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.

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         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.

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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.

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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.

CCLI License #456361

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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

 

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.

UCC Lenten Series Bible Study

Sell your wares at the 2013 Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair

The Second Annual Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair is November 22 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. – and we need your help. We’re looking for crafters, bakers, builders & sellers of all kinds to join us in kicking off the Christmas season. It’s a chance to give your new, growing or established business some great exposure, and, of course, to have some fun doing it.

We ask that you reserve your space early–last year our spaces sold out. The registration fee is $30 for a 6 ft. table, and $35 for an 8 footer.

Fill out the registration form and mail it to Ivy Chapel Vendor Fair, 620 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63017.

Have questions? Drop us a line and we’ll fill you in on the details.

2013 Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair Nov. 22

Are we really talking about Christmas time already? Well, we do have a way to go… but it’ll be here before you know it. Mark your calendar for the Ivy Chapel Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better event this year. Come join us to shop local vendors, handmade crafts, baked goods, one-of-a-kind jewelry and more! Finish up (or start) your Christmas shopping, listen to some live Christmas music, visit with friends and pick up some snacks to eat now or later!

Check this site often for updates. As the event gets closer, we’ll post a list of upcoming vendors and other exciting things you’ll see at the fair.

And if you’d like to exhibit at the fair, drop us a line or call Erin Winship at 314-973-6507.

 

Stand Strong! Include Ivy Chapel’s VBS in your summer plans.

Be sure to mark off July 22-26 for Ivy Chapel’s youth Vacation Bible School. This year, we’re headed to Medieval times  with Kingdom Rock – where kids stand strong for God.

Ivy’s VBS runs from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon and includes bible stories, music, crafts, games and snacks. Each day, campers will learn how we can all “stand strong” as children of God.

Join us this summer for Ivy Chapel UCC’s Vacation Bible School!

KINGDOM ROCK – Where Kids Stand Strong for God

July 22 – 26

9 a.m. – noon

God’s love helps us… Stand Strong!

Family and friends help us…Stand Strong!

Prayer helps us….Stand Strong!

Trusting God helps us….Stand Strong!

The Bible helps us….Stand Strong!

Ready to sign up? Here’s the registration form. If you have any questions, send us an email or call Linda Lowry, our Youth Program Coordinator, at 314-434-4991.

 

Hurricane relief information

Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.

If you would like to donate to relief efforts, please mark your check with “Hurricane Sandy Response” and place it during the basket during worship. Checks should be made payable to United Church of Christ.

If you prefer, you can also mail donations to United Church of Christ; Financial Services; 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. If you prefer you may also click here to donate via a secure form through the United Church of Christ.

Following this and any disaster, Emergency Clean-Up Buckets and Hygiene Kits through Church World Service, are urgently needed. Click the links to learn how you can help.

 

What if we talked to more people?

Throughout our exploration of how to grow our church, we have challenged our members to come up with both public and private “What if?” statements. Some of these have been shared, paper leaves hanging from the vine in the church’s narthex.

One of the earliest leaves carried a potentially loaded message: “What if we all talked to more people during coffee hour?”

The message, of course, is that to be truly open, friendly and welcoming, we have to be, well, friendly and welcoming.

This article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch drives this point home.

What do you think? What can we do as a church to continue growing, furthering our mission?

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