Jan 11-A Light in the Darkness

We apologize for the technical difficulties we encountered with sound and then filming this morning.
We are working to fix any problems and plan to be live again next week- we hope you see us there!

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)

Jan 4-Abide With Us

Happy New Year! Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. 
God loves all people, and God rejoices that you are here.

WELCOME

PRELUDE   Die drei Weisen aus dem Morgenlande (Op. 48, No. 3)       O. Malling

*CALL TO WORSHIP                 JoAnn Moody                                  
One:  Sing for joy, and praise God!
All: God’s holy power makes winds blow and water flow!
One: Hear the Word of God and believe the good news!
All: Christ the Savior is born!
One:  Jesus of Nazareth is God’s Anointed One!
All: What a gift!  Christ truly is “the joy of all the earth!”
One: God Emmanuel loves you.
All:  Praise God for coming to life among us!

*HYMN       The First Noel      #205      
(verses 3-6 only)

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION        JoAnn Moody
Everlasting God; you come to life in this world as holy light, desiring to be known by humankind.  During the year ahead, open our eyes and our ears and our hearts to recognize you living among us.   Day by day, you are creating and leading us along the way to fullness of life.  You came to earth through human childbirth.  You did not send someone else.  You came yourself!  You were born as a little baby who grew up in a small town.  We are grateful that you often come in quietly reassuring ways that do not call attention to yourself.  We praise you for your abundant love, Jesus.  Thank you for teaching us to live as disciples of your grace.  Amen.

*RESPONSE   Day by Day       #486

OLD TESTAMENT READING    Jeremiah 31:7-14         JoAnn Moody

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE         Tara Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC            Pastorale on ‘Fairest Lord Jesus’       G. Edmundson

GOSPEL READING     John 1:10-18      Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON      Abide With Us     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*COMMUNION HYMN      Of The Father’s Love Begotten      #193

PRAYER OF PREPARATION     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

INVITATION AND DISTRIBUTION
(Instructions given to congregants – All people who wish to participate in communion are invited to come forward and gather in a large circle from the front pews to the altar. Pastor will serve those on the altar area and ushers will serve those on the floor level.)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*HYMN    As With Gladness Men of Old     #219   

*BENEDICTION       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE     Praeludium in G Major (BWV 568)     J. S. Bach

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