Feb. 23 — Love your Enemies 

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. God loves all people. You are welcome here. All people are welcome and affirmed here.

Thank you to Rev. Karen Pepmeier for leading worship today.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Amazing Grace — arr. Labenske

*CALL TO WORSHIP — John Weiland
One: In Christ, God offers the whole world a marvelous invitation!
All: We are invited to walk in Christ’s footsteps.
One: Turn to God, all the earth.
All: God is our Refuge.
One: God hears our prayers, and God responds.
All: Let all the earth exalt God together.

*HYMN — Called as Partners in Christ’s Service — Ivy booklet p. 32

Called as partners in Christ’s service
Called to ministries of grace
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace
May we learn the art of sharing
Side by side and friend with friend
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfil God’s chosen end

Christ’s example Christ’s inspiring
Christ’s clear call to work and worth
Let us follow never faltering
Reconciling folk on earth
Men and women richer poorer
All God’s people young and old
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission
In a small or global sense
Help us bear each other’s burdens
Breaking down each wall or fence
Words of comfort words of vision
Words of challenge said with care
Bring new power and strength for action
Make us colleagues free and fair

So God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife
Make us partners in our living
Our compassion to increase
Messengers of faith thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — John Weiland
God of world-wide love, we gather to offer you our praises. You are fully alive in the world this day. Open our hearts to receive you. Free us to trust your call and to follow you, Blessed Savior. Fill us so completely with your grace that we bless even people who persecute us and love even people who seem to be our enemies. You are our Refuge, O God. May your Spirit stir within our souls, Christ Jesus, leading us to join you in “making all things new.” Amen.

*RESPONSE — There’s a Quiet Understanding — #144

There’s a quiet understanding
when we’re gathered in the Spirit,
It’s a promise that He gives us,
When we gather in His name.
There’s a love we feel in Jesus,
There’s a manna that He feeds us,
It’s a promise that He gives us
When we gather in His name.

And we know when we’re together,
sharing love and understanding,
That our brothers and our sisters
feel the oneness that He brings.
Thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus,
for the way You love and feed us,
For the many ways You lead us,
Thank You, thank You, Lord.

GOD’S WORD — Genesis 45:3-11

SPECIAL MUSIC — What a Friend We Have in Jesus — arr. Labenske

GOD’S WORD — Luke 6:27-38 — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

SERMON — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

*HYMN — I Then Shall Live — #133

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven.
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother;
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion.
I’ve been so loved, that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

*BENEDICTION — Rev. Karen Pepmeier

*POSTLUDE — Joyful, Joyful — arr. Labenske