Shouts of Joy! Dec. 13 Cantata Livestream
December 13, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
2020 has been quite a year. Let’s pause for a moment during this Season of Advent and find the joy! Our 2020 Christmas Cantata features treasured memories from our congregation.
Prelude: “He Is Lord†and “O Come, All Ye Faithful†– Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta
Responsive Call to Worship & Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: The Savior of the world is Jesus Christ!
All: Make a joyful noise to God!
One: Our God is a God of great joy!
All: Rely on God, who is our refuge and strength.
One: Give thanks to God, who is our salvation.
All: We will sing praises to God’s name!
One: Let us pray.
All: God of great joy, we rejoice with anticipation as we look forward to future ways that you will reveal yourself among us. May all people perceive your Spirit living within us, and may all people celebrate this blessing! Strengthen us for your loving service. We give thanks that you are calling us to be your followers and to live in ways that make life-giving differences in your world. Lead us to carry out the caring ministries that you are inviting us to offer, Christ Jesus. Amen.
HYMN: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee‖ #13
1. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
2. All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee.
3. Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever Blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother – All who live in love are Thine,
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.
4. Mortals join the mighty chorus Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life.
Children’s Message – Liz Schurwan
Prayers of the People concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors) – Pastor Dan
Lighting the Advent Wreath – Pastor Dan: The Candle of Joy
Praise Response – “When God Is a Child†p. 95, worship booklet
Verse 3 ONLY
3. Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, Telling the world that the Savior is born
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first
and the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
“Shouts of Joy: A Christmas Concert for 2020â€
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Psalm 98:1, 4
HYMN – “Joy to the World†#194
- Joy to the world the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing. And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make HIs blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.
4. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of HIs love, and wonders, and wonders, of His love.
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – John 3:16-17 – Galatians 4:4-5
“He Is Born†– Julie McAllister and Anna DiVesta, Piano and Organ
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Psalm 125:1-2 – Isaiah 40:9 – Isaiah 52:7
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain†– Anna DiVesta, Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 7:13-14 – Luke 2:16-19
“Breath of Heaven†– Sue Wilson, Vocalist
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 9:6
“Mary, Did You Know?†– Aaron DiVesta and Anna DiVesta, Saxophone and Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 60:4-6 – Matthew 2:1, 9-11
HYMN – “We Three Kings†#220
1. We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we travers afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
REFRAIN
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
REFRAIN
3. Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
REFRAIN
4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
REFRAIN
5. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia, Peals through the earth and skies.
REFRAIN
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-7, 9
“Carol of the Drum†(The Little Drummer Boy) – Anna DiVesta, Piano
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – Amos 5:24 – Revelation 19:5-7a, 11, 16
“O Holy Night†– Marsha Fix, Vocalist
A Treasured Memory
Holy Scripture – John 1:3-5 – Luke 2:9-11
“Silent Nightâ€
Benediction – Anna DiVesta
Postlude – Anna DiVesta
A different Advent for 2020
December 6, 2020 by Rich
Filed under What's happening
Everything looks different this year – and Advent is certainly no exception at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. Of course we wish we could celebrate the love, hope and joy of the season together, but at this time health and safety are most important.
We’re doing our best to continue the traditions that are such an important part of this season.
Our annual Christmas Cantata was held on Dec. 13. Shouts of Joy: A Christmas Concert for 2020 featured beautiful memories of past Christmas and Cantata celebrations. Thank you to Anna and Aaron DiVesta who worked overtime to bring together this special musical experience.
Our annual Christmas Pageant had several twists this year. Of course, it was all virtual – but it was also an all-church event. Thanks to Tara Lowry for adapting The Attic Christmas, a book that was near and dear to her family, and for her work editing the video.
The joy of Christ’s Birth, celebrated on Christmas Eve, starting with a special musical prelude.
https://www.facebook.com/IvyChapel/videos/727219154900032/
A Merry Christmas to everyone out there. Stay safe and healthy as we all navigate this familiar yet unusual season. We sincerely hope our virtual services are helping you find your way toward peace and love this year, and we look forward to when we can worship together again.
As always, please reach out to us if you have any questions or comments.
