Nov. 7 Livestream – Totenfest
November 6, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Thank you for being with us today as we mark Totenfest, the annual celebration of life remembering those we have lost in the past year. If you are joining us online, please gather your bread and wine or grape juice so we can have communion together.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Prelude on “Bread of Life†– Young
*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: Come, all who are anxious or angry.
All: Come, all who are discouraged or exhausted.
One: Enter into the joy of your Master. This is the sanctuary of God.
All: This is holy ground.
One: God is here to receive you and to love you.
All: From the past will come the future. What it holds is a mystery!
One: Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
All: In our death, a resurrection. At the last, a victory!
*HYMN – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – #1
A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us for;
His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving wold be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, The man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabbath His name, From age to age the same, A
nd He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, Should treated to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The prince of Darkess grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through him who with us sideth;
Let good and kindred go, This mortal life also;
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever.
*OPENING PRAYER
God of abundant blessing; out of pure love, you set people free.
God of everlasting life; we worship you!
We praise you as a Giving, Loving God. All people are in your care, and you are stirring among us. It is thanks to you, O God, that relationships are healthy; that compassion flows abundantly; that brokenness is mended; that souls love one another!
We come this day, seeking your guidance, God. Reveal to us, we pray, ways that we may faithfully offer people support and blessing. In your life, Christ Jesus, we see unselfishness and kindness that we want to emulate. Merciful and Mighty One, guide us to follow you by offering tender, loving care to all. Lead us toward becoming your joyful children of grace. Amen.
*RESPONSE – Be Still and Know – #24
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
GOD’S WORD – Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – For All the Saints (Verses 1-4) – #548
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
They name, O Jesus, be forever blest:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might,
Thou Lord, their captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold:
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine;
Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia!
TOTENFEST – Thanksgiving for Loved Ones
SPECIAL MUSIC – Marcia Funebre sulla morte d’un Eroe, Op 26 (Beethoven) – Mike Waller
GOD’S WORD – Mark 12:38-44 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
We celebrate “open communion,†for we believe Christ’s Table is open to all people. All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive God’s gifts at this communion table.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – Pastor Dan
*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.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – To God Be the Glory – Hustad
CCLI License #456361
Food photo created by mdjaff – www.freepik.com
Oct. 27 Livestream – Take Heart!
October 23, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Take Heart! No matter what happens, Jesus is here for us. Let us gather and hear God’s calling.
Here is this week’s order for worship:
WELCOME
PRELUDE – O Perfect Love – Hustad
*CALLNG ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP
One: Let us sing God’s praises!
All: God is gathering us together this moment!
One: From many different places, we come.
All: All who are struggling, God will help.
One: All who are grieving, God will console.
All: All who are lost, God will guide.
One: Let us worship God who brings us together.
All: Sing for joy, all the earth!
*HYMN – We Come, O Christ, to You – #289
We come, O Christ, to You, True Son of God and man,
By Whom all things consist, In Whom all life began;
In You alone we live and move, And have our being in Your love.
You are the Way to God, Your blood our ransom paid;
In You we face our Judge And Maker unafraid.
Before the throne absolved we stand, Your love has met Your law’s demand.
You are the living Truth! All wisdom dwells in You,
The Source of every skill, The One Eternal True!
O great I AM! In You we rest, Sure answer to our every quest.
You only are true Life, To know You is to live
The more abundant life That earth can never give;
O risen Lord! We live in You, in us each day Your life renew!
We worship You, Lord Christ, Our Savior and our King.
T You our youth and strength Adoringly we bring;
So fill our hearts, that all my view Your life in us, and turn to You!
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of perpetual renewal; we give you thanks today for gathering us together as your Church and for gracing us with your faithful presence.
Loving God, we come to pray and praise, to meditate and be mindful. Open our minds to new understandings, and our hearts to new people. Call us out of comfort, out of our fear of change, and into a sense of amazement at this world which you are constantly creating and renewing with life abundant. Guide our feet to follow your path in the world, so that we may faithfully love everyone with your extravagant love.
God of newness; we rejoice that you are shaping all that is alive into your emerging masterpiece. Continue guiding your whole creation toward your vision of fullness of life for all! Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – Into My Heart – #391
Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Sue Wilson
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 126
SPECIAL MUSIC – O God, Beyond All Praising – Tate
GOD’S WORD – Mark 10:46-52 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Amazing Grace – #299
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but no am found, was blind, but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
“Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And Grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We’re no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.
*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world to give away God’s love. – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Toccata in A Minor – Sweelinck
CCLI License #456361
September 26 Livestream – Rooted in Love
September 24, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Thank you for joining us this Sunday for worship.
If you are worshipping with us online, please click here to join us on YouTube.
Here is the order for worship:
WELCOME
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Russ Washburn
One: God calls us to venture beyond places that are familiar and safe.
All: God summons us to attempt new things – daring acts of faith!
One: We are called to ground our whole lives in one great fellowship of love.
All: God calls all people to live rooted in love.
*HYMN – In Christ There Is No East or West – #137
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Russ Washburn
Seemingly Silent God, many times it is especially hard to hear you; for there are so many competing voices vying for our attention. It can be difficult to believe your promises when we already have been misled many times by others. We are hesitant to hope for healing and fulfillment given the painful ordeals which many people are living through this day. Yet, as we gather here to worship you, O Unseen God; we find ourselves moved to rejoice! How wonderful you are! How marvelous are your works!
We stand in awe of you, God. We can put our faith completely in you, and you will never disappoint us. Lead us to live by faith as you teach us to live. Each moment, we can sense your loving presence, O Unseen God. You will never ignore, injure or abandon us. We praise you for this, in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – He Is Our Peace – #454
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE –Tara Lowry
GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-10 – Russ Washburn
SPECIAL MUSIC – Just a Closer Walk with Thee – Earl Kreder, Saxophone
GOD’S WORD – Romans 11:1, 7-8, 11-20 & Ephesians 3:16-19 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH & THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – I Then Shall Live – #133
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE
Sept. 19 Livestream – First In Caring
September 18, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Livestream Links and Order for Worship
We’re thrilled you have joined this Sunday.
WELCOME
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Linda Lowry
One: Open our hearts wider.
All: Let Spirit in deeper.
One: May we love with a love on fire
All: And become fully alive.
*HYMN – Softly and Tenderly – #389
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Linda Lowry
God, you are without equal. You are a God of unmatched power and of great mercy. You alone are the One who makes worship a sacred time. You give life! You have given us life. You have given life to your Church. Although it is quite forward on our part, we call on you to come here now. God, visit our community of faith this very day with your blessing. Lift us beyond preoccupations with earthly concerns. Make your Church out of us. As Jesus Christ, you have shown us that focusing on you brings life. Yes, with you, there is fullness of life.
Holy One, lead us, we pray. Lead us as we continue learning to give away the amazing gifts which you so abundantly give to us in the first place. You are beyond all that we can ask or imagine. We pray for your blessing upon all people everywhere. May our living be faithful and pleasing to you. We ask all this in the holy name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
*RESPONSE – We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise – worship booklet, p. 94
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 54:1-4, 6 – Linda Lowry
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Linda Lowry
SPECIAL MUSIC – Julie McAllister
GOD’S WORD – Mark 9:30-37 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – Love Was When God Became a Man – #249
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE
September 5 Livestream – Be Opened
September 4, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
From all of us at Ivy Chapel, we thank you for visiting our website. You are invited to join us in our sanctuary at 10 on Sunday, or anytime on our YouTube Channel.
Praise God for blessing the world with openness as our Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone is invited to an outdoor “Thanksgiving for Anna DiVesta!†Celebration 3-5 pm today in gratitude for the marvelous Ministry of Music given to our congregation by Anna DiVesta. We offer God thanks and praise for this exceptional blessing as we wish Anna, Aaron, Miller and Charlie fullness of joy forevermore!
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Every good gift comes from above.
All: God welcomes us to this sacred place.
One: This is God’s sanctuary – a safe refuge where everyone is loved.
All: Christ our Savior brings us together here on holy ground.
One: The God of all mercy creates every human being to be merciful.
All: Christ teaches us to love our neighbors and to love our enemies.
One: Listen closely.
All: We’re all ears.
One: Do you hear what our Savior is saying?
All: “Be opened!â€
*HYMN – To God Be the Glory – #79
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the Lifegate that all may go in.
REFRAIN
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear HIs voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thro’ Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
REFRAIN
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing thro’ Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
REFRAIN
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
Eternal God, we are astonished by your greatness. You are beyond the reaches of human thought or religion. We approach you now in prayer; and we welcome your Transforming Spirit.
God, you are acquainted with all our ways. You know everything from our shallow motives to our deepest thoughts. You are aware of strengths and our abilities; and aware of our weaknesses and our failures. Yet you invite us to serve as your ambassadors; messengers of your good news! What a thrill! Oh, how we long to bring you joy, Merciful God. We rejoice; for you are alive among us this moment, Christ Jesus. Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – We Bow Down – worship booklet, p. 93
You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life,
Lord of the land and the sea;
You were Lord of the heavens before there was time,
and Lord of all lords You will be.
We bow down and we worship You, Lord,
we bow down and we worship You, Lord,
we bow down and we worship you Lord
Lord of all lords You will be.
You are King of creation and King of my life,
King of the land and the sea;
You were King of the heavens before there was time,
and King of all kings You will be.
We bow down and we crown You the King,
we bow down and we crown You the king;
we bow down and we crown You the King,
King of all kings You will be.
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 78:1-7a, 12-16 – Pastor Dan
SPECIAL MUSIC – Steal Away (arr. Quigley) – Vocal Ensemble with Anna DiVesta
GOD’S WORD – Mark 7:24-37 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – How Beautiful – worship booklet, p. 50
How beautiful the hands that served the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful the tender eyes that chose to forgive and never despise.
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.
How beautiful the heart that bled, that took all my sin and bore it instead.
How beautiful the tender eyes that chose to forgive and never despise.
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.
How beautiful the feet that bring the sound of good news and the love of the King!
How beautiful the hands that serve the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.
PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER – Pastor Dan
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
*HYMN – He Keeps Me Singing As I Go – #359
There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low,
“Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,†In all of life’s ebb and flow.
REFRAIN
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus— Sweetest name I know.
Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.
All my life was wrecked by sin and strife, Discord fills my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings, Stirred the slumbering chords again.
REFRAIN
Feasting on the riches, of HIs grace, Resting ‘neath HIs sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face, That is why I shout and sing.
REFRAIN
Tho’ sometimes He leads thro’ waters deep, Trials fall across my way,
Tho’ sometimes the path seems rough and steep, See His footprints all the way.
REFRAIN
Soon He’s coming back to welcome me Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown, I shall reign with Him on high.
REFRAIN
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE – Spirit Song – worship booklet, pp. 84-85
O let the Son of God en-fold you
with His Spir-it and His love;
let Him fill your life, and sat-is-fy your soul.
O let Him have the things that hold you
and His Spir-it, like a dove,
will de-scend up-on your life and make you whole.
*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta and Aaron DiVesta
August 8 Livestream – Community
August 7, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Today we are happy to welcome Darlene Sowell, President and CEO of Unleashing Potential, to our community. Unleashing Potential is one of the oldest nonprofits working on early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment programs to bring out the best in St. Louis’ children.
WELCOME
PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta
*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Come, worship our God who moves us to serve.
All: We owe everything we have to God.
One: Come, worship Christ Jesus who is our all in all.
All: We worship our Savior with all that we are.
*HYMN – We Come, O Christ, to You – #289
- We come, O Christ, to You,
True Son of God and man,
By Whom all things con-sist, In Whom all life be-gan:
In You a-lone
We live and move, and have our be-ing in Your love. - You are the Way to God,
Your blood our ran-som paid;
In You we face our Judge And Mak-er un-a-fraid.
Be-fore the throne
Ab-solved we stand, Your love has met Your law’s de-mand. - You are the liv-ing Truth!
All wis-dom dwells in You,
The Source of ev-ery skill, The One E-ter-nal True!
O great I AM!
In You we rest, Sure an-swer to our ev-ery quest. - You on-ly are true Life,
To know You is to live
The more a-bun-dant life That earth can nev-er give:
O ris-en Lord!
We live in You, in us each day Your life re-new! - We wor-ship You, Lord Christ,
Our Sav-ior and our King,
To You our youth and strength A-dor-ing-ly we bring:
So fill our hearts,
That all may view Your life in us, and turn to You!
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION
God of amazing power and almighty love, breathe on us. Long ago, on the evening of your Resurrection, you came to your followers and you breathed on them, Jesus. This day, may we realize that you are among us – risen, alive, and offering us your blessing. Each one of your disciples is a human being striving to love, to serve and to give as fully as you do. Christ Jesus, your wounds reveal there is no limit to your love. Help us to perceive that you are here and that you are God. Before any of us entered this sanctuary, Jesus, you already were here! Astonishing! Breathe new life into us and renew our spirits this morning, we pray. Amen.
*PRAISE RESPONSE – Bind Us Together – #130
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord,
Bind us to-geth-er with cords that can-not be bro-ken.
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord,
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord;
Bind us to-geth-er with love.
There is on-ly one God;
There is on-ly one King.
There is on-ly one bod-y,
That is why we sing:
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord,
Bind us to-geth-er with cords that can-not be bro-ken.
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord,
Bind us to-geth-er, Lord;
Bind us to-geth-er with love.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
GOD’S WORD – Psalm 34:1-8
HYMN – I Sing a Song of the Saints of God – worship booklet, pp. 52-53
- I sing a song of the saints of God,
Pa-tient and brave and true,
Who toiled and fought and lived and died
For the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doc-tor, and one was a queen,
And one was a shep-herd-ess on the green;
They were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God help-ing, to be one too - They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
And his love made them strong;
And they fol-lowed the right for Je-sus sake,
The whole of their good lives longs.
And one was a sol-dier, and one was a priest,
And one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
And there’s not an-y rea-son, no, not the least,
Why I shouldn’t be one too - They lived not on-ly in a-ges past;
There are hun-dreds of thou-sands still.
The world is bright with the joy-ous saints
Who love to do Je-sus’ will.
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
In church, by the sea, in the house next door;
They are saints of God, wheth’er rich or poor,
And I mean to be one too.
MISSION MOMENT – Unleashing Potential – Darlene Sowell, President and CEO
SPECIAL MUSIC – We Are the Body of Christ (arr. Lawrence) – Anna DiVesta
GOD’S WORD – Ephesians 4:14-16, 25-5:2 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan
*HYMN – To Be God’s People – #121
Al-might-y Fa-ther give us a vis-ion
Of a dy-ing world that needs Your love and care.
We see the need, the yearn-ing for a Sav-ior,
In Je-sus’ name, grant this our prayer
Refrain:
To be God’s peo-ple in this place,
Live His good-ness, share His grace,
Pro-claim God’s mer-cy thru His Son,
Be His love to ev-ery-one.
And when we fal-ter be Thou our com-fort;
Guide us as Your chil-dren that our lives may be
A bea-con in this dark-ness that sur-rounds us,
A light that oth-ers then may see.
Refrain
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta
June 27 Livestream – Joyful Giving
June 26, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
We are blessed to welcome the Rev. Brenda Booth, Executive Director, Isaiah 58 Ministries.
Thank you, Brenda, for leading worship today. May Jesus Christ be praised!
We are blessed to welcome the Rev. Brenda Booth, Executive Director, Isaiah 58 Ministries. Thank you, Brenda, for leading worship today. May Jesus Christ be praised!
WELCOME – Linda Lowry
PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Linda Lowry
One: Sing praises to God; O faithful ones!
All: God hears our cries, and God knows our sorrows.
One: Where there was no way,
All: God leads us on a new path.
One: Where there was no mercy,
All: God surprises us with healing.
One: Where many tears were cried,
All: God invites us to try a new dance step!
*HYMN – Help Us Accept Each Other – #127
- Help us ac-cept each oth-er as Christ ac-cept-ed us;
Teach us as sis-ter, broth-er each per-son to em-brace.
Be pres-ent, Lord, a-mong us and bring us to be-lieve
We are our-selves ac-cept-ed and meant to love and live. - Teach us, O Lord, Your les-sons, as in our dai-ly life
We strug-gle to be hu-man and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for peo-ple, for all, not just for some;
To love them as we find them, or as they may be-come. - Let Your ac-cept-ance change us, so that we may be moved
In liv-ing sit-u-a-tions to do the truth in love;
To prac-tice Your ac-cept-ance un-til we know by heart
The ta-ble of for-give-ness and laugh-ter’s heal-ing art. - Lord, for to-day’s en-coun-ters with all who are in need,
Who hun-ger for ac-cept-ance, for right-eous-ness and bread
We need new eyes for see-ing, new hands for hold-ing on;
Re-new us with Your Spir-it; Lord, free us, make us one!
*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Linda Lowry
God of Self-giving Love; you call on us to share one another’s burdens, by allowing others to care for us in our times of need and by offering all that you enable us to give to others in their time of need. With the fullness of joy that you provide, God; we seek to offer your people food, shelter, kindness, mercy, and blessings of every kind.
Faithful Savior; you ask us to trust that you have power to bring to life new possibilities in situations where it had seemed that there was no hope.
Christ Jesus, come to us now during this time of worship.
Teach us to embrace the Way of Life which you continue inviting us to live.
May our desires become your desires;
may our work become your work;
may our community become your faith community where you above all are loved and served. We pray in your holy name, Jesus. Amen.
*RESPONSE – Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart – worship booklet, p. 42
Give thanks with a grate-ful heart,
Give thanks to the Ho-ly One,
Give thanks be-cause He’s giv-en Je-sus Christ His Son.
Give thanks with a grate-ful heart,
Give thanks to the Ho-ly One,
Give thanks be-cause He’s giv-en Je-sus Christ His Son
And now let the weak say “I am strong,â€
Let the poor say “I am rich,â€
Be-cause of what the Lord has done for us
And now let the weak say “I am strong,â€
Let the poor say “I am rich,â€
Be-cause of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks,
Give thanks.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Tara Lowry
GOD’S WORD – Matthew 25:31-40 – Brenda Booth
SPECIAL MUSIC – There Is a Balm in Gilead (McDonald) – Anna DiVesta and Sarah Heend
GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 58:6-12 – Brenda Booth
SERMON – Brenda Booth
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Brenda Booth
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)
*HYMN – Reach Out and Touch – #505
- Reach out and touch a soul that is hun-gry;
Reach out and touch a spir-it in de-spair;
Reach out and touch a life torn and dirt-y,
A man who is lone-ly if you care!
Reach out and touch that neigh-bor who hates you;
Reach out and touch that stran-ger who meets you;
Reach out and touch the broth-er who needs you;
Reach out and let the smile of God touch thro’ you - Reach out and touch a friend who is wea-ry;
Reach out and touch a seek-er un-a-ware;
Reach out and touch, tho’ touch-ing means lo-sing
A part of your own self if you care!
Reach out and give your love to the love-less;
Reach out and make a home for the home-less;
Reach out and shed God’s light in the dark-ness;
Reach out and let the smile of God touch thro’ you.
*BENEDICTION – Brenda Booth
*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta
March 7 YouTube Livestream – Turning the Tables
March 6, 2021 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
This week we are taking the first steps toward in-person worship during this, the third Sunday of Lent. You’ll notice a big change to our livestream worship as well. We’ll be streaming live on YouTube instead of Facebook Live.
Please subscribe to our channel to receive notifications whenever we go live.
Here’s this week’s order for worship:
PRELUDE – Anna DiVesta
*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: We have gathered in the presence of God our Creator, who
sets before us the ways of life and death.
All: We have gathered in the presence of Jesus the Christ, who
calls us to accept the cost of discipleship that we may
know its joy.
One: We have gathered in the presence of the Spirit, who
sustains us in trial and rejoicing.
All: In our living and in our dying, we belong to God, who
knows us, loves us, and cares for us exactly as we are.
Let us worship God.
*HYMN – Come Just As You Are – worship booklet, p. 36
- Come just as you are; Hear the Spirit call.
Come just as you are; Come and see, come, receive; Come and live forever.
Life everlasting, and strength for today;
Taste the Living Water, and never thirst again.
- Come just as you are; Hear the Spirit call.
Come just as you are; Come, receive, Christ the King Come and live forever more.
*UNISON PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
Wise and Compassionate God, we are drawn to this holy place, in part, because we realize that our knowledge alone is not enough to give life meaning. The pieces of our lives need a center.
As people who are seeking to live as your faithful disciples, we are in the process of growing to recognize your Cross as the center, Jesus. On the Cross, you displayed total unselfishness. At Calvary, you went the distance for us. You always place serving others above everything else. The truth is, Jesus, this example of yours scares us, because we are intimidated by what you may ask of us. Yet we long for the wholeness which only you provide. This longing is so deep that we continue seeking to follow you regardless of the risks.
We come to you this moment, Christ Jesus. Make yourself known to us, we pray. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O God, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
RESPONSE – Let the Words of My Mouth – #417
Let the words of my mouth, and my heart’s meditation Be acceptable to Thee, O Lord
Let the words of my mouth, and my heart’s meditation Be acceptable to Thee, O Lord.
In Thy sight, In Thy sight, May my heart’s meditation be right.
Let the words of my mouth, an my heart’s meditation Be acceptable to thee, O Lord.
GOD’S WORD – 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 – Pastor Dan
CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP: GOD IS INVITING – Sue Wilson
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Jo Ann Moody
SPECIAL MUSIC – How Beautiful
GOD’S WORD – John 2:13-22 – Pastor Dan
SERMON – Pastor Dan
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (debts… debtors)
HYMN – 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 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.
*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan
*POSTLUDE – Anna DiVesta
September 20 Livestream
September 20, 2020 by Rich
Filed under Featured, Livestream Links and Order for Worship
Join us (virtually) this week as we begin our 2020 stewardship journey. We are blessed to share our gifts with the world.
This week’s order for worship:
Prelude/ Anna
Invocation (Call to Worship; Prayer) / Pastor Dan
Hymn/ “Seek Ye First” (Chorus Book #159)
Children’s Message/ Linda Lowry
Prayer concluding w/ Lord’s Prayer/ Pastor Dan
Special Music/ Anna DiVesta
Scripture Reading/ John W 1 John 4:7-11 / Proverbs 11:24-25
Message/ John Weiland
Prayer/ Dan
Hymn/ “Great Is the Lord” # 7
Benediction/ John
Postlude/ Anna