December 3 – Hope

The Advent Season begins. This season is a time of preparation for the coming birth of God’s Messiah. Today we also celebrate communion. If you are worshipping with us at home, please gather the elements before you get settled so you may celebrate with us.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Jim French
One: The Holy One is alive today!
All: God is great and greatly to be praised!
One: The Holy One is living within people of this faith community.
All: We marvel at the splendor of God!
One: The Holy One – God Most High – is closer than our next breath.
All: Let us praise God!

*PROCESSIONAL HYMNS
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – (verses 1 and 3) – #191

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. [Refrain]

Angels We Have Heard on High – (verses 1 and 4) – #206

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains:

Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]

Go, Tell It on the Mountain – (verses 1, 2 and 3) – #216

Refrain
Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’r silent flocs by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled When, Lo! Above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn. Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Jim French
Living God, 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.
This morning, we come seeking your truth, your justice, your mercy.
O God, you are with us now. Help us to sense your closeness and to value your loving presence. May we recognize and welcome and serve you. Come, O God of peace; fulfill your desires for all the world this Advent. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Hope

RESPONSE – Emmanuel – #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Dottie Foster

HYMNS
O Christmas Tree – (verses 1, 2 and 3) – #221

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your branches are uplifted.
You seem to say that on this day our world’s supremely gifted
The shining of your cadles bright, reminds us Light has come tonight.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you shine like stars above us;
And with your beauty silent say, “How greatly God must love us!”
You show us Him who with God’s face, brought to our hearts the gift of grace.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, in plainness you were growing
Until we came and brought you here and set your branches glowing.
Your living beauty helps us see how clothed with Christ our lives can be.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

What Child Is This? – (verses 1 and 3) – #202

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Refrain:
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Refrain:

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 80:1-9, 14-19 – Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC – I Wonder as I Wander

GOD’S WORD – Mark 13:24-37 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All people are invited to Christ’s Table. All who desire are welcome to receive the bread and the cup. The cups in the outer ring on the communion tray contain grape juice. The other cups contain wine.

*HYMN – Live Into Hope – worship booklet, p. 65

Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
Th’ oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God’s own jubilee!

Live into hope! The blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear,
A vision of our God brought near.

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.

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 – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

November 27 – Hope, the first Sunday of Advent

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ! For all of those near and far, we wish you the brightest of wishes on this long, peaceful holiday weekend. Today, with an abundance of Hope, the Advent Season begins. This is a time of preparation for the coming birth of God’s Messiah. All are welcome to join us on the journey to the Birth of Christ.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – The Rose – Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: In the wilderness, blaze a trail for God.
All: Every valley shall be raised up.
One: Every mountain shall be made low.
All: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed among us.

*HYMNS
O Come, All Ye Faithful (verses 1 and 3) – #188

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him,
born the King of angels.

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest.

[Refrain]

What Child Is This? (verses 1 and 2) – #202

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Refrain:
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Refrain

Angels from the Realms of Glory (verses 1 and 2) – #207

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth:

Refrain:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant Light: [Refrain]

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Ever-present God, your promises are being fulfilled among us moment by moment. At this time of year, as the daytime hours grow shorter and the shadows lengthen, we treasure daylight.
God of Light, help us to turn away from unhealthy influences and to turn toward you as we begin this Advent Season. Fill us with fresh expectation. Teach us again that this season is a time to watch, not for things that have already happened, but for exciting, new things that have not yet taken place. Come, Christ Jesus. This world greatly needs you. Help us to watch closely and to remain ready for the next holy moment when you will be born. Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Hope

*RESPONSE – Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming (verse 1) – #196

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-spent was the night.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Linda Lowry

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 2:1-5

CONFERENCE ANNUAL GATHERING, Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ –Rod Hertenstein

SPECIAL MUSIC – There’s a Star in the East – arr. Hassell

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 11:2-10

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Live Into Hope – worship booklet, p. 65

Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
Th’ oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God’s own jubilee!

Live into hope! The blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear,
A vision of our God brought near.

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.

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 – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Noel, Grand Jeu et duo – Daquin

Nov. 28 Livestream – Sign of Things to Come

Welcome to Advent, the season of waiting, the season of watching, the season of hope for what is coming next.

Remember you are invited to be with us both here online, and in person.

WELCOME

 PRELUDE – Song of Mary – Howell

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP                                                                            

     One:  In the wilderness, blaze a trail for God.

     All:  Every valley shall be raised up.

     One:  Every mountain shall be made low. 

     All:  And the glory of God shall be revealed!  

*HYMN – We Gather Together – #597

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens HIs will to make down;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sin praises to His name: He forgets not His own.

Beside s to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning:
Thou, Lord, was at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation:
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

*OPENING PRAYER                                                     

      Ever-present God, your promises are being fulfilled among us moment by moment.  At this time of year, as the days grow shorter and the shadows lengthen, we treasure daylight.  

       God of Light, help us to turn toward you this day.  As we begin this Advent Season, we pray that you will fill us with fresh expectation. Teach us once again that this season is a time to watch, not for things which have already happened, but for exciting, new things which have not yet taken place.  Come, Christ Jesus. This world needs you now. May we watch closely for what you are about to do next.  Amen.

 CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Dottie Foster and Linda Lowry

 ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Hope

 ADVENT WREATH PRAYER 

Gracious God, as we begin our Advent journey, we thank you for the gift of your Son, and for sending hope into a world filled with worry. Help us remember that we are your people, and because of your promises we have every reason to be hopeful. Take away our doubt and fear, and remind us that Christ is our Light, and the true source of hope.  Amen.

CONGREGATION SINGS – When God Is a Child (Verse 1) – worship booklet, p. 95

Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
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.

GOD’S WORD – Jeremiah 33:14-16 – Pastor Dan

 SPECIAL MUSIC – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – Cotter 

 GOD’S WORD – Luke 21:25-36 – Pastor Dan    

 SERMON – Pastor Dan

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Now Thank We All Our God – #592

Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices;
Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns WIth them in highest heaven.
The one eternal God Whom earth and heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.

*God sends us into the world to love and bless.  – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Toccata on “Regent Square” – Smith 

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