Jan 11-A Light in the Darkness

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. If you can’t make it in person on Sunday to Ivy Chapel, please join us every week online on our YouTube channel.

All of the songs are linked individually to their sheet music below.

God loves all people, and God rejoices that you are here. Please join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments in Fellowship Hall following worship.

WELCOME

PRELUDE   Morning Song    James Southbridge

*CALL TO WORSHIP        Linda Lowry
One: Come, you who are weary, you who have been bruised by life, you whose flame has flickered in the winds of the world.
All: We come, longing to be renewed.
One: The Holy One who stretches out the heavens is stretching us now—
stretching our hearts toward courage, our hands toward compassion,
our lives toward gentle justice.
All: We open ourselves to be stretched into new life.
One: A voice from heaven says to us, as it said to Jesus:
You are my beloved. This Spirit rests upon us, too.
All: We are God’s Beloved, called to bring gentle justice.
One: Come, let us remember who we are.
All: Let us worship God with joy.

*HYMN     Another Year Is Dawning     #613  

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION         Linda Lowry              
Holy One, Breath of Creation, You stretched out the heavens and set the earth dancing with life. You whispered belovedness over Jesus rising from the Jordan, and your Spirit rested upon him like a gentle dove. Rest your Spirit upon us now. Stretch our hearts where they have grown tight. Soften the places that have been hardened by fear or disappointment. Wake the embers of joy that still glow beneath the ash. Remind us that we are your Beloved, not because of what we have done, but because of who You are and the love that holds us. As we gather at the water today, let us remember who we are, and who we are becoming together— your people of compassion, courage, and gentle justice. In the name of Christ, the One who shows us how to be human, we pray. Amen.

PASSING OF THE PEACE        Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

“May the peace of Christ be with you.”   (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE    Gracious Spirit, Dwell in Me      #149

OLD TESTAMENT READING       Isaiah 42:1-9     Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC    Water Music, HWV 350:  Rigaudon        Händel (tr. Peasgood)

GOSPEL READING     Matthew 3:13-17       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON       “The Chosen One”       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

OFFERING
Invitation to Generosity    Linda Lowry
*Doxology (traditional)            #623
*Prayer of Dedication      Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN       O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing        #93          

*BENEDICTION       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE       Water Music, HWV 349:  Alla Hornpipe    Händel (tr. Peasgood)