Feb. 17 Livestream – Ash Wednesday

Join us as we begin the Lenten journey together.

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Call to Worship and Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Turn away from evil; and return to your God.
All: God is gracious and merciful;
One: God is slow to anger,
All: And abounding in steadfast love.
One: “Now,” says the Holy One, “return to me with all your heart.”
All: Be still; and know that I am God.
One: Let us pray.
All: God of wisdom and grace; you are the reservoir from whom all people receive life.
We come this night seeking to return to you, O God.
Bless this Ash Wednesday worship; we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hymn – Jesus, I Come – #369

Responsive Call to Confession – Pastor Dan
One: Holy God, Maker of all;
All: Jesus Christ, Savior of all;
One: Holy Spirit, breath of life;
All: Have mercy on us. Let us confess our sins.

Prayer of Confession – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of wisdom and grace; you are acquainted with all our ways.
As we take this first step on a crucial Lenten spiritual journey, we turn to you in prayer. Come, O Holy Spirit; in your cleansing power, breathe on us and fill us with life anew. God of forgiveness and grace, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word, and action. We admit that we have failed to live by your Gospel of joy and lovingkindness. Forgive us, we pray.
Lead us to honor you, Jesus, by walking in your way of goodness and compassion. We call on you now, Dear Savior, asking for these blessings:
mend us, fill us,
send us, use us.
This we pray in your holy name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

Silence

Assurance of Pardon – Pastor Dan
We are tempted often to hold on to the past.
But God calls us to leave it behind.

By the grace of our Risen Savior, the past is dead and gone.
The future is open! Let us live in the freedom which God offers.

Through our Savior Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen!

Response – Change My Heart, O God – worship booklet, p. 33

Scripture Reading – Joel 2:1-5, 10, 12-13 – Pastor Dan

The Imposition of Ashes – Pastor Dan

Special Music– The Old Rugged Cross – Anna DiVesta and Aaron DiVesta

Scripture Reading – Psalm 51:1-4, 6-12 – Pastor Dan

The Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors) – Pastor Dan

Hymn – More Love to Thee – #428

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Ivy reaches out during Lent

Giving is Christian outreach “Ivy-style”! Our congregation is responding to multiple offering invitations this Lenten Season. We give God glory for the many, additional ways in which people of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ are reaching out beyond our church.

Rejoice over this extensive array of things our congregation has done and is doing this Lent: supporting World Vision in connection with Ivy Youth 30-Hour Famine; Lenten canned food drive which will go to three local food pantries; supporting Shannondale, a mission project with the Missouri Mid-south Conference of the UCC with its craft center, lodge for retreats and outdoor programs; supporting Baby Blue Pantry (operating through Wee Care Learning Center of Festus, providing money for baby diapers and formula for families in need); and supporting ecumenical, global ministries by offering gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (all donations accepted through Easter).
Praise God for Ivy’s faithful responses to these invitations to give!

Please send us an email to learn more about the organizations we support, or if you would like to learn how you can help.

Ivy Reaches Out During Lent

Giving is Christian outreach “Ivy-style”!  Amen!   Our congregation is responding to multiple offering invitations this Lenten Season.  We give God glory for the many, additional ways in which people of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ are reaching out beyond our church.

Rejoice over this extensive array of things our congregation has done and is doing this Lent:  offering new underwear and new socks; supporting World Vision in connection with Ivy Youth 30-Hour Famine; supporting Creve Coeur Meals on Wheels; supporting Baby Blue Pantry (operating through Wee Care Learning Center of Festus); intentional Lenten canned Food Drive; supporting ecumenical, global ministries by offering gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing.

Praise God for Ivy’s faithful responses to these invitations to give!

Want to get involved? Need more information on how Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is working in the community? Drop us a line and we’ll fill you in on our work.

UCC Lenten Series Bible Study

Journey toward the Miracle of Easter

From the United Church of Christ…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—a season of self-examination, prayer, fasting and works of love. In many churches, ashes are placed on the forehead as a reminder of mortality.

The word “Lent” is from the Middle English verb meaning “to lengthen.” In the Northern Hemisphere, the season corresponds with the lengthening of days during late winter and early spring.

During Lent, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. The season spans 40 days: the number 40 symbolizes spiritual journeys home, corresponding to the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert in preparation for his ministry and the 40 years Israel journeyed through the wilderness towards the promised land. The traditional color of Lent is purple. During Holy Week, red is sometimes worn to symbolize the blood shed by Jesus for the salvation of humanity. In some traditions, following Maundy Thursday’s service, the sanctuary is stripped of color and ornament as a gesture which may suggest keeping vigil with Christ on the cross and in the tomb.

For more information about the journey toward the Miracle of Easter, and for information about how to make your own journey, visit the United Church of Christ’s Lent website.