June 22 — In God’s Presence

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and celebrate this gift together! May today’s worship fill your soul with joy and strength.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Be Thou My Vision — arr. Paul Manz

*CALL TO WORSHIP (Inspired by Psalms 42 & 43) — Kathryn Kuntzman
One: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so we long for you, O God. As the plants turn toward the sun, so we turn to you, O God. As the tide ebbs and flows, so we move with you, O God.
Many: Hope in God! Again, we worship the Holy One, our help and our God.
One: When tears are our constant companion, when our souls become weary, when we feel forgotten or alone, we may ask the question, “Where is God?”
Many: Trust in God! Again, we honor the Present One, our strength and our God.
One: Deep calls to deep. The steadfast love of God surrounds us. The Spirit of Truth leads us to everlasting joy.
Many: Rejoice in God. Again, we praise the Living One, our source and our God.

*HYMN — As the Deer Pants for Water — Ivy worship booklet p. 26

As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You

Chorus:
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To You alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You!

I want you more than gold or silver,
Only you can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye.
Chorus

You’re my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything!
Chorus

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Kathryn Kuntzman
God in whom we take refuge, we seek you as the calm in the storm, the path in the wilderness, and the order in the chaos. Renew our strength with a vision of your kingdom made real and expanding before us. Encourage us with a word of possibility and an encounter with your presence. Enliven us as we pray, sing, laugh, cry, witness, listen, ponder, and imagine in your midst and in our own way. We come to you with our full selves knowing you offer us the fullness of your being. May we find hope and challenge, joy and rest, peace and power as we immerse ourselves in you and glorify your name. Amen.

*RESPONSE — We Will Glorify the King of Kings — 35

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

STIRRING WORSHIP — Children’s Time — Rev. Susan Shumway

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 43 — Kathryn Kuntzman

SPECIAL MUSIC — Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing — arr. Paul Manz

GOD’S WORD — Luke 8:26-39 — Rev. Susan Shumway

SERMON — “From the Tombs” — Rev. Susan Shumway

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Susan Shumway

*HYMN — Higher Ground — #448

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith, on heaven’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
Refrain

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught a joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.
Refrain

I want to scale the utmost height,
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
Refrain

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Susan Shumway

*POSTLUDE — The Rejoicing (from Suite in D) — Charles Callahan

June 17 Livestream – In God’s Presence

June 19 Livestream – In God’s Presence

We are blessed to have Lauren Verseman as our guest preacher today.Thank you, Lauren, for your leadership this morning as we worship God together!

You can join us for virtual worship on YouTube. We’ll post a direct link to the service once it begins on Sunday. As always, you are welcome to worship with us in-person at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield, MO.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Brethren, We Have Met to Worship – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP – (based on Psalms 22 and 23) – Lauren Verseman
One: When shall I behold the face of God?
All: O God, reveal to us your light and your truth.
One: My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
All: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you.
One: Lead us to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
All: You are our refuge in the face of oppression.
One: Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts;
All: Your waves resonate within me.
One: Let us hope in our God.
All: We come again to praise our God, our hope.

*HYMN – When Morning Gilds the Skies – #66

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work or prayer
To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space,
Sing, ye that see His face,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
Ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Lauren Verseman
Holy one, we sense you calling to the deep within us. You call through our lives’ fires and earthquakes, disasters and distractions; you askus to show up and to pay attention in the middle of our noisy lives.
Oh God, center us, orient us, move us. Sustain us in the face of all that is troubling and disquieting – maybe even demonic – in our lives and our world. Strengthen us that we may withstand the powers of death and work instead for your justice. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Holy Ground – #83

We are standing on holy ground,
And I know that there are angels all around;
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.

GOD’S WORD – 1 Kings 19:1-15a – Lauren Verseman

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 65:1-9 – Lauren Verseman

SPECIAL MUSIC – Sing to the Lord – Sterliing/Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Luke 8:26-39 – Lauren Verseman

SERMON – “The Quiet Before” – Lauren Verseman

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Lauren Verseman

*HYMN – O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee – #542

O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret, help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broad’ning way,
In peace that only thou canst give,
With thee, O Master, let me live.

*BENEDICTION – Lauren Verseman

*POSTLUDE – Toccata – D. Wagner