Sunday Worship Bulletin, March 23 2025

Veradale United Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, 

you are welcome here!”

March 23, 2025 • 10:30 a.m. 

------------------------Please, silence cellphones-----------------------

10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Kelly Cuilla, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-Up

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Entrance of the Light of Christ

Land Acknowledgement

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

   God renews us …all the time!

All the time...God renews us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Lent 4: From the Candle of Love

Lenten Book Study: Speaking Christian Monday at 7pm

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

Wednesday: String-A-Lings 5:30 and Sing-A-Lings 6:30

Ding-A-Lings after Worship

 Community giving this month: VOA Women’s Shelters

Call to Confession

One: Seek God; call upon God; God is here. Trusting in the compassion and mercy of God, we pray:

Prayer of Confession

From the Presbyterian Church USA

Forgive us, God, for the many ways that we fail to trust your promise. 

Too often we count the trespasses of others, as though we were the ones to judge. Too often we fail to believe that your gifts are freely given. Too often we spend our money for that which is not bread, and our labor for that which does not satisfy. Help us, loving God. Forgive us when we operate out of scarcity and fear rather than out of your abundant, good gifts. Help us to live as your trusting, sharing, reconciling people. 

Silent Confessions with God

Assurance of Pardon

(from 2 Corinthians 5)

One: Beloved in Christ: God was in Christ reconciling the world, not counting our wrongs against us, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, anyone in Christ is a new creation! The past is gone; everything has become fresh and new. Hear and believe the 

good news of the Gospel:

All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Opening Hymn

We bring forward rocks that symbolize the barriers and burdens that keep us from embracing God’s steadfast love.

Hymn: I Woke Up This Morning 85 (NCH)

I woke up this morning with my mind Stayed on Jesus, (repeat 2x more),

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Sing and praying with my mind, stayed on Jesus.

(repeat 2x more)

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Community Prayer

Hymn: Spirit of the Living God” RB 277

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Concern Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers in Silence Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

 The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Doxology 780 (NCH) Newer words

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Offering Hymn: “Make Me A Servant” RB236Make me a servant humble and meek. Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. And may the pray’r of my heart always be. Make me a servant, Make me a servant. Make me a servant, today.

Dedication Prayer: Beloved Creator, bless these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. Draw us closer to you and one another through this season of transformation. May we find joy in our love for you and this community as we follow the way of Jesus. Amen

Listening for God

Readings from the Candle of Joy (read by Brianna )

Luke 13:1-9, At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?  No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.  Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Jerusalem?  No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish just as they did.”

 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  So he said to the man working the vineyard, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’  He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.  If it bears fruit next year, well and good, but if not, you can cut it down.’ 

Message: Time Limits

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminders

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “God Speak to Me that I may Speak” 531 (NCH)

God, speak to me, that I may speak in living echoes of your tone; as you have sought, so let me seek erring children lost and lone.

O, lead me, God, that I may lead some wanderers along life’s way; O, feed me so that I may feed your hungry ones without delay. 

O, fill me with your fullness, God, your overflowing love to know. In glowing word and kindling thought, you love to tell, your praise to show. 

O, use me, God, use even me, just as you will, and when, and where, until your blessed face I see, your rest, your joy, your glory share.

Benediction 

Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that

which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the

fainthearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all people.

Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. The

Grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin March 16, 2025

Veradale United Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, 

you are welcome here!”

March 16, 2025 • 10:30 a.m. 

------------------------Please, silence cellphones-----------------------

10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Heidi Fowler, Guest Musician

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Stephany Wallis, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

__________, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Entrance of the Light of Christ

Land Acknowledgement

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

   God gathers us . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God gathers us !

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Lent 3: From the Candle of Joy

Lenten Book Study: Speaking Christian Monday at 7pm

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

Wednesday: String-A-Lings 5:30 and Sing-A-Lings 6:30

Ding-A-Lings after Worship

 Community giving this month: VOA Women’s Shelters

Call to Confession

One:  Gracious God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your forgiving and healing Spirit. Amen

(alt 816 NCH)

Let us open our hearts to God.

Prayer of Confession

All: Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, always willing to give more that we either desire or deserve; pour upon us the abundance of your mercy; forgiving those things of which our conscience is afraid and releasing us to new life. Return us to journey in the way of Jesus. Amen alt. 834 (NCH)

Silent Confessions with God

Assurance of Pardon

One: There is no valley too dark nor mountain too high for the healing love of God. We are forgiving. Return to the journey with Christ!

All: Thanks be to God. Amen!

Opening Hymn

We bring forward rocks that symbolize the barriers and burdens that keep us from embracing God’s steadfast love.

Hymn: “As the Deer” Red Book 28 (Three verses)

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul length after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee. 

Refrain: You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.

You're my friend and you are my brother even though you are the One. I love you more than any other, so much more than anything. (Refrain)

I want you more than gold or silver. Only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye. (Refrain)

Community Prayer

Hymn: Spirit of the Living God” RB 277

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Concern (Refrain)

Prayers in Silence (Refrain)

 The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Doxology  780 (NCH) Newer words

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication “My Peace” 

Community Prayer

(p.53, Green Book)

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

Dedication Prayer: Holy One, you show us how the way of life is through compassion, justice, and a heart open to your presence in our midst. We thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings for the ministry of this congregation that it might be on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Amen

Listening for God

Readings from the Candle of Peace (read by Don and Jan Young)

Luke 13:31-35 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

Message: Jesus the Hen

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “Called As Partners In Christ's Service” 495 (NCH)

Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace. We respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace. May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend, equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.

Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth. Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth. Men and women, richer, poorer,all God’s people, young and old, blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, in a small or global sense. Help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.  Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care, bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues, free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life that surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife. Make us partners in our living,our compassion to increase, messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace. 

Benediction 

Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that

which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the

fainthearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all people.

Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. The

Grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, March 2 2025

Veradale United Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, 

you are welcome here!”

March 2, 2025 • 10:30 a.m. 

------------------------Please, silence cellphones-----------------------

10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV 

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Marvin Wilson, Scripture reader

Heidi Fowler, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

__________, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Entrance of the Light of Christ

Land Acknowledgement

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

   God shines through us . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God shines through us !

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Wednesday: Ash Wednesday 7pm

Lenten Book Study: Speaking Christian

Bible Study, Monday at 7pm

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

No String-A-Lings and No Sing-A-Lings 

Ding-A-Lings after Worship

 Community giving this month: VOA Women’s Shelters

Opening Hymn

Hymn “We Have Come Into His House” RB 204

We have come into his house and gathered in his name to worship him. We have come into his house and gathered in his name to worship him. We have come into his house and gathered in his name to Christ the Lord. Worship him, Christ the Lord.

So, forget about yourself and concentrate on him and worship him. So, forget about yourself and concentrate on him and worship him. So, forget about yourself and concentrate on him and worship Christ the Lord. Worship him, Christ the Lord.

Let us lift up holy hands and magnify his name and worship him. Let us lift up holy hands and magnify his name and worship him, Let us lift up holy hands and magnify his name and worship him and worship Christ the Lord. Worship him, Christ the Lord.

He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in him and worship him. He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in him and worship him. 

He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in him and worship Christ the Lord. Worship him, Christ the Lord.

Community Prayer

Hymn: Spirit of the Living God” RB 277

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Concern

Refrain

Prayers in Silence

Refrain

 The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Doxology  780 (NCH) Newer words

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication “Create in Me A Clean Heart” Red Book 39

Create in me a clean heart, O my God. And renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O my God. And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me.

Dedication Prayer:  God known to us in Jesus, it is with joy that we offer these gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. May your Spirit continue to work in us and through us as a light in the storms of our time. Amen

Listening for God

Exodus 34:29-35 Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them.  Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.  When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face, but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off until he came out, and when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining, and Moses would put the veil on his face again until he went in to speak with him.

 Luke 9:28-43a. Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying.  While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.  Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.  Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”  Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”  While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.  And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Message:  Glimpse of Heaven

Meditation in Music

Sharing Holy Communion

Hand sanitizer passed around.

Pastor: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables mindful of the presence of God’s Spirit that is here with us.  We seek to honor the request of Jesus given in the scripture.  Of all the teachings Jesus gave to our ancestors, this he asked them and us to do for him to remember him. 

When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; giving God thanks and praise, he broke the bread.  He gave it to his friends saying, “Take this all of you and eat of it.  This is my body that is broken for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

After the meal had ended, Jesus poured out the cup and again he gave God thanks and praise.  He gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink from it.  This is the cup of the new covenant.  Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me.”

Let us pray.

All: Loving God, you are with us – all of us. You join us in the struggles and joys of this life. We thank you with humble hearts. Let your presence be felt among us.  Come, Holy Spirit come.  Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit.  Refresh us and renew us as Christ’s body in the world today.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

Silence as all who want to receive come forward. We will break bread and share a common cup or you can receive the packaged bread and drink,

Prayer of Thanksgiving

All: We thank you, God, for your presence at all our tables where we remember and experience the presence of Christ.  Help us to live more fully the way of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “We Remember You” RB 255

In the broken bread and the cup that we share, we remember you. In the broken bread and the cup that we share, we remember you. 

We remember you, Jesus. We remember your love for us. We remember your blood you shed. We remember you. 

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.