February 4 – Source of Strength

Today we break bread together, celebrating open communion as is the tradition of the United Church of Christ. Take a moment to gather the elements so we may gather at Christ’s table as one. All are welcome.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Amazing Grace

*CALL TO WORSHIP – Sue Wilson
One: Let your light shine, people of God!
All: Let us give glory to God!
One: You and I are blessed!
All: We are called to be God’s light in the world!
One: We can be the salt of the earth.
All: God is within each one of us, inviting us to live with flair and flavor!
One: No eye has seen,
All: No ear has heard,
One: No human imagination has envisioned,
All: What God has prepared for those who love God.

*HYMN – We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer – #27

We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring;
We lay it before Thee, We kneel and adore Thee,
We bless Thy holy name: glad praises we sing.

We worship Thee, God of our fathers, we bless Thee,
Thru life’s storm and tempest our Guide hast Thou been;
When perils o’er take us, escape Thou wilt make us,
And with Thy help, O Lord, our battles we win.

With voices united our praises we offer,
To Thee, great Jehovah, glad anthems we raise;
Thy strong arm will guide us, our God is beside us,
To Thee, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – Sue Wilson
Living God, you are our joy and our salvation. Through your supreme power, you bring all creation to life. God of astonishing love; we are grateful to you for teaching us your truth. Draw us away from the ways of the world. Empty us of all that would injure or harm. Help us to realize that you are alive within all creation. Lead us to treasure your closeness.
We depend on you, God. You are our Savior; no one else besides you. Your Living Water cleanses; and your Living Word gives life. Come, Holy Spirit; wash over us. Come as light in our darkness. Come as new life to the weary. Come as strength to our weakness. Take us – soul, body and mind. Come, Holy Spirit; we need you now. Guide us to live with grace and compassion. Amen.

*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.

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 40:21-31 – Sue Wilson

SPECIAL MUSIC – It Is Well with My Soul

GOD’S WORD – Mark 1:29-39

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Take Time to Be Holy – #171

Take time to be holy, Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, Still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive Beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Believing the Table of Jesus Christ is open to all, the United Church of Christ celebrates Open Communion. All who desire to share in the Sacrament are welcome to receive the bread and the cup. The cups in the outer circle on the communion tray contain grape juice. The other cups contain wine.

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

*HYMN – The Solid Rock – #315

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

Refrain:
On Christ the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on HIs unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my sould gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in HIm be found;
Dressed in HIs righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit

Feb. 7 Livestream – Source of Strength

As we all look for strength and peace in this world, today pause with us and remember the light in the darkness, the one true source of strength, God.

As we settle down this afternoon to watch the “big game” keep in mind that this year has been a struggle for many. Donate to the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, and help people right here in our area get the food they need. You can send donations to Ivy’s financial secretary, Peter LaSalle, or use the Souper Bowl’s Tackle Hunger Map to find a food pantry near you.

Here’s this week’s order for worship:
Prelude – Anna DiVesta

Responsive Call to Worship – Pastor Dan Wilson
One: Let your light shine, children of God!
All: God is alive within each one of us!
One: No eye has seen,
All: No ear has heard,
One: No human imagination has envisioned,
All: What God has prepared for those who love God.

Prayer of Invocation – Pastor Dan
One: Let us pray.
All: Amazing God, you are the Creator of all that is! We give you thanks for your sacred gift of life. During this time of worship, help us to accept more fully your gifts of peace and rest which you long for each soul to receive. By your mercy, lead us to continue growing in our relationship with you, God. You are our Source of Strength.
Come, Holy Spirit; wash over us. Come as Light in our darkness. Come as Strength to our weakness. We pray in your blessed name, Christ Jesus.
Fill us with your Spirit now as we worship you. Amen.

Hymn – “Great Is the Lord” – #7

REFRAIN
Great is the Lord, He is holy and just; By His power we trust in His love.
Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true; By His mercy He proves He is love.

1. Great is the Lord and worthy of glory! Great is the Lord and worthy of praise.
   Great is the Lord; now lift up your voice, now lift up your voice.
   Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord!

REFRAIN

Great are You, Lord, and worthy of glory! Great are You, Lord, and worthy of praise.
Great are You, Lord; I lift up my voice, I lift umps voice;
Great are You Lord! Great are You Lord!

Children’s Message – Jo Ann Moody

Scripture Reading – Psalm 147 – Pastor Dan

Special Music – “Total Praise”

Scripture Reading – Mark 1:29-39 – Pastor Dan

Sermon – Pastor Dan

Celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion – Pastor Dan
Responsive Invitation
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts!
All: We life them up to God!
One: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise! Sharing the Bread and the Cup Prayers of God’s Church concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – Pastor Dan

Hymn – “Through It All” – #304

I’ve had many tears and sorrows, I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong;
But in every situations God gave blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong.

REFRAIN
Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God;
Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

2. I’ve been to lots of places, And I’ve seen a lot of faces,
   There’ve been times I felt so all alone;
   But in my lonely hours, Yes, those precious lonely hours,
   Jesus let me know that I was His own.

REFRAIN

3. I thank God for the mountains, And I thank Him for the valleys,
   I thank Him for the storms He brought me through;
   For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them,
   I’d never know what faith in God could do.

REFRAIN

Benediction – Pastor Dan

Postlude – Anna DiVesta