Shouts of Joy! Dec. 13 Cantata Livestream
December 13, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
2020 has been quite a year. Let’s pause for a moment during this Season of Advent and find the joy! Our 2020 Christmas Cantata features treasured memories from our congregation.
Prelude: “He Is Lord” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta
Responsive Call to Worship & Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: The Savior of the world is Jesus Christ!
All: Make a joyful noise to God!
One: Our God is a God of great joy!
All: Rely on God, who is our refuge and strength.
One: Give thanks to God, who is our salvation.
All: We will sing praises to God’s name!
One: Let us pray.
All: God of great joy, we rejoice with anticipation as we look forward to future ways that you will reveal yourself among us. May all people perceive your Spirit living within us, and may all people celebrate this blessing! Strengthen us for your loving service. We give thanks that you are calling us to be your followers and to live in ways that make life-giving differences in your world. Lead us to carry out the caring ministries that you are inviting us to offer, Christ Jesus. Amen.
HYMN: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”– #13
1. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
2. All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever Blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother – All who live in love are Thine,
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals join the mighty chorus Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life.
Children’s Message – Liz Schurwan
Prayers of the People concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors) – Pastor Dan
Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan: The Candle of Joy
Praise Response – “When God Is a Child” p. 95, worship booklet
Verse 3 ONLY
3. Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Telling the world that the Savior is born
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.
“Shouts of Joy: A Christmas Concert for 2020”
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Psalm 98:1, 4
HYMN – “Joy to the World” #194
- Joy to the world the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make HIs blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of HIs love, and wonders, and wonders, of His love.
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – John 3:16-17 – Galatians 4:4-5
“He Is Born” – Julie McAllister and Anna DiVesta, Piano and Organ
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Psalm 125:1-2 – Isaiah 40:9 – Isaiah 52:7
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” – Anna DiVesta, Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 7:13-14 – Luke 2:16-19
“Breath of Heaven” – Sue Wilson, Vocalist
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 9:6
“Mary, Did You Know?” – Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta, Saxophone and Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 60:4-6 – Matthew 2:1, 9-11
HYMN – “We Three Kings” #220
1. We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we travers afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
REFRAIN
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
REFRAIN
3. Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
REFRAIN
4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
REFRAIN
5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia, Peals through the earth and skies.
REFRAIN
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-7, 9
“Carol of the Drum” (The Little Drummer Boy) – Anna DiVesta, Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Amos 5:24 – Revelation 19:5-7a, 11, 16
“O Holy Night” – Marsha Fix, Vocalist
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – John 1:3-5 – Luke 2:9-11
“Silent Night”
Benediction – Anna DiVesta
Postlude – Anna DiVesta
Blood Drive at Ivy Chapel Nov. 17.
October 25, 2020 by Rich
Filed under What's happening
With the holidays approaching and the ongoing pandemic across the country, blood supplies are low. Your donation can save lives!
Ivy Chapel will host a blood drive on Tuesday, November 17 from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Give the gift of life! Email Sue Wilson to set up a time.
Oct. 25 Livestream
October 25, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
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
October 17, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
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)
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make On Bended Knee;
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be: More, love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me; More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be; More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
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. 4 Livestream – World Communion Sunday
October 4, 2020 by Rich
Filed under News & Announcements
Gather around the virtual table with us as we celebrate World Communion Sunday. We hope you are able to share in this meaningful experience.
The service will begin at 10 a.m.
Prelude / Anna DiVesta
Invocation (Call to Worship & Prayer) / Pastor Dan Wilson
Hymn / “One Bread, One Body”
worship booklet, pp. 72-73
REFRAIN
One bread, one body; one Lord of all,
one cup of blessing which we bless.
And we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in the is one Lord.
- Gentile or Jew, servant or free, Woman or man, no more.
REFRAIN
- Many the gifts, many the works, one in the Lord of all.
REFRAIN
- Grain for the fields, scattered and grown, gathered to one, for all.
REFRAIN
Children’s Message / Linda Lowry
Special Music / “In Remembrance” Anna & Aaron DiVesta and Sue Wilson
Scripture Reading John 6:35ff / Pastor Dan
Message / Pastor Dan
Sacrament of Communion / Pastor Dan
The Lord’s Prayer / Pastor Dan
Hymn / “Spirit Song” worship booklet, pp. 84-85
- O let the Son of God enfold you with his Spirit and his love,
let Him fill your life and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you and Spirit, like a dove,
will descend upon your life and make you whole.
REFRAIN
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your Lambs.
- O come and sing this song with gladness as your hears are filled with joy,
lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
O give him all your tears and sadness, give him all your years of pain
and you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.
REFRAIN
Benediction / Pastor Dan
Postlude / Anna
September 27 Livestream – Stewardship Week 2
September 27, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
Thank you for joining us on our continuing exploration of generosity and love, as we make our journey through this year’s stewardship campaign.
This week’s order for worship:
Prelude/ Anna DiVesta
Invocation (Call to Worship; Prayer) / Pastor Dan
Hymn/ “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” #439
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be. - O Light that foll’west all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be. - O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be. - O Cross that lightest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Children’s Message/ Linda Lowry
Special Music/ Anna
Scripture Reading 1 John 4:8-20 / Pastor Dan
Message (concludes w/ prayer) / Pastor Dan
Hymn/ “Love Lifted Me” #317
Love Lifted Me
- I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, Now safe am I.
CHORUS
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.
- All my heart to Him I give, Ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful, loving service too To Him belongs.
CHORUS
- Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;;
He will lift you by His love Out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, Billows His will obey;
He our Savior wants to be – Be saved today.
Benediction / Pastor Dan
Postlude/ Anna
July 19 Virtual Worship
July 19, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
Summertime greetings from Ivy Chapel! We continue to pray for healing and health. As you strive in your own way to make sense of the world, we hope you are able to find joy when you need it most.
CCLI License #456361
June 28, 2020 Virtual Worship
June 28, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
This week’s hymns:
Psalm 89: I Will Sing of the Mercies
- I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth I will make known your faithfulness, your faithfulness;
with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord. - All the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise forever for the things he has done.
All the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise forever,
all the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise.
Who can be compared to God in faithfulness, in faithfulness?
Who can be compared to God in faithfulness to all generations?
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
Help Us Accept Each Other
- Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe.
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live. - Teach us, O Lord, Your lessons, as in our daily life.
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some;
To love them as we find them, or as they may become. - Let Your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice Your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and Laughter’s healing art. - Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
CCLI License #456361
June 21 (Father’s Day) Virtual Worship
June 21, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
Happy Father’s Day from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.
About the United Church of Christ
Purpose Statement
To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength
and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22)
Vision Statement
United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.
Mission Statement
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace,
we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
This week’s worship hymns:
The Greatest Thing
1. The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
I want to know You more, I want to know You more.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You.
2. The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
I want to love You more, I want to love you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You.
3. The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
I want to serve You more, I want to serve You more.
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.
Hymn of Promise
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 evry 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.
CCLI License #456361
June 14 Virtual Worship
June 14, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, News & Announcements
We continue to offer virtual worship to protect the health and safety of our congregation and community.
’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest son his promise; Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
REFRAIN
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!
3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.
REFRAIN
4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.
REFRAIN
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
REFRAIN
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you
1. Knelt at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet,
Jesu, You acted as servant to them.
REFRAIN
2. Neighbors are rich and poor, varied in color and race,
neighbors are near and far away.
REFRAIN
3. These are the ones we should serve, these are the ones we should love;
all these are neighbors to us and you.
REFRAIN
4. Loving puts us on our knees, showing our faith by our deeds,
serving the neighbors we have from you.
REFRAIN
5. Kneel at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet,
This is the way we should live with you.
REFRAIN
