April 18 — Good Friday

Our Savior Jesus Christ is crucified on a cross. We remember this holy sacrifice on Good Friday; this loving act of God.

PRELUDE — What Wondrous Love is This

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Linda Lowry
One: Christ Jesus empties himself,
All: Taking the form of a servant.
One: Christ Jesus humbles himself,
All: And becomes obedient unto death—even death on a cross.
One: There is no greater love than this—to lay down one’s very life.
All: Christ Jesus died for you and me.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Linda Lowry
Merciful God, our souls ache with grief and guilt over your Crucifixion. You are aware of all our burdens. Come, Holy Spirit, we need you now. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world. Amen.

*HYMN — Beneath the Cross of Jesus — #239

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 noontide heat And the burden of the day.

Upon the 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.

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.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION — Linda Lowry
Blessed Savior, each Good Friday invites the whole world to the foot of your cross. This is a forlorn and difficult place to be. Here we are shown our mockeries, our betrayals and our denials of you. Yes, like Simon Peter, sometimes we also draw swords in anger. We lash out at one another. We criticize; we envy; we injure one another. Worst of all, we continue pretending to serve you without making true sacrifices. Beneath your cross, Jesus, we see our own guilt. At the foot of your cross, sorrow and love mingle. Forgive us for crucifying you. Amen.

SILENCE

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*RESPONSE — Were You There? — #266

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

RESPONSIVE READING — Crucifixion of Christ — #645

*HYMN — Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone — #512

GOD’S WORD — Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SPECIAL MUSIC — Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

Forgiveness
Luke 23:32-34

Acceptance
Luke 23:39-43

Love
John 19:25a-27

Anguish
Mark 15:33-34

Suffering
John 19:28-29

Fulfillment
John 19:30

Surrender
Luke 23:44-46

SPECIAL MUSIC — It Is Finished — Hartman
Valerie Waterman, Vocalist

DEPART IN SILENCE

December 8 — Make Ready

Advent—the season of waiting for Christ—continues, with the second Sunday’s lighting of the candle of peace. May the world accept God’s gift of “new life in Christ.”

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Go, Tell It on the Mountain — Hayes

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: The days are surely coming, says our God, when justice and righteousness will appear.
All: God’s promises will be made known to us.
One: We will declare God’s goodness and salvation.
All: Forevermore, we will seek to walk in God’s ways.

*HYMN — Holy God, We Praise Thy Name — #28

Holy God, we praise Thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy scepter claim!
All in heav’n above adore Thee.
Infinite, Thy vast domain;
Everlasting is Thy reign.

Hark! the loud celestial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord!”

Lo! the apostolic train
Join Thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the white-robed martyrs follow;
And from morn to set of sun,
Through the Church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee,
While in essence only One;
Undivided God, we claim Thee,
And, adoring, bend the knee
While we sing our praise to Thee.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
Holy God, we long for your peace, and we trust in your promises. We hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives, and to welcome you as our Savior.
Eternal God, you are our righteousness. Come now; meet us here. Fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, so that this time of worship may move us to act courageously toward bringing about your vision of wholeness for all. We pray in your name, God Emmanuel. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH — The Candle of Peace

*RESPONSE — Emmanuel — #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Linda Lowry

GOD’S WORD — Isaiah 11:1-10 —Jim French

SPECIAL MUSIC — Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine — L. Smith

GOD’S WORD — Luke 3:1-6 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — O Come, O Come, Emmanuel — #186

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Refrain:

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!
Refrain:

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Refrain:

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

October 22 – JUST Worship

We rejoice at this opportunity to gather in God’s house. All people are welcome here!
Giving joyfully and extravagantly is our faithful response to God’s abounding grace.

Wherever we gather today, we are in God’s house! Our doors are open and you can join us in person at Ivy Chapel, or on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude on Abide with Me – Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Morning has broken.
All: Let the heavens be glad!
One: Let the earth rejoice!
All: We are mysteriously drawn to worship by the unseen.
One: God’s wonders are alive everywhere.
All: Here on holy ground, we sense God’s closeness.
One: The Creator of all living things gives us life!
All: Together, let us sing God’s praises!

*HYMN – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – #10

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

*OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, you are our health and salvation. We give you thanks, Gracious God, for the multitude of ways that you bless our lives:
the beauty of your creation;
the love offered by other people;
the hope given by your promises;
the ‘free gift’ of new life;
the deliverance provided by your grace!
Come now, O Holy Spirit. Breathe on us anew, so that we may dream your dreams and embrace your vision for all that this world can be. Through this time of worship, draw us into a deeper relationship with you, Dear God. Bring us closer to you. Lead us to live with an ever-growing love for you and for your magnificent universe! Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Grace Alone – Insert

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 84:1-7

SPECIAL MUSIC – 10,000 Reasons – Redman

GOD’S WORD – Luke 18:9-14

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above – #26

Praise the Lord who reigns above And keeps His courts below;
Praise the holy God of love, and all His greatness show.
Praise Him for His noble deeds, praise Him for His matchless pow’r;
Him from whom all good proceeds let earth and heaven adore.

Celebrate th’eternal God with harp and psaltery;
Timbrels soft and cymbals loud in His high praise agree.
Praise Him, ev’ry tuneful string; all the reach of heav’nly art,
All the pow’rs of music bring, the music of the heart.

Him, in whom they move and live, let ev’ry creature sing,
Glory to their Maker give, and homage to their King.
Hallowed be His name beneath, as in heav’n, on earth adored;
praise the Lord in ev’ry breath, let all things praise the Lord!

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Fughetta – Muffat

September 13 Livestream

Thank you for joining us this week. We have made some adjustments to our video and audio. Please let us know in the comments how we are doing.

This week’s order for worship:

Prelude/ Anna

Invocation (Responsive Call to Worship; and Unison Prayer) / Dan

Hymn/ “Think About His Love” (worship booklet, p. 87)

Think About His Love

Think about His love, think about His goodness. Think about His grace that’s bro’t us through.
For as high as the heavens above, so great is the measure of our Father’s love.
Great is the measure of our Father’s love.

Children’s Message/ Linda

Special Music/ Anna

Scripture Reading/Dan Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon/Prayer/ Dan

Hymn/ “I Then Shall Live” (#133)

I Then Shall Live

1. I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven; I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
   I know my name is clear before my Father; I am His child, and I am not afraid.
   So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother; The law of lover I gladly will obey.
2. I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion; I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving, too.
   I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I dare to see another’s poinot of view.
   And when relationships demand commitment, Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.
3. Your kingdom come around and thru and in me, Your pow’r and glory, let them shine thru me;
   Your pow’r and glory, let them shine thru me; Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
   And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
   The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may you fee a hungry world thru me.

Benediction/ Dan

Postlude/ Anna

August 30 Livestream!

Last week, your Ivy Chapel worship team experimented with a new way (for us) to create a more engaging, communal online worship. We produced a short live online worship with special music, a prayer and a children’s message.

This week, we’d love for you to join us online for a full, live worship service. 

The service will start at 10 a.m. (or a little after – you know Ivy) on Ivy Chapel’s Facebook page. You do notneed to have a Facebook account to watch.

Head to www.facebook.com/IvyChapel. You can use your smart phone, tablet or computer.

If you have an account and are logged in, you should be all set. If not, it will seem like Facebook is demanding you to login, but you can ignore these boxes and scroll down the page. You may need to click on “not now” if it asks you to login again.

As you scroll down the page, if we’re live, you’ll see the video. Click on the video to join the live worship in progress. You can click on the small icon with two diagonal arrows to expand the video to your whole screen.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the live worship. We will post a link to the video here on the Ivy Chapel website later in the day.

If you do tune in, please let us know what you think. 

2014 Holy Week Schedule at Ivy Chapel

You are welcome to worship this week with us as we stop to pause and reflect on what it really means to be a follower of Christ. As we move from Palm Sunday to the joys of Easter, we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Come, make the journey to Easter with us, and celebrate God’s love.

Palm Sunday, April 13

10 a.m. worship

Maundy Thursday, April 17     

7:30 p.m. worship

Good Friday, April 18

7:30 p.m. worship

 Easter Sunday, April 20

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship (outdoor pavilion, weather permitting)

10 a.m. worship (Ivy Chapel Sanctuary)

 

Honor the work of Lydia’s House, Oct. 24

In connection of Domestic Violence Prevention Month, the Chaplain of Lydia’s House, Rev. Carolyn Held, will join us for worship on Sunday, October 24. We have been blessed by past visits from Rev.Held. Please join us as we welcome her back as she shares with us her mission of healing and hope.

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.