November 5 – Partners in Christ’s Service
November 4, 2023 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Our Totenfest observance in worship this morning is an expression of thanks to God for loved ones who have passed on to life eternal during the past year.
Today, we will also celebrate communion. If you are worshipping with us from home, please gather the elements before you begin so you may partake with us. All are welcome at Christ’s table.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Shall We Gather at the River?
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Jn Wirtz
One: Come; marvel at the splendor of God.
All: This morning, God’s altar serves as a banquet table.
One: Come; accept your invitation.
All: Look, here’s a place card with your name on it!
One: Come; be a guest of the One who sets all people free.
All: All are welcome at the table of this Amazing Savior!
*HYMN – For All the Saints (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #548
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness dread, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Jan Wirtz
God of grace, we struggle to trust you in all aspects of our lives. Mistakenly, we seek validation from impermanent, inadequate sources. We confess that we base our identity on human structures, plans, and schemes. We fail to be satisfied with the gifts and purposes which you are giving us.
Deliver us from our inability to depend on you, Faithful God. Lead us to appreciate the ways in which we are uniquely and wonderfully made. Help us to be in community with one another rather than in competition with one another. Guide us, so that we will perceive situations where we may offer your love and care. Move us to respond faithfully where there is real need; for then we truly will be living out your commandment to love our neighbors. Lead us to love you more than anyone or anything else. Renew a spirit of humility and peace within us, we pray. Amen.
*RESPONSE – Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (Verse 1) – #74
Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful name;
The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious, He rules over all.
GOD’S WORD – Matthew 23:1-12 – Jan Wirtz
TOTENFEST – Thanksgiving for Loved Ones
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
SPECIAL MUSIC – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
GOD’S WORD – Joshua 3:1, 7-17 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Speak, Lord, in the Stillness – #157
Speak, Lord, in the stillness, While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen In expectancy.
Speak, O blessèd Master, In this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord, Feel Thy touch of power.
For the words Thou speakest, They are life indeed;
Living bread from heaven, Now my spirit freed!
All to Thee is yielded, I am not my own;
Blissful, glad surrender, I am Thine alone.
Fill me with the knowledge Of Thy glorious will’
All Thine own good pleasure In Thy child fulfill.
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 – O Jesus, I Have Promised – #466
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
O Jesus,Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be.
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Today’s featured Image by jcomp on Freepik
May 7 – Enduring Witness
May 6, 2023 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here. There are no strangers here at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Christ is risen, so that all people may enjoy abundant life!
On this Fifth Sunday of Easter, we will celebrate the sacred rite of Communion. If you are worshipping from home, please gather the elements before the service begins so you may join us at the Lord’s table.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Prologue – Young
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come, let us celebrate God’s presence among us!
All: I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’
One: I will lift up my voice in God’s sanctuary.
All: With songs of gladness, I will praise God – the rock of my salvation.
One: O come, let us worship and bow down before God, our Maker.
All: We are God’s people, the sheep of God’s pasture.
One: Each day, new blessings come from Living God.
All: Let all people praise God today
*HYMN – There’s a Quiet Understanding (Verses 1 and 2) – #144
There’s a quiet understanding
when we’re gathered in the Spirit,
It’s a promise that He gives us,
When we gather in His name.
There’s a love we feel in Jesus,
There’s a manna that He feeds us,
It’s a promise that He gives us
When we gather in His name.
And we know when we’re together,
sharing love and understanding,
That our brothers and our sisters
feel the oneness that He brings.
Thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus,
for the way You love and feed us,
For the many ways You lead us,
Thank You, thank You, Lord.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Everlasting God, we celebrate the gifts of your Spirit. We are grateful that you do not feed the world a diet of shame or fear. You offer all people wholesome, true nourishment through your Living Word. In this manner, you teach humankind to live in compassionate, caring ways.
Trail-blazing God, you call on all people to stand up for your justice and to follow wherever you lead. You fill people with strength and hope! Christ Jesus, Risen Savior, breathe on us and fill us with your Spirit. Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – You Are My All in All – worship booklet, p. 99
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 122:1-2, 7-9 & 1 Peter 2:1-5, 10
SPECIAL MUSIC – Morning Has Broken – Marohnic
GOD’S WORD – John 14:1-14
SERMON – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Come, Share the Lord – #260
We gather here in Jesus’ name,
His love is burning in our hearts like living flame,
For thru the loving Son the Father makes us one.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord.
No one is a stranger here, everyone belongs.
Finding our forgiveness here,
we in turn forgive all wrongs.
He joins us here, He breaks the bread;
The Lord who pours the cup risen from the dead.
The one we love the most is now our gracious host.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord
We are now a family of which the Lord is head.
Though unseen, He meets us here,
In the breaking of the bread.
We’ll gather soon where angels sing,
We’ll see the glory of our lord and coming King.
Now we anticipate the feast for which we wait.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate Christ’s Extravagant Welcome through “open” Communion.
All who desire to receive the gifts of God are welcome to receive the bread and the cup at this table.
Leader: Jesus said, “Believe in God, believe also in me.”
People: And the people said, “How can we know The Way?
Leader: And Jesus said, “I am the Way. And the truth. And the light.”
People: And the people said, “Show us, and we will be satisfied.”
Leader: And Jesus said, “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
And so since you have asked, today I will show you one of the ways that I will always be here with you.
People: And so Jesus took the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them and said,
“I am the Way and the truth and the life.”
Leader: If you know me, you will know my Abba God also. And I will show you, so you remember. Take this bread. ‘This bread is just like my body, whenever you eat it and remember all that unites you, I am with you.’
People: And after supper, Jesus took the cup and poured it out sharing it with them. And again, he told them. “I am the Way and the truth and the life.”
Leader: Then he said “In my Abba’s house there are many rooms. And I will show you, so you remember. This is the cup of forgiveness, which is as vast as my Abba’s house in heaven. This cup is grace, poured out abundantly on all and for all.”
People: Then Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you, so that where I am, there you will be also.”
Leader: This is Christ’s table, and all are welcome here. Come from the Fast and the West, from the North and the South to gather at this feast for forgiveness and unity,
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Jesus Is All the World to Me – #342
Jesus is all the world to me,
My life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day,
Without Him I would fall:
When I am sad, to Him I go,
No other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad,
He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me,
My friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and
He gives them o’er and o’er:
He sends the sunshine and the rain,
He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me,
And true to Him I’ll be;
Oh, how could I this friend deny,
When He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right,
He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night,
He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me,
I want no better friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when
Life’s fleeting days shall end:
Beautiful life with such a friend,
Beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy,
He’s my friend.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott – Pachelbel
September 4 Livestream – A New Identity
September 3, 2022 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ! As is our custom on this, the first Sunday of the month, we will be celebrating communion today. All are welcome at the table. If you are worshipping with us at home, please be sure to gather the elements before worship begins so we may experience communion together.
Join us in person at 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield, or, as always, on our YouTube channel. If you worship with us online, please drop a note in the chat to let us know you’re there.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Prelude in C – J. S. Bach
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God brings lives together.
All: Every time we are brought together is a blessing!
One: God is the Giver of life.
All: God gives earthly life.
One: And God gives eternal life.
All: With God, there is always life!
*HYMN – Cleanse Me – #398
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.
I praise thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word, and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide.
O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival, Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now, O Lor, I humbly plead.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Creator God, Maker of everything good; you have gathered us together this morning here on holy ground.
Creator God, Sculptor of masterpieces; we are in your hands. You are the Potter; we are the clay. You imaginatively shape us into earthen vessels of your design. You give life to us, Artistic God; and so we freely offer you our lives in joyful, loving service! Be with us, as we seek your wisdom and as we strive to become the people you would have us be. We pray in your name, Christ Jesus. Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – Into My Heart – #391
Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
RESPONSIVE READING – Psalm 139:1-12, 14, 23-24 – #631
SPECIAL MUSIC – Give Thanks – Hayes
GOD’S WORD – Luke 14:25-33
SERMON – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Come, Share the Lord – #260
We gather here in Jesus’ name,
His love is burning in our hearts like living flame,
For thru the loving Son the Father makes us one.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord.
No one is a stranger here, everyone belongs.
Finding our forgiveness here,
we in turn forgive all wrongs.
He joins us here, He breaks the bread;
The Lord who pours the cup risen from the dead.
The one we love the most is now our gracious host.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord
We are now a family of which the Lord is head.
Though unseen, He meets us here,
In the breaking of the bread.
We’ll gather soon where angels sing,
We’ll see the glory of our lord and coming King.
Now we anticipate the feast for which we wait.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine,
Come share the Lord
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament here.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Amazing Grace – #299
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see
‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace, my fears relieved;
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
We have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought us safe thus far,
And Grace will lead us home.
When we’ve been there then thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Carillon – Wolford
August 1 Livestream –Â The Bread of Life
July 31, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Today we gather to celebrate the sacrament of communion. If you are joining us online, we invite you to gather your own elements of communion and to share with us in the joyful experience at the Lord’s table.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: We gather in God’s presence.
All: Through Jesus Christ, all are welcome.
One: Come; stay a while.
All: Through Jesus Christ, all find rest.
One: Relax; and be renewed.
All: Through Jesus Christ, all receive strength.
One: Pray; and be filled.
All: We rejoice, overflowing with God’s forgiving love!
HYMN – How Great Thou Art – #16
- O Lord my God, when I in awe-some won-der
Con-sid-er all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the roll-ing thun-der,
Thy pow’r thro’-out the u-ni-verse dis-played.
Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Sav-ior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Sav-ior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
- When thro’ the woods and for-est glades I wan-der
And hear the birds sing sweet-ly in the trees,
When I look down from loft-y moun-tain gran-deur,
And hear the brook and feel the gen-tle breeze.
Refrain
- And when I think that God, His Son not spar-ing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my bur-den glad-ly bear-ing,
He bled and died to take a-way my sin.
Refrain
- When Christ shall come with shout of ac-cla-ma-tion
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in hum-ble ad-o-ra-tion,
And there pro-claim, my God, how great Thou art.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
God of Compassion; in you, we find a love deeper than any love we can imagine. From you, we receive Living Water that wells up to life eternal. You watch over and love all people. As we come to you this day, help us to let go of our fears. Bless every soul who is thirsting for you, Christ Jesus. You are the Living Water. You are a precious wellspring of grace. Blessed Savior of all the world; come alive within us today. Cleanse us. Make us whole. Amen.
*RESPONSE – In The Name of the Lord #19
There is strength in the name of the Lord;
There is pow’r in the name of the Lord;
There is hope in the name of the Lord!
Bless-ed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 78:23-29 – Pastor Dan
SPECIAL MUSIC – Rain Down – Anna DiVesta
GOD’S WORD – John 6:24-35 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)
– Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Come, Share the Lord – #260
- We gath-er here in Je-sus’ name,
His love is burn-ing in our hearts like liv-ing flame,
For thru the lov-ing Son the Fa-ther makes us one.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine, come share the Lord. - No one is a stran-ger here,
Ev-ery-one be-longs.
Find-ing our for-give-ness here,
We in turn for-give all wrongs. - He joins us here, He breaks the bread;
The Lord who pours the cup is ris-en from the dead.
The One we love the most is now our gra-cious host.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine, come share the Lord. - We are now a fam-i-ly
Of which the Lord is head.
Though un-seen, He meets us here,
In the break-ing of the bread. - We’ll gath-er soon where an-gels sing,
We’ll see the glo-ry of our Lord and com-ing King.
Now we an-tic-i-pate the feast for which we wait.
Come take the bread, come drink the wine, come share the Lord.
THE JOYFUL SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Responsive Invitation to Receive the Bread of Life
One: Jesus Christ invites everyone, “Take; eat; and remember me.â€
All: As we eat this bread, we are reminded that God remembers us.
One: Jesus Christ invites everyone, “Take; drink; and remember me.â€
All: As we drink this cup, we are reminded that God remembers us.
One: The gifts of God for the people of God.
All: Praise God for the bread of life!
*HYMN – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus #427
- I have de-cid-ed to fol-low Je-sus,
I have de-cid-ed to fol-low Je-sus,
I have de-cid-ed to fol-low Je-sus,
No turn-ing back, no turn-ing back. - The world be-hind me, the cross be-fore me;
The world be-hind me, the cross be-fore me,
The world be-hind me, the cross be-fore me,
No turn-ing back, no turn-ing back. - Tho’ none go with me, I still will fol-low,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will fol-low,
Tho’ none go with me, I still will fol-low,
No turn-ing back, no turn-ing back. - Will you de-cide now to fol-low Je-sus?
Will you de-cide now to fol-low Je-sus?
Will you de-cide now to fol-low Je-sus?
No turn-ing back, no turn-ing back.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta
July 5 Virtual Worship
July 4, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
This week, we invite you to join us for a virtual communion experience. Gather your own elements, and we can share them together.
As our Independence Day celebrations wind down, we pause to pray for peace and unity in our county and our world. Thank you for continuing to join us for our virtual worship experiences. And while we anxiously await the time when we may be able to worship together again, we will always put the health and safety of our members, friends and community first. Be safe, be healthy, and stay connected as best you can.
America
- My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrim’s pride,
From every mountain side Let freedom ring! - Let music sweet the breeze, and ring from all the trees Sweet freedom’s song:
Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.
America the Beautiful
- O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! - O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
Battle Hymn of the Republic
- Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; lory! glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
REFRAIN
Glory! glory, hallelujah! Glory! glory, hallelujah!
Glory! glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
- In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.
REFRAIN
Spirit
REFRAIN
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
- You move on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep,
and over the eons you called to each thing,
“Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.â€
REFRAIN
- You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand,
and you gifted your people with a law and a land,
When they were confounded with idols and lies,
Then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.
REFRAIN
- You sand in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still,
and down in the city you called once again
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind.
REFRAIN
- You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions your people arise.
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