Special Message – A Time to Give Thanks

As we approach Thanksgiving, we would like to take this moment to pause, and to thank you for being with us over the past year. We are grateful for you support, and your help in advancing the ministry of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.

This year’s traditional Thanksgiving message comes from Rev. Mary Nelson, the Transitional Conference Minister for the Missouri Mid-South Conference. Thank you, Mary, for taking the time to share this inspirational message with us.

Oct. 10 Livestream – Rooted in Love, Stewardship Week 3

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. We celebrate that Missouri Mid-South Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Damien Lake, is with us today, leading worship and preaching in connection with our “Rooted in Love” faith journey! Welcome, Damien, and thank you for your ministry among us. May the Love of God root within, grow, and guide all humankind as we journey forward into God’s future.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Chorale Prelude Nun Bitten Wir – Buxtehude

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Pastor Dan
One: Together, we come rejoicing!
All: God’s grace abounds!
One: Together, we come proclaiming good news!
All: We are the salt of the earth.
One: Together, we come celebrating God’s vision!
All: We are the light of the world.
One: Together, we come bearing new life in God.
All: What does this mean?
One: Siblings in Christ, what must we do?
All: Joyously praise God! Rooted and grounded in love; come alive!

*HYMN – Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – #424

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, Teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford – Teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, More by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, Teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, Teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, Teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, In times of dire distress,
In failure or success, Teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, Teach me Thy way!
When storms o’er-spread the skies, Teach me Thy way!
Shine thro’ the cloud and rain, Thro’ sorrow, toil and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, Teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, Teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, Teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, Until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, Teach me Thy way!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Pastor Dan
God of abounding grace; we worship you with joy! You offer love and life eternal to all people. What amazing news this is! We celebrate your faithfulness to your promises, Dear God. Move among us now, we pray. Inviting Savior, we perceive you calling us to follow in your footsteps. Shape our giving as we journey ahead seeking to live Rooted in your Love. May your Spirit be upon us, Christ Jesus, as we gather this morning to lift our praises to you! Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Seek Ye First – #615

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, And His righteousness.
And all these thing shall be added unto you! Allelu, alleluia!

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE – Linda Lowry

GOD’S WORD – Psalm 121 – Pastor Dan

SPECIAL MUSIC – Blessed Assurance – Curry

GOD’S WORD – Mark 1:14-20 – Rev. Damien Lake

SERMON – The Dangers of Fishing – Rev. Damien Lake

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYER– Rev. Damien Lake

*HYMN – There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy – #379

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice Which is more than liberty.

There is welcome for the sinner And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Savior; There is healing in His blood.

For the love of God is broader Than the measure of Man’s mind;
And the heart of the Eternal Is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more simple We should take Him at His word,
And our lives would be all sunshine In the sweetness of our Lord.

*BENEDICTION – Rev. Damien Lake

*POSTLUDE – Trumpet in Dialogue – Clerambault

CCLI License #456361

5131964… what does it mean?

5131964.

Does this number mean anything to you?

It’s not a phone number.

OK – what if we insert a couple of spaces. 5 13 1964. Does that help?

That’s right, it’s a date. A very significant date in the history of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ.

At the 1964 annual meeting of what was then known as the Missouri Conference, members voted to approve a request from Ivy Chapel to become a participating congregation in the United Church of Christ!

In connection with our 50th anniversary year, we will celebrate with a special worship at Ivy Chapel, starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Watch for more details on our 50th anniversary celebrations.

And… if you have a memory of Ivy Chapel you’d like to share with us, please send us an email, and we’ll use it as part of our celebration.

New Conference E-newsletter

The Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ is introducing a new, weekly e-mail newsletter that will replace The Courier. Like the Courier, the still-unnamed newsletter will feature announcements from member churches (including Ivy Chapel). If you are interested in receiving the weekly news e-mail, please subscribe by sending an e-mail to Sandy Roland. Be sure to mention you learned about the newsletter on Ivy Chapel’s website.