Healing Powers

In June we celebrated the United Church of Christ’s commitment to growing into a fully Open and Affirming (ONA) fellowship, as we read a story of Jesus healing those who have been marginalized and outcast.  Following Christ, the UCC has been a beacon for healing and hope for those pushed to the edges because of sexual or gender identity.

“Beginning in 1969, the United Church of Christ has advocated for the LGBT community.  From the campaign to decriminalize same-sex relationships to support for marriage equality, the UCC has made a difference in the lives of LGBT citizens and their families.  The issues have changed over the decades, but the basic commitment to full inclusion and human rights remains the same…

The ONA National Gathering this coming September is the family reunion of the Open and Affirming movement in the United Church of Christ!  Members of any church—ONA or not-yet ONA—are welcome to attend.  Expect a celebration with exuberant music, inspiring preaching, and workshops that will feed your mind and soul.

While the Religious Right and their allies in federal and state governments are renewing their attack on the basic civil liberties of LGTBQ Americans, and our international queer siblings are experiencing attacks and unconscionable laws, our growing community of churches needs to respond with confidence, commitment and faith.

This September’s National Gathering will focus on how ONA churches can act faithfully in our current social and political climate.  We’ll learn best practices from vital and growing ONA churches.  And, as is always true at our Gatherings, we’ll explore the intersections of our movement with other movements for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.”

Find out more about how to register at openandaffirming.org .

Sent with Power

Mark 6:7-9 tells us that (Jesus) called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. (from the NRSV)

Some folks in the United Church of Christ jokingly refer to evangelism as “the e-word.”  Evangelist simply means “messenger of good news.”  And yet, the word ha=s become associated with the most damaging aspects of Christian experience.  Even the idea of evangelism can call to mind uncomfortable or even traumatizing past experiences.  And yet, as Jesus called those early disciples to a life of evangelism, he calls followers today.

Take some time today to consider the word evangelist.

Do you think the idea of United Church of Christ evangelism can be refreshed and renewed for a new generation?  How might that be accomplished?

How do you feel when your body hears the word evangelism?  Pay attention to where the word settles in your body.  Do you feel quite comfortable? Very uncomfortable?  Why do you think you have that response?

What do you think the role of an evangelist is?  How does the role in modern times echo the call that Jesus made to his original disciples?

What are some ways that your faith community engages in evangelism now?  What are some ways that your community could evangelize that it does not yet?

UCC Sunday Bulletin Service

June 30 — Healing Powers

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ! Today is UCC Open and Affirming Sunday. We are honored to be an Open and Affirming congregation.

Read our Open and Affirming Covenant.

Read more about Healing Powers in this week’s blog post.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Prelude in G — Couperin

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Diann Sheahan
One: For rebirth and resilience,
All: Blessed be God;
One: For the spiritually humble,
All: Glory to God, hallelujah;
One: For all who are hungry and thirsty for justice,
All: Praise God and magnify God forever;
One: For all who are banned because of speaking the truth,
All: Blessed be God;
One: For all who triumph over their bitter circumstance,
All: Glory to God, hallelujah;
One: For all who risk reputation, livelihood, and life itself
for Christ’s sake and the Gospel;
All: All praise and all glory; this is God’s Realm;
praise God and love God forever!

*HYMN — Revive Us Again — #95

We praise Thee, O God! for the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died, and is now gone above.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.

Revive us again.
We praise Thee, O God! for Thy Spirit of light,
Who hath shown us our Savior, and scattered our night.
Refrain

All glory and praise To the Lamb that was slain,
Who hath borne all our sins, and hath cleansed every stain.
Refrain

Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Refrain

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Diann Sheahan
O Faithful God, you yearn to be close to us
so that we can know you
in every breath, in every hope, in every relationship.
O Faithful God, you long for us to trust in your power
to bring to life new possibilities
where there has been no hope.
Meet us here today, Christ Jesus,
and teach us to recognize the ways of life and hope
in which you are leading us.
May our desires become your desires;
may our work become your work;
may this community become your faith community
where you above all are loved and served. Amen.

*RESPONSE — Shout to the Lord — worship booklet, pp. 80-81

My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You

Shout to the Lord
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonder of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength;
Let ev’ry breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King:
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand;
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 30:2-5, 11-12 — Diann Sheahan

SPECIAL MUSIC — Give Thanks — Hayes

GOD’S WORD — Mark 5:21-43 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

OPEN AND AFFIRMING COVENANT — Unison Reading

Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ celebrates God’s boundless and unconditional love by intentionally welcoming and celebrating all of God’s people.  We commit ourselves to:

• addressing issues of faith openly and honestly
• nourishing the Spirit of God within all people
• creating a caring community that celebrates human diversity
• respecting the faithfulness and the wisdom of other faith traditions
• working with all others to create a just world for all

Called by God to love one another, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ commits to being an Open and Affirming community of faith.  We invite everyone into full participation in the life and leadership of this congregation, celebrating that each unique human being is a child of God. We love and affirm every person of any age, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, faith tradition, physical ability, mental ability, sexual orientation,  gender identity, and gender expression. We joyfully invite everyone to join in this ministry of ongoing commitment to live as an actively Open and Affirming community of God. 

We celebrate our diversity as we journey in faith together.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus — #358

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end. [Refrain]

*BENEDICTION Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE Fugue – Dandrieu

Our Open and Affirming Covenant

Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ celebrates God’s boundless and unconditional love by intentionally welcoming and celebrating all of God’s people.  We commit ourselves to:

• addressing issues of faith openly and honestly
• nourishing the Spirit of God within all people
• creating a caring community that celebrates human diversity
• respecting the faithfulness and the wisdom of other faith traditions
• working with all others to create a just world for all

Called by God to love one another, Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ commits to being an Open and Affirming community of faith.  We invite everyone into full participation in the life and leadership of this congregation, celebrating that each unique human being is a child of God. We love and affirm every person of any age, race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, faith tradition, physical ability, mental ability, sexual orientation,  gender identity, and gender expression.  We joyfully invite everyone to join in this ministry of ongoing commitment to live as an actively Open and Affirming community of God.  

We celebrate our diversity as we journey in faith together.

Pushing the Boat Out

The United Church of Christ celebrates our 67th anniversary this weekend. These opening paragraphs of our history describe the ways in which very different faith communities prepared to live into the slogan “inessentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” How does your congregation still live out that slogan today?

On Tuesday, June 25,1957, at Cleveland, Ohio, the Evangelical and Reformed Church, 23 years old, passionate in its impulse to unity, committed to “liberty of conscience inherent in the Gospel,” and the Congregational Christian Churches, 26 years old, a fellowship of biblical people under a mutual covenant for responsible freedom in Christ, joined together as the united Church of Christ. The new church, embodied the essence of both parents, a complement of freedom with order, of the English and European Reformations with the American Awakenings, of separatism with 20th-century ecumenism, of presbyterian with congregational polities, of neoorthodox with liberal theologies. Two million members joined hands…

a message was sent to the churches from the Uniting General Synod, signed by its moderators, Louis W. Goebel and George B. Hastings, its co-presidents, and co-secretaries Sheldon E. Mackey and Fred S. Buschmeyer. after Acknowledging the separate ancestries of the parties to the union and citing ecumenical “relatives” of both denominations, the message stated, “Differences in ecclesiastical procedure, which in sundry places and times have occasioned tensions and disorders, are appointed their secondary place and are divested of evil effect.” The union, the message continued, was possible the “two companies of Christians hold the same basic belief: that Christ and Christ alone is the head of the Church… From him [we] derive the understanding of God, … participation in the same spirit, the doctrines of faith, the influence towards holiness, the duties of divine worship, the apprehension of the significance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the observance of church order, the mutual love of Christians and their dedication to the betterment of the world” (“Report on the Uniting General Synod:” Advance, July 12, 1957, p22).

You can read more of the story of the birth and early decade of our denomination by clicking on the link here-#UnitedChurch-who we are.

Flourishing

Jesus spoke to his followers in a parable about planting seeds.  In cold climates, seeds can take many months to grow into plants and bear fruit.  The job of gardeners and farmers is not only patience.  The job is also to tend; to fertilize and water and weed until at last the fragile plants break forth, and then leaves, then flowers and finally produce.  It takes a long time for seeds planted to bear fruit.

This week many congregations will be celebrating Juneteenth.  Juneteenth has been celebrated for generations in African American communities, although for some communities this will be the first year that this celebration is acknowledged.  It takes a long time for seeds planted to bear fruit.

The seeds of Juneteenth were planted on June 19^th, 1865, when troops rode into Galveston, Texas announcing the end of the civil war and the freedom of all enslaved Americans.  This was good news, yes.  But this good news came more than two and a half years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation. It takes a long time for seeds planted to bear fruit.

Juneteenth was heartily celebrated in the early part of the 20^th century with rodeos, speakers, preachers, music, worship and heaping tables of food, but those celebrations were largely shut down during the Jim Crow era.  Recognition of Juneteenth began to be revived in black communities by activists in the 1960s and 1970s.  The first legislation to make Juneteenth a national holiday was introduced in 1996.  The legislation was finally signed into law in 2021.  It takes a long time for seeds planted to bear fruit.

Whether your Juneteenth celebration this year is generations old, or is new this year, remember that it is the fruit of a seed planted decades before you were born.  And the cycle does not end with this generation.  As is the nature of growing things, the fruit you enjoy this season will produce seeds that will also, in their time, bear fruit. It takes a long time for seeds planted to bear fruit.  May the seeds you plant this Juneteenth, however small or mighty, grow beautiful in its season.

June 9 — The Will of God

This is the third Sunday after Pentecost. Let us praise God together!

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Praise Medley
He Is Exalted ~ Holy Ground ~ Majesty

*CALL TO WORSHIP — John Weiland
One: God reigns! Let the earth be glad!
All: We come in awe before the Holy One whose love is everlasting.
One: God’s Word is truth; let all people rejoice!
All: We come to be renewed and empowered by God’s love.

*HYMN — All Creatures of Our God and King — #33

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light,
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on HIm cast your care,
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O Praise Him, Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father and the Son,
And praise the spirit, three in one,
O praise Him, O praise Him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*GATHERING PRAYER — John Weiland
Let the light of your Word shine into the darkness of this world, O God; illuminating our decisions, enlightening our thoughts, and empowering our actions. Living God, we are grateful that you are with us as we gather here this morning. Fill us with your wisdom and compassion as we sing praises to your holy name. Amen.

*PRAISE RESPONSE — I Will Call Upon the Lord — #101

I will call upon the Lord
Who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
I will call upon the Lord (Repeat)

The lord liveth and blessed be the Rock,
And let the God of my salvation be exalted.
The lord liveth and blessed be the Rock,
And let the God of my salvation be exalted. (Repeat)

GOD’S WORD — Psalm 130 — John Weiland

SPECIAL MUSIC — Sweet Hour of Prayer

GOD’S WORD — Mark 3:20-35 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH AND THE LORD’S PRAYER — Pastor Dan

*HYMN — I Love to Tell the Story — #322

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story Because I know it’s true;
It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, More wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies Of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, It did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee. {Refrain}

I love to tell the story, ‘Tis pleasant to repeat
What seems each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story For some have never heard
The message of salvation From God’s own Holy Word {Refrain}

I love to tell the story, For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story That I have loved so long {Refrain}

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — Psalm 19, “The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God” — Benedetto Marcello

June 2 — Stretch Out Your Hand

Welcome to Ivy Chapel United Church of Christ. May God bless all people with love and joy! We celebrate open communion on the first Sunday of every month. If you are worshipping with us from home, please gather the elements before worship begins so you may gather at the table with us. All are welcome here.

WELCOME

PRELUDE — Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

*CALL TO WORSHIP — Pat Winship
One: O come now into this time of worship and praise to God!
All: We enter joyfully into “the sacred place of the Most High.”
One: We long to encounter God as Spirit,
All: And to worship God in spirit and in truth.
One: Let every breath become a prayer,
All: And every heartbeat become an open door through whic the Living One may enter.

*HYMN — Sing Praise to God — #45

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation;
with healing balm my soul he fills,
and every faithless murmur stills:
to God all praise and glory.

What God’s almighty power hath made,
his gracious mercy keepeth;
by morning glow or evening shade
his watchful eye ne’er sleepeth.
Within the kingdom of his might,
lo! all is just and all is right:
to God all praise and glory

The Lord is never far away,
But through all grief distressing
An ever present help and stay
Our peace, and joy, and blessing;
As with a mother’s tender hand,
He leads His one, HIs chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

Then all my gladsome way along
I sing aloud thy praises,
that men may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises:
be joyful in the Lord, my heart!
Both soul and body bear your part!
To God all praise and glory.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION — Pat Winship
Holy Spirit Fire; Wind of God; you are beyond all that we can imagine. There are no words that can fully describe your majesty and power. Dear God, we know you best through your life among us as the Messiah. As Jesus of Nazareth, you showered your love on everyone you met. Still today, Jesus, you call for our re-birth as your children, through the cleansing waters of baptism. We long to be like you, Christ Jesus. May we be faithful and fruitful in the ministries which you give us to do.
Wind of God, blowing among crowds, sweeping across generations to claim us; may we be born anew to your sacred lifestyle of giving. Hear us, Holy God, as we pray together, asking you to shape us into the human beings you intend us to be. Come, help us to live as you have created us to live. 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 — Psalm 81:1-10 — Pat Winship

SPECIAL MUSIC — Here I Am to Worship

GOD’S WORD — Mark 2:23-3:6 — Pastor Dan

SERMON — Pastor Dan

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

*HYMN — One Bread, One Body — worship booklet, pp. 72-73

Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.

1 Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain

2 Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain

3 Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain

THE JOYFUL FEAST
The Sacrament of Holy Communion [A] worship book, pp. 10-11

As the United Church of Christ, we celebrate ‘Open’ Communion.
All who desire the bread and the cup are welcome to receive.

*HYMN — We Are a New Creation — worship booklet, p. 91

We are a new creation Of Christ the Living Word.
Our songs of jubilation Shall everywhere be heard.
New life blooms fresh and glorious For those who heed the call
Of Christ Who reigns victorious O’er sin and death and all.

We are a new creation of God For this new day.
As partners let us follow The life, the truth, the way.
Christ bids us work together As colleagues old and young.
As women, men, and nations, God’s folk of every tongue.

We are a new creation For service here on earth.
We live our faith in action To tell our Savior’s worth,
Let love and justice blending Now show for all to see
God’s grace is never ending. It reaches you and me

We are a new creation By God’s own gracious hand,
Old burdens cast behind us, A daring future planned
In ministry and mission, United let us live,
In Christ a shining vision To God’s wide world to give.

*BENEDICTION — Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE — “Little” Prelude and Fugue in F — J. S. Bach

What if…we embraced the “Spirit for All”?

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Hole Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

On this day, we remember that we are co-creators with God of the reign which is to come. Pentecost reminds us that we are never alone in the co-creation. Both those within our church and those without can be vessels of the Holy Spirit, and when we speak, we will be heard and understood. And the promise of Pentecost is that the Holy Spirit does bot just fill us with words, but also incites us into action on behalf of the divine.

Look around!
What work is the Holy Spirit ready to do through your community?
How can you contribute to that?
How can you embrace the ‘Spirit for All’ ?

Ivy Chapel’s 60th Anniversary!

Join us Sunday, May 19th to help celebrate 60 years of Ivy chapel UCC!

We invite you to join us directly following worship in Fellowship Hall for a ‘Trip Down the Ivy Memory Lane’. There will be stations located around the room with memorabilia and a ‘docent’ for each area as well as refreshments!
There are still a few t-shirts available for purchase for $15 cash/check or $15.50 on a credit card.

We hope to see you Sunday as we celebrate this momentous occasion and the people through time who have helped build Ivy.

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