Sept. 11 Livestream – Growing in God’s Love
September 10, 2022 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
No matter who you are or where you are in life, we invite you to be found by God here at Ivy Chapel. All are welcome in our windowed sanctuary here in Chesterfield, MO. Sunday’s worship, and past services, are available on our YouTube Channel.
As always, we invite and encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Prelude in Classic Style – Young
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The steadfast love of God is from everlasting to everlasting.
All: God’s love is vast, and lavish, and joyous!
One: The winds of God are blowing among us!
All: The eternal voice of God is still speaking.
One: Grace and peace to you, children of God.
All: A new day has dawned, and we are alive to enjoy this gift!
*HYMN – Great Is Thy Faithfulness – #17
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – (Rev. Dr. David Long-Higgins, Heartland Conference, UCC)
Holy One, we come to this sacred space filled with all kinds of memories, feelings and perspectives about this ominous date. We are grateful to be here in your sanctuary now, God Eternal. May we sense your nearness, and may we be moved to give thanks for your everlasting love.
O Holy Wind of God, sweep through our lives. Help us to pause. Refine within us a renewed devotion to bearing your gracious goodness in this world. Let our emotions this day call forth an alternative to the easy response of violence for violence. Instead, moment by moment, place within us an enduring commitment to display love in the face of fear, hope in the midst of despair, and mercy in reaction to injury. In this manner, O God, may you continue bringing alive the heart and mind of Christ in us. Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – Whiter Than Snow, Verses 1 and 4 – #368
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want You forever to live in my soul,
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, You see that I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought You, You never said “No,”
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 51:1-12
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
SPECIAL MUSIC – His Eye Is on the Sparrow – Wolaver
GOD’S WORD – Luke 15:1-10
SERMON – Pastor Dan
*UNISON RESPONSE – U.C.C. Statement of Faith – worship booklet, p. 4
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.
Amen.
*HYMN – I’m So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me – worship booklet, p. 51
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I’m so glad, Jesus lifted me,
Singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me
Singing glory, hallelujah, Jesus lifted me.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Fugue – Dandrieu
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