July 27 — Shaped by Prayer

Today, God is blessing the whole world with a sacred day of life! Let us worship God together. We welcome Rev. David Arndt, who will be leading us in worship today. God loves all people. No one is a stranger to God.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — This is My Father’s World

CALL TO WORSHIP — Psalm 138 — Diann Sheahan
One: I thank you, Yahweh, with all my soul.
All: I sing praise to you before the gods.
One: I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name because of your constant love and faithfulness, because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.
All: You answered me when I called to you. With your strength you strengthened me.
One: All the kings in the world will praise you, Yahweh, because they have heard your promises.
All: They will sing about what you have done and about your great glory.
One: Even though you are so high above, you care for the lowly. The proud cannot hide from you.
All: When I am surrounded by troubles, you keep me safe.
One: You oppose my angry enemies and save me by your power.
All: You will do everything you have promised. Yahweh, your love is eternal.
One: Please complete the work which you have begun.

HYMN — How Great Thou Art — 16

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r thro’out the universe displayed.

Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When thro’ the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountains grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze. Refrain

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing.
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin. Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, my God, go great Thou art. Refrain

PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Diann Sheahan
Eternal God, eternally loving us, eternally present in our lives, eternally keeping us safe, Ivy Chapel joins the great chorus thanking you, praising you, and serving you.

RESPONSE — Thou Art Worthy — 11

Thou art worthy,
Thou art worthy,
Thou art worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory,
Glory and honor,
Glory and honor and pow’r
For Thou hast created,
hast all things created,
Thou hast created all things;
And for Thy pleasure
they are created –
Thou art worthy, O Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT READING — Genesis 18:20-32 —Diann Sheahan

CHILDREN’S SERMON — Arguing with God — Rev. David Arndt

HYMN — I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord — Ivy worship booklet p. 56

EPISTLE READING — Colossians 2:6-15 — Rev. David Arndt

HYMN — God is So Good — 616

God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He’s so good to me!

He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He cares for me,
He’s so good to me!

I love Him so,
I love Him so,
I love Him so,
He’s so good to me!

I praise His name,
I praise His name,
I praise His name,
He’s so good to me!

GOSPEL READING — Luke 11:1-13 — Rev. David Arndt

ADULT SERMON — Ask, seek, knock — Rev. David Arndt

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Rev. David Arndt

OUR LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN — Here I Am, Lord — Ivy worship booklet pp. 46-47

I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.
I have made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Refrain:
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, If You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain

I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide ‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain

BENEDICTION — II Corinthians, adapted — Rev. David Arndt

POSTLUDE —Rigaudon — by Andre Campra

July 20 — Welcome!

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and celebrate together. We welcome Rev. David Arndt, who will be leading us in worship today. David Arndt is a retired United Church of Christ who worshipped with us a few Sundays ago. He says he is delighted to return today.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Take My Life and Let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Inspired by Psalm 15 — Ann Molyneaux
One: Yahweh, who may enter your Temple? Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill?
All: A person who obeys God in everything, always does what is right, and does not slander others.
One: Such a person does no wrong to friends and does not spread rumors about neighbors.
All: Such a person makes loans without charging interest and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent. Whoever does these things will always be secure.

COMMENT — Welcome to Ivy Chapel — David Arndt

HYMN — Just As I Am, Without One Plea — 387

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Ann Molyneaux
Holy Spirit, alive among these children of God, thank you for abiding with us, for welcoming us, and for inspiring us to live as fully in the faith as we are humanly able.

RESPONSE — 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.

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.

OLD TESTAMENT READING — Genesis 18:1-10a — Ann Molyneaux

CHILDREN’S SERMON — How to welcome angels — Rev. David Arndt

EPISTLE READING — Colossians 1:15-28 — Rev. David Arndt

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sweet Hour of Prayer

GOSPEL READING — Luke 10:38-42 — Rev. David Arndt

ADULT SERMON — How to welcome Christ — Rev. David Arndt

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Rev. David Arndt

OUR LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN — I Sing a Song of the Saints of God — Ivy worship booklet. p. 52-53

I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green:
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and God’s love made them strong;
and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake,
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:
and there’s not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn’t be one too.

They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,
in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
for the saints of God are just folk like me,
and I mean to be one too.

BENEDICTION — II Corinthians 13:13, adapted — Rev. David Arndt

POSTLUDE — Rondeau — Joseph Mouret

2025 Tornado Disaster Relief

On Friday, May 16, 2025 an EF3 tornado struck St. Louis County and damaged two UCC church buildings, First Congregational UCC of St. Louis and Pilgrim Congregational UCC. These churches sustained direct impact and serious damage.

Additionally a second storm on the following Monday, May 19, 2025 contained tornadoes that hit Lowry City, Missouri, affecting many members of Valley Center UCC in nearby Deepwater; tornadoes that struck near Salem, Missouri, causing significant tree damage at Shannondale; and rains that further damaged Pilgrim’s building in St. Louis. We are now combining relief efforts and will use funds received to support all of these communities.

Financial donations are especially appreciated, as they give us the flexibility to respond where the need is greatest. We have created a dedicated 2025 Tornado Response Fund to support the recovery of affected churches and members. Your contribution helps rebuild not only physical structures but also the vital ministries they support.

Thank you for standing with us in compassion and solidarity as we begin the journey toward healing and restoration. Click here to donate: 2025 Tornado Response Fund.

Annual Salad Luncheon

Join us after worship on Sunday, July 20th for fellowship and food at our Annual Salad Luncheon.
This event is sponsored by the Mary & Martha Women’s Group and all proceeds will benefit Ivy Chapel and the St. Louis UCC churches impacted by the May 16th tornado.

For only $8 you can fill your belly and help recovery move forward for our fellow UCC churches.

July 13 — Disciples Together

God loves all people. No one is a stranger to God. Wherever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Ivy Chapel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — I Have Decided to Follow Jesus — arr. James Koerts

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Linda Lowry
One: Let us gather to worship.
All: O God, we wish to see Jesus! We come to worship, to pray, and learn.
One: We come looking for Jesus in Scripture lessons, in our own life experiences, in helping our world, in prayers for each other.
All: We seek to follow in the way of Jesus.
One: We lay bare before God and one another our own journey filled with gladness and hope, with reluctance and sorrow, with fear and confusion.
All: God, speak to us, show us, touch us with your presence! Let our journey lead us to Jesus, so that we may show Jesus forth in our lives, our faith community, and our world. Amen.

*HYMN — Help Us Accept Each Other — 127

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe:
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, Your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.

Let Your acceptance change us so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice Your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.

Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and for bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:
Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
God of the journey, you invite us, the church, “to accept the cost and joy of discipleship” and “to be your servants in the service of others.” In so doing, may your presence be our guide and Jesus our model. May we respond to you in loving faithfulness. Amen

*RESPONSE — Open Our Eyes, Lord — #132

Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears Lord
And Help us to listen
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 25:1-10 — Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC — Have Thine Own Way, Lord — arr. Gary Prim

GOD’S WORD — Colossians 1:1-14 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON —Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*HYMN — Jesu, Jesu — Ivy worship booklet, p. 57

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE —Let All Things Now Living — arr.Larry Schackley

July 6 — Do Good!

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and celebrate this gift together! On this holiday weekend, let us all take a moment to do good — for ourselves, for our families, and for each other.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — In His Presence (Valerie Waterman, soloist) — Dick and Melodie Tunney

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Inspired by Psalms 30) — Jim French
One: Sing praises to the Holy One, O you faithful, and give thanks to God’s holy name
Many: Shepherd and Source, you guide us in wisdom. You cover us in love.
One: Sing praises to the Holy One, O you faithful, and give thanks to God’s holy name
Many: Comforter and Spirit, you encourage us in times of trouble. You strengthen us for the journey.
One: Sing praises to the Holy One, O you faithful, and give thanks to God’s holy name
Many: Redeemer and Friend, you hear our cry, redeem the years of struggle, and restore our joy. Praise the Holy One!

*HYMN — Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above — #45
Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation;
with healing balm my soul he fills,
and every faithless murmur stills:
o God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made,
his gracious mercy keepeth;
by morning glow or evening shade
his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth.
Within the kingdom of his might,
lo! all is just and all is right:
to God all praise and glory

The Lord is never far away,
But through all grief distressing
An ever present help and stay
Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand,
He leads His one, HIs chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Then all my gladsome way along
I sing aloud thy praises,
that men may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises:
be joyful in the Lord, my heart!
Both soul and body bear your part!
To God all praise and glory.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
God our Good Shepherd, we come to worship you, to tell of the story of your marvelous deeds, to lament the horrors and suffering in the world, to find strength to be your witnesses, and to remind ourselves of the truth of what is possible. May our prayers rise to your heart, and your heart infiltrate our prayers. May we sing songs that move you with delight and compassion. May we recognize and ponder the wisdom you impart to us. And may peace rest upon us as we gather in your name. Amen.
*RESPONSE — Glorify Thy Name — #61

Father, we love You
We worship and adore You

Glorify Thy Name in all the earth
Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth

Jesus, we love You
We worship and adore You

Glorify Thy Name in all the earth
Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 30 — Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — Revive us Again — arr. Sharon Wilson

GOD’S WORD — Galatians 6:1-16 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*COMMUNION 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.

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

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

3 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 — America — #602

My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountainside Let freedom ring!

My native country, thee, Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee, Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright, With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE — America, the Beautiful (Earl Kreder, saxophone) — arr. Rich Heffler