August 24 — Healing Reign

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here. Today, let us join with one another in worshipping the God of kindness.

WELCOME

ORGAN PRELUDE — Chime Prelude No. 5 in F Major — Raymond H. Herbek

*CALL TO WORSHIP — John Weiland
One: We may be parched with thirst, like an unwatered garden; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: God Most High refreshes us as a spring of living water.
One: We may be weary from worry or from work; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Holy one offers us Sabbath rest.
One: We may be lost or confused; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Eternal One offers us kindness.
One: We may be bent over with struggle or pain; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Healing One makes us well.

*HYMN — Be Thou My Vision — 400
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by or by night,
Waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee  and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. 

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — John Weiland
Kind-hearted God, we lift our praises to your sacred name.You truly care for every living being. Your goodness and mercy are remarkable! You never lose track of a single one of us. We are blessed that you are our God! Give us ears to hear the fresh word of power and grace that you speak this day. Soften our stubborn hearts and remove any barriers that keep us from serving you. Help us to continue becoming faithful imitators of you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Have Thine Own Way, Lord — #414

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master,  today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Linda Lowry

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 71:1-6 — John Weiland

SPECIAL PIANO MUSIC — I Need Thee Every Hour — Arr. Gail Smith

GOD’S WORD — Luke 13:10-17 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Set Free — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

LITANY OF WELCOME — John Weiland

*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:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed 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:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed 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:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed 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:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*ORGAN POSTLUDE — Come, Christians, Join to Sing — Don Schlosser

Fall BBQ Fundraiser

Mark your calendars to join us on Saturday, Sept. 13th from 5-7pm for our annual BBQ Fundraiser!
We are offering two adult meals for $15 and a kid’s hot dog option for $5.
For more information and tickets click here.

August 17 — Restore Us

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! All are welcome here. Invite Jesus Christ into your life today. May our love for God always continue growing and may we come alive as Christ’s disciples.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — How Firm a Foundation

*CALL TO WORSHIP — (Inspired by Psalm 80) — Linda Lowry
One: Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.
Many: The world is ablaze around us with pain and suffering, natural disasters and human schemes, injustice and brokenness.
One: Create again, O God of Fire; respond to the needs of your people and shepherd us to be good stewards of your creation.
Many: Let your Holy Fire meet the infernos that seek to consume us with refining and renewing power.
One: Redeem again, O God of hosts; ignite a flame within your kingdom that will spread as a wildfire of righteousness and love.
Many: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

*HYMN — God of Grace and God of Glory — 514
God of grace and God of glory, On Thy people pour Thy pow’r;
Crown Thine ancient Church’s story, Bring her bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo, the hosts of evil round us Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure Thy children’s warring madness; Bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy dom’s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places, Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christlike graces In the fight to set ment free.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry — God of Fire, we recognize the spark that you bring into our gathering. Let it ignite within us as we worship you in the company of siblings. We honor your power and remain in awe of your glory. Let it fall again as Spirit dwells among us. May the warmth of your presence give us courage for these days and the clarity of your light give us discernment toward a future with hope. Be pleased by our worship, Eternal God, and be glorified in our praise. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Lord, Be Glorified — 528

In my life, Lord be glorified, be glorified.
In my life, Lord be glorified today.

In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In your church, Lord, be glorified today.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — JoAnn Moody

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 80:1-2,8-19 — Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC — Shine, Jesus, Shine

GOD’S WORD — Luke 12:49-56 — Rev. Susan Shumway

SERMON — Cast Fire — Rev. Susan Shumway

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Susan Shumway

*HYMN — How Firm a Foundation — 179
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Susan Shumway

*POSTLUDE — Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer

Dessert for A Dollar Bake Sale

The Dessert for A Dollar Bake Sale will be Aug. 24^th after worship in Fellowship Hall.  If you are able to contribute baked goods, there are small plates and plastic bags available August 10th from Kay Kreder and Aug. 17^th from Jan Wirtz.
The money will go to Unleashing Potential (formerly Neighborhood Houses) who have Pre-School Education, Before and After School Programs and Summer Camps for city children.  They are concerned about their government funding in the future. Any additional donations will go to this cause.

August 3 — Clothed in Christ

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. God loves all people, and God rejoices that you are here! This morning is a sacred gift from God. We gather to worship God. Together, let us come to the Table of our Living Savior.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — As the Deer

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Kathryn Kuntzman
One: God alone is our strength and shield.
All: God does not always come as earthquake, wind or fire.
One: Sometimes, God is revealed in moments of silence.
All: In quiet expectation, we have entered this sanctuary.
One: This is a place of healing and joy.
All: As our souls thirst for Living Water, we long to worship God.

*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;

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Kathryn Kuntzman
Eternal God, you are Companion of all who seek you, and Seeker of all who turn away from you. With complete trust in you, we come to you. Draw near to us now. Renew us during this time of worship. May we live as you live within us – faithfully, joyfully, and abundantly.
Ever-present God, your Word teaches us to cast our cares on you, since we realize that you care for us. Guide each of us as we continue serving you by joyously offering our love and compassion to all people. We pray in your holy name, Jesus. Amen.
*RESPONSE — Peace Like a River — 360

I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

GOD’S WORD — Colossians 3:1-11 — Kathryn Kuntzman

SPECIAL MUSIC — I’d Rather Have Jesus

GOD’S WORD — Luke 12:13-21— Rev. Dr. Carol Trissel

SERMON — “New Fit” — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*COMMUNION HYMN — There’s a Quiet Understanding — 144

There’s a quiet understanding
when we’re gathered in the Spirit,
It’s a promise that He gives us,
When we gather in His name.
There’s a love we feel in Jesus,
There’s a manna that He feeds us,
It’s a promise that He gives us
When we gather in His name.

And we know when we’re together,
sharing love and understanding,
That our brothers and our sisters
feel the oneness that He brings.
Thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus,
for the way You love and feed us,
For the many ways You lead us,
Thank You, thank You, Lord.

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 — 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 — His Eye is on the Sparrow