February 1-A Light in the Darkness

If you can’t join us in person, you can join us for our livestream every week on our YouTube channel.
All of the music is linked on the individual songs below for you to sing with us.

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

WELCOME

PRELUDE       Immortal, Invisible, God, Only Wise     Welsh Melody  

*CALL TO WORSHIP           Julie McAllister
One: Come, people of God—the dawn is breaking! A new day rises where sorrow had settled in.
All: The dawn is breaking— and we rise with it.
One: Where burdens have bent us low, the Holy One draws near, steadying our steps.
All: The Holy One draws near— and we gather our courage.
One: Where yokes have weighed on shoulders and spirits, God is loosening what has held us down.
All: What held us down is lifting—and we move toward freedom.
One: Come, all who yearn for justice; all who hope for healing; all who hunger for joy.
All: We come to the dawning way, we come to the hopeful way,
we come to the way God makes glorious.

*HYMN     The Light of the World is Jesus   Hymn No.373

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION                Julie McAllister              

Gracious Giver of light, into the shadows of our isolation you speak words of life and community.  Challenger of Souls, you call us to venture beyond the familiar, safe places which we think of as home, and you boldly lead us out into the big, wide world you love so much.  Through Your gentle, healing touch you redeem broken places in our lives and you heal the wounds of all the earth.

Healing Spirit, breathe new life into us during this time of worship.  Led by your Word, may we live as ambassadors of your reconciling love.  We praise you for calling us to come home to you.  Amen.

*RESPONSE    There’s a Quiet Understanding     Hymn No.144

OLD TESTAMENT READING    Isaiah 9:1-4       Julie McAllister

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE      Tara Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC      It Is Well with My Soul        arr., Suzanne Arant

GOSPEL READING      Matthew 4:12-23     Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON      “A Great Light”    Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

OFFERING

Invitation to Generosity:             Julie McAllister
Liturgist:  Faithful friends, the God who shines a great light into our despair also invites us to join the work of healing, justice, and building community.  In thanksgiving for the grace we have received and in hope for the vision God is shaping here, let us offer our resources, our commitments, and our lives.  Let us give with joy.  Amen.

DOXOLOGY Hymn No.623

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING         Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*COMMUNION HYMN      Come, Share the Lord    Hymn No.260

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION [A]     Ivy worship booklet, pp. 10-11
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament at Christ’s Table.
The cups in the outer ring on each tray contain grape juice.  The other cups contain wine.

*HYMN  To Be God’s People    Hymn No.121

*BENEDICTION       Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE    Sweet, Sweet Spirit   arr., Glenda Austin