May 18 — Limitless Love

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are blessed by the eternal love of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Praise to the Lord, the Almighty — arr. Bruce Greer

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Inspired by Psalm 148) — Linda Lowry
One: Celebrate our God, from the plains to the mountains!
Many: Celebrate our God, from the waters and hills.
One: Sing to our God who designed creation.
Many: Fill the air with song to the One who painted the world with love.
One: Let us praise our God, the author of grace.
Many: Let us worship our God, the composer of joy.

*HYMN — When Morning Gilds the Skies — #66

When morning gilds the skies, My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work or prayer To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day, When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space, Sing, ye that see His face,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around Ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
We praise you, O God, and celebrate your presence with us in this day and time. Your gifts surround us and dwell within us. Help us to embrace these realities. We are all your children, throughout this world. Come today to wipe away tears and comfort those in distress. Come to heal our divisions and overcome our prejudices. Come, Holy Spirit, that we might be loved into discipleship, to follow the Risen One, in whom we rejoice to pray and worship. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Spirit of the Living God — #150

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — JoAnn Moody

*HYMN — Into My Heart — #391

Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 148 — Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC — Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart — arr. James Koerts

GOD’S WORD — Acts 11:1-18 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*HYMN — They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love — #119

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

All praise to the Father from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE — The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God (Inspired by Psalm 19) — Benedetto Marcello