May 11 — Life-Giving Acts

Happy Mother’s Day from Ivy Chapel UCC. May today’s worship fill your soul with joy!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Be Thou My Vision — arr. Paul Manz

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Diann Sheahan
One: The Good Shepherd invites us to green pastures.
All: We are refreshed beside still waters.
One: We have been given everything that we have.
All: God offers us everything we need.
One: Every valley that we walk through – God is with us.
All: We are comforted and reassured.
One: God leads us down the right path.
All: Our cup overflows.
One: We have received from God in abundance.
All: Let us joyfully share what God has given us!

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

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Diann Sheahan
Good Shepherd, you have enabled us to gather this day in your sanctuary. We are deeply grateful to be known and loved by you. We marvel at the wholeness which you offer everyone. In worship, we receive guidance for living as your people.
Gentle Shepherd, you tirelessly watch over all your sheep. In turn, you ask us to care for one another in life-giving ways. Help us to grow in love that displays genuine caring and self-sacrifice. May we dare to accept the roles that you give us to fulfill, God. Equip us for your service everywhere you lead us. Amen.

*RESPONSE — In This Very Room — #125

In this very room there’s quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for one like me;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all of us,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all of us;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all the world,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all the world;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 23 — Diann Sheahan

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sheep May Safely Graze — J. S. Bach

GOD’S WORD — John 10:22-30 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*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 — Let All Things Now Living (tune: Ash Grove) — arr. Larry Shackley