May 11 — Life-Giving Acts

Happy Mother’s Day from Ivy Chapel UCC. May today’s worship fill your soul with joy!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Be Thou My Vision — arr. Paul Manz

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Diann Sheahan
One: The Good Shepherd invites us to green pastures.
All: We are refreshed beside still waters.
One: We have been given everything that we have.
All: God offers us everything we need.
One: Every valley that we walk through – God is with us.
All: We are comforted and reassured.
One: God leads us down the right path.
All: Our cup overflows.
One: We have received from God in abundance.
All: Let us joyfully share what God has given us!

*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:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessèd 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:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd 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:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd 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:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Diann Sheahan
Good Shepherd, you have enabled us to gather this day in your sanctuary. We are deeply grateful to be known and loved by you. We marvel at the wholeness which you offer everyone. In worship, we receive guidance for living as your people.
Gentle Shepherd, you tirelessly watch over all your sheep. In turn, you ask us to care for one another in life-giving ways. Help us to grow in love that displays genuine caring and self-sacrifice. May we dare to accept the roles that you give us to fulfill, God. Equip us for your service everywhere you lead us. Amen.

*RESPONSE — In This Very Room — #125

In this very room there’s quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for one like me;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all of us,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all of us;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

In this very room there’s quite enough love for all the world,
And in this very room there’s quite enough joy for all the world;

And there’s quite enough hope, and quite enough pow’r
To chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Is in this very room.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 23 — Diann Sheahan

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sheep May Safely Graze — J. S. Bach

GOD’S WORD — John 10:22-30 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

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

*HYMN — Blessed Assurance — #295

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. Refrain

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

POSTLUDE — Let All Things Now Living (tune: Ash Grove) — arr. Larry Shackley

May 9 Livestream – “I have called you friends”

“I have called you friends,” Jesus says in today’s reading. Continue to hear Jesus’ words as He shares his love with us.

Special blessings this day to all of the mothers in this world.

“I have called you friends,” says Jesus.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: Let us gather in the Spirit of Christ.
All: We come in response to the One who calls us ‘friends’
One: Remember God’s love and faithfulness.
All: Let our hands reflect the life of our serving Savior.
One: Let our voices echo God’s praises!
All: Together, let us sing of God who is doing marvelous things!

HYMN – Shout to the Lord – worship booklet, pp. 80-81

My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
at the sound Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand;
Nothing compares to the promos I have in You.

UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
Faithful God, we worship you with joy! Even in the toughest times, your love holds us up. You bless all people. God of grace, you are the One who empowers us to care for one another with kindness. You watch over each one of your children throughout our lives. You have watched over us in the past. You are with each one of us now in the particular situations that we are facing.

Amazing God, we are grateful for your gifts. Come, Holy One, lift us. Raise us above taking so much for granted. Stir our voices to praise you out of sheer delight! Open our hearts to trust that you are leading us, especially in moments of difficulty or discouragement. In our doubts and in our fears, grant us your peace. Calm us. Reassure us that you are near. Christ Jesus, we rejoice that you are continuing to shape us into people who offer your grace and love to all. Amen.

PRAISE RESPONSE – O How He Loves You and Me – #254

1. O how He loves you and Me, O how He loves you and me;
   He gave HIs life – what more could He give?
   O how He loves you, O how He loves me, O how He loves you and me!
2. Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for making to show;
   What He did there bro’t hope from despair;
   O how He loves you, O how He loves me, O how He loves you and me!

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 98 – Pastor Dan

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Linda Lowry

SPECIAL MUSIC – 10,000 Reasons – Anna DiVesta

GOD’S WORD – John 15:9-17 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

HYMN – What a Friend We Have in Jesus – #162

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in Prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows ur every weakness, Take it to the Lord in Prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee! Take it to the Lord in prayer,
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta

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