March 26 – Fifth Sunday of Lent – Breathe

As our individual journeys through the 40 days of the Lenten Season continue,
let us praise God together this morning.

Remember, you can always view past Ivy Chapel worship services on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Meditation on “Ah, Holy Jesus” – Fedak

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The prophet asks: ‘Can soul-weary bones live again?’
All: We ask: ‘Can our soul-weary bones live again?’
One: ‘Can we dance again after sorrow and mourning?’
All: God promises that we can.
One: God gives weary souls new life.
All: Even now, winds of the Spirit are stirring up new life.

*HYMN – Breathe on Me, Breath of God – #139

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love the way you love,
And do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one with yours,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Astonishing God; O Divine Spirit; you are the energy and the beauty growing within everything that is alive! You are constantly providing all creation with new life. You are the life within us. You come to us, and so we come now boldly seeking you, God. Let us meet in this time and place. As you breathe on us, our souls awaken in fullness of joy!
Astonishing God; O Divine Spirit; in you, we find life and blessing, compassion and care, redemption and reconciliation. Your gifts move us to rejoice! As you breathe life into us, our souls awaken in fullness of joy!
We praise you, God, for you are the One who eternally breathes life into dry bones. Life-giving God, fill us with your holy breath that we may walk in your ways of goodness and love. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Lord, Be Glorified (Verses 1 and 2) – #528

In my life, Lord be glorified, be glorified.
In my life, Lord be glorified today.

In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In your church, Lord, be glorified today.

GOD’S WORD – Ezekiel 37:1-14

SPECIAL MUSIC – This Is My Father’s World / He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands – Adams
Earl Kreder, Saxophone
Mike Waller, Piano

GOD’S WORD – John 11

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Spirit Song (Verses 1 and 2) – worship booklet, pp. 84-85

Oh, let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love;
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
Oh, let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove,
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

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 hearts 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.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Tierce en Taille – Corrette

March 21 Livestream – Deep in our Hearts

Thank you for joining Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ on this, the fifth Sunday of Lent. We continue to adjust to our new sound system and having people here in the sanctuary with us. We appreciate your patience as we try to find our way through this “new normal.”

As always, your comments are welcome. Please feel free to leave a comment and interact before, during and after worship. And if you’re not already subscribed, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: Let us call on God’s steadfast love and mercy.
All: Our brokenness can be healed and our wholeness restored.
One: God offers humankind the joy of salvation.
All: Let us accept the new and right spirit God offers.
One: Through Jesus Christ, we are God’s new creation!
All: Praise God!

HYMN – Open My Eyes, That I May See – #174

1. Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
   Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free.
   Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
   Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
2. Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
   And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear.
   Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
   Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
3. Open my mouth, and let me bear Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
   Open my heart, and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus to share.
   Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
   Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
God of mercy; we call on you this day. Come, now, O Holy One. Shape us and lead us, we pray. May we be truly merciful, in the manner of our Savior, Christ Jesus. May we love as you love ~ without limit! God, we treasure that you know each of us by name. You call us to follow you by serving others. With faith in you, O God; may our lives display your tender mercies. Amen.

RESPONSE – Make Me a Servant – #415

Make me a servant, humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be;
Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Sue Wilson

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 51:1-2 – Pastor Dan
Jeremiah 31:31-34

SPECIAL MUSIC – Steal Away, arr. Lloyd Larson
Piano Duet, Julie McAllister and Anna DiVesta

GOD’S WORD – John 12:20-25, 35-36, 46-47 – Pastor Dan

SERMON Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

HYMN – I Have Decided to Follow Jesus – #427

1. I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,
   I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me;
   The world behind me, the cross before me, No turning back, no turning back.
3. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow,
   Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow, No turning back, no turning back.
4. Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus,
   Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.

BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta

CCLI#45361