Nov 9- Hold on to Faith

God loves all people, and God rejoices that you are here.
May our love for God always continue growing and may we come alive as Christ’s disciples!
All music for this Sunday can be found through this link or the links on individual songs below.

WELCOME

PRELUDE:  Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Inspired by Psalm 145) — Linda Lowry                               
One: Lift praises to the name of our God; bless God’s name forever!
All: How great is our God!
One: From generation to generation we will sing your praises and speak of your goodness!
All: Great is our God and worthy of praise!
One: God, you are just and kind in all your doings.
All: Great is our God and worthy of praise!
One: God, you watch over us in love and hear the desperate cries of those who call to you!
All: How great is our God! How great is our God! Bless God’s name forever!

*HYMN: Sing Praise to God  #45

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
Eternal God, we praise you for your gift of this magnificent new day!  God of the living, your promise is to remain with all humankind, and you faithfully fulfill this promise.  Long ago, O Holy Spirit, you blessed this Earth with the breath of life.  Now and forever you are guiding your sacred creation toward a future overflowing with promise.  This morning, we come seeking your truth, your justice and your astonishing joy!
God, we humbly thank you for loving us as we are and for welcoming us into Your sanctuary.  Bless us with true awareness that you are alive here.  Help us to sense your presence in this place and every place.  Bring your vision for the world to life through us, we pray.  In Jesus name, Amen.

PASSING OF THE PEACE — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
“May the peace of Christ be with you.”   (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE: Thou Art Worthy #11

GOD’S WORD: Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21  —  Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC:     Great is the Lord           Michael W Smith

GOSPEL READING: Luke 20:27-38 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*HYMN: Through the Love of God, Our Savior — Ivy worship bklt. p. 89

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE    Little Prelude and Fugue in F      J.S. Bach    

Nov 2- Transforming Love

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC
God loves all people, and God rejoices that you are here.
Join us after worship for a time of refreshments and fellowship in Fellowship Hall.

All music for worship can be found through this link or on each individual song.

WELCOME

PRELUDE   Swing Low, Sweet Chariot    arr., Jack Butler

*CALL TO WORSHIP —Julie McAllister
One: Come, a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us as we gather.
All: May the lingering echo of saints resound in our songs.
One: May their stories open a space for the Spirit to enter us anew.
All: In remembering them, may we find ourselves re-membered.
One: May the God of every generation form us anew for this generation.
All: And may a new joy rise in our lives and in the life of the world.

*HYMN   For All the Saints  #548
verses 1,4,5,6

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION –Julie McAllister
God of every age and time, inspire us today with memories of saints whose energy still lingers, hovering around and within as encouragement and strength. Wrap us anew with a felt sense of your persistent presence, granting a new energy to offer You everything of our hearts, minds and souls. Yes, Lord of Life, root us and ground us in this. And let it be more than enough for today, as we gather in the name of Jesus. Amen.

TOTENFEST    A Time For Remembrance Of Loved Ones

*RESPONSE  Soon and Very Soon, We are Going to See the King   #559

GOD’S WORD — Ephesians 1:11-23 — Julie McAllister

ALL GOD’S CHILDREN  — Tara Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC    Deep River, My Home is over Jordan arr. James Michael Stevens       

GOSPEL READING   Luke 6:20-31 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON– Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*COMMUNION HYMN  —Shall We Gather at the River –#575
verses 1,3,4

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 —  I Sing Song of the Saints of God- Ivy worship booklet p. 52

*RESPONSIVE BENEDICTION “We Remember Them”  –  Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
(See Insert)

*POSTLUDE    When the Saints Go Marching In     arr. Jonathon Robbins
Earl Kreder, saxophone

Christmas Pageant Casting Call!

November is here and preparations for our Christmas Pageant are in the works!
Save the date for December 21st during worship to join us as the Ivy Youth tell the nativity story.
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays during the church service starting on Nov. 30th.
All youth from Pre-K to Senior High are encouraged to participate.
Please reach out to Tara Lowry at taralowry96@gmail.com if interested.

Oct 26-Consecration Sunday

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ! Let us rejoice and praise God! All are invited to join us In Fellowship Hall following worship for a Consecration Luncheon when we will celebrate all of the gifts offered to God this day.

All of our music is linked below or you can get a pdf of all music together by clicking here.

WELCOME  — Valerie Waterman

PRELUDE — O God, Our Help in Ages Past

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French

One: Some of us have been in this congregation for a long time. We remember many eras before this one. Some of them we miss.
All: God brings us together in one community.
One: Some of us have been in this congregation for a short time. We are searching for a place to call home.
All: God brings us together in one community.
One: All of us are seeking the restoration that only God can provide.
All: God brings us together in one community. Let us worship the God of restoration and transformation.

*HYMN — God of Our Life #614    

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French    
Gracious God, thank you for the ways you have sustained our church through many different challenges. We thank you for your gifts of faith and hope for the future. Be with us as we join together to share our gifts to bring healing and renewal. God, you are transforming Your church into a new future. Show us how we can be a part of that future. Help us to put our faith in Your dream for us.  Let us make those dreams real with the gifts we bring today. Amen.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                               
“May the peace of Christ be with you.”   (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE — Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart — Ivy worship booklet p.42

GOD’S WORD —  Romans 12:1-3,9-13 — Jim French

STEWARDSHIP SONG   Dream God’s Dream — Insert (verses 1-3)

STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE   Dreaming God’s Dream – Connection–  JoAnn Moody

*HYMN —  Something for Jesus  #441                      

SCRIPTURE  — Luke 10:25-37— Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — I Surrender All    arr., Joel Raney

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE   (Responsive-see Insert) —  Valerie Waterman
The Congregation responds with “Hear our prayer” following “God in your mercy……”
Ending with Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

THE ACT OF CONSECRATION
We offer God our expressions of intended giving, asking God to consecrate them. All are invited to offer God your commitment supporting Christ’s ministries at Ivy Chapel UCC during the singing of the final hymn by placing your 2026 Estimate of Giving Card in the designated offering basket.
Dream God’s Dream!

*HYMN — We Give Thee but Thine Own #622

PRAYER OF CONSECRATION — John Weiland

One:  Please join me in prayer as we ask God to consecrate these pledges.

All: Creator God, we give you thanks for supplying all our needs.  In gratitude, we offer back to you our tithes and offerings.  Today we pledge to you our intentions to support the ongoing ministries of Ivy Chapel.  May you bless our gifts and our pledges.  May we utilize them with your guidance to meet the needs of our community and our world.  Amen.

*POSTLUDE — Trumpet Tune on “Simple Gifts”  Phil Lehenbauer                 

Oct 19- Dreaming God’s Dream-Education

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!
Giving joyfully and extravagantly is our faithful response to God’s abundant gifts!
May the Love of Christ fill us to overflowing as we journey toward God’s ever-new horizons…
Dreaming God’s Dream

WELCOME

PRELUDE  Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet     M. W. Smith/A. Grant

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                         

One: God brings us together in the word.
All: We are grateful to be part of God’s story.
One: God brings us together in stewardship.
All: We are grateful to be part of God’s community.
One: God brings us together in a vision for the future.
All: We are grateful to be part of God’s dream. Amen.

*HYMN   Be Thou My Vision       #400               
         
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION                                                          
Ever Present God, we thank you for your love that never lets us go. Thank you for the privilege of gathering in this space to worship you. We do not come merely to open the doors of the church,
but we come that our hearts might be opened to you and to one another. As we worship you today, may we be transformed from individuals to members of your one body.  Energize us to utilize our gifts for the strength of all humanity. Empower us to share our time, talents, and treasures as we seek to envision your dream for us and your world.  Be with us as we continue to search for your dreams and fulfill your visions as we create your Realm here on earth. Amen.

*RESPONSE   SeekYe First the Kingdom of God    #61       
                   (Sing twice)
GOD’S WORD   Psalm 119:97 – 105                  

STEWARDSHIP SONG    Dream God’s Dream  Insert
                                              (verses 1 & 2)

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT     Dreaming God’s Dream– Education

SPECIAL MUSIC   Hymn of Promise     setting by John Carter  

ALL GOD’S CHILDREN JoAnn Moody

SCRIPTURE READING   2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5                

SERMON   Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*HYMN    Open My Eyes   #174

*BENEDICTION    Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE    Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing     arr. Diane Bish

Immediate Marshmallows

by Vince Amblin — published on Oct 16, 2025

[Jesus said,] “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that [it] is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.” Matthew 24:32-34 (NRSV) 

My daughter’s brain works differently from mine. I am a planner. An expert at delayed gratification. I got an A++ on the Marshmallow Test. (The marshmallow is probably still sitting there today!) Her, not so much.  

Often, I spend my days trying to get her brain to work like mine. Wouldn’t you rather tackle that homework now so it’s done? She wouldn’t. Don’t you want to practice your taekwondo kicks so you’re ready for the belt test? She doesn’t. 

And slowly, a team of experts is trying to teach me: the future doesn’t exist for her in the same way it does for you. She isn’t driven by the fear of eventual consequences or the promise of distant rewards. For her, this moment is everything. 

Which sounds familiar. Jesus is always telling folks: the end is near. The kingdom is coming. Don’t worry about tomorrow. 

It leads him to make all kinds of impractical suggestions, er, commandments: Give to all who ask of you. Don’t store up your treasure. Lay down your life for a friend. Or the worst: Do not worry. 

Act without considering the consequences? Give without counting the cost? Live in the moment with no concern for what may happen next? That’s just not how my brain works. 

Luckily, I have someone to teach me. 

Prayer
Thank you for giving us into each other’s care.

This article can be found on the United Church of Christ’s website under Daily Devotionals.

Oct 12- Dreaming God’s Dream- Action

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!
Giving joyfully and extravagantly is our faithful response to God’s abundant gifts!
May the Love of Christ fill us to overflowing as we journey toward God’s ever-new horizons…
Dreaming God’s Dream

For a pdf of all of the music in today’s worship, please click here.

WELCOME

PRELUDE  Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing      

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                           
One: We join together, each with different needs.
All: God meets every need with blessing.
One: We join together, each with different gifts.
All: God welcomes every gift as blessing.
One: We have come together to dream God’s dream.
All: No gift is too small, no dream is too big. Amen.

HYMN– We Are God’s People  #117         

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION                
Inspiring God, be with us today as we gather together in stewardship. We are grateful to be a part of your community.  Open our hearts to your gifts. Surprise us with new learning and renewed community. Bring us together in a vision for the future. Encourage us to welcome every gift, so that we might dream every dream. Amen.

*PASSING OF THE PEACE    Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
“May the peace of Christ be with you.”   (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE —We Are a New Creation   Ivy worship booklet, p.91
(verses 3 and 4 only)

GOD’S WORD  James 2:14-17                                

STEWARDSHIP SONG– Dream God’s Dream (verse 1)

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT   Dreaming God’s Dream –Christian Action

SPECIAL MUSIC  Simple Gifts  arr. Russell Schulz-Widmar

GOSPEL READING   Matthew 25:31-40                              

SERMON   Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE   Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN—Take My Life and Let It Be   #436            

*BENEDICTION                                                                         

*POSTLUDE   Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee  arr. Matt Limbaugh

Special Fellowship Coming Up!

The Interim Transition Team is hosting a time of fellowship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.  
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for coffee and a light snack!  
 

Thanksgiving Together

St. John’s UCC (15370 Olive Blvd Chesterfield MO 63017) will be hosting Thanksgiving Lunch for St. John’s, St. Thomas and Ivy Chapel (the 3 UCC churches in Chesterfield). Instead of gathering for a traditional service, we will gather around the table to break bread with one another just like the first Thanksgiving. Please sign up so we have plenty of turkey and bring your favorite Thanksgiving side or dessert to share.
Please RSVP  using this link or the QRcode below.

Hanging of the Greens

Come help us celebrate Advent and the Birth of Christ on November 29 and 30. On Saturday Nov. 29th, starting at 9:30 am, we’ll begin Hanging of the Greens set-up. We’ll get everything ready for the next day’s worship and celebration and the Christmas season ahead. This is an all-church event… so everyone is invited! It’s a great way to kick off Advent and the Christmas season.

Then, on Sunday, Nov. 30th, watch the sanctuary come alive with greenery during our 10am worship as members and friends of the church hang wreaths, and the youth hang our traditional Chrismons on the large sanctuary tree.

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