August 31 — Open Table

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC!  Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here. There are no barriers Today, let us join with one another in worshiping the God of kindness.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Come, Now is the Time to Worship — arr. Lebenske

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: Together, let us sing God’s praises!
All: Sinful and righteous, thoughtful and thoughtless, young and old, wise and foolish; all are welcome here.

One: This is Holy Ground – a place where all belong.
All: Every person is a dearly loved child of God.

One: God knows us completely; and God loves us fully!
All: Our hope is in God, the Maker of heaven and earth.

One: In the ideal season, God plants.
All: In the fullness of time, God harvests.

One: God is here now.
All: Come, let us worship God!

*HYMN — Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above — 45
Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation;
with healing balm my soul he fills,
and every faithless murmur stills:
o God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made,
his gracious mercy keepeth;
by morning glow or evening shade
his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth.
Within the kingdom of his might,
lo! all is just and all is right:
to God all praise and glory

The Lord is never far away,
But through all grief distressing
An ever present help and stay
Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand,
He leads His one, HIs chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Then all my gladsome way along
I sing aloud thy praises,
that men may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises:
be joyful in the Lord, my heart!
Both soul and body bear your part!
To God all praise and glory.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
God of openness and grace; we come to this gathering of your community where there are no barriers, and where everyone’s abilities are celebrated as gifts. We come to receive your extravagant hospitality, and your gentle care. We come to learn how we may offer your treasured sensitivity to a stranger, to a friend, to a family member, to those whose faces are unfamiliar to us, and to the face who meets us in the mirror. Be with us now during this sacred time of worship. We ask this in your blessed name, Christ Jesus, Amen.

PASSING THE PEACE —Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell
“May the Peace of Christ be with you.” (Response) “And also with you.”

*RESPONSE — Jesus Loves Me — 341

Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
they are weak, but he is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me he who died
heaven’s gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin,
let his little child come in. [Refrain]

Jesus loves me, this I know,
as he loved so long ago,
taking children on his knee,
saying, “Let them come to me.” [Refrain]

GOD’S WORD — Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 —Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — You Are My All in All — arr. Lebenske

GOD’S WORD — Luke 14:1, 7-14 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Open Table — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissel
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

*HYMN — Through the Love of God, Our Savior — Ivy worship bk. page 89

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE —Forever — arr. Lebenske

August 24 — Healing Reign

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey; you are welcome here. Today, let us join with one another in worshipping the God of kindness.

WELCOME

ORGAN PRELUDE — Chime Prelude No. 5 in F Major — Raymond H. Herbek

*CALL TO WORSHIP — John Weiland
One: We may be parched with thirst, like an unwatered garden; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: God Most High refreshes us as a spring of living water.
One: We may be weary from worry or from work; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Holy one offers us Sabbath rest.
One: We may be lost or confused; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Eternal One offers us kindness.
One: We may be bent over with struggle or pain; yet as we come into God’s presence:
All: The Healing One makes us well.

*HYMN — Be Thou My Vision — 400
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by or by night,
Waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee  and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. 

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — John Weiland
Kind-hearted God, we lift our praises to your sacred name.You truly care for every living being. Your goodness and mercy are remarkable! You never lose track of a single one of us. We are blessed that you are our God! Give us ears to hear the fresh word of power and grace that you speak this day. Soften our stubborn hearts and remove any barriers that keep us from serving you. Help us to continue becoming faithful imitators of you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Have Thine Own Way, Lord — #414

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master,  today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Linda Lowry

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 71:1-6 — John Weiland

SPECIAL PIANO MUSIC — I Need Thee Every Hour — Arr. Gail Smith

GOD’S WORD — Luke 13:10-17 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Set Free — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

LITANY OF WELCOME — John Weiland

*HYMN — Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us — #449

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*ORGAN POSTLUDE — Come, Christians, Join to Sing — Don Schlosser