Journey toward the Miracle of Easter
February 16, 2010 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
From the United Church of Christ…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of self-examination, prayer, fasting and works of love. In many churches, ashes are placed on the forehead as a reminder of mortality.
The word “Lent” is from the Middle English verb meaning “to lengthen.” In the Northern Hemisphere, the season corresponds with the lengthening of days during late winter and early spring.
During Lent, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. The season spans 40 days: the number 40 symbolizes spiritual journeys home, corresponding to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert in preparation for his ministry and the 40 years Israel journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land. The traditional color of Lent is purple. During Holy Week, red is sometimes worn to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus for the salvation of humanity. In some traditions, following Maundy Thursday’s service, the sanctuary is stripped of color and ornament as a gesture which may suggest keeping vigil with Christ on the cross and in the tomb.
For more information about the journey toward the Miracle of Easter, and for information about how to make your own journey, visit the United Church of Christ’s Lent website.
Ivy brightens Christmas for area families
December 30, 2009 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
A big thank you to all of the member of Ivy Chapel who gave gifts, money and grocery bags that were given to Joint Neighborhood Ministry for the annual “Adopt a Family” program. This year, our congregation adopted five families, a total of nineteen people. On Sunday, December 13, we loaded three vans packed with gifts and groceries – including four bikes and a tricycle.
The pink grocery bag fundraisers also netted a check to JNM for $81.
The mitten tree — an Ivy tradition — overflowed this year with mittens, hats and scarves, which were divided between JNM and Circle of Concern. Both of these organizations said how much these items were needed, especially this year.
Your generosity made Christmas brighter for many families in our area! Thank you!
Christmas resources from the UCC
November 20, 2009 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Advent is an exciting season in the church as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ. The United Church of Christ has a a variety resources to help you and your family experience the true spirit of the season.
• Christmas Kit
Follow this link for an even wider variety of Advent resources.
Starting November 28 and extending throughout Advent, visit the UCC’s Feed Your Spirit page, filled with reflections on the season and a virtual prayer chapel.
Undie Sunday brings warmth & comfort
November 15, 2009 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Ivy Chapel’s Ark Youth Group (7th & 8th Graders) called upon the congregation for help… and we responded! The youth collected 291 pairs of underwear, 19 pairs of socks and six baby t-shirts for our annual Undie Sunday. The items will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry, who will pass them along to children in need. Thank you to all who reached out to help.
Ivy youth contribute to Festival of Sharing service project
October 10, 2009 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Hats off to members of the Ivy Chapel Lambs & Genesis youth groups (and, of course, their parents) who collected almost $200 for the Festival of Sharing Layette Service project. The youth collected money in church, and then went shopping for baby care items. They returned to church and assembled the kits, which will be given to new moms who are having trouble affording the things they need to care for their babies. The groups collected enough money to assemble four full kits and to purchase several extra boxes of diapers, which will be donated to Joint Neighborhood Ministry in St. Louis.
Come to the Ivy Chapel HarvestFest, Oct. 24
It’s an auction. It’s a huge fellowship event. It’s a wine tasting. It’s Ivy Chapel’s HarvestFest, and it’s one of the biggest “fun raisers” on our calendar.
The 2007 event raised $9,000… and we need your help to make this year’s event even bigger. A portion of the proceeds from HarvestFest ’09 will benefit the Joint Neighborhood Ministries in St. Louis and Circle of Concern food pantries in St. Louis County.
How can you help?
Download the official Ivy Chapel HarvestFest Invitation, and pass it along to your friends.
Become a sponsor…
Take a look at our starter list of donation suggestions for the auction…
Or check out our list of businesses we’ll be contacting for donations. If you have a personal contact with any on the list and would like to ask them for help, let us know.
And if you have any ideas or questions about the event, please contact Deb Washburn.
Stay up-to-date with the HarvestFest blog!
August 30, 2009 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest developments about HarvestFest! This is our third HarvestFest, and we’re aiming to make it the best ever. We need everyone’s help to make this event a success… so check the blog often for ideas about what you can do to help, and for news updates (including a preview of auction items!).
Welcome to the HarvestFest 2009 Blog.
Check back to this page for the latest updates on the 2009 HarvestFest!
