June 16 – Flourishing

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.
Happy Father’s Day! Please come to Fellowship Hall for refreshments after worship.
Welcome back, Mike Waller! With thanksgiving, we rejoice that we share this opportunity to praise God.

Read our blog post on the seeds of Juneteenth.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Prelude in C — J. S. Bach

*CALL TO WORSHIP
We marvel at God’s miracles!
The Realm of God is like a mustard seed – both great and small.
Each enormous mustard shrub grows from a small mustard seed.
Faith is similar. Even a tiny amount of faith in God can do big things.
Let us worship God with all the faith we have!
Then God will bless us with growth – helping us to extend our branches; so that the world may be shaded with God’s love.

*HYMN — God of Our Fathers — #599

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
In this free land with thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay,
Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase;
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way;
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God, we do not know how faith grows any more than we know how seeds grow. We have been planted in this place in hopes that you would grow faith in us; first little blades of awakening; then ears of obedience; and finally the full grain of maturity into the likeness of Christ.
Creator God, you are our Maker who grants us life. May seeds of wisdom from this day’s sacred texts grow within us, so that we will bear good fruit that nourishes a hungry world.
God, we have come here to worship you. This is holy ground. Cultivate us as your fertile soil. 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 84:1-4, 10-12

SPECIAL MUSIC — His Eye Is on the Sparrow — Wolaver

GOD’S WORD — Mark 4:26-34

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — This Is My Father’s World — #40

This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world: The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world: O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Fugue — Pachelbel

April 21 – Enfolded by Love

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.”
Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We are blessed that God has given another day of life!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Jesus Shall Reign

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: The Good Shepherd accompanies us to green pastures.
All: We are refreshed beside still waters.
One: We have been given all that we have.
All: God provides us with everything that we need.
One: Every valley that we walk through; God comforts us.
All: Step by step, God is with us.
One: God leads us along God’s path of goodness and righteousness.
All: Our cup overflows.
One: We receive abundantly from God.
All: Let us joyfully share this abundance!

*HYMN — We Will Glorify — #35

We will glorify the King of kings
We will glorify the Lamb
We will glorify the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty
We will bow before His throne
We will worship Him in righteousness
We will worship Him alone

He is Lord of heaven Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I Am

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God our Maker, and Creator of all the earth; you have enabled us to gather this day in your sanctuary. We are deeply grateful to be known and loved by you. We marvel at the wholeness which you offer everyone. In worship, we receive guidance for living as your people.
Good Shepherd, you tirelessly watch over all your sheep. In turn, you ask us to care for one another in life-giving ways. Help us to grow in love that displays genuine caring and self-sacrifice.
May we dare to take on the roles that you give us to fulfill, O God. Help us to be your loving disciples everywhere you lead us. Amen.

*RESPONSE — We Are the Reason — #245

We are the reason that He gave His life,
We are the reason that He suffered and died.
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give,
To show us the reason to live.

We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost, He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

*HYMN — Hymn of Promise — #277

In the bulb, there is a flower
In the seed, an apple tree
In cocoons, a hidden promise
Butterflies will soon be free

In the cold and snow of winter
There’s a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

There’s a song in every silence
Seeking word and melody
There’s a dawn in every darkness
Bringing hope to you and me

From the past will come the future
What it holds, a mystery
Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

In our end is our beginning
In our time, infinity
In our doubt, there is believing
In our life, eternity
In our death, a resurrection
At the last, a victory

Unrevealed until its season
Something God alone can see

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 23

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sheep May Safely Graze — J. S. Bach

GOD’S WORD — John 10:11-18

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — Lift High the Cross — #523

(Refrain)
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred name.

Come, brethren, follow where our Saviour trod,
Our King victorious, Christ the Son of God. (Refrain)

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. (Refrain)

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious Tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw men unto Thee. (Refrain)

Set up Thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease
Beneath the shadow of its healing peace. (Refrain)

For Thy blest Cross which doth for all atone,
Creation’s praises rise before Thy Throne. (Refrain)

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Lift High the Cross

November 12 – Light

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. God loves all people! And we express our love for God by living in ways leading toward “A just world for all.”

Check this space once worship begins at 10 a.m. Sunday for a link to the live worshp service.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Sanctuary

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Ann Molyneaux
One: We come to this place because we want to know God,
All: who helps us to set aside the past, to walk the path to new life.
One: We come in these moments because we want to know Jesus,
All: who anoints us with the resurrection, who shares our lives with us.
One: We come with these people because we want to know the Spirit,
All: who shapes us for life with God, so we may praise God forever!

*HYMN – Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – #10

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Ann Molyneaux
You have done great things for us, God of great love. You make a way through our brokenness, so hope might be restored; you loosen our grip on fear, so we might take hold of the One who cradles us in the palms of grace. You are doing great things through us, Brother of the poor. You make a way through our doubt, so we may have the faith to follow, as well as to serve by your side; you gather up our tears, turning them into fountains of joy. You will do great things in us, Anointer of our hearts. You make a way through our hardened hearts, melting them into rivers of wonder for all; you touch our tongues, so they tingle with delights, and laughter tumbles out of our mouths. Continue to make a way through us, God in Community, Holy One, we pray. Amen.

*RESPONSE – Precious Lord, Take My Hand – #494

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone;
Hear my cry, Hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall –

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 43:16-21 ¬– Ann Molyneaux

SPECIAL MUSIC – Revive Us Again

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:1-13 – Pastor Dan

SERMON – Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN – Revive Us Again – #95

We praise Thee, O God! for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died, and is now gone above.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

We praise Thee, O God! for Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior, and scattered our night.
All glory and praise To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins, and hath cleansed every stain.
Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – The Heavens Are Telling – Psalm 19 (Marcello)

Go into the world, rejoicing and giving thanks!

Feb. 6 Livestream – Surprising

For this week’s order for worship, please see the YouTube description.