December 1 — Sign of Things to Come

Advent begins! May the world accept God’s gift of “new life in Christ.”

Today, as we light the candle of hope, we are also celebrating open communion. If you are worshipping with us from home, please ready the elements before worship so we may gather together at God’s table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — O Little Town of Bethlehem — Livingston

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Sue Wilson
One: In the wilderness, blaze a trail for God.
All: Every valley will be raised up.
One: Every mountain will be made low.
All: And the glory of God will be revealed among us!

*HYMNS — Hark! The Herald Angels Sing — #191

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. [Refrain]

Angels We Have Heard on High — #206

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains:

Refrain:
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav’n and earth!
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior’s birth. [Refrain]

Go, Tell It on the Mountain — #216

Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching O’r silent flocs by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens There shone a holy light. Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled When, Lo! Above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain

Down in a lowly manger Our humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation That blessed Christmas morn. Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Sue Wilson
Ever-present God, your promises are being fulfilled among us, moment by moment. At this time of year, as the hours of daylight grow shorter and as the dark nights lengthen, we value light more than ever!

God of Light, help us to turn away from evil and toward you as we begin this Advent Season. We pray that you will fill us with fresh expectation. Teach us again that this season is a time to watch, not for things that already have happened, but to watch for astonishing, new things that have not yet taken place. Come, Christ Jesus. This world needs you now. Guide us. May we watch closely for what you are about to do next. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH — The Candle of Hope

*RESPONSE — Emmanuel — #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

God with us, revealed in us;
His name is called Emmanuel.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Dottie Foster

*HYMN — O Christmas Tree — #221

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your branches are uplifted.
You seem to say that on this day our world’s supremely gifted
The shining of your candles bright, reminds us Light has come tonight.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

Oh Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you shine like stars above us;
And with your beauty silent say, “How greatly God must love us!”
You show us Him who with God’s face, brought to our hearts the gift of grace.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, in plainness you were growing
Until we came and brought you here and set your branches glowing.
Your living beauty helps us see how clothed with Christ our lives can be.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, you lift our eyes to heaven.

GOD’S WORD — Jeremiah 33:14-16 — Sue Wilson

SPECIAL MUSIC —Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming — Cotter

GOD’S WORD — Luke 21:5-9, 25-36 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — How Beautiful —worship booklet, p. 50

How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful
Is the body of Christ

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome to share in the Sacrament at Christ’s Table.
Cups in the outside ring on the communion tray contain grape juice. All other cups contain wine.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING —Pastor Dan

*HYMN — We Will Glorify — #35

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

*BENEDICTION —Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Lift Up Your Heads, You Mighty Gates — Held

November 24 — A Wise Reign

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. Let us faithfully follow Christ so that all people may receive from God’s overflowing cup and discover the fullness of joy Christ brings. A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

WELCOME

PRELUDE —Sarabande — Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Pat Winship
One: In the midst of difficulty, God sets a table of rejoicing for us.
All: Though the world seems focused on turmoil, yet we will praise God!
One: We are called to live as witnesses to God’s goodness and power.
All: Our hearts are created to offer compassion to all people.
One: May we live as God’s servants and witnesses in the world.
All: Let us be faithful and strong for God.

*HYMN — Let All Things Now Living — worship booklet, pp. 60-61

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God’ banners are o’er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.

His law he enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!”

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Pat Winship
Holy God, your boundless grace humbles us. Your attentive, loving care takes our breath away. The winds blow, the waters flow, and the sun shines. All creation declares your majesty, Astonishing God! In you, we live and move and have our being. May your eternal love be made known through our words and our actions. In the countryside and on city streets, you reign supreme. From deepest valleys and from highest heights, forever will we proclaim your goodness.
This morning, Ever-Alive God, we come to you in thanksgiving for your gift of a phenomenal homeland—a land whose harvest feeds us and has the potential for feeding all the world. We come to you in thanksgiving for your gift of faith — a faith dearly experienced here in this sacred place. Above all, we come to you in thanksgiving for the gift of your abundant love, Christ Jesus. We rejoice that you are with us as we worship you! Amen.

*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.

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 — Psalm 93 — Pat Winship

SPECIAL MUSIC — O God Beyond All Praising — Tate

GOD’S WORD — Revelation 1:4b-8 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*STATEMENT OF FAITH — UCC Statement of Faith — worship booklet, p. 4

*HYMN — Our God Reigns — #290

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news, good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — The Heavens Declare — Marcello

November 17 — Praise the Holy One

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are honored to have you with us today.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Melodie — Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Works of God are all around us!
All: Praise God for the beauty of the earth!
One: May we live as faithful disciples – always seeking to please God!
All: We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
One: At the name of Jesus, let every knee bow.
All: Let every tongue proclaim, “Jesus Christ is Savior!”
One: Have faith. God provides.
All: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

*HYMN — Praise to the Lord, the Almighty — #10

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Eternal and Everlasting God, our time is finite and precious. Help us to be present in each moment and to value our days. Give us a heart to pursue beauty, glory, and justice for your name’s sake. Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, we call upon your power to make all things new. At times, we have compromised your good news. We have been satisfied with a faith that conforms to the world rather than one that challenges systems and ways of the world. Reign over our lives and move within our hearts, we pray. Open our spirits to declare your praise and glory. We seek your face, your voice, and your power in this gathering. Amen.

*PRAISE 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”

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE — Jo Ann Moody

*HYMN — You Are My All in All — worship booklet, p. 99

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 16

SPECIAL MUSIC — Deep Within — Tate

GOD’S WORD – 1 Samuel 1:1, 3-20

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — Immortal, Invisible — #12

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render, O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Toccata in A Minor — Sweelinck

November 10th-Risk and Retribution

 PRELUDE   Chorale Prelude Nun Bitten Wir  – Buxtehude

*CALL TO WORSHIP  — Sue Wilson
 One:  Come, all who are anxious or exhausted. 
All:  Come, all who are encouraged or discouraged
One:  God welcomes you.
All:  This is the house of God
One:  God is here to greet you and to love you.
All:  This is holy ground.
One:  The Spirit of Christ brings people together.
All:  The Spirit of Christ gathers us.

*HYMN     Be Thou My Vision  #400
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by or by night,
Waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee  and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only the first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION   —   Sue Wilson    
Christ our Savior; out of pure love you set people free.  We worship you because of who you are.
God, you give fully.  To all the world, you give of yourself   –   Living Word,   Living Bread,   Living Water,   Living Spirit.   We long to give of ourselves as completely as you do, Christ Jesus.  We are here now to learn of you, so that we may grow in faithfulness.  Today, with humility and gratitude, we come to give you all that we have.
  Living Savior, breathe on us, we pray.  Take our lives and continue shaping us into the human beings you would like us to be.  Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE     Jesus, Jesus, Lord to Me #330
Jesus, Jesus, Lord to me;
Master, Savior, Prince of Peace;
Ruler of my heart today;
Jesus, Lord to me.

GOD’S WORD    Psalm 146 — Sue Wilson  

SPECIAL MUSIC   Deep River – Wolaver 

GOD’S WORD   Ruth 3:1-5 and 4:13-17  — Pastor Dan  

SERMON      Pastor Dan    

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE      Pastor Dan
Pastoral Prayer and the Prayer of Jesus (debts… debtors)

*HYMN       I Surrender All  #408
All to Jesus I surrender, 
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, 
In His presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender, 
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now. Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me,
May I now Thy pow’r divine. Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me. Refrain

*BENEDICTION    Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE   Prelude in A Minor – Marcello

November 3 — Wherever You Go — Totenfest

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are commemorating All Saints’ Day in worship this morning, offering God thanks and praise for our loved ones who have passed on to life eternal during the past year.

May Living God be with all of God’s people throughout the world and throughout the United States of America during this highly significant national election.

As our United Church of Christ denomination has been encouraging us for many months, let us VOTE with LOVE.

(Note that thanks to a YouTube glitch, this video has the wrong title. But it’s from Nov. 3)

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Lied — Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jan Wirtz
One: Come; behold the goodness of God!
All: God is gathering us together here on holy ground.
One: Come; accept God’s invitation.
All: At this sacred altar, God offers everyone Christ’s grace.
One: Come; open up all of your senses.
All: As we worship, may we learn to love as Christ loves.

*HYMN — They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love — #119

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love

All praise to the Father from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jan Wirtz
God of everlasting life; we worship you! God of abundant blessing; out of pure love, you set people free! We praise you as an Uplifting and Faithful God. All people are in your care, and you are alive among us! As our nation’s election day draws near; we bring to you, Loving God, our anxieties and our fears concerning the way that these voting results may enormously impact large numbers of human lives. Breathe upon us and fill us with your peace which will endure whatever the outcome of this election. Dear God, hold us together as your Beloved Community supported by Christ’s love.
We come now seeking your guidance, God. Reveal to us ways that we may faithfully offer people support and blessing. In your life, Christ Jesus, we see unselfishness and kindness that we want to emulate. Guide us to follow you by offering genuine love and care to all. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE — I Love You, Lord — #228

I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You;
O my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, my King, in what You hear;
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

GOD’S WORD — Ruth 1:1-18 — Jan Wirtz

TOTENTEST — Thanksgiving for Loved Ones

SPECIAL MUSIC — The Old Rugged Cross — Wolaver

GOD’S WORD — Mark 12:38-44 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — One Bread, One Body — worship booklet, pp. 72-73

Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain

2 Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain

3 Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate open communion, for we believe Christ’s Table is open to all people. All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at this communion table.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — I Sing a Song of the Saints of God worship booklet, pp. 52-53

I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green:
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and God’s love made them strong;
and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake,
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:
and there’s not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn’t be one too.

They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,
in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
for the saints of God are just folk like me,
and I mean to be one too.

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Trumpet in Dialogue — Clerambault