April 6 — Something New

We are blessed by the eternal love of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. As the UCC, we rejoice that God loves all people. Let us worship together!

As is our custom at Ivy Chapel, on this first Sunday of April we celebrate communion. All are welcome at God’s table. Please gather the elements before worship so we may partake as one.

WELCOME

PRELUDE

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jan Wirtz
One: We gather in the presence of God.
All: We gather to worship God.
One: We are not meeting by ourselves.
All: We gather with many ancestors.
One: With Moses and Aaron;
All: With Sarah and Abraham;
One: With Mary and Joseph;
All: With women of faith, and with fishermen;
One: With tax collectors – Zacchaeus and Matthew;
All: With converts – Nathaniel, Nicodemus and Paul;
One: With saints of every persuasion, from every generation;
All: Let us declare God’s praises together!

*HYMN — Just As I Am — #387

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou biddest me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot.
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee I find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jan Wirtz
Life-Saving God; above all, you make our spirits soar like no one else! You give us sanctuary from a frightening and exhausting outside world. As Mary did long ago in Bethany, we come to worship you, Blessed Jesus. Our joy in response to all that you gives moves us to offer you our praises.
God, your abundant love changes everything. That’s what happened back when Mary anointed you. Like her, we are grateful beyond words for a chance to be close to you, Jesus. Come alive within us now. Cleanse us; change us; lead us, we pray. 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 — Philippians 3:4b – 14 — Jan Wirtz

SPECIAL MUSIC — Let Us Break Bread — Arr. Kogut

GOD’S WORD — John 12:1 – 8 — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

SERMON — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*HYMN — We Come as Guests Invited — #258

We come as guests invited When Jesus bids us dine,
HIs friends on earth united To share the bread and wine;
The bread of life is broken, The wine is freely poured
For us, in solemn token Of Christ our dying Lord.

We eat and drink, receiving From Christ the grace we need,
An in our hearts believing On Him by faith we feed;
With wonder and thanksgiving For love that knows no end,
We find in Jesus living Our ever-present friend.

One bread is ours for sharing, One single, fruited vine,
Our fellowship declaring Renewed in bread and wine-
Renewed, sustained and given By token, sing and word,
The pledge and seal of heaven, The love of Christ our Lord.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION [A] — Ivy worship booklet, pp. 10-11

*HYMN — Jesus Paid It All — #255

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

For nothing good have I Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. [Refrain]

And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,” My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

*POSTLUDE