July 19 Virtual Worship
July 19, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Summertime greetings from Ivy Chapel! We continue to pray for healing and health. As you strive in your own way to make sense of the world, we hope you are able to find joy when you need it most.
CCLI License #456361
July 5 Virtual Worship
July 4, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
This week, we invite you to join us for a virtual communion experience. Gather your own elements, and we can share them together.
As our Independence Day celebrations wind down, we pause to pray for peace and unity in our county and our world. Thank you for continuing to join us for our virtual worship experiences. And while we anxiously await the time when we may be able to worship together again, we will always put the health and safety of our members, friends and community first. Be safe, be healthy, and stay connected as best you can.
America
- My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrim’s pride,
From every mountain side Let freedom ring! - Let music sweet the breeze, and ring from all the trees Sweet freedom’s song:
Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.
America the Beautiful
- O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! - O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
Battle Hymn of the Republic
- Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; lory! glory, hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
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Glory! glory, hallelujah! Glory! glory, hallelujah!
Glory! glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on.
- In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
While God is marching on.
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Spirit
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Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
- You move on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep,
and over the eons you called to each thing,
“Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.â€
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- You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand,
and you gifted your people with a law and a land,
When they were confounded with idols and lies,
Then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.
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- You sand in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still,
and down in the city you called once again
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind.
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- You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions your people arise.
CCLI License #456361
June 28, 2020 Virtual Worship
June 28, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
This week’s hymns:
Psalm 89: I Will Sing of the Mercies
- I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth I will make known your faithfulness, your faithfulness;
with my mouth will I make known your faithfulness to all generations.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord. - All the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise forever for the things he has done.
All the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise forever,
all the hosts of the angels sing God’s praise.
Who can be compared to God in faithfulness, in faithfulness?
Who can be compared to God in faithfulness to all generations?
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
Help Us Accept Each Other
- Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe.
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live. - Teach us, O Lord, Your lessons, as in our daily life.
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some;
To love them as we find them, or as they may become. - Let Your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice Your acceptance until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and Laughter’s healing art. - Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
CCLI License #456361
June 14 Virtual Worship
June 14, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
We continue to offer virtual worship to protect the health and safety of our congregation and community.
’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest son his promise; Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.â€
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Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!
3. Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.
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4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.
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Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
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Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you
1. Knelt at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet,
Jesu, You acted as servant to them.
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2. Neighbors are rich and poor, varied in color and race,
neighbors are near and far away.
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3. These are the ones we should serve, these are the ones we should love;
all these are neighbors to us and you.
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4. Loving puts us on our knees, showing our faith by our deeds,
serving the neighbors we have from you.
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5. Kneel at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet,
This is the way we should live with you.
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June 7 Virtual Worship
June 7, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Here are this week’s hymns.
Here I Am, Lord
- I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright,
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
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Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
- I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
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- I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
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We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations
- We’ve a story to tell to the nations That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of the truth and mercy, A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.
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For the darkness shall turn to dawning, And the dawning to noonday bright,
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth, The kingdom of love and light.
- We’ve a song to be sung to the nations That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.
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- We’ve a message to give to the nations That the Lord who reigneth above
Hath sent us His Son to save us, And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.
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- We’ve a Savior to show to the nations Who the path of sorrow hath Trod,
That all of the world’s great peoples Might come to the truth of God,
Might come to the truth of God.
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CCLI License #456361
May 31 Virtual Worship (Pentecost)
May 31, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Today’s Hymns:
Come, Holy Spirit
- Come as a wisdom to children, Come as new sight to the blind,
Come, Lord, as strength to my weakness, Take me; soul, body and mind.
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Come, Holy Spirit, I need You, Come, sweet Spirit, I pray;
Come in Your strength and Your power, Come in Your own gentle way.
2. Come as a rest to the weary, Come as a balm for the sore,
Come as a dew to my dryness; Fill me with joy evermore,
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3. Come like a spring in the desert, Come to the withered of soul;
O let Your sweet healing power Touch me and make me whole.
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Revive Us Again
1. We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus who died and is now gone above.
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Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Hallelujah! Amen;
Hallelujah! Thine the glory; Revive us again.
2. We Praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of light,
Who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night.
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3. All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who has borne all our sins, and has cleansed every stain.
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4. Revive us again, fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
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Eastertide Service from the Conference of Ministers
May 16, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Thank you to the United Church of Christ Conference of Ministers for sharing this special worship.
If you would like to follow along, you click here to download the bulletin.
If you are unable to view the video, or would like to read along, click here to download the full transcript.
April 26 Virtual Worship
April 26, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Of course we wish we could worship in person. However, we are blessed to be able to share this virtual experience with you.
Today’s scripture reading is Luke 24:13-35
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee
- Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen,
Here grasp with firmer hand h’eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee Lean.
3. I have no help but Thine; nor do I need
Another arm save Thine to lean upon;
It is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
My strength is in Thy might, Thy might alone.
4. Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness;
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
Thy blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Holy Week 2020: Easter Sunday
April 12, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
The Christian high holy day of Easter Sunday is the joyous occasion when God’s Church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is God’s Truth which proclaims the life, the death and the resurrection from the dead of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Three days after the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Resurrection comes as an unexpected, astonishing (and, in certain instances, ‘terrifying!’ – see the Gospel of Mark 16:8) surprise to Jesus’ disciples.
From the days of the Early Church, it has been a custom for Christian believers to greet one another joyously on Easter Sunday in the following responsive manner:
One Christian begins by saying, “Christ is risen!â€
Next, a second Christian responds, “Christ is risen indeed!â€
In the Christian faith, Easter Sunday is called Resurrection Day. This is the pinnacle event for Christianity and the pinnacle date in the entire Christian Church Year. Another name which sometimes is given to Easter Sunday is “The Day of days!†This name aptly describes the ultimate status of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nothing tops it. The meaning of Christ’s Resurrection (Easter Sunday) is that God’s power is greater than every other power, including sin and death.
Christ Jesus is alive… alive today!
Jesus is risen from the grave.
There’s nothing there but an empty tomb!
Easter means that Jesus is still alive!
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
View our Easter Sunday worship here.
Today’s Hymns
Christ the Lord is Risen Today #268
Christ the Lord is risen today! Al-le-lu-ia!
Sons of men and angels say: Al-le-lu-ia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Al-le-lu-ia!
Sing, ye heav’n, and earth reply, Al-le-lu-ia!
2. Lives again our glorious King, Al-le-lu-ia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Al-le-lu-ia!
Dying once, He all doth save: Al-le-lu-ia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Al-le-lu-ia!
3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Al-le-lu-ia!
Fought the fight, the battle won; Al-le-lu-ia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise; Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ has opened Paradise! Al-le-lu-ia!
4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Al-le-lu-ia!
Following our exalted Head; Al-le-lu-ia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise; Al-le-lu-ia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Al-le-lu-ia!
Our God Reigns! #290
Who brings good news, good news.
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns, Our God reigns!
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Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
(next page for verses 2 and 3)
That we should be – drawn to Him.
He was despised, and we took no account of Him.
Yet now He reigns with the Most High.
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He is alive, He is alive!
God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side.
Yes, we know, He is alive!
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CCLI License #456361
Holy Week 2020: Good Friday
April 10, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
The Christian high holy day of Good Friday is the somber occasion when God’s Church remembers and grieves with deep sorrow the Crucifixion of Christ.
The Seven Last Words of Christ spoken from the Cross:
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.†Luke 23:34
“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.†Luke 23:43
Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.†Then Jesus said to the disciple, “This is your mother.†John 19:26-27
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?†Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34
“I am thirsty.†John 19:28
“It is finished.†John 19:30
“Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.†Luke 23:46
After this final, spoken word, Jesus breathed his last. As Matthew 27:50 states, “And when Jesus had cried out again with a loud voice; he gave up the ghost (breath).â€
Jesus Christ died on the cross. The End.
Tonight’s Hymn
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand –
The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noon-tide heat, And the burden of the day.
2. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess –
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.
3. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the Cross.
CCLI License #456361