheep May Safely Graze — J. S. Bach

GOD’S WORD — John 10:22-30 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — Blessed Assurance — #295

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. Refrain

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

POSTLUDE — Let All Things Now Living (tune: Ash Grove) — arr. Larry Shackley

May 4 — The Way Forward

We are blessed by the eternal love of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. As the UCC, we rejoice that God loves all people. Let us worship together!

Today we celebrate open communion, so if you are worshipping with us at home, please gather the elements before the service begins so we may partake together.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Fairest Lord Jesus

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: It’s springtime; and things are coming alive!
All: As life blossoms, we rejoice in the 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 — 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.

Chorus
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,
Chorus

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant pow’r I’ll tell
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death and hell.
Chorus

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath bro’t me,
Son of God with Him to be
Chorus

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
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 spirit. 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 the sweet honey of your Word. Open our eyes, that we may recognize the depth and 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.

*RESPONSE — You Are My All in All — Ivy worship booklet p. 99

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 30 — Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — Lord, I Want to be a Christian in My Heart — arr. John Carter

GOD’S WORD — John 21:1-19 —Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — One Bread, One Body — Ivy worship booklet pp. 72-73

Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain

Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain

Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION [A] — Ivy worship booklet, pp. 10-11
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament at Christ’s Table.

*HYMN — Hymn of Promise — #277

In the bulb, there is a flower
In the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise
Butterflies will soon be free

In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

There’s a song in every silence
Seeking word and melody
There’s a dawn in every darkness
Bringing hope to you and me

From the past will come the future
What it holds, a mystery
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

In our end is our beginning
In our time, infinity
In our doubt, there is believing
In our life, eternity
In our death, a resurrection
At the last, a victory

Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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