February 16 — Surprising Teaching

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. God loves all people. You are welcome here. All people are welcome and affirmed here.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — How Long Has It Been — Lister

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Jim French
One: Rejoice, people of God!
All: We have been given this opportunity to worship God today!
One: God has gathered us here.
All: We are God’s people.
One: God joins us together as many parts of one body.
All: God shapes us into the one Body of Christ.
One: God is calling on us to bring good news to all people.
All: Let us tell everyone about the wonderful love of our Savior!

*HYMN — Live Into Hope — Ivy Worship booklet 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.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Jim French
God of universal love, we gather to offer you our praises. You are fully alive throughout the world! Open our hearts to receive you, we pray. Free us to trust your call and to follow you, Blessed Savior. Fill us to overflowing with your grace, so that we offer blessing and love to all people. This means everyone everywhere! You are our refuge and our strength. Christ Jesus, your Spirit is alive within us, guiding us to join you in your ministries of mercy and compassion. Amen.

*RESPONSE — God is So Good — #616

God is so good, God is so good,
God is so good, He’s so good to me.

He cares for me, He cares for me,
He cares for me, He’s so good to me.

I’ll do His will, I’ll do His will,
I’ll do His will, He’s so good to me.

He loves me so, He loves me so,
He loves me so, He’s so good to me.

GOD’S WORD — Jeremiah 17:5-10

SPECIAL MUSIC — On Eagle’s Wings — Joncas

GOD’S WORD — Luke 6:17-26 — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

SERMON — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

*HYMN — Be Not Afraid — Ivy Worship booklet pp. 30-31

You shall cross the barren desert but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.

Refrain
Be not afraid. I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side,
know that I am with you through it all.
Refrain

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me,
Blessed, blessed are you!
Refrain

BENEDICTION — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

*POSTLUDE

January 29 – Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are glad to have you worshipping with us today. Visit our YouTube page to view past services. This page will be updated with today’s service once worship begins.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Toccata – Krieger

*CALL TO WORSHIP

One: What a joy it is giving thanks to God!
All: Drawn together by the Spirit, we offer Christ our praises!
One: Christ teaches us that we are blessed.
All: Again and again, God renews people!
One: God’s tender mercies are new every morning.
All: May we keep learning to be givers of God’s extravagant grace.

*HYMN – I Would Be True – #432

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

I would be learning day by day the lessons
My heav’n-ly Father gives me in His Word;
I would be quick to hear His lightest whisper,
And prompt and glad to do the things I’ve heard;
And prompt and glad to do the things I’ve heard.

I would be prayerful through each busy moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be tuned to hear His slightest whisper,
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of grace and majesty, we gather to worship you. We see you in the morning sunlight streaming down from above.

Creator of all living things, you are with us today, shining like the sun and promising tomorrows overflowing with blessings.

God of justice and kindness; you frequently turn the world upside down, calling us to follow you toward new horizons, new actions, new challenges! When we grow tired or feel disappointed, remind us that you can bring change and hope out of even the most difficult situations. Lead us, we pray, to live faithfully as your children of compassion – doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with you. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – This Is the Day – #84

This is the day, this is the day.
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice,
And be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day
That the Lord has made.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody

*HYMN – Thy Word (Verses 1 and 2) – #178

Chorus:
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear as long as You are near.
Please be near me to the end.

Chorus

I will not forget Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide and hold me to your side;
And I will love You to the end.

Chorus

GOD’S WORD – Micah 6:1-8

SPECIAL MUSIC – How Beautiful – Hayes

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 5:1-12

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – O Jesus, I Have Promised – #466

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near:
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear.
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus,Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be.
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ – Walcha