California Wildfires 2025 Relief Appeal

On January 7, 2025, wildfire activity began in Los Angeles County, California. Immediate reports indicate that this fire has caused substantial damage throughout LA County, making this event the largest fire disaster in the county’s history. At the time of this writing, nearly 30,000 acres have been consumed by the blazes. One hundred eighty thousand people are currently displaced from their homes due to devastation or evacuation orders, and these fires continue to spread, causing additional destruction.
 
Since the onset of this disaster, the Global HOPE team has communicated with the Southern California and Nevada Conference Minister. The team will coordinate with ecumenical partners and a national network of voluntary organizations active in disasters (VOAD) as it shapes our long-term response.

We received confirmation that the fires destroyed the Altadena Community Church, United Church of Christ. They posted an update on their Facebook page.

The Global HOPE team is helping to connect Southern California and Nevada Conference staff, churches, and others affected by the wildfires with immediate resources while also preparing to support long-term recovery efforts. 

As we continue to pray for and support those who experienced unimaginable loss, we invite you to support the UCC’s recovery efforts in the following ways: 

Donate to the UCC’s California Wildfires 2025 Appeal below. Your gifts will support the community’s immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts as we work with local communities to ensure an equitable approach to their long-term recovery. You can also mail a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO Box 71957, Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “California Wildfires 2025” in the memo section of your check.  Our EIN: 34-1927041 

Pray for those who have been impacted.

               “A Prayer for Those in the Path of Fire” by Rev. Shari Prestemon

“Steadfast God, we watch in horror as fires rage in Southern California, and we pause to raise these humble petitions to you.
For all those forced to evacuate, who leave so much that is precious behind and know not what the future holds, surround them with your gentle presence in these hours of tortured worry and waiting.
For each beloved one who has already realized the unfathomable loss of everything familiar, of homes and schools and places of worship and so much more that was their anchor and community, receive their shock and overwhelming grief and hold them close in love.
For those called out to fight the flames, to rescue and to help, for those tasked with leading through the crisis, for hospitals that receive the wounded, and for all those extending care even while they themselves have suffered loss, grant the capacity to withstand all that overwhelms and wearies.
And in the uncertain days to come, draw near to all who weep and rage as they begin to sift through the rubble and ash left behind. Stir bits of hope amid despair. Lend strength when exhaustion overtakes them. May they be wrapped in a blanket of grace and healing woven by each act of compassion and generosity we now extend.
O God, in your wide and tender mercy, hear our fervent prayers. Amen.”

You may also act by assembling Hygiene Kits and Cleanup Buckets.  After a disaster, one of the biggest requests is for cleanup buckets and hygiene kits. UCC congregations interested in assembling hygiene kits and cleanup buckets are eligible for a matching grant through the Global HOPE office.

Thank you for your assistance in helping families and communities who are in great need in the aftermath of these hurricanes. Your heartfelt support will make a difference.

“A Vision for the Future of Unity and Justice” An Open Pastoral Letter to the United Church of Christ

Today, Leaders of the United Church of Christ have offered a courageous, inspiring Pastoral Letter to the whole UCC Community.  

The letter opens with powerful words of Christ from the Gospel (John 14:27), and the letter concludes with this beautiful prayer:

God of hope and love, you are ever-present with us. We wait patiently for you, knowing that you hear our prayers. The call to do justice is on-going. As governments come and go, we are called to bring healing and care to those in need. This is such a moment. A time when there will be the hungry to feed, the homeless to house, and the widows and orphans who will need our care. This is a time when we will continue to honor the inherent dignity and worth of each of your children. This is a time when the church will be prophetic, calling for truth and for change. Provide your church and all who lead and minister within it hope and healing for the living of these days. Amen.

We encourage you to follow this link and read the letter in its entirety here –
A Pastoral Letter to the United Church of Christ on Unity and Justice

Christmas Choral Offering

Rejoice! 

Here’s exciting news of an upcoming Advent gift! 
An intergenerational vocal ensemble has been rehearsing lovely music which will be part of Sunday, December 15 Worship at Ivy Chapel UCC.  We give thanks to Mike Waller and Valerie Waterman for leading Ivy’s diverse choral group. 
The seasonal piece composed by Joel Raney is entitled “Antiphonal for Advent.” 

Join us December 15 when this Choral Offering will be shared in worship! 
O come, Emmanuel, come!

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

Annual Thanksgiving Worship

Please join us on Sunday November 24^th at 12 noon at St. John’s UCC (15370 Olive Blvd Chesterfield MO 63017) as St. John’s, St. Thomas and Ivy Chapel (the 3 UCC churches in Chesterfield) come together again this year to celebrate Thanksgiving.

We are trying something new and instead of gathering for a traditional service, we will gather around the table to break bread with one another just like the first Thanksgiving!

Please sign up on this  RSVP   form so we can be sure to have plenty of turkey and you can bring your favorite Thanksgiving side or dessert to share.
For more information contact Katie Wilsdorf 636-532-0520

October 13 -‘Imagine Together!’

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.
Alongside of each other, we continue going ahead on this amazing expedition “Imagine Together!”

WELCOME

PRELUDE    Prelude on “Rhosymedre”   – Wolford  

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                    
One:  Incline your ear to God! 
All:  We hope to hear good news. 
One:  Listen, so that you may live!
All:  We hope to have enough to share. 
One:  Imagine together!
All:  We imagine enough at every table. 

HYMN — We Come, O Christ, to You #289

We come, O Christ, to You, true Son of God and man,
By Whom all things consist, in Whom all life began.
In You alone we live and move, 
And have our being in Your love.

You are the Way to God, Your blood our ransom paid;
In You we face our Judge and Maker unafraid.
Before the throne absolved we stand;
Your love has met Your law’s demand.

You are the living Truth! All wisdom dwells in You,
The Source of every skill, The One Eternal True!
O great I AM! in You we rest,
Sure answer to our every quest.

You only are true Life, To know You is to live
The more abundant life That earth can never give.
O risen Lord! We live in You:
In us each day Your life renew!

We worship You, Lord Christ, Our Savior and our King;
To You our youth and strength Adoringly we bring:
So fill our hearts,  that all may view
Your life in us and turn to You!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION    
God of inspiration and grace; sometimes we feel like we are spinning our wheels. Sometimes we feel like we are caught in short-term ups and downs.   At moments, we lose sight of your bigger picture, Dear God.  Remind us that you have always known us and that you know where we are right now.
Holy One, you bring healing to our lives where injuries have hardened our hearts.  You welcome us into community just when we are in danger of feeling isolated and alone. You provide patience and persistence, especially when change takes longer than we have imagined.
Faithful God, comfort us with rest and bless us with renewal this day, while you are giving us sacred glimpses of your amazing Realm to come.  Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE — The Gift of Love  #126
Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

GOD’S WORD –  Isaiah 58:6-14 & Philippians 2:1-5

SPECIAL MUSIC    Thy Word  – Hayes

GOD’S WORD — Matthew 25:31-40 

MESSAGE     Jo Ann Moody                                                                 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH    Pastor Dan 
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

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    Carillon    – Wolford

Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal

The impact of Hurricane Helene is widespread and devastating, as more than 200 people have been confirmed dead, over 1 million people are still without power, and damages are estimated to be over $140 billion. We know of two UCC congregations on Florida’s Gulf Coast whose church buildings suffered significant flood damage, and another building that experienced structural damage from high winds. We continue to be in touch with our Southern, Southeast, and Florida Conferences as they work to contact local congregations and become aware of their needs.

The United Church of Christ has a long history of supporting communities as they recover from disaster well after their plight fades from the headlines. As we continue to pray for and respond to those who have experienced unimaginable loss this past week, please consider a gift to the Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal. Your gifts matter. This is something you can do to help alleviate suffering, rebuild homes, and restore communities. Your gifts will make a difference to those who are struggling during these difficult times and enable needed assistance as we stand with impacted communities in the years ahead. Thank you for your generosity.

Donations can be made by clicking here or sent to:
United Church of Christ
P.O. Box 71957, Cleveland
OH 44194. 
Please be sure to note “Hurricane Helene” on your  check’s Memo Line.

September 29 – ‘Imagine Together!’

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.

A heart-felt welcome to our guest witnessing steward, the Rev. Doni Driemeier-Showers. We are blessed that Doni is offering a personal faith message during worship today as our congregation sets out together on our autumn stewardship pilgrimage.

Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall following worship for a special reception in celebration of and in thanksgiving for the ministry of our worship musician Bob Meinz.
Thank you so much, Bob, for your good-natured, extended service providing worship leadership among us!

WELCOME

PRELUDE –  Lord, I Want to Be a Christian   — arr. John Carter                  

*CALL TO WORSHIP  (Psalm 146, UCC Worship Ways adapted)    –  John Weiland 
One-Blessed are those whose hope is in God, the Maker of heaven and earth –
 ALL-for God keeps faith forever!
One-God executes justice for the oppressed and gives food for the hungry.
 ALL-God sets the prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind!
One-God lifts up those who are bowed down.
ALL-God watches over the strangers and upholds the orphan and the widow.  
One-People of God, sing praises to the One who is your help –
 ALL-for God keeps faith forever!

*HYMN- Come, Christians, Join to Sing  #70

Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, Before his throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high, Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend, To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end: Alleluia! Amen!

Praise yet our Christ again; Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore, His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore, “Alleluia! Amen!”

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – John Weiland  

 God Eternal, you have gathered us together. We are here to praise you! As recipients of your blessings, we are inspired by you to become givers!  May we lavish your grace and your compassion on all people.  
 Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on us. During this time of worship, teach us your ways, Christ Jesus. Lead us to continue learning and growing in faithfulness to you. We pray in your holy name, Jesus.  Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – To Be God’s People #121

Almighty Father give us a vision
of a dying world that needs Your love and care.
We see the need, the yearning for a Savior,
In Jesus’ name, grant this our prayer.

Refrain:
To be God’s people in this place,
live His goodness, share His grace,
Proclaim God’s mercy through His Son
be His love, to every one.  

And when we falter, be Thou our comfort. 
Guide us as Your children that our lives may be
A beacon in this darkness that surrounds us,
A light that others then may see.

Refrain:

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 13 – John Weiland

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND TRANSFORMATION    Pastor Dan

We confess, O God, that the burdens which weigh us down also narrow our vision.  Fear of scarcity makes us focus on our own survival.  We regard strangers with suspicion, and we find it difficult to share.  We speak words that we regret, and we keep silent when we need to speak. Weariness and discouragement sap our energy and our faith.
We wonder how there could be good news that is not of our own making.   We, whom you call to be an Easter people, are in need of resurrection.  Amen.

 WORDS OF GOD’S LOVE AND ASSURANCE    Pastor Dan
In the person of Jesus,
God invites us to discover the freedom and new life that God offers:
God’s forgiveness heals us.
God’s grace dispels our weariness and discouragement.
God’s love clears our vision.
God’s compassion lifts our burdens. 
Thanks be to God!  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC – As the Deer  

GOD’S WORD  – John 11

SERMON – Rev. Driemeier-Showers                   

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH –  Rev. Driemeier-Showers            
Pastoral Prayer concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)

*HYMN – Live Into Hope – worship booklet, p. 65

Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
Th’ oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God’s own jubilee!

Live into hope! The blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear,
A vision of our God brought near.

Live into hope of liberty,
The right to speak, the right to be,
The right to have one’s daily bread,
To hear God’s word and thus be fed.

Live into hope of captives freed,
From chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release
To faith and hope and joy and peace.

*BENEDICTION –  Rev. Driemeier-Showers

*POSTLUDE – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee  — arr. Matt Limbaugh

Fall BBQ Sept 28th, 2024

Ivy’s Annual BBQ fundraiser on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 28th 4:30-7pm.
Stop by to get a full meal without having to cook yourself-what a deal!
Meals are:
$10 for adult meals (Choose 1 main, 2 sides, 1 dessert)
$5 for kid meals (Comes with a hot dog & chips and choice of 1 dessert)
Find out about the meal details here.
Click here to purchase tickets.

Edgy

“When you reap the harvest of your land, don’t reap the corners of your field or gather the gleanings. Leave them for the poor and alien. I am God, your God.” – Leviticus 23:22 (MSG)

At the small scrappy city church I used to serve, nobody wanted to mow the lawn, and we couldn’t afford a landscaping company. We made a creative decision: we’d tear it up and plant a garden instead.

At the front, near the sidewalk, we planted a peach tree. In Boston. Probably at the wrong time of year. We didn’t spray it; we didn’t prune it. We added a wonky bench next to it, and a sign that invited people to snack from our garden.

Against all odds, the peach tree thrived. It produced a dozen, then several dozen, then hundreds of peaches with each passing season.

Commuting pedestrians who would never dare enter a Christian church would soften their stance and step gingerly onto this sacred ground. Snag a peach and put it in their pocket. Eat a few cherry tomatoes in season, or snip some herbs. Sit on the bench, sometimes just look around at the world going by instead of at their phones, an endless stream of bad news.

Ecologists teach that edge habitat—where human ecosystems bump wild ones—is especially fertile, attracting and nourishing all kinds of wildlife.

What would it mean to cultivate edge habitat in our hearts? To keep soft boundaries, to leave our outer edge fruitful, and let the poor in spirit and those alienated from community rest there and be nourished? God can take a scanty harvest and make it an ample Eden, with our willingness.

PRAYER
Holy One, the world leaves us all on edge. Make us edgy in other ways, as we welcome more people into the sacred ground of our hearts.

Rev. Molly Baskette
Find this post and others at the UCC Daily Devotional, (which can be delivered right to your inbox! ).

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