May 1 Livestream – The Way Forward

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. With astonishment, we discover that we are walking with Christ our Risen Savior! Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall after worship for the Plant Sale and refreshments.

Join us in person in our open and welcoming church at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield at 10 a.m. Sundays. Our services are also streamed live each week on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude and Fughetta – J. K. F.

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: It’s springtime; and things are coming alive!
All: As life blossoms, we rejoice in earthly beauties of God.
One: Spring is a worldly rebirth.
All: Imagine all of the possibilities for life with God!
One: We are blessed.
All: Christ is alive!
One: God enables us to follow Christ.
All: This very moment, God is walking with us!

*HYMN – Come, Ye Faithful Raise the Strain – #273
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness,
loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
led them with unmoistened foot
through the Red Sea waters.
See the spring of souls today;
Christ has burst his prison,
and from three days’ sleep in death
as a sun hath risen;
all the winter of our sins,
long and dark, is flying
from his light, to whom we give
laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright
with the day of splendor,
with the royal feast of feasts,
comes its joy to render;
comes to gladden faithful hearts
which with true affection
welcome in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection!
For today among his own
Christ appeared, bestowing
blessed peace, which evermore
passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death
nor the tomb’s dark portal
nor the watchers nor the seal
hold him as a mortal.
“Alleluia!” Now we cry
to our King immortal,
who, triumphant, burst the bars
of the tomb’s dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
into joy from sadness!

*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Loving God, you graciously spread a Sacred Table for all people to enjoy! We offer you our praises today! Risen Savior, you fill us with life! Especially when no one else can, you raise our spirits. In your uplifting, renewing way, you fill souls with lasting joy!
As we now walk into the future, we hope you will join us on the road. Come near; and walk along with us. Open the scriptures to us; nourish us with the sweet honey of your Word. Open our eyes, that we may recognize the depth and the richness of your grace in everyday moments, such as
the meeting of eyes;
the sharing of a meal;
the crossing of paths;
and walking side by side.
Come alive among us now, Christ Jesus. It means so much to us that you are with your people in commonplace events and situations where we are ourselves. Thank you, Risen Savior, for loving us and for staying with us. Bless us with eyes and ears, hearts and souls to recognize you, Jesus! Be made known to us and through us, we pray. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart – worship booklet, p. 42

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One;
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his
Son. (Repeat)
And now let the weak say, “We are strong!”
Let the poor say, “We are rich
because of what the Lord has done for us!” (Repeat)
Give thanks.
Give thanks.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 30 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – The Church’s One Foundation – Wesley/Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Luke 24:13-35 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Come, Share the Lord – #260

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We rejoice to celebrate “Open Communion.”
All who desire are welcome to receive the bread and the cup at Christ’s Table.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Because He Lives – #275

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Refrain
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Refrain

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Refrain

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Prelude, G Minor – J. S. Bach