August 28 Livestream – Open Table

Welcome to Ivy Chapel! We rejoice that you are with us today, and welcome you to celebrate at our open church, at our open table. All are welcome here! That is the way of Ivy Chapel and the United Church of Christ.

Service begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday. All are welcome to join us in our sanctuary at 620 N. Woods Mill in Chesterfield or on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Pastel – Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Welcome to the banquet of hope, to the “open bar of prayer,”
to the anonymous circle of acceptance.
All: We rejoice that we are invited!

One: Welcome to the fiesta of joy, to the “mercy meal of
tenderness,” where every place is a seat of honor.
All: We rejoice that we have been invited by God!

One: Welcome to a party for God’s “love-reveal,”
where all gather in one circle,
and where everyone is free to sing their genuine stories!

All: We have an invitation from God – not a written invitation;
but a spoken one. God simply calls us by name.
We rejoice, for God invites all people to God’s table!

*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!

*OPENING PRAYER
God of openness and grace; we come to this gathering of your community where there are no barriers, and where everyone’s abilities are celebrated as gifts. We come to receive your extravagant hospitality and your gentle care. We come to learn how we may offer your treasured sensitivity to a stranger, to a friend, to a family member, to those whose faces are unfamiliar to us, and to the face who meets us in the mirror. Be with us now during this sacred time of worship. We ask this in your blessed name, Christ Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Change My Heart, O God – worship booklet, p. 33

Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true.
Change my heart Oh God, may I be like You.

You are the potter, I am the clay,
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.

Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true.
Change my heart Oh God, may I be like You.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 112:1-6 – Hebrews 13:1-8

SPECIAL MUSIC – Lord, Be Glorified – Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Luke 14:1-14

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Give of Your Best to the Master – #422

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration,
Give Him the best that you have.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Postludium – Young