December 10 – Messengers of Hope

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ on this, the second Sunday of Advent, 2023. Advent is a season which offers us time to appreciate more deeply God’s gift of “new life in Christ.” Today, we light the candle of Peace.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Of the Father’s Love Begotten

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Jo Ann Moody
One: God gathers us for this time of worship.
All: God claims us and promises us life eternal.
One: God renews people with steadfast love.
All: Trust in God who is our strength and life.
One: Give thanks to God, the source of our salvation.
All: We will sing praises and exalt God’s name!

*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:

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Jo Ann Moody
Loving God, we rejoice with anticipation as we look forward to future ways that you will reveal yourself to the world! May the fullness of your living presence be felt by all who are here today. Fill us with your love, Christ Jesus. We give thanks that you have called us to serve within this faith community to make a difference in your world. God Eternal, equip us to carry out the ministries that you would like us to do. Amen.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH – The Candle of Peace

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 85:1-2, 8-13 — Jo Ann Moody

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

GOD’S WORD — Mark 1:1-8 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus — #187

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

December 5 – Vision of Peace

The season of anticipation continues, as we light the second candle on the Advent wreath. This is the candle of peace. Our congregation, our community, and our world pray for peace on this day.

As we begin worship today, please gather the elements for communion. We celebrate open communion in the United Church of Christ, so all are welcome at our table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Shepherds came, their praises bringing – Walcha

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

*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 the new heav’n and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King.
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – (adapted from Psalm 72)
God of wanderers in the wilderness; we enter this moment of worship expecting that, when we leave this church sanctuary, we will be filled with courage needed to stand as your witnesses in the world. We set foot here on holy ground to feel closer to you, O God. This sacred space offers blessing. Let righteousness flourish. Let peace abound.
From generation to generation, you are God, who does wondrous things! We gather to worship you, in the Spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Peace

*RESPONSE – Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming (Verse 2) – #196

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-spent was the night.

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 3:1-12

SPECIAL MUSIC – Away in the Manger – Cotter

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 11:1-10

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ – worship booklet, p. 64

Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound

Christ is able to make us one,
at his table he set the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION – All are welcome at God’s table.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Make Way – worship booklet, p. 69

Make way, make way, for Christ the King
in splendor arrives.
Fling wide the gates and welcome him
into your lives.

Chorus:
Make way, make way for the
King of kings. Make
way, make way!
and let his kingdom in.

He comes, the broken hearts to heal,
the prisoners to free.
The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance,
the blind shall see. (chorus)

And those who mourn with heavy hearts
who weep and sigh;
with laughter, joy and royal crown
he’ll beautify. (chorus)

We call you now to worship him
as Lord of all,
To have no gods before him
Their thrones must fall. (chorus)

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Dialogue from Magnificat – Dandrieu