June 26 Livestream – Picking Up

God loves all people. No one is a stranger to God. Today, God is blessing the whole world with a sacred day of life! Let us worship God together!

Join us in person or on our YouTube channel. We’ll share a direct link to the service once worship begins at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Chorale Prelude – D. Wagner

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Shall those in need take refuge in God?
All: Yes! God answers all who call on God. Hope in God.
One: Where is God? Will those who seek find God?
All: Yes! All people live in God’s presence. Watch for God.
One: Is God alive among us?
All: Yes! God’s voice speaks – many times in unexpected ways. Listen closely, for God is still speaking,…

*HYMN – Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above – #45

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation;
with healing balm my soul he fills,
and every faithless murmur stills:
o God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made,
his gracious mercy keepeth;
by morning glow or evening shade
his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth.
Within the kingdom of his might,
lo! all is just and all is right:
to God all praise and glory

The Lord is never far away,
But through all grief distressing
An ever present help and stay
Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand,
He leads His one, HIs chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Then all my gladsome way along
I sing aloud thy praises,
that men may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises:
be joyful in the Lord, my heart!
Both soul and body bear your part!
To God all praise and glory.

*CALLING TO GOD IN PRAYER
We call to you, Everlasting God. You are the One who calls disciples; and this day we call to you: Come now, O Holy One; Living God.
Come alive, Creator God. Breathe life within us and within all creation! O God, you are the Potter, and we are the clay. Shape and fashion us into vessels of true grace. Smooth our rough edges into your beautiful design, and then fire us into pottery blessed for serving in your name. May you be our strength, God Most High. Shape our lives for offering care and healing to others. Receive our prayers, the spoken and the unspoken; and bring your Word to life through our lives. All this we pray, in your sacred name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Give Thanks – 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.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son.

And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks, give thanks.

GOD’S WORD – 2 Kings 2:1-2, 4, 6-15 – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Then Shall Live – #133

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 love I gladly will obey

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’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through 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 feed a hungry world through me.

GOD’S WORD – Galatians 5:1, 13-25 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – How Beautiful – Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Luke 9:51-62 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Help Us Accept Each Other – #127

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 for bread,
We need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:
Renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

*GOD SENDS US INTO THE WORLD – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Exultation – Cassler

Things to do: June 25 BBQ Fundraiser

Do you have big plans this weekend? Meet your friends and family at Ivy Chapel for our big BBQ Fundraiser, held right here at 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield between 4 and 7 p.m.

We are planning to offer meals carry-out style, which can be eaten on-site at the church pavilion (limited seating) or outside in the parking lot (bring your own lawn chair), or taken to go.  

Menu options include a choice of hamburger or bratwurst with two sides and a dessert for $10 or hot dog with one side a dessert for $5.  

We hope we’ll see you–and your friends–there!

June 17 Livestream – In God’s Presence

June 19 Livestream – In God’s Presence

We are blessed to have Lauren Verseman as our guest preacher today.Thank you, Lauren, for your leadership this morning as we worship God together!

You can join us for virtual worship on YouTube. We’ll post a direct link to the service once it begins on Sunday. As always, you are welcome to worship with us in-person at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield, MO.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Brethren, We Have Met to Worship – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP – (based on Psalms 22 and 23) – Lauren Verseman
One: When shall I behold the face of God?
All: O God, reveal to us your light and your truth.
One: My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
All: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you.
One: Lead us to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
All: You are our refuge in the face of oppression.
One: Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts;
All: Your waves resonate within me.
One: Let us hope in our God.
All: We come again to praise our God, our hope.

*HYMN – When Morning Gilds the Skies – #66

When morning gilds the skies,
My heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work or prayer
To Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,
When from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The pow’rs of darkness fear
When this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space,
Sing, ye that see His face,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
Ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine,
My canticle divine,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this th’ eternal song
Through all the ages long,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Lauren Verseman
Holy one, we sense you calling to the deep within us. You call through our lives’ fires and earthquakes, disasters and distractions; you askus to show up and to pay attention in the middle of our noisy lives.
Oh God, center us, orient us, move us. Sustain us in the face of all that is troubling and disquieting – maybe even demonic – in our lives and our world. Strengthen us that we may withstand the powers of death and work instead for your justice. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Holy Ground – #83

We are standing on holy ground,
And I know that there are angels all around;
Let us praise Jesus now
We are standing in His presence on holy ground.

GOD’S WORD – 1 Kings 19:1-15a – Lauren Verseman

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 65:1-9 – Lauren Verseman

SPECIAL MUSIC – Sing to the Lord – Sterliing/Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Luke 8:26-39 – Lauren Verseman

SERMON – “The Quiet Before” – Lauren Verseman

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Lauren Verseman

*HYMN – O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee – #542

O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret, help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broad’ning way,
In peace that only thou canst give,
With thee, O Master, let me live.

*BENEDICTION – Lauren Verseman

*POSTLUDE – Toccata – D. Wagner

June 12 Livestream – Trinity Sunday

Thank you for joining us on this Trinity Sunday. Today, we celebrate the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In Christian tradition, Trinity Sunday calls us to acknowledge both the breadth of our experience with God, and the limitations of our knowledge. We can’t possibly understand the scale of His creation, and we are forever in awe of His glory.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Prelude and Fugue – Zachow

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God delights in life!
All: Let us rejoice before the majesty of our Creator!
One: Through Christ, we are inspired to hope.
All: We gladly enter this house of worship.
One: God’s mercy is ever-flowing.
All: God’s Spirit is the Spirit of life and of hope and of all things good!
One: Let us listen closely for God, so that we may hear and do what is faithful.
All: Let us open our hearts now to the astonishing Word of God.

*HYMN – Holy, Holy, Holy – #2

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God our Potter, God who becomes clay, God who shapes us in the fire; we are made new in your presence. We come seeking your wisdom, crying out our concerns, needing your steadfast love. May this worship time serve as a time that continues shaping us into a faith community who loves you above all, Dear God. Let our character reflect your goodness and grace. May we live in awe of your glory and humbled by your nearness. We pray in your holy name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*RESPONSE – How Majestic Is Your Name – #9

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.
O Lord, we praise your name.
O Lord, we magnify your name:
Prince of Peace, mighty God;
O Lord God Almighty.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 8 – Pastor Dan

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody

GOD’S WORD – Romans 5:1-5 –Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – The Road Home – Martin

GOD’S WORD – John 16:12-15 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – O Jesus, I Have Promised – #466

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus,Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be.
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Trumpet Tune – D. Wagner

June 5 Livestream – Pentecost

Today is Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers who were celebrating the Festival of Weeks in Jerusalem. It is often celebrated as the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world.

You may join us at 10 a.m. in our sanctuary at 620 N. Woods Mill Road in Chesterfield, or online via YouTube.

PRELUDE – Rock of Ages – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Receive with joy God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.
All: The winds of God are blowing among us.
One: How amazing is the power of God!
All: The breath of God fills people with life and hope!
One: God calls us to be dreamers and prophets.
All: Christ offers us a vision of a world overflowing with God’s grace.

*HYMN – Sweet, Sweet Spirit – #153

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love.
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.

There are blessings you cannot receive
Till you know Him in His fullness and believe;
You’re the one to profit when you say,
“I am going to walk with Jesus all the way.”

If you say He saved you from your sin,
Now you’re weak, you’re bound and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield,
You’ll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of wind and fire; we are grateful to you for this day, and we are thrilled to be here for worship. We are filled with joy by what we are about to celebrate.
God, you are “Mystery” with a capital “M.” You are the Creator, who gives life to all living things. You are the Christ, who loves us so deeply that you give your life for us. You are the Spirit, who ages ago moved over the waters of creation; and who forever stirs in each human heart and soul.
You are the Author and the Master of all holy mysteries. Lead us to respond faithfully as you call us into ever-new beginnings. Guide us on this life-long journey toward hope, wonder and amazement. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Spirit of the Living God – #150

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 104:24-34, 35b – Pastor Dan

MISSION MOMENT – Our Church’s Wider Mission – Bill Biedenstein, Missouri Mid-South Conference, UCC

GOD’S WORD – Romans 8:14-17 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – I’m Bound for the Kingdom – Wolaver

GOD’S WORD – Acts 2:1-21 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Let Us Break Bread Together – #265

Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.

Refrain:
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord have mercy on me.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive the gifts of God.

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

*HYMN – Breathe on Me, Breath of God – #139

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Recessional – Wolford