April 16 – Second Sunday of Easter

God’s Church is celebrating the Blessed Season of Easter.
With joy, we worship Christ Jesus this morning!

Here’s today’s service. You can view past worship services on our YouTube channel.

SILENT REFLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP – Christ’s Peace – #452

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ – Pachelbel

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Our God brings us together this morning.
All: We are thankful!
One: The joy of the Risen Christ fills all creation with life!
All: We are here to worship God.
One: We gather in the name of Jesus Christ.
All: We are filled with joy, because Christ is alive!

*HYMN – Because He Lives – #275

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy He gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
Refrain:

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.
Refrain:

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of Easter Joy; you can do anything. You are so flat-out Supreme that it can frightens us, God. Eventually, though, you lead us to be at ease around you. In time, we no longer feel intimidated. You reveal that anyone can safely come to you – with our joys; our sorrows; our aggravations; our fears; our doubts.
God of astonishing love; we are grateful to you for teaching us your Way. Draw us away from all unfaithful ways of this world. Empty us of all that would injure or harm. Mend our brokenness. Bring humankind together, we pray. Lead all people to accept the peace and wholeness which you offer. In your mercy, give us faith to place complete trust in you, Jesus. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – He Is Our Peace – #454

He is our peace
Who has broken down every wall,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

Cast all your cares on Him,
For He cares for you,
He is our peace, He is our peace.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – JoAnn Moody

*HYMN – Peace Like a River – #360

I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 16

SPECIAL MUSIC – Excerpts from ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ – arr. Waller

GOD’S WORD – John 20:19-31

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Our God Reigns – #290

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news,good news
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God reigns; our God reigns!

Chorus:
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!

He had no stately form; He had no majesty,
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised, and we took no account of Him,
Yet now He reigns with the Most High. [Chorus]

Out of the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so see here His hands, His feet, His side.
Yes, we know He is alive. [Chorus]

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott – Walcha

Holy Week 2023 at Ivy Chapel

The final days of our walk toward Easter are upon us. We hope you’ll take a moment this week to pause, reflect and join us for special Holy Week worship services.

Sunday, April at 10 a.m.
Palm Sunday
Online and in-person worship

Friday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
Good Friday
Online and in-person worship

Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
Easter
Children’s message during worship
Coffee fellowship after worship

All are welcome to join us as we complete our Lenten journeys. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Celebrate Holy Week 2015 with Ivy Chapel

We invite you to join us at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ during Holy Week 2015.

Manudy Thursday, April 1, 7:30 p.m. worship
Good Friday, April 3, 7:30 p.m. worship
Easter Sunday, April 5 6:30 a.m. sunrise worship
Easter Sunday 10 a.m. worship

We look forward to celebrating our risen Savior with you this year.

If you have questions about Ivy Chapel, please contact our church office at 314-434-4991 or send us an email.

2014 Holy Week Schedule at Ivy Chapel

You are welcome to worship this week with us as we stop to pause and reflect on what it really means to be a follower of Christ. As we move from Palm Sunday to the joys of Easter, we strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Come, make the journey to Easter with us, and celebrate God’s love.

Palm Sunday, April 13

10 a.m. worship

Maundy Thursday, April 17     

7:30 p.m. worship

Good Friday, April 18

7:30 p.m. worship

 Easter Sunday, April 20

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship (outdoor pavilion, weather permitting)

10 a.m. worship (Ivy Chapel Sanctuary)

 

Easter Sunday pancake breakfast

Join us on Easter Sunday for our pancake breakfast! 7:30a to 10a, right here at Ivy Chapel. All are invited to celebrate that Christ is risen. Tickets available at the door, $8 adults, children $4.

 

Mission 4/1 Earth

Many of us were witness to a phenomenal level of generosity displayed by this congregation in response to our 2011 United Church of Christ “Mission: 1” initiative.  All across our denomination, people responded faithfully and we far exceeded lofty “Mission: 1” goals.  Now, a new denomination-wide “mission initiative” is in the works.  We are calling it, “Mission 4/1 Earth: Fifty Great Days.”

This future mission effort already has a time-frame:  April 1 to May 18, 2013. (These are the dates of Eastertide 2013.  Historically, God’s Church has described the Season of Easter with the superlative name “The Great Fifty Days.”)  Beginning the day after Easter Sunday, all of us who are the United Church of Christ will join together in 50 Great Days of Mission 4/1 Earth.  Goals will include hopes of reaching more than 1 million hours of engaged earth care, 100,000 tree plantings across the globe, and 100,000 advocacy letters written and mailed in support of environmental care.

Working on behalf of environmental concerns is not new to our denomination.  Our United Church of Christ has been embracing this cause for over 30 years, so we see this shared ministry of caring for God’s Planet Earth as a continuation of ongoing U.C.C. work for environmental justice.  Mission 4/1 Earth will provide simple yet meaningful ways that each of us can take action wherever God places us  -  living out our faith by caring for God’s creation.

To learn more; please visit  www.ucc.org/news/mission-for-one-earth-website.html

Holy Week Worship at Ivy Chapel

Join us during Holy Week we turn our eyes, one again, to the cross to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and how his rising from the grave changed everything.

Maundy Thursday, April 5, 7:30 pm

Good Griday, April 6, 7:30 pm

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, 6:30 am

Easter Sunday Worship, 10 am

Easter Egg Hunt!

We had a beautiful day for the Annual Ivy Chapel Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to everyone who helped plan this fun event… and apologies to anyone who finds any still-hidden eggs in the heat of the summer.

The album below also includes photos from our Palm Sunday worship service.

Christ is Risen! Celebrate Easter with Ivy Chapel.

Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Celebrate the resurrection at Ivy Chapel’s Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. on April 4 in the Ivy Chapel sanctuary. Rev. Dale Bartels from St. John’s UCC in Chesterfield will lead the celebration.

Our Resurrection Day Worship will take place at 10 a.m., with Open Communion.

Holy Week Services at Ivy Chapel

Join us as we celebrate the coming miracle of Easter. Following is Ivy’s Holy Week schedule:

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 1 at 7:30:  This is the evening of the Last Supper. There is a place at the table for everyone.

Good Friday: Friday, April 2 at 7:30: Worship at the foot of Christ’s Cross for one of the most powerful and meaningful services of the year.

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 4

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Worship at Ivy: Join Rev. Dale Bartels from St. John’s UCC for a celebratory worship in Ivy’s sanctuary.

10 a.m. Resurrection Day worship at Ivy, with Holy Communion (all are welcome to participate)