Dec. 12 Livestream – Look forward

On this, the third Sunday of Advent, we don’t need to be reminded to look forward. We’re already doing it, looking ahead to Christmas and the miraculous birth. Let us take this moment and pause, and remember the joy God’s love brings to the world.

WELCOME

 PRELUDE – Offertory – Purvis 

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP                                                                            

    One:  Be glad, children of God!

    All:   Our Savior Jesus Christ offers love to all the world!

    One:  Sing praises to God, the Holy One, who brings light and life! 

    All:   God lights our way!   

    One:  God lifts our spirits!

    All:   Glory to God for the biggest gift of all –  Jesus Christ!

*HYMN – Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – #187    

*OPENING PRAYER                                                         

    God Emmanuel; open our hearts to receive you Life in the fast lane does have its rewards But earthly rewards alone do not offer fulfillment The frenzy of the outside world leaves us exhausted So we gather this day seeking you, God of â€˜perpetually-arriving’ light!  We praise and adore you May we celebrate your overflowing gifts by living as joyful witnesses to your love We pray in your name, Christ Jesus Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Joy                                                          

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER 

         Gracious God, as we continue our Advent journey, we ask that you open our eyes to the beauty and goodness around us, and fill our hearts with grateful joyRemind us that Christ is our light and the source of all joy, and that we are here to serve you and to spread this joy to others Amen.

 CONGREGATION SINGS – When God Is a Child (Verse 3) – worship booklet, p95

 GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 12:2-6 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC                  

GOD’S WORD – Luke 1:26-38 – Pastor Dan    

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee –#13

*SENDING OUT – God sends us to freely offer Christ’s grace and joy to all! – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – A Joyous Carol – Roques

Dec. 5 Livestream – Make Ready

This is the second Sunday of Advent, our second step toward the Promise of Christmas. The second step toward finding the quiet, calm and peace that comes from knowing God is in control. We are glad you are with us today.

 WELCOME

 PRELUDE – In Bethlehem’s Low Stable – Walcha 

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP                                                                            

     One:  The days are surely coming, says our God, when justice and righteousness will appear.

     All:  God’s promises will be made known to us.

     One:  We will declare God’s goodness and salvation.

     All:  From now on, we will seek to walk in God’s ways. 

*HYMN – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #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! Emanuel
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

*OPENING PRAYER                                                         

          God Emmanuel; we long for your peace, and we trust in your promises. We hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives, and to receive you as our Savior.

          Eternal God, you are our righteousness.  Come now; meet us here.  Fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace.  May this time of worship move us to take action working toward your dream of wholeness for all creation.  We pray in your name, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of God’s Peace

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER 

         Gracious God, as we continue our Advent journey, we thank you for sending the Prince of Peace into a world filled with unrest and strife. We ask that you quiet our restless hearts and instill in each of us the calm assurance that tells us you are in control so we need not worry. Give us the tools we need to serve as you would have us serve, and make us willing instruments of your peace.  Amen.

 CONGREGATION SINGS – When God Is a Child (Verse 2) – worship booklet, p. 95

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving us promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child there’s join in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
And none shall be afraid.

 GOD’S WORD – Micah 5:2-5a – Pastor Dan

 SPECIAL MUSIC – Go, Tell It on the Mountain – Hayes 

 GOD’S WORD – Luke 3:1-6 – Pastor Dan    

 SERMON – Pastor Dan

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Jesus, Lord to Me – #330

Jesus, Jesus, Lord to me;
Master, Savior, Prince of Peace;
Ruler of my heart today;
Jesus, Lord to me.

 CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYERS – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Like a River Glorious – #451

Like a river glorious Is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious In its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it growth Deeper all the way.

REFRAIN
Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;
Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry Touch the spirit there.

REFRAIN

Every joy or trial Falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial By the Son of Love.
We may trust Him fully All for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.

REFRAIN

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world. – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Angels We Have Heard on High – Turner

CCLI License #456361

2014 Craft and Vendor Fair: Nov. 21

Ready to get a jump on your holiday shopping? Come to the Ivy Chapel Craft & Vendor Fair, Friday, Nov. 21, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

And… do you have a hobby or talent you’d like to share with the world? Sign up for a booth, and sell your wares right here at Ivy Chapel.

 

Advent 2013 events with Ivy Chapel

All are welcome to celebrate Advent and Christmas with Ivy Chapel as we get ready for the birth of our Savior!

Here’s what’s happening:

Sunday, December 1, 10 am: Hanging of the Greens Worship, followed by a soup and bread lunch.
After lunch, the kids will head downstairs to make gifts for their families, while the adults and older kids will bake cookies upstairs.

Sunday, December 8, 10 am: Christmas Cantata
Performed by our Chancel Choir and other talented members of the congregation

Sunday, December 15, 6:30 pm: Advent Storytelling
Join us in the Ivy Chapel sanctuary for storytelling by candlelight. Afterwards, we’ll head into Fellowship hall for refreshments. All ages are welcome at this fun event.

Sunday, December 22, 10am: Children’s Christmas Pageant

Tuesday, December 24, 11 pm: Christmas Eve candlelight service

Questions? Send us an email or contact the church office at (314) 434-4991. We hope to see you soon.

Sell your wares at the 2013 Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair

The Second Annual Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair is November 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. – and we need your help. We’re looking for crafters, bakers, builders & sellers of all kinds to join us in kicking off the Christmas season. It’s a chance to give your new, growing or established business some great exposure, and, of course, to have some fun doing it.

We ask that you reserve your space early–last year our spaces sold out. The registration fee is $30 for a 6 ft. table, and $35 for an 8 footer.

Fill out the registration form and mail it to Ivy Chapel Vendor Fair, 620 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63017.

Have questions? Drop us a line and we’ll fill you in on the details.

Getting ready for Christmas

The Christmas season is upon us… and here at Ivy Chapel, we have several events for the entire family to get ready for Christ’s arrival in the world. Are you ready?

Hanging of the Greens. Sunday, December 2

Each year, we take a Sunday to decorate the church – and then celebrate with a Potluck Soup and Bread lunch. Sign up in the Narthex, or email us to sign up.

Santa’s Workshop and Cookie Baking

After lunch, the young ones among us will have the chance to make some special gifts for their loved ones. And while they’re hard at work, talented elves will make cookies in the kitchen. To RSVP for Santa’s Workshop or to bake cookies, drop us a line or call the Ivy Chapel office at 314-434-4991.

Christmas Cantata, Sunday, December 9

Our Chancel and Youth choirs have been hard at work for months preparing a special celebration of the season. Join us for this uplifting Ivy Chapel musical tradition.

Advent Family Storytelling, Sunday, December 16. 6:30p

Join us in the Ivy Chapel sanctuary for a family-oriented, Christmas-themed storytelling hour. We’ll bring our favorite books, stories and share them with the group. Afterwards, we’ll move to Fellowship Hall for refreshments. Want to join us? Let us know and we’ll save you a seat.

Children’s Christmas Pageant, Sunday, December 23

Christmas is close – do you believe it? Come during worship to see our youth find a unique way to tell the Christmas story.

 

Would you like to learn more about Ivy Chapel’s youth programs? Call our office at 314-434-4991 or send us an e-mail with your questions.

Ivy brightens Christmas for area families

A big thank you to all of the member of Ivy Chapel who gave gifts, money and grocery bags that were given to Joint Neighborhood Ministry for the annual “Adopt a Family” program. This year, our congregation adopted five families, a total of nineteen people. On Sunday, December 13, we loaded three vans packed with gifts and groceries – including four bikes and a tricycle.

The pink grocery bag fundraisers also netted a check to JNM for $81.

The mitten tree — an Ivy tradition — overflowed this year with mittens, hats and scarves, which were divided between JNM and Circle of Concern. Both of these organizations said how much these items were needed, especially this year.

Your generosity made Christmas brighter for many families in our area! Thank you!

Celebrate the Christmas season with Ivy Chapel

The Christmas season is an exciting, joyful, faithful journey at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ for adults and children alike. We have a lot of opportunities for you to celebrate with us. Everyone is welcome! Check the calendar page for complete details on all of the upcoming events at Ivy Chapel. If you have any questions or would like more information you can contact us via e-mail or at (314) 434-4991.

Sunday, November 29: First Sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 6: Second Sunday in Advent, Hanging of the Greens and Santa’s Workshop

Sunday, December 13: Third Sunday in Advent, Worship with Cantata by the Chancel Choir. 6:30 p.m. Advent Storytelling

Sunday, December 20: Children’s Christmas Pageant

Thursday, December 24: 6:30 p.m. Family worship, 11 p.m. Candlelight service

From all of us at Ivy Chapel, may the blessings of the season be upon you. We hope you’ll join us in anticipation as we celebrate the coming birth of Jesus Christ.

Bring the kids to Santa’s Workshop Dec. 6

Ivy Chapel kids can participate in Santa’s Worskhop December 6 after worship. Just fill out the  SIGN UP Form and give it to Shannon Farrell or Erin Lowry. Parents or Jr./Sr. youth can also use this form to sign up as a helper. Click on SIGN UP Form to find out more. Questions? E-mail the church office.