Holy Week 2023 at Ivy Chapel

The final days of our walk toward Easter are upon us. We hope you’ll take a moment this week to pause, reflect and join us for special Holy Week worship services.

Sunday, April at 10 a.m.
Palm Sunday
Online and in-person worship

Friday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
Good Friday
Online and in-person worship

Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Easter
Children’s message during worship
Coffee fellowship after worship

All are welcome to join us as we complete our Lenten journeys. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

March 26 – Fifth Sunday of Lent – Breathe

As our individual journeys through the 40 days of the Lenten Season continue,
let us praise God together this morning.

Remember, you can always view past Ivy Chapel worship services on our YouTube channel.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Meditation on “Ah, Holy Jesus” – Fedak

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The prophet asks: ‘Can soul-weary bones live again?’
All: We ask: ‘Can our soul-weary bones live again?’
One: ‘Can we dance again after sorrow and mourning?’
All: God promises that we can.
One: God gives weary souls new life.
All: Even now, winds of the Spirit are stirring up new life.

*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,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Astonishing God; O Divine Spirit; you are the energy and the beauty growing within everything that is alive! You are constantly providing all creation with new life. You are the life within us. You come to us, and so we come now boldly seeking you, God. Let us meet in this time and place. As you breathe on us, our souls awaken in fullness of joy!
Astonishing God; O Divine Spirit; in you, we find life and blessing, compassion and care, redemption and reconciliation. Your gifts move us to rejoice! As you breathe life into us, our souls awaken in fullness of joy!
We praise you, God, for you are the One who eternally breathes life into dry bones. Life-giving God, fill us with your holy breath that we may walk in your ways of goodness and love. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Lord, Be Glorified (Verses 1 and 2) – #528

In my life, Lord be glorified, be glorified.
In my life, Lord be glorified today.

In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.
In your church, Lord, be glorified today.

GOD’S WORD – Ezekiel 37:1-14

SPECIAL MUSIC – This Is My Father’s World / He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands – Adams
Earl Kreder, Saxophone
Mike Waller, Piano

GOD’S WORD – John 11

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Spirit Song (Verses 1 and 2) – worship booklet, pp. 84-85

Oh, let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love;
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
Oh, let Him have the things that hold you, and His Spirit, like a dove,
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs

O come and sing this song with gladness as your hearts are filled with joy,
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name.
O give Him all your tears and sadness, give Him all your years of pain
And you’ll enter into life in Jesus’ name.

Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Tierce en Taille – Corrette

March 19 – Fourth Sunday of Lent – Restored

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ! Our sacred Lenten journey continues as we praise God with our ‘One Great Hour of Sharing’ gifts.

You can watch our worship services anytime on our YouTube channel. We will post a link on this page with today’s service once worship begins.

SILENT REFLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP – Psalm 23 – #445

WELCOME

PRELUDE – What Wondrous Love Is This – Page

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come, all who seek to live in the shelter of the Most High.
All: Through Christ, we embrace new possibilities.
One: Come, people of God, return to the One who gives you life.
All: We are here in response to God’s welcoming love.
One: God lifts us up!
All: We can count on God’s faithfulness!

*HYMN – The Light of the World Is Jesus – #373

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!

Refrain:
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!

No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus! Refrain

Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;
The Light of the world is Jesus! Refrain

No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus! Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God Eternal, your Spirit fills this place. May we draw strength from your presence.

God, your blessings provide all creation with life abundant. Your goodness endures. Words cannot express the joy you bring. All we can do is marvel; for you are holy. Your miracles are always unfolding. God, we praise you for this sacred morning. We are watching closely for signs of you. Come to us. Touch us. Help us to “see” our blindness. Make us whole. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Whiter Than Snow (Verses 1 and 4) – #368

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want You forever to live in my soul,
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

Refrain:
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Lord Jesus, You see that I patiently wait,
Come now, and within me a new heart create;
To those who have sought You, You never said “No,”
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. [Refrain]

GOD’S WORD – 1 Samuel 16:1-13

SPECIAL MUSIC – I Love to Tell the Story – arr. Hassell

GOD’S WORD – John 9:1-41

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Open My Eyes That I May See – #174

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear,
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my mouth and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere.
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my mouth, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr – Walther

March 12 – Third Sunday of Lent – Thirsty Voices

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. In this world, we are all thirsting for the peace that can only come through God’s love. May you find relief here among us on this Lenten journey, either on our YouTube channel or in-person.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Lamento – Bonnet

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: God is the source of all that is alive!
All: God gives birth to every living thing!
One: In certain ways, all of us are thirsty.
All: At times, we seek things that do not satisfy.
One: At times, we crave earthly things.
All: But the human soul is not thirsty for things of this world.
One: Jesus Christ is the Living Water.
All: Whoever drinks this water will never thirst.

*HYMN – Morning Has Broken – #274

Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Everlasting God, we come to this sanctuary to worship you. Whatever may be fragile or fearful or hurting within us we now entrust to your transforming power and gentle, loving care. Thank you for the countless ways that you break into this troubled world to calm and to reassure.
Pure and Holy God, you are like a cold, refreshing drink of water. We find in you a love even greater than we can imagine. You watch over and care for all people. From you, we receive water that wells up to life eternal.
Bless each soul who is thirsting for you, Christ Jesus. You are the Savior of the world. Turn us into gushing springs of living water that serve all who are thirsty. May all everyone be refreshed by drinking from your wellspring of grace. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Sanctuary – worship booklet, p. 76

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true:
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living
Sanctuary for You.

Shout to the Lord!
My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – JoAnn Moody

*HYMN – There is a Balm in Gilead – #141

Refrain:
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. Refrain

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus
and say, “He died for all.” Refrain

CHRISTIAN ACTION – Caring for Kids, Inc. – Cynthia Harcourt, Executive Director

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 95

SPECIAL MUSIC – The Battle Belongs to the Lord – Hayes

GOD’S WORD – John 4:5-42

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – More Love to Thee – 428

More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
Moe love to Thee, More love to Thee!

Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world to be living instruments of God’s peace. – Pastor Dan

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

March 5 – Second Sunday of Lent – Blessing

Every day is a blessing! And we are blessed to have you with us today here at Ivy Chapel. You are welcome to join us every Sunday at 10 a.m. in our sanctuary, or anytime on our YouTube page.

Please let us know if you have any questions about being a part of the Ivy Chapel community.

This page will with a link to the live worship when it begins on Sunday.

All are welcome to join us at Christ’s table this morning. If you are worshipping from home, please take a moment to gather the elements of communion so you may celebrate with us.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Near the Cross – Hustad

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We gather to worship Jesus Christ.
All: Baptized in Jesus’ name; we are born anew!
One: Christ died and rose on high.
All: Christ died for us.
One: This is the astonishing beauty of God’s love.
All: With all the joy that is in us, let us praise God!

*HYMN – O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing – #93

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease,
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood availed for me.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Saviour come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread thro’ all the earth abroad
The honors of your name.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Let the winds of your Spirit blow in our lives today, Eternal God. Let us hear the sound and feel the power of your Enlivening Spirit. Open our hearts in new ways to your promises of healing grace.
Holy One, we gather to worship you. We seek reassurance that you are with us in our going out and our coming in. We ask for your help overcoming any temptation that might lead us away from you. Faithful God, you are the One we rejoice to serve! We praise you for relentlessly breathing new life into your world. May our love for you continue growing throughout this Lenten Season and beyond. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Shout to the Lord – worship book, pp. 80-81

My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 121

SPECIAL MUSIC – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – arr. Wyrtzen

GOD’S WORD – John 3:1-17

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.

Let us drink wine together on our knees.
Let us drink wine together on our knees. [Refrain]

Let us praise God together on our knees.
Let us praise God together on our knees. [Refrain]

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at Christ’s Table.

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

*HYMN – Grace Greater Than Our Sin – #383

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold–
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross. [Refrain]

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today. [Refrain]

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
All who are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive? [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Nun last uns Gott, dem Herren – Pachelbel