What’s your What if?

Thank you for reading the Ivy Chapel “What if?” Blog. In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be publishing thoughts and challenges, questions that, when thoughtfully answered, will help us become the people God wants us to be.

During our Annual Meeting in January, we challenged members of our congregation to pose “What if?” questions to each other. These challenges were written on slips of paper shaped like leaves, and now hang on the ivy vines hanging in the narthex. We’ll be posting a few of these to get the discussion started, along with other inspirational thoughts.

Feel free to comment. Join the conversation. Help us grow, and, in turn, grow your own faith as well.

Thank you.

Welcome to “Growing the Vine” Together

We are the “God is Still Speaking” Church!

We celebrate that God is continuing to bless our lives with daily grace.

Guess what we’ve discovered?

God is inviting us to go on a trip together.

No, it’s not a vacation trip.

This is a vocation trip!

Our vocation, our calling is becoming who God is asking us to be.

As the saying goes, “Life is not a destination.  It’s a journey!”

Our congregation is embarking on a Journey that we’re calling:  Growing the Vine Together.

We are travelling together.  And it’s exciting!

“Still-Speaking” God is saying:  “What If…”

It’s about potential.

The possibilities are limitless.

This “What If…” Journey is about our God-given potential as a community of faith.

There’s a world of difference between “living it up” and “living up” to who God would like us to be!

Our congregation’s “What If…”  Journey is a calling to “live up” to our God-given potential.

This is a process of calling on God to reveal ever more things we can do to support and enhance the life

of this congregation which is a vital instrument of God for carrying out Christ’s ministries.

Ivy Chapel UCC is our spiritual home.  God has provided us with this remarkable church home not solely

for our own benefit.   This is all part of God’s design:  We are blessed, so that we may offer blessing.

We receive, so that we may give.

We have been given much.  God has entrusted us with much.   Related to this, our Savior Jesus

proclaims, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and  from the one

who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  (Luke 12:48)

“What If…” you and I trust God with abandon?

“What If…” we live with conviction that Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is Holy Ground?

With the conviction that there are unique and crucial things God fervently wants to accomplish here?

Imagine what could come about!

Where can this Journey lead?

See for yourself.  We pray that you will come and see!

Let’s join together   -   Growing the Vine Together.

Rev. Dan Wilson

Pastor, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ

“God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work…  Through the testing of this ministry you glorify God by your obedience to the Gospel of Christ and by the generosity of your sharing with [the saints] and with all others, while they long for you and pray for you because of the surpassing grace of God that God has given you.  Thanks be to God for God’s indescribable gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:8,13-15

Trust these words.

Trust in God’s provision.

Trust God.

Congratulations to the 2011 Elmer Award Winners!

Each year at Ivy Chapel, we celebrate those members who have contributed their time and talents to our church and our mission.

We call these awards “The Elmers.” The name comes from the idea that our members are the glue that hold us together.

The Elmer Awards were awarded during the Annual Meeting, which was held after worship on Jan. 23.

Thank you to outgoing Moderator Jan Wirtz for her hard work putting together (literally) this year’s awards, and to the Senior High Youth Group who provided the day’s lunch.

The 2011 Elmer Award Winners are:

Sew special – Kay Kreder and Julie McAllister– making the Baptism Baby Quilts.

Inspiring Graduates – Alex Glenn and Liz Carr – our seniors who gave the Youth Sunday sermon and were so involved with Ivy before they left for college.

The Guardians of Ivy – Frank and Carol Purviance – they have dedicated many years of service to our God and Ivy.

Thank You Lord for – Ray and Rosalie Bunte, Pat and Carl Winship – jumping into the life and work of Ivy.

Yum Yum Sugar Cookies – Nancy Gerdes and her sister – for baking and helping our youth decorate cookies for many years.

Starry Starry Night -  Bruce, Janet, Alex and Kevin Wilking – for organizing Ivy Star Gazing night to see the beauty God has created.

Thank you – Marsha Medley – her service as our Music Minister and giving Ivy the opportunity to hear her original composition of God Has Blessed America.

How Does Our Garden Grow – with the help of Tara Lowry, Chris Moody, Maggie Olver, Sue, Johanna and Sarah Wilson, Diann Sheahan, Jo Ann Moody and Linda Lowry – for the plantings around the parking lot.

Ivy Elves – Erin Winship and Shannon Farrell – leading Santa’s Workshop.

Ivy Artists and Baby Lovers – Erin and Mike Winship – Creating and organizing the painting of the Nursery mural and the “baby shower”.

Truly Dedicated to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ –Frieda Clark and Linda Lowry – they showed their devotion to do God’s work for Ivy by filling in when we really needed them this summer.

Let’s Perform Then Leave and Perform at Another Venue – Skylar Droege and Gloria Wintrode – they served Ivy then left immediately to serve our community.

Nothing trivial about Trivia Night??? –Fred Olver, Dottie and Ronn Foster – organized a successful Trivia Night with little time to plan.

Ivy Office Assistant’s – Lee Headrick and Evelyn Stecher – thank you for helping in the office when needed.

Chili Mama’s – Debbie Glenn and Sarah Heend – lead our successful Chili Supper.

A Woman of Caring – Marsha Ramey – she is always available to assist the Emmaus people; sit with them, help them find the right pages for the hymns, etc. and for her service to Ivy Chapel U.C.C…

I’ll Do It; I’ll Take Charge – Nelie McNeal – her involvement with our youth and leading our Rummage Sale and Youth Sunday.

‘What If’ we reached out into our Community – Rich Heend (Webmaster), Diane Droege (Flyer Queen), Nancy Litzinger (P.R.)

Amen – Laura Mignerone –Ivy’s child and God’s child with a lot to give. Praise the Lord!!!

Moving Forward – C & M members, Carol Faust, Bruce Wilking, Carolyn Wolff and DFT members,   Jo Ann Moody, Bruce Wilking, Peter LaSalle and Todd Armstrong for faithfully listening to our members and seeking God’s will to guide Ivy through difficult times.

Traveling Elmer’s:

Youth Power – This Little Light of Mine and so much more – our Acolytes – who begin and end our Sunday worship with a smile and joy:  Calvin Heend, Anna Arnold, Morgan Arnold, Natalie Arnold, Mackenzie Duvall, Brook Hilton, Brad Hilton, Nick Wintrode, Gloria Wintrode, Emily Pfau, Michael Pfau, Skylar Droege, Kate McNeal, Sarah Wilson, Tara Lowry, Alicia Carr, and Gavin Tichey (Linda Lowry will be the keeper of this Elmer)

HOG – Carol Purviance, Carolyn Wolff and the Trustees – our long time and faithful decorators at Christmastide.

Ivy Involvement – Council: Jo Ann Moody, Julie McAllister, Don Wolff, Steve Lowry, Sarah Heend, Donnagail Carr, Nancy Gerdes, Debbie Washburn, Frank Purviance, Carol Faust and Linda Lowry and Pastor Dan – faithfully and diligently working for God in unity and keeping Ivy focused on our call through these challenging year, all for the good of God’s work and Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ’s mission.

Whale of a Fellow(s) – they show and live their devotion to God and Ivy on a daily basis with their involvement in JNM, Instituto el Ray, Fellowship, the Fall picnic at Millennium, our garden and grounds, committees, activities and ALL other  aspects of Ivy’s life – Debbie and Russ Washburn

What are Chrismons?

When you visit Ivy Chapel during Advent, you’ll see a large, green tree with beautiful, hand-made white decorations in our Sanctuary. These are Chrismons.

Chrismons are Christmas decorations with traditional Christmas symbols on them, designed to help us remember the real reason for Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.

The word “Chrismon” is a combination of the word Christ and Monogram, which means “symbol.” The Chrismons at Ivy Chapel are white, as this is the traditional color for Christmas.

Before or after worship this Christmas season, be sure to take a close look at the beautiful tree in the Sanctuary at Ivy Chapel, and take a moment to think about the meaning behind the symbols on the tree.

The youth of the church will be hanging the Chrismons on the tree during worship on Dec. 2, 2012.

And the answer is… Success!

Over 100 people turned out for Trivia night on November 13, bringing in over $2,300 for Ivy Chapel. A portion of the funds will go to one of the community organizations we are proud to support. Thanks to everyone who helped with the event… and thanks to those who brought (tons of) food and their big brains!

Here are just a few photos…

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Come see the new nursery, Nov. 14!

Several members of Ivy Chapel have lent their creative expertise over the past several weeks painting and cleaning our nursery. The freshened, kid-friendly space is now ready. Join us as we unveil the new nursery during a short ceremony after worship on Nov. 14.

Thank you to the Christian Education Board and the Trustees, and to the Alpha Omega and Ark youth groups for their help. A special thanks to Jan Wirtz, Mike Tichy, Jason Lowry and everyone who lent their artistic talents to the beautiful new space.

Here are some teaser photos of the work in progress:

Fall picnic invaded by bugs and more!

The weather drew rave reviews at Ivy Chapel’s first-ever fall picnic, held at Millennium Park in Creve Coeur. Unfortunately (especially for some)… a few invited guests were not as well received.

Following our lunch and plenty of time to visit, Serengeti Steve of Reptile Experience entertained and educated us. We learned about snakes, scorpions, lizards and tarantulas.

Lizards sat on heads. Tarantulas did the same. Scorpions and cockroaches got in on the fun, too. Of course, alligator (“he’s heavy!”) drew a few gasps – topped only by the giant anaconda.

Check out the photo album for more pictures from the event. If you were there and would like photos, contact us and we’ll send you the file.

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Honor the work of Lydia’s House, Oct. 24

In connection of Domestic Violence Prevention Month, the Chaplain of Lydia’s House, Rev. Carolyn Held, will join us for worship on Sunday, October 24. We have been blessed by past visits from Rev.Held. Please join us as we welcome her back as she shares with us her mission of healing and hope.

Simply amazing. Simply U.C.C.

Ivy Chapel is proud to be part of the United Church of Christ. All are invited to join us for a series of discussions to discover exactly what this means, both for Ivy as a congregation and for each person who walks through the doors of our church. Whether you’re a longtime member of a first-time visitor, or if you’re looking to explore your own faith, you are invited to these enlightening, uplifting explorations of our church.

Each session will be from 7-8 p.m. at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ, 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield. If you have questions, please e-mail Linda Lowry or Pastor Dan Wilson.

Oct. 12: A history of the United Church of Christ

Oct. 19: A history of Ivy Chapel

Oct. 26: God is Still Speaking, Christ’s Ministries at Work Today

Welcome, St. Louis School of Music

Music has always been a big part of life at Ivy Chapel… and now Ivy Chapel is a big part of one St. Louis music school, too! The St. Louis School of Music is using Ivy’s facilities for weekend rehearsals, lessons and recitals. Using our facility will give the school a better opportunity to give students and the community a broader understanding for and love of music. Visit them on the web at St. Louis School of Music, or visit their blog.

Please welcome St. Louis School of Music! They are a growing school for those who love to teach any age level. St.LSM is located conveniently
our community, has come to Ivy Chapel for extra needed rooms to use for weekend rehearsals, lessons and recitals. Using our facility will give them a better opportunity to give the students and community a greater understanding and love of music. Visit them at http:// www.stlschoolofmusic.com/index.php and www.stlschoolofmusic.blogspot.com

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