Jan 18- A Light in the Darkness

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC.  Whoever you are, Wherever you are on life’s journey,
You are welcome here.

WELCOME

PRELUDE  Be Thou My Vision Traditional Irish Melody arr. Burlington

*CALL TO WORSHIP          John Weiland                                                                                                       
One:  Wait patient for the Lord; he will listen and hear your cry.
All: God drew me up from the depths and set my feet upon a rock.
One: The Creator put a song of praise in my mouth.  Many will see and put their trust in the Lord.
All: Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not go after false idols.
One:  Sacrifice and burnt offering you do not desire. 
All: I delight to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart.
One: I have spoken of your faithfulness and proclaimed your steadfast love to all people.
All:  O Lord, let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep us safe forever. 

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

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION                                                           
O God our Creator, you have knit us together and called us into being.  We pray you fill our hearts with your Spirit.  Everything we desire can be found in you.  We ask you to draw near to us in this time of worship.  We pray you equip us to be a source of your healing in the lives of our community.  May we ever more fully become your light in the darkness of our world.  Amen.

*RESPONSE      Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love       
Ivy worship booklet p. 57                                                            

OLD TESTAMENT READING      Isaiah 49:1-7       John Weiland                    

SPECIAL MUSIC      This is My Father’s World Franklin Sheppard arr. Berry      

GOSPEL READING        John 1:29-42      Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON       “A Servant”     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

INVITATION TO GENEROSITY
One: In heaven it’s believed that there is no good thing lacking.  There is no scarcity, no shortage.  We have the opportunity today to mirror Heaven.  Let us offer whatever we are led to give, so that abundance may flow and that God’s people lack no good thing. 

*DOXOLOGY         #623                          

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
All:  Creator of heaven and earth, receive these offerings from our hearts and our hands.  May they be used to bring your light to all who are surrounded in darkness.  Amen.

*HYMN          Love Divine, All Loves Excelling #71                                                       

*BENEDICTION    Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE      Ash Grove Traditional Welsh Melody arr. Berry