December 22 — Moving with Mary’s Song

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Faith’s journey to Bethlehem continues. Today, we light the fourth candle on the Advent wreath, the candle of love.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Lo, How a Rose In the Bleak Midwinter — Kathryn Kuntzman, Cello

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Julie McAllister
One: Love deeply, creating foundations for relationships.
All: For in the Body of Christ, all belong.
One: Love joyfully, like carefree songs of the wind.
All: For in the Body of Christ, all share connections.
One: Love boldly, like vibrant colors of a rainbow,
All: For in the Body of Christ, all discover harmony.
One: We come to share in final preparations for the approaching
celebration of Christ’s holy birth.
All: Soon the Church will gather on the night our Dear Savior’s Birth.

*HYMN — O Come, All Ye Faithful — #188

O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him,
born the King of angels.

Refrain:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!

God from true God, and
Light of Light begotten,
Lo , He abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest: [Refrain]

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION (based on Psalm 80) — Julie McAllister
God of love – holy love, self-giving love, unconditional love, total love; we gather here with gratitude for the ways your love lifts people up from the bleakest circumstances and guides people into your marvelous light! We know of your goodness, and we are in awe of your acts of healing and mercy.
Emmanuel, you shape this world through your unmatched strength and compassion. You help us recline and relax in green pastures. You lead us to refreshing shores beside still waters. You restore our souls.
Eternal Shepherd and Savior, we offer you our heartfelt gratitude for your abundant blessings. Forever we will praise you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH —The Candle of Love

*RESPONSE — Emmanuel — #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

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

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 146:1-10 — Julie McAllister

SPECIAL MUSIC — Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus — Kathryn Kuntzman, Cello

GOD’S WORD — Luke 1:39-55 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PRAYER OF JESUS — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — The Voice of God Is Calling — worship book, p. 90

The voice of God is calling to women and to men;
The voice once heard in Zion, resounds on earth again:
Whom shall I send to succor my people in their need?
Whom shall I send to loosen the bonds of shame and greed?

I hear my people crying in slum and mine and mill;
No field or mart is silent, no city street is still.
I see my people falling in darkness and despair.
Whom shall I send to shatter the fetters which they bear?

We heed, O God, your summons, and answer: Here are we!
Send us upon your errand; let us your servants be.
Our strength is dust and ashes, our years a passing hour,
But you can use our weakness to magnify your power.

From ease and plenty save us; from pride of place absolve;
Purge us of low desire; lift us to high resolve;
Take us, and make us hoy; teach us your will and way.
Speak, and, be hold! We answer; command, and we obey!

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Toccata on Regent Square — Smith

December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Merry Christmas to all from Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ!

Please join the livestream at 10 a.m. Sunday on our YouTube channel. This page will be updated with a link to the recorded service later in the day.

PRELUDE – God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Sue Wilson
One: It’s Christmas Eve! Let’s rejoice!
All: God Emmanuel is coming.
One: Soon it will be the night of our Dear Savior’s birth.
All: God will appear in an astonishing way!
One: God will come to earth as a newborn baby.
All: Christ will come to life as a human being – Jesus, born of Mary.
One: The Holy Child is God’s Promised Messiah.
All: Glory to God in the highest!
One: Peace on earth.
All: Christ is born.

*HYMN – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – #199

It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE BIRTH OF CHRIST (in unison)
God Emmanuel, candlelight is an ideal symbol of your love. You are reliable as a steadily burning candle flame. Your light overcomes darkness, God. As a candle gives light in the darkness, you offer light to all people. You are the Savior of the whole world! You do this by becoming a human being, Jesus of Nazareth. People all over the world rejoice at Christmas, celebrating your birth as the Christ Child. For generations, people have marveled over this miracle, and your human birth will amaze people forever. We worship you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

RESPONSE – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – #211

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for HIs bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing;
Christ the Babe is Lord of all, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigils till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, great the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you, Christ the Babe was born for you.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN – Away in a Manger – #213

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

READINGS

SPECIAL MUSIC – All Is Well (arr. Larson) – Valerie Waterman, Soloist

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We rejoice to celebrate Open Communion as the United Church of Christ!
All who desire to receive the bread and the cup are welcome.
Cups in the outer ring on each communion tray contain grape juice. Other cups contain wine.

The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring of the Cup

The Sharing of the Bread and the Cup

*The Prayer of Thanksgiving (in unison)
God Emmanuel, you are the One whom our very souls adore. Thank you, Christ Jesus, for bringing us together to celebrate your birth. You became a human being in order to get through to us, and we are astounded by your ingenuity. Jesus, we are grateful to you for welcoming us as guests at your table. Each time we accept your invitation, we are blessed. Receiving the bread and the cup from you fills us with hope eternal.
Christ Jesus, may our lives freely and joyously offer to all the world the grace which we receive from you. Amen.

*SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

*HYMN – Silent Night – #189

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

*POSTLUDE – What Child Is This?

December 18 – God with us

We are closer than ever to the Birth of Christ. Today, we celebrate with special music and light the fourth candle on the Advent Wreath, the Candle of Love.

Please join us in-person or online for our 5 p.m. Christmas Eve service, and at 10 a.m. Christmas Day for the celebration worship marking the Birth of Jesus.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – I Wonder As I Wander (John Jacob Niles) – Marsha Fix, Vocalist

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: We come seeking a sign from God, the Creator of all life.
All: God heals those who are injured.
One: We come to worship God, the One who loves and takes cares of us.
All: God mends those who are broken.
One: We come to share in final preparations for the approaching celebration
of the birth of Christ.
All: Soon God’s Church will gather on the night our Dear Savior’s Birth.

*HYMN – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Verses 1,2,3 and 4) – #186

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Refrain:

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!
Refrain:

O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Refrain:

O come, Messiah, come again,
And rid the world of death and sin.
Return, thou risen Saviour and King,
That heav’n and earth at last may sing.
Rejoice, rejoice; Emanuel
Has come to thee, O Israel!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Inspired by Psalm 80
God of love – holy love, self-giving love, unconditional love, total love; we gather here now with gratitude for the ways your love lifts us up from the bleakest circumstances and into your marvelous light! We know of your goodness, and we are in awe of your acts of healing and mercy.
Emmanuel, you stir up this world through your unmatched strength and compassion. You help us recline and relax in green pastures. You lead us to refreshing shores beside still waters. You restore our souls.
Eternal Shepherd and Savior, we offer you our profound gratitude for your abundant blessings. Forever we will praise you, Christ Jesus. Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Love

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Emmanuel – #185

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel;

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

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 7:10-16

SPECIAL MUSIC – Rose of Sharon (Larson) – Ivy Chapel Vocal Ensemble

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 1:18-25

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – 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”

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel. [Refrain]

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]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Good Christian Friends, Rejoice – L. Smith