November 24 — A Wise Reign

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC. Let us faithfully follow Christ so that all people may receive from God’s overflowing cup and discover the fullness of joy Christ brings. A Blessed Thanksgiving to all!

WELCOME

PRELUDE —Sarabande — Young

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Pat Winship
One: In the midst of difficulty, God sets a table of rejoicing for us.
All: Though the world seems focused on turmoil, yet we will praise God!
One: We are called to live as witnesses to God’s goodness and power.
All: Our hearts are created to offer compassion to all people.
One: May we live as God’s servants and witnesses in the world.
All: Let us be faithful and strong for God.

*HYMN — Let All Things Now Living — worship booklet, pp. 60-61

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the creator triumphantly raise.
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who still guides us on to the end of our days.
God’ banners are o’er us, His light goes before us,
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night.
Till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light.

His law he enforces, the stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine;
The hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains,
The deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine.
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing;
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
“To God in the highest, Hosanna and praise!”

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Pat Winship
Holy God, your boundless grace humbles us. Your attentive, loving care takes our breath away. The winds blow, the waters flow, and the sun shines. All creation declares your majesty, Astonishing God! In you, we live and move and have our being. May your eternal love be made known through our words and our actions. In the countryside and on city streets, you reign supreme. From deepest valleys and from highest heights, forever will we proclaim your goodness.
This morning, Ever-Alive God, we come to you in thanksgiving for your gift of a phenomenal homeland—a land whose harvest feeds us and has the potential for feeding all the world. We come to you in thanksgiving for your gift of faith — a faith dearly experienced here in this sacred place. Above all, we come to you in thanksgiving for the gift of your abundant love, Christ Jesus. We rejoice that you are with us as we worship you! Amen.

*RESPONSE — Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart — worship booklet, p. 42

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ His Son.

And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now let the weak say “I am strong”
Let the poor say “I am rich”
Because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks, give thanks.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 93 — Pat Winship

SPECIAL MUSIC — O God Beyond All Praising — Tate

GOD’S WORD — Revelation 1:4b-8 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*STATEMENT OF FAITH — UCC Statement of Faith — worship booklet, p. 4

*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!

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — The Heavens Declare — Marcello

November 19 – Extravagant Opportunity

Welcome to Ivy Chapel UCC! Heartfelt wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving.

SILENT REFLECTION – Summons to Thanksgiving – #589

WELCOME

PRELUDE – For the Fruit of All Creation

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come into God’s presence with thanksgiving!
All: Make a joyful noise to God!
One: Praise God for wonders all around the world!
All: Rejoice!
One: Give thanks.
All: Bless God’s holy name.

*HYMN – We Gather Together – #597

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Daring, Adventurous God, we marvel at the enormity of all that you have made and all that you are in the process of making! You are the Creator and the Caretaker of life everywhere.
Faithful God, there are times when life lulls us to sleep. We forget that you are the Giver of every good gift. Give us hearts to praise your unparalleled strength and goodness. Christ Jesus, you teach us to seek your Kingdom and to believe that nothing is impossible for you.
Extravagant Savior, bring us alive in your Spirit; for we long to be part of your daring, adventurous acts of creation! Make us instruments of your compassion and creativity! Ultimately, may we look beyond ourselves toward becoming a blessing to others. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Shout to the Lord! – worship booklet, pp. 80-81

My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN – The Greatest Thing – #106

The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;
I want to know You more, I want to know you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You;

The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;
I want to love You more, I want to love you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is loving You;

The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You;
I want to serve You more, I want to serve you more.
The greatest thing in all my life is serving You.

RESPONSIVE READING – Thanksgiving to God – #636

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.

Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

SPECIAL MUSIC – Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:14-30

SERMON – Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Now Thank We All Our God – #592

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Now go into the world, rejoicing and giving thanks to God!