Dec. 6 Livestream – Second Sunday of Advent

On this second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of hope. As we also celebrate communion together, may you find the hope and peace you need in this season of anticipation.

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan
One: God Most High is alive today!
All: Jesus Christ loves all people.
One: God is great!
All: And greatly to be praised!
One: Over and over, we are amazed by God!
All: God is alive this moment.
One: The God of all life; the Holy One – is closer than our next breath.
All: Let us worship God together.

Hymn/ “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #186

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of the living; you promise to be with your people, and you faithfully fulfill this promise! Long ago, you sent your Spirit to live among us, guiding your creation toward a hope-filled future. We join together in worship seeking your truth and your promise for our day.
O God of hope eternal, you are with us now. Help us to sense your presence and to cherish your companionship. May we receive you and serve you. Come; fulfill within us your holy purposes. We pray in your name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath / Pastor Dan
The Candle of Hope

Response “When God Is a Child” p. 95, worship booklet
Verse 1 ONLY

Children’s Message / Liz Schurwan

Special Music / “Bring Us Hope”

Scripture Reading / Pastor Dan Mark 1:1-8 and Isaiah 40:1-11

Sermon / Pastor Dan

Prayers of the People/ The Lord’s Prayer/ Holy Communion/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “You Are the Light” p. 100, worship booklet

Benediction / Pastor Dan

Postlude / Anna DiVesta

Nov. 29 Livestream – First Sunday of Advent

On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of peace. Join us as we pray for peace in our community, peace in our world and peace in our hearts.

This week’s order for worship:

Prelude/ Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan
One: Faith in God gives us chances to begin all over again.
All: God’s love is a love that releases us from the past.
One: It is freeing to make a fresh start!
All: As our Savior, God gives all people a new lease on life!
One: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
All: As Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, salvation and life.

Hymn/ “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” #82

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace:
   Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
   Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;
   Praise His name I’m fixed upon it – Name of God’s redeeming love.
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I’m come;
   And I hope by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
   Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering form the fold of God;
   He, to rescue me from danger, Bought me with HIs precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor, Daily I’m constrained to be!
   Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee::
   Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love;
   Here’s my heart O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Tender-Hearted God, this morning you have awakened us to a new day of life! We praise you, for you have blessed us.
Always-Loving God, you are the One who faithfully loves all people. May we sense your loving presence as we share in this time of worship. Wake us up all over again. As we begin this new Church Year, we remember your unexpected advent in Bethlehem. Your birth among us; your human birth as a little, newborn baby was a defining moment. In that moment, you made yourself known as never before, God. Forevermore, you continue making yourself known to your children. May we grow to know you more deeply this Advent Season; Tender-Hearted and Always-Loving Savior. Amen.

Lighting the Advent Wreath / Pastor Dan
The Candle of Peace

Response “When God Is a Child” p. 95, worship booklet
Verse 2 ONLY

2. Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, Giving a promise of safety and worth.
   When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
   The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

Children’s Message/ Sue Wilson

Special Music/ “Soon and Very Soon” Mike Neu, Tenor Saxophone
Aaron DiVesta, Baritone Saxophone

Scripture Reading/ Pastor Dan Psalm 80:1-9, 14-19 and Mark 13:24-37

Sermon/ Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “Let There Be Peace on Earth” pp. 62-63, worship booklet
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow:
to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

Benediction/ Pastor Dan

Postlude/ Anna DiVesta

Thanksgiving message from the United Church of Christ

Thank you to Rev. Damien Lake, associate conference minister from the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ, for this inspiring Thanksgiving message.

During this Thanksgiving season, let’s pause for a moment and remember one of the most important messages of all: to love your neighbor as yourself. To accept all. To welcome all. To love all.

Nov. 22 Livestream – Give Thanks!

Thank you for joining us during this very different Thanksgiving week. We hope you are able to find some joy, even as gatherings with friends and family may be limited. Please be safe and healthy, and enjoy this week’s program.

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan
One: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
All: God cares for everyone.
One: Like a shepherd, searching for lost sheep, God calls to us.
All: God calls out to us by name.
One: God reaches out to rescue all who have strayed.
All: Scattered, weak and injured ones are cared for by God.
One: We are the sheep of God’s pasture.
All: O come, let us kneel before God our Maker.

Hymn/ “The Gift of Love” #126

1. Though I may speak with bravest fire, And have the gift to all inspire,
   And have not love; my words are vain; As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.
2. Though I may give all I possess, And striving so my love profess,
   But not be given by love within, The profit soon turns strangely thin.
3. Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control, Our spirits long to be made whole.
   Let inward love guide every deed; By this we worship, and are freed.

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of Life and Breath, we come this morning, seeking guidance that you alone can provide. You are a God of astounding faithfulness! Fill us with your holy love and lead us, we pray. O Breath of Life; you are with us in our going out and our coming in. Wherever we are, you are steadily leading us.
God of love, we praise you for the abundance of blessings which you provide. We give thanks with grateful hearts. We want to share our faith in you with the world! May we always live joyfully in the spirit of our Living Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Praise Response/ “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart” p. 42, worship booklet

Children’s Message/ Linda Lowry

Special Music/ “On Eagle’s Wings”
Marsha Fix, Vocalist
Anna DiVesta, Pianist

Scripture Reading/ Pastor Dan Psalm 95:1-2 and Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon/ Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “For the Fruit of All Creation” #591

1. For the fruit of all creation, Thanks be to God.
   For His gifts to every nation, Thanks be to God.
   For the plowing, sowing, reaping, Silent Growth while we are sleeping,
   Future needs in earth’s safekeeping, Thanks be to God.
2. In the just reward of labor, God’s will is done.
   In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will is done.
   In our worldwide task of caring For the hungry and despairing,
   In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.
3. For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God.
   For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God.
   For the wonders that astound us, For then truths that still confound us,
   ost of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

Benediction/ Pastor Dan

Postlude/ Anna DiVesta

Nov. 15 Livestream

Good Sunday morning once again to everyone. Even while we cannot be together in our sanctuary here at Ivy Chapel, we hope you can find some comfort in this shared experience.

Here’s today’s order for worship:

Prelude/ Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Come, one! Come, all! All: God is worthy of our highest praise!
One: There are certain things which God alone can do. All: God’s wonders never cease!
One: We come together in amazement to praise God our Savior! All: Come, one and all!
Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Merciful and Gracious God, remind us this morning that you delight in all creation. It is a joy to be with you on this day of life that you have given! Each one of us is a uniquely valuable part of your Church. By bringing all of us together, you form us into your spectacular masterpiece. You are the Potter, and we are the clay. Refresh us through your Living Word, and teach us your way, O God. May human hearts everywhere learn to delight in you. Focusing on you brings life! Lead us as we continue learning to give away the gifts which you so abundantly are giving us. From everlasting to everlasting, you are God! Age to age, you’re still the same; by the power of your name. El Shaddai, God Almighty; we will praise and lift you high! Amen.

Hymn/ “El Shaddai” #18

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyonna Adonai,
Age to age You’re still the same by the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Er-kahm-ka na Adonai;
We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.

Children’s Message/ Sarah Wilson

Special Instrumental Music/ Anna DiVesta and Sarah Wilson

Scripture Reading/ Pastor Dan Psalm 90:1-8, 12-16 and Matthew 25:14-30

Sermon/ Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” #424

1. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, Teach me Thy Way!
   Thy guiding grace afford – Teach me Thy way!
   Help me to walk aright, More by faith, less by sight;
   Lead me with heavenly light, Teach me Thy way!
2. When I am sad at heart, Teach me Thy way!
   When earthly joys depart, Teach me Thy way!
   In hours of loneliness, In times of dire distress,
   In failure or success, Teach me Thy way!
3. When doubts and fears arise, Teach me Thy way!
   When storms o’respread the skies, Teach me Thy way!
   Shine thro’ the clouds and rain, Thro’ sorrow, toil and pain;
   Make Thou my pathway plain, Teach me Thy way!
4. Long as my life shall last, Teach me Thy way!
   Where’er my lot be cast, Teach me Thy way!
   Until the race is run, Until the journey’s done,
   Until the crown is won, Teach me Thy way!

Benediction/ Pastor Dan

Postlude/ Anna

Nov. 8 Livestream

We had originally hoped to take the first steps toward in-person worship today. However, with the increase in COVID-19 cases, it’s best to put these plans on hold for the health of our members and the community. Please continue to stay safe as we all work together to find the healthiest way forward.

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan
One: We come to worship, because we want to know God,
All: who helps us to leave behind the past, and to walk ahead on a path to new life.
One: We pause on this Sabbath day, because we want to know Jesus,
All: who offer us grace, and who inspires us to be givers.
One: We share in joyful acts of praise, because we want to know the Spirit,
All: who guides us to serve God with gladness!

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray together.
All: God of this new day; we rejoice that you are God of all the earth! We worship you, Christ Jesus. Singing your praises fills us with joy, and blesses us beyond words. In you, Jesus, we find a treasure. In you, we experience a pure goodness that cares for and affirms everyone. In you, we receive a comfort that delivers us from all our fears.
In you, we come in contact with an exceptional love that surrounds and encourages, reassures and calms.
You are a true refuge, O God, in time of trouble. Your faithful support strengthens us in our weakness, fills us in our hunger, and finds us when we are lost. During every sacred time of worship, you bless us anew. Here and now, we are found.
Thank you, Gentle Shepherd, for watching over us and for leading us. Amen.

Hymn/ “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” #389

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me;
   See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me.

REFRAIN
Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home;
Earnestly tenderly, Jesus is calling. Calling, O sinner, come home!

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me?
   Why should we linger and heed not His mercies, Mercies for you and for me?

REFRAIN

3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me;
   Shadows are gathering, death’s night is coming, Coming for you and for me.

REFRAIN

4. O for the wonderful love He has promised, Promised for you and for me!
   Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.

REFRAIN

Children’s Message/ Ashton

Prayers of the Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Special Music/ “Keep Your Lamps” Anna and Aaron DiVesta

Scripture Reading/ Pastor Dan Matthew 25:1-13

Sermon/ Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan

Hymn/ “Hymn of Promise” #277

1. In the bulb there is a flower; In the seed, an apple tree;
   In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!
   In the cold and snow of winter There’s a spring that waits to be,
   Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.
2. There’s a song in every silence, Seeking word and melody;
   There’s a dawn in every darkness, Bringing hope to you and me.
   From the past will come the future; What it holds, a mystery,
   Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.
3. In our end is our beginning; In our time, infinity.
   In our doubt there is believing; In our life, eternity.
   In our death a resurrection; At the last, a victory.
   Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.

Benediction/ Pastor Dan

Postlude/ Anna

Nov. 1 Livestream – Totenfest

Today, on All Saint’s Day, we pause to remember those we have lost in the last year. Join us for prayers and a celebration of life.

As is our custom here at Ivy Chapel, we start each worship with announcements. Here’s what’s going on this week.

Prelude / Anna diVesta

Responsive Call to Worship/ Pastor Dan Wilson
One: What a joy! What a comfort to know Loving God hears our borning cry
and Loving God sees our lives unfold.
All: We marvel at the unending grace of God!
One: We praise the One who is with us every moment of our lives!
All: Let us worship Christ our Savior!

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: I invite you to bow with me, and let us pray together.
All: God of wonder, God of grace; let your Spirit fill our souls. Remind us this day that you are the Creator of all life. Through terrors of night, among arrows flying by day; we need to sense your power,… your guidance,… your higher purpose.
Living God, we gather to praise you. We are grateful for any earthly glimpse of eternity which you give us. All that we already have received whets our appetite for more. And so it is that we come now seeking still more glimpses of you, O Holy One. Who knows? Maybe your closeness to us will be revealed through the breaking of bread or the filling of a cup.
On this Sabbath day, lead us away from this world’s distractions, we pray. Draw us toward a clearer vision of who you are, Faithful God. This will help us to see more clearly who you would like us to be.
Eternal Savior; in every age, you call people to follow you and to love you. It is you, Living God, who we were raised to praise! To you, we now belong! Amen!

Hymn / “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry“ worship booklet, pp. 54-55

Children’s Message / Sarah Heend

Totenfest All Saints’ Day Thanksgiving for Loved Ones / Pastor Dan

Prayers of the Church concluding with the Lord’s Praye r/ Pastor Dan

Special Music / “Come to Jesus” Anna

Scripture Reading / Pastor Dan Matthew 23:1-12

Sermon / Pastor Dan

Celebrating Communion / Pastor Dan

Hymn / “We Are a New Creation” worship booklet, p. 91

We Are a New Creation

1. We are a new creation Of Christ, the living Word,
   Our songs of jubilation Shall everywhere be heard.
   New life blooms fresh and glorious For those who heed the call
   Of Christ, who reigns victorious O’er sin and death and all.
2. We are a new creation Of God for this new day.
   As partners let us follow The life, the truth, the way.
   Christ bids us work to gather As colleagues, old and young,
   As women, men, and nations, God’s folk of every tongue.
3. We are a new creation For service here on earth.
   We live our faith in action To tell our Savior’s worth.
   Let love and justice blending Now show for all to see
   God’s grace is never ending It reaches you and me.
4. We are a new creation By God’s own gracious hand,
   Old burdens cast behind us, A daring future planned.
   In ministry and mission, United let us live,
   In Christ a shining vision To God’s wide world to give.

Benediction / Pastor Dan

Postlude / Anna

Oct. 25 Livestream

Be a force for positivity in the world! Embrace the good, even when it’s a challenge. Focus on the can-dos, rather than the do-nots. Love your neighbor. Be kind to all.

The order for Sunday, October 25 Worship:

Prelude / Anna diVesta

Responsive Call to Worship / Rev. Dan Wilson
One: Morning has broken!
All: Let us worship God.
One: We are drawn to worship by the unseen.
All: In worship, we sense God’s closeness.
One: The Creator of all living things gives us life!
All: There are wonders all around us!
One: Holy God is more than we can imagine.
All: Together, let us sing God’s praises!

Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan
One: I invite you to bow with me, and let us pray together.
All: God Who Leads; we know that we have not reached your Promised Land. We know that we have not yet seen the fulfillment of all that you have spoken across the generations. We know that there remains much to be done as your disciples in pursuit of “a just world for all.”
God Who Fulfills Promises; grant that we may have the faith of Moses, who trusts fully in you. Moses trusts ‘sight unseen’ that your Promised Land of Milk and Honey steadily is drawing near. Grant that we may display such trust to continue working on behalf of your justice, especially when we are tempted to despair that our efforts may be futile.
“Sometimes Unseen, but Always Faithful God,” we praise you
for guiding us toward loving as Christ loves;
for guiding us toward being willing to sacrifice our lives on behalf of others.
Fill us with your Spirit of unselfishness, Christ Jesus. We pray for your blessing on the whole world this day. Lead us to love you and to follow you, Jesus. Amen.

Hymn/ “With My Whole Heart” worship booklet, p. 98

Children’s Message / Sue Wilson

Special Music/ “Toccata in D” / Anna

Scripture Reading / Pastor Dan Matthew 22:34-46

Sermon/Prayer / Pastor Dan

Hymn / “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” # 119

Benediction / Pastor Dan

Postlude / Anna

Oct. 18 Virtual Worship – Consecration Sunday

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=836114787133714

Prelude / Anna diVesta

Call to Worship & Prayer of Invocation / Pastor Dan Wilson

Responsive Call to Worship
One: The earth is alive with the splendor of God!
All: We thank God for love!
One: Our God generously shares love.
All: Together, let us rejoice and worship God!

Responsive Prayer of Invocation
One: Let us pray.
All: God of Generous Love, you are the very breath of life within every human being. We praise you for your abundant blessings! This opportunity to offer you our gifts and to receive nourishment from you fills us with joy.
You are a Gracious and Loving God! Open our hearts to receive you. Jesus, you are our Risen Savior. We long to follow you by walking in your footsteps. O Spirit of Christ, breathe among us and breathe within us now as we worship you. Amen.

Hymn/ “More Love to Thee” (#428)

Children’s Message/ Ashton

Special Music / “Sanctuary” / Vocalist and Anna

Scripture Readings/ Pastor Dan 1 Cor 13:4-13 and Romans 5:5-8

Sermon/Prayer / Pastor Dan

The Act of Consecration: Offering God Our 2021 Giving Commitments / Pastor Dan

Inviting God to Consecrate Our Gifts

Responsive Prayer
One: Let us pray. From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
All: We offer you our praises, Dear God.
One: You are the Creator of all life!
All: It is by your mercies alone, O God, that we live.
One: You share love generously.
All: It is in response to your generosity, O God, that we give.
One: You provide the world with life abundant!
All: We are grateful for your blessings, O God.
One: Our giving to the ministries of your Church is an expression of our gratitude.
All: We ask you, O God, to receive and bless our Commitments of Giving for the year ahead.
This we pray, in your holy name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Hymn /   “To Be God’s People”  (#121) 
Almighty Father give us a vision of a dying world that needs Your love and care.
We see the need, the yearning for a Savior, In Jesus’ name, grant this our prayer.

REFRAIN
To be God’s people in this place, live His goodness, share His grace,
Proclaim God’s mercy thru His Son be His love to everyone.

And when we falter be Thou our comfort; Guide us as our children that our lives may be
A beacon in this darkness that surrounds us, A light that others then may see.

Benediction / Pastor Dan

Postlude / Anna

Oct. 11 Livestream – Guest Steward, Rev. Donna Smith-Pupillo

Thank you for joining us this week. We are please to welcome Donna Smith-Pupillo, the Executive Director of Deaconess Nurse Ministry Network, as our guest steward.

We were unable to welcome Donna into our live worship, however she was kind enough to prerecord her inspiring message so we could share it with you.

Here is the Order for Sunday, October 11 Worship:

Prelude / Anna DiVesta

Invocation / Pastor Dan Wilson

Children’s Message/ Liz Schurwan

Special Music/ “A Welcome Place”

Scripture Readings/ Romans 16:1-2 / Rev. Donna Smith-Pupillo
Luke 5:17-26

Sermon / Rev. Donna Smith-Pupillo

Hymn: “Live Into Hope” worship booklet, p. 65 #317

Live into Hope

1. Live into hope of captives freed, O sight regained, the end of greed.
   The’oppressed shall be the first to see The year of god’s own jubilee!
2. Live into hope the blind shall see With insight and with clarity,
   Removing shades of pride and fear – A vision of our Got brought near.
3. Live into hope of liberty, The right to speak, the right to be,
   The right to have one’s daily bread, To hear God’s word and thus be fed.
4. Live into hope of captives freed From chains of fear or want or greed.
   God now proclaims our full release To faith and hope and joy and peace.

Benediction / Rev. Donna Smith-Pupillo

Postlude/ Anna

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