August 31 — Open Table

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC!  Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here. There are no barriers Today, let us join with one another in worshiping the God of kindness.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Come, Now is the Time to Worship — arr. Lebenske

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: Together, let us sing God’s praises!
All: Sinful and righteous, thoughtful and thoughtless, young and old, wise and foolish; all are welcome here.

One: This is Holy Ground – a place where all belong.
All: Every person is a dearly loved child of God.

One: God knows us completely; and God loves us fully!
All: Our hope is in God, the Maker of heaven and earth.

One: In the ideal season, God plants.
All: In the fullness of time, God harvests.

One: God is here now.
All: Come, let us worship God!

*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 of openness and grace; we come to this gathering of your community where there are no barriers, and where everyone’s abilities are celebrated as gifts. We come to receive your extravagant hospitality, and your gentle care. We come to learn how we may offer your treasured sensitivity to a stranger, to a friend, to a family member, to those whose faces are unfamiliar to us, and to the face who meets us in the mirror. Be with us now during this sacred time of worship. We ask this in your blessed name, Christ Jesus, Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE —Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
“May the Peace of Christ be with you.” (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE — Jesus Loves Me — 341

Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me he who died
heaven’s gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in. [Refrain]

Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, “Let them come to me.” [Refrain]

GOD’S WORD — Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 —Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — You Are My All in All — arr. Lebenske

GOD’S WORD — Luke 14:1, 7-14 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Open Table — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissel
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

*HYMN — Through the Love of God, Our Savior — Ivy worship bk. page 89

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE —Forever — arr. Lebenske