Feb. 28 Virtual Worship – Always Close

Thank you for joining us on the second Sunday in Lent. A note that we will continue online worship, but will be welcoming you back into our sanctuary beginning next week. Registration is required – click here to learn more.

Here is the order for worship:

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: In Christ, God offers all people a holy invitation.
All: We are invited to walk with God.
One: Turn to God, all the earth.
All: God not only speaks, but God also listens.
One: God hears our prayers, and God answers.
All: Let us exalt God with our praises now!

Hymn – Come, Holy Spirit – worship booklet, p. 35

1. Come as a wisdom to children, Come as a new sight to the blind,
   Come, Lord, as strength to my weakness, Take me: soul, body and mind.

RERAIN
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,

REFRAIN

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.

REFRAIN

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God, we long to live faithfully. We long to walk in the ways of Christ.
To do this, we need the light and the salvation you offer. Come to us this morning.
Come; fill us with your grace and mercy. Open our hearts in new ways to the promise of your healing grace.
God of Life, we want you to be the One we serve. We want you to lead us. Strengthen us to overcome any influences that are threatening to mislead us. Fill us with faith in you. May our love for you and our devotion to you continue growing. Amen.

Response – El Shaddai – #18

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai;
Age to age you’re still the same by the power of the name
El Shaddai, El shaddai. Er kahn ka na Adonai;
We will praise and lie You high, EL Shaddai.

Children’s Message – Sue Wilson

God’s Word – Psalm 22:1-2, 22-31 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – Just a Closer Walk with Thee

God’s Word – Mark 8:31-38 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – Nearer, My God, to Thee – #436

1. Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!
   E’en though it be a cross That raises me;
   Still all my song shall be, Nearer my God to Thee,
   Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
2. Though like the wanderer, The sun gone down,
   Darkness be over me, My rest a stone;
   Yet in my dreams I’d be Nearer my God to Thee,
   Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
3. There let the way appear Steps unto heav’n’
   All that Thou sendest me In mercy giv’n;
   Angels to beckon me Nearer my God to Thee,
   Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee. use,
4. Then, with my waking thoughts Bright with Thy praise
   Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I’ll raise;
   So by my woes to be Nearer my God to Thee,
   Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee.
5. Or if on joyful wing, Clearing the sky,
   Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Upward I fly,
   Still all my song shall be Nearer my God to Thee,
   Nearer, my God to Thee, Nearer to Thee.

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

In-person worship to resume March 7

Great news! COVID-19 cases continue to decline in the St. Louis area and across the country. While there is still a need for great caution, the Ivy Chapel Council and Board of Deacons have determined the time is right to resume in-person worship.

You must make a reservation to attend Ivy Chapel’s in-person worship. We will continue to offer virtual worship for those who cannot attend.

To make your reservation, please email Gail Thoele.

An important note: Things will be a little different. Here’s what to expect.

1. Virtual services will continue.
2. Masks MUST be worn inside the building; masks will be provided, if needed.
3. Hand sanitizer will be provided in several areas.
4. Sign-in is required for contact tracing.
5. White dry erase boards will give directions to those entering the sanctuary.
6. The floor will be marked for 6’ social distancing.
7. Ushers will seat each individual or family group (from front to back.)
8. Children will be seated and should remain with their family throughout the entire worship service. (There will be no Sunday School or nursery.)
9. Communion will not be served at this time.
10. There will be no congregational singing at this time.
11. Ushers will dismiss the congregation from the pews after the service (from back to front.)
12. Worshipers will leave the sanctuary by the outside door with safe social distancing.
13. There will be no gathering in Fellowship Hall before or after services.
14. Those who are sick, at risk or don’t feel safe are requested to stay at home and worship virtually.
15. Announcements and prayer requests should be emailed to Pastor Dan at his direct email.
16. At the present time, there will be no use of fluorescent lights or sound system in the sanctuary, because these interfere with the sound quality of our live stream worship service.
17. Offering Gifts: A stationary offering plate will be located at the back of the sanctuary for people to offer a gift in person. [Anyone who prefers continuing to give church offering gifts as they have been doing up to now during the pandemic is welcome to continue.] Thank you for giving to support Ivy Chapel UCC ministries.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Gail Thoele.

Feb. 21 Livestream – Jesus in the Wilderness

Thank you for joining us for the First Sunday of Lent. Today we also have a special message and mission moment from Kathy Poss of the Baby Blue Pantry.

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan
One: We worship Living God.
All: This week, we have entered into a new season.
One: Our 40-day journey to Christ’s Resurrection Day has begun.
All: As we navigate this wilderness, Gracious God is our compass.
One: This day of worship is an oasis in the desert.
All: Let us draw strength from the love of God our Savior.

Hymn – I Need Thee Every Hour – #169

1. I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord;
   No tender voice like Thine Can peace afford.

REFRAIN
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.

2. I need Thee every hour, Stay Thou near by;
   Temptations lose their pow’r When Thou art nigh.

REFRAIN

3. I need Thee every hour In joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide Or life is vain.

REFRAIN

4. I need Thee every hour, Most Holy One;
   O make me Thin indeed, Thou blessed Son!

REFRAIN

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: God of Quiet Strength, we cannot resist evil completely by ourselves. Earthly temptations are everywhere. How do we deal with them? We need you, God. You are always present; living among us; living within us. We are thankful to be in your care.
God of Quiet Strength, help us to be still before you – – leaving behind our every distress. In the stillness and in the beauty of this morning, may we be reminded that you are God. You patiently continue inviting us to follow you. So then, Christ Jesus; come quietly now and bless us with the faith to accept your gift of life eternal. Amen.

Response – You Are My Hiding Place – #53

You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance
whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
I will trust in You; Let the weak say, “I am strong in the strength of the Lord.”

You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance
whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Mission Moment – Baby Blue Pantry – Kathy Poss

God’s Word – Psalm 25:1-10 – Pastor Dan

Children’s Message – Linda Lowry

Special Music – “Narrow Road”

God’s Word – Mark 1:9-15 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – I Want Jesus to Walk with Me – #480

1. I want Jesus to walk with me; I want Jesus to walk with me;
   All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
2. In my trials, Lord, walk with me; In my trials, Lord, walk with me;
   When my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.
3. When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me; When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;
   When my head is bowed in sorrow, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta

Lenten Devotional Packets

We are will working hard to create a plan to return to worship in person, hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Please watch this space for more information.

In the meantime, we are entering into the most important six weeks in the Christian faith, the season of lent. The Ivy Chapel board of deacons has assembled devotional packets for each member household. The packets are on the table in the narthex.

If you are unable to make it to church, please reach out to a member of the board.

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

Feb. 14 Livestream – Transfiguration

Join us for our Transfiguration Sunday worship.

Here is this week’s order for worship:

Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob;
whose hope is in God, the Maker of heaven and earth!
All: God lifts up those who are bowed down.
One: God upholds the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
All: God opens the ears of the deaf and gives sight to the blind.
One: God watches over foreigners.
All: God sets prisoners free!
One: God remains faithful forever!
All: Let us praise the Maker of heaven and earth!

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Powerful God, your love poured out in Jesus Christ provides us with strength which the world cannot offer. Through your blessing, souls find rest. Through the Sabbath, the foundations of human lives are rebuilt.
God of all; stir within us. Shatter our narrow understandings of who you are. By your grace and power, fill us with courage to serve as your witnesses, we pray. Shape us into your messengers of hope and good news.
God of valleys and of mountaintops; you reveal what true mightiness is!
Fill the lives of all your children with joy and promise. Amen.

Hymn – Day By Day – #486

1. Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;
   Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no causer for worry or for fear.
   He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Give unto each day what He deems best-
   Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2. Every day the Lord Himself is near me With a special mercy for each hour;
   All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
   He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
   The protection of HIs child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
   “As your days, your strength shall be in measure,” This the pledge to me He made.
3. Help me then in every tribulation So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
   That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation Offered me within Thy holy Word.
   Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
   One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land. Children’s Message – Sarah Heend Scripture Reading – Micah 4 – Pastor Dan Special Music – Nothing Left to Say Scripture Reading – Mark 9:2-9 – Pastor Dan

Sermon –Pastor Dan

Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – God of the Ages – #51

1. God of the ages, HIstory’s Maker, Planning our pathway, Holding us fast,
   Shaping in mercy All that concerns us; Father, we praise You, Lord of the past.
2. God of this morning, Gladly Your children Worship before You,
   Trustingly bow; Teach us to know You Always among us,
   Quietly sov’reign Lord of our now.
3. God of tomorrow, Strong Overcomer, Princes of darkness Own Your command;
   What then can harm us? We are Your people,
   Now and forever Kept by Your hand.
4. Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning, Lord of the future, Help us, we pray.
   Teach us to trust You, Love and obey You, Benediction – Pastor Dan Postlude – Anna DiVesta

The Souper Bowl of Caring

This year is different for many reasons. But, one thing that is the same: the need to tackle hunger with the Souper Bowl of Caring. This year, the need for hunger relief in our country has grown exponentially. Our local food charities need our help!

You can watch the Feb. 7 worship service here.

While we can’t place our donations in soup pots after worship as is our tradition, there are several ways to help those in need this year. You can send donations to Ivy’s financial secretary, Peter LaSalle. Please make checks out to Ivy Chapel and write Souper Bowl of Caring on the memo line.

Or donate directly to the food pantries most in need. Souper Bowl of Caring started their Tackle Hunger Map to respond to this urgent need. The Tackle Hunger Map allows you to see where local food charities are and what they need to do their important work. You can donate right through the map and be a part of the tradition of using the energy of the Big Game to tackle hunger.

What if everyone watching the Big Game gave just one dollar to local charities? What if each person gave what they could to local charities? We would have a lot less food insecurity in our country!

Thank you for helping make a collective impact on hunger!

Feb. 7 Livestream – Source of Strength

As we all look for strength and peace in this world, today pause with us and remember the light in the darkness, the one true source of strength, God.

As we settle down this afternoon to watch the “big game” keep in mind that this year has been a struggle for many. Donate to the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, and help people right here in our area get the food they need. You can send donations to Ivy’s financial secretary, Peter LaSalle, or use the Souper Bowl’s Tackle Hunger Map to find a food pantry near you.

Here’s this week’s order for worship:
Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Let your light shine, children of God!
All: God is alive within each one of us!
One: No eye has seen,
All: No ear has heard,
One: No human imagination has envisioned,
All: What God has prepared for those who love God.

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Amazing God, you are the Creator of all that is! We give you thanks for your sacred gift of life. During this time of worship, help us to accept more fully your gifts of peace and rest which you long for each soul to receive. By your mercy, lead us to continue growing in our relationship with you, God. You are our Source of Strength.
Come, Holy Spirit; wash over us. Come as Light in our darkness. Come as Strength to our weakness. We pray in your blessed name, Christ Jesus.
Fill us with your Spirit now as we worship you. Amen.

Hymn – “Great Is the Lord” – #7

REFRAIN
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just; By His power we trust in His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true; By His mercy He proves He is love.

1. Great is the Lord and worthy of glory! Great is the Lord and worthy of praise.
   Great is the Lord; now lift up your voice, now lift up your voice.
   Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord!

REFRAIN

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of glory! Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great are You, Lord; I lift up my voice, I lift umps voice;
Great are You Lord! Great are You Lord!

Children’s Message – Jo Ann Moody

Scripture Reading – Psalm 147 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – “Total Praise”

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:29-39 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion – Pastor Dan
Responsive Invitation
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We life them up to God!
One: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise! Sharing the Bread and the Cup Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – “Through It All” – #304

I’ve had many tears and sorrows, I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situations God gave blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong.

REFRAIN
Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God;
Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

2. I’ve been to lots of places, And I’ve seen a lot of faces,
   There’ve been times I felt so all alone;
   But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours,
   Jesus let me know that I was His own.

REFRAIN

3. I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys,
   I thank Him for the storms He brought me through;
   For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,
   I’d never know what faith in God could do.

REFRAIN

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta