Holy Week 2020: Good Friday

The Christian high holy day of Good Friday is the somber occasion when God’s Church remembers and grieves with deep sorrow the Crucifixion of Christ.

The Seven Last Words of Christ spoken from the Cross:

“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

“Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus said to his mother, “Woman, this is your son.”  Then Jesus said to the disciple, “This is your mother.” John 19:26-27

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

“I am thirsty.” John 19:28

“It is finished.” John 19:30

“Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

After this final, spoken word, Jesus breathed his last.  As Matthew 27:50 states, “And when Jesus had cried out again with a loud voice; he gave up the ghost (breath).”

Jesus Christ died on the cross.  The End.

Tonight’s Hymn

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand –
The shadow of a mighty Rock Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noon-tide heat, And the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears Two wonders I confess –
The wonders of redeeming love And my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by, To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame, My glory all the Cross.

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Holy Week 2020: Maundy Thursday

The Christian high holy day of Maundy Thursday is a subdued occasion when God’s Church remembers the final occasion on which Jesus of Nazareth gathered with his Twelve Disciples before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Events which are remembered on Maundy Thursday include:

The foot washing. (John 13:15-17)
The Passover Feast.
The breaking of the bread.
The pouring of the cup.
The betrayal.

The name “maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandatum,” used as a name for the commandment (commission or “mandate”) which Christ Jesus gives his followers in the upper room. Specifically, Christ’s “novum mandatum” is the new commandment to “wash one another’s feet.”

After he had washed their feet,… and had returned to the table, Jesus asked, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord… So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also must wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example to follow,’ says Jesus. “You also must do as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them… I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that ‘I am.’ Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives the One who sent me.” (John 13:12-17, 19-20)

After saying this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21) “Lord, who is it?” asked the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:25) Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread…” So when Jesus had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. (John 13:26) After Judas had received the piece of bread… Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you must do.” (John 13:27)

 

Hymns

In the Garden

1. I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear,
Falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

REFRAIN

And He walks with me,
and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

2. He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

REFRAIN

3. I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go,
Through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.

REFRAIN

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Holy Week 2020: Palm Sunday

As we continue to observe stay-at-home orders, let us take comfort in the familiar journey toward Easter and Christ’s resurrection.

 

Today is Palm Sunday.

The Christian high holy day of Palm Sunday is the joyous occasion when God’s Church celebrates the arrival of Jesus of Nazareth in Jerusalem.  The Revised Common Lectionary Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Matthew 21:1-11.  This narrative describes Jesus sending two of his disciples to pick up a donkey and the foal of a donkey for Jesus to ride on his journey. The disciples successfully acquire the donkeys, and they bring the creatures to Jesus.  Next, the disciples place cloaks on the donkeys, and Jesus rides the donkeys up the road to the Holy City.

This event is considered the fulfillment of a prophecy. The quotation in Matthew 21:5 is a reference to Zechariah 9:9-10.  It was customary in ancient Near Eastern royal processions for the king to ride on a donkey.  By doing so, Jesus himself was behaving like a king.  The populous responded

In the Christian Church, it is a custom on Palm Sunday for a congregation to participate in a processional which serves as a reenactment of Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City of Jerusalem.  Worshipers process throughout the sanctuary, wave palm branches, and shout, “Hosanna!” (This word “Hosanna” literally means “save us, we pray.”)

On the original occasion when Jesus rode to Jerusalem, crowds lined the roadside and cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name!  Hosanna in the highest!”

 

 

Palm Sunday Hymns

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

1.      Hosanna, loud hosanna, The little children sang

         Through pillared court and temple The Lovely anthem rang

         To Jesus, who had blessed them Close folded to His breast,

         Then children sang their praises, The simplest and the best,

2.      From Olivet they followed ‘Mid an exultant crowd,

         The victor palm branch waving, And chanting clear and loud:

         The Lord of men and angels Rode on in lowly state,

         Nor scorned that little children Should on His bidding wait.

3.      “Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,

         For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of heaven, our King;

         O may we ever praise Him With heart and life and voice,

         and in His blissful presence Eternally rejoice!

    The Old Rugged Cross

1.      On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

         The emblem of suffering and shame;

         And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

         For a world of lost sinners was slain.

REFRAIN

         So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross

         Till my trophies at last I lay down;

         I will cling tot he old rugged cross,

         And exchange it some day for a crown.

 2.      O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

          Has a wondrous attraction for me:

         For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

          To bear it to dark Calvary.

 REFRAIN

3.      In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

         A wondrous beauty I see;

         For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died

         To pardon and sanctify me.

REFRAIN

4.      To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,

         Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

         Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,

          Where His glory forever I’ll share.

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REFRAIN

Thank you for joining us today. Please check back here on Thursday for our Maundy Thursday service, remembering the Last Supper.

Ivy Chapel Virtual Worship Experiences

The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way we think about everything. As people across St. Louis and around the world continue to remain isolated to prevent its spread, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is proud to play at least a small role in reminding everyone that through it all, God is still speaking, and He will help us find our way through this time – together.

Please enjoy our virtual worship experiences as our way to share God’s love.

March 22, 2020

March 29, 2020

 

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy.

This is an enormously challenging moment in time for humankind and for God’s Church.  The current world health situation is extremely serious.  It is crucial now for each one of us to act responsibly.  “Love one another as I have loved you,” Jesus commands.

As people who are loved and cared for by God, we recognize that God calls us to love and care for one another.  We accept and we value this high calling.  We must do our faithful best to be as considerate as possible of everyone’s health and well-being.  With genuine consideration for each other, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ is striving to respond appropriately to the situation and to follow protocols for minimizing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Until further notice, all Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ activities, events, gatherings and “in-person” worship services are suspended.

For the time being, there will be no “in-person” gatherings of more than 10 people at Ivy Chapel UCC.  This is not an easy decision.  As Christ’s followers, we pattern our lives after the life of our Savior Jesus, and faithful discipleship involves inter-personal relationships.  This makes refraining from public worship a difficult thing for us to do.  Nevertheless, we must.  We do so out of genuine consideration for all people.

For daily spiritual nourishment; please subscribe free of charge to our United Church of Christ Stillspeaking Daily Devotional at   https://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional

We will post virtual worship experiences – including Holy Week – here on this website and on our YouTube channel.

By God’s grace and with God’s help, we are able to love one another.  God is with you.  Thank you for displaying mutual respect and loving care for all people.

If you have questions or need to reach out to us, please do not hesitate to do so via email.

Find the answers at Ivy Chapel Trivia Night – June 29

 

Trivia Night at Ivy Chapel UCC

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Ivy Chapel UCC invites you to a family friendly night of trivia.

All are welcome!

Tables of 8 are $80 or $10 per person.

There will be 10 rounds of 10 questions with mulligans available for purchase.  Other surprises and prizes are also in store!

Please get in touch with us via email to reserve your table or call 314-434-4991.

Doors open at 6:00 pm

Questions will start at 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Ivy Chapel UCC

620 North Woods Mill Road
Chesterfield, MO 63017

Fellowship Hall

Tea, lemonade, popcorn and pretzels are provided and you are welcome to bring outside food and drink (beer, wine, soda).

Join us for Holy Week 2019

Join us here at Ivy Chapel as we celebrate Holy Week, and mark the journey to Easter.

Sunday, April 14 at 10 a.m. for Palm Sunday worship as we celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

Thursday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. for Maundy Thursday, sometimes called Holy Thursday, the night of the Last Supper.

Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. for Good Friday worship commemorating the crucifixion of Christ.

On Easter Sunday, at 6:30 a.m. we gather for Sunrise Worship to celebrate the resurrection.

We gather again at 10 a.m for our Easter worship service. He is Risen!

Supporting Isaiah 58 Ministries

Here at Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ, we are proud of the longstanding relationships we have had with the organizations we support. We’re also proud to announce a newer partnership, with Isaiah 58 Ministries.

As you consider how you will support Isaiah 58 Ministries it is helpful to know that because of their partnerships with St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search your giving dollars can be stretched. Donations of canned and box foods are always appreciated, but it also good to know that financial contributions are also welcome.  As a Tier One partner with the Foodbank, Isaiah 58 is able to purchase food for 10 cents a pound. For example an average box of cereal costs $4.00. If you donate the $4.00 directly to their ministry Isaiah 58 can purchase approximately 40 comparable boxes of cereal through the food bank, allowing them to feed even more families.

Visit the Isaiah 58 ministries website to learn more about this organization.

If you’d like to contribute through Ivy Chapel, or if you would like to learn more about how we work with Isaiah 58 and other local organizations, please feel free to reach out to us.

 

Ivy reaches out during Lent

Giving is Christian outreach “Ivy-style”! Our congregation is responding to multiple offering invitations this Lenten Season. We give God glory for the many, additional ways in which people of Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ are reaching out beyond our church.

Rejoice over this extensive array of things our congregation has done and is doing this Lent: supporting World Vision in connection with Ivy Youth 30-Hour Famine; Lenten canned food drive which will go to three local food pantries; supporting Shannondale, a mission project with the Missouri Mid-south Conference of the UCC with its craft center, lodge for retreats and outdoor programs; supporting Baby Blue Pantry (operating through Wee Care Learning Center of Festus, providing money for baby diapers and formula for families in need); and supporting ecumenical, global ministries by offering gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (all donations accepted through Easter).
Praise God for Ivy’s faithful responses to these invitations to give!

Please send us an email to learn more about the organizations we support, or if you would like to learn how you can help.

HarvestFest Fundraiser, Nov. 4

You are invited to a vintage (but that does not mean old and stuffy) evening of wine, cheese, appetizers, desserts, music and more. And oh yeah, did we mention the auction? Silent and oral auctions, secret bubbly bags and other surprises are in store all evening long.

Here are the details on HarvestFest 2017:

November 4, 2017
6:30 p.m. – ?
Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ
620 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield

$15 per person in advance, $20 at the door

Proceeds will benefit Ivy Chapel programs.

Looking for a ticket? Have an auction item to donate? Drop us a line or call 314-434-4991 and we’ll set you up.

Thank you… and see you there.

Want to help promote HarvestFest? Use these flyers and invitations to spread the word.

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