Sunday Worship Bulletin, Oct 19, 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!”

October 19, 2025

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher and Candle Lighter

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Scripture Reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-up

Michael Pflieger, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am    Welcoming the Light of Christ_and Worship Begins

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 has compassion ...all the time!  All the time...God has compassion!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: God Our Witness

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 and Luke 18:9-14

Bible Study, Monday, 7pm

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

String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, Sept 6:30pm

Saturday, Nov 1 at 1pm Celebration of Deb Bradshaw’s Life

Can you help with refreshments?

Community giving: Animal Shelter Supplies

Opening Hymn: “Dream God's Dream” 120 Sing

(Chorus)Dream God's dream Holy Spirit, help us dream...Of a world where there is justice, and where everyone is free to build and grow and love and to simply have enough the world will change when we dream God's dream

I'm dreaming of a world where the color of one's skin will mean less than what's within the person's heart. A world where water's clean, and where air is safe to breathe and every child born has enough to eat. (Chorus)

I'm dreaming of the call God is offering to me how to use my energy and my best gifts to do the work of Christ -- to say, God please use my life to spread Your healing love -- and to live your Truth (Chorus)

I'm dreaming of the way that I want my life to go. I've got hopes and I've got goals I'd like to meet. I'm reaching for the stars, but I won't forget the scars of Christ who died to show that the Dream's for all...(Chorus)

Community Prayer

NCH 769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God: incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

Prayers of Gratitude

song

Prayers of Concern

song

Silent Prayer

song

 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: “Surely the Presence” RB 285

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace. I can hear the brush of angel wings. I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “We Bring The Sacrifice of Praise” RB 235

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving.

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy!

Dedication prayer: Creator of All, we offer our time, talent, and treasure to the sustaining of this congregation and our witness to your compassion and justice. May the abundance of your love for all creation be know through us. Amen

Listening for God

Genesis 32:22-31 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. ²³ He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. ²⁴ Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. ²⁵ When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. ²⁶ Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” ²⁷ So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” ²⁸ Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans and have prevailed.” ²⁹ Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. ³⁰ So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” ³¹ The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Luke 18:1-8 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³ In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸ I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Message: Wrestling with Faithfulness

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “Fear Not” (2x) 51RB

Fear not, for I am with you. Fear not, for I am with you.

Fear not, for I am with you, says the Lord. (Repeat)

I have redeemed you, I have called you by name. Child, you are mine. When you walk through waters I will be there, and through the flame. You’ll not (NO WAY!) be drowned! You’ll not (NO WAY!) be burned! For I am with you.

Last time

Fear not, for I am with you. Fear not, for I am with you.

Fear not, for I am with you, says the Lord. Fear not!

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Oct 12 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!”

October 12, 2025

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Marvin Wilson, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

________, Fellowship Set-up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am    Welcoming the Light of Christ

And Worship Begins

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 stands within us ...all the time!  All the time...God stands within us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Wrestling with Faithfulness

Genesis 32:22-31 (Jacob wrestles with Angel) 

Luke 18:1-8 (Widow and Unjust Judge)

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

String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, Sept 6:30pm

Saturday, Nov 1 at 1pm Celebration of Deb Bradshaw’s Life

Can you help with refreshments?

Community giving: Animal Shelter Supplies

Opening Hymn

Hymn: “Great is Your Faithfulness” 423 (NCH)

Great is your faithfulness, O God Creator, with you no shadow of turning we see. You do not change, your compassions, they fail not; all of your goodness forever will be.

Refrain: Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed your hand has provided. Great is your faithfulness, God unto me!

Summer and winter and spring time and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to your great faithfulness, mercy and love (refrain)

Pardon for sin and a peace so enduring, your own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. (refrain)

Community Prayer

NCH 769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God: incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

Prayers of Gratitude

song

Prayers of Concern

song

Silent Prayer

song

 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: “Surely the Presence” RB 285

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace. I can hear the brush of angel wings. I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “We Bring The Sacrifice of Praise” RB 235

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving.

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy!

Dedication prayer: Holy One, we offer our time, talent, and treasure to the sustaining of this embassy of your compassion and justice. May the abundance of your love for all creation be know through us. Amen

Listening for God

2 Timothy 2:8-15 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,    we will also live with him;¹² if we endure,    we will also reign with him.If we disown him,    he will also disown us;¹³ if we are faithless,    he remains faithful,    for he cannot disown himself.

¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Luke 17:11-19 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “Hush, Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name” NCH 604

 Hush, hush, somebody’s calling my name. Hush, hush, somebody’s calling my name. Oh, hush, hush, somebody’s calling my name. O my God, O my God, what shall I do? What shall I do?

Sounds like Jesus. Somebody’s calling my name. Sounds like Jesus. Somebody’s calling my name. Oh, sounds like Jesus. Somebody’s calling my name. O my God, O my God, what shall I do? What shall I do?

I’m so glad, trouble won’t last always. I’m so glad, trouble won’t last always. Oh, I’m so glad, trouble won’t last always. O my God, O my God, what shall I do? What shall I do?

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Oct 5 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!”

October 5, 2025

World Communion and St. Francis Sunday

We meet outside is the weather is good.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

10:30am    Worship begins

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 dwells within us ...all the time!  All the time...God dwells within us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Standing Faithfully before God

Bible Study, Monday 7pm "The Four Agreements"

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

String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, Sept 6:30pm

 Community giving: Animal Shelter Supplies

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” 31 (NCH)

 Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
Our dear God made them all.

1. Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
and made their tiny wings. Refrain 

2.The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky. Refrain 

3.The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
God made them every one. Refrain

Community Prayer

NCH 769

Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God: incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

Prayers of Gratitude

Refrain

Prayers of Concern

Refrain

Silent Prayer

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: “Amen, amen, amen.” 812 (NCH)

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: Eat this bread. Drink this cup. Come to me and never be hungry. Eat this bread. Drink this cup. Come to me and you shall not thirst.

Dedication prayer: Just and Compassionate God, pour out your blessing upon all the time, talent, and treasure that we offer. May the abundance of your loving kindness be known through our witness in this time and place. Amen

Listening for God

Psalm 37:1-9 NRSVUE translation¹ Do not fret because of the wicked;    do not be envious of wrongdoers,² for they will soon fade like the grass    and wither like the green herb.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;    live in the land and enjoy security.⁴ Take delight in the Lord,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;    trust in him, and he will act.⁶ He will make your vindication shine like the light    and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

⁷ Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;    do not fret over those who prosper in their way,    over those who carry out evil devices.

⁸ Refrain from anger and forsake wrath.    Do not fret—it leads only to evil.⁹ For the wicked shall be cut off,    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Luke 17:5-10 The Message Translation

⁵ The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”

⁶ But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.

^7-10 “Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, ‘Sit down and eat’? Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, ‘Prepare dinner; change your clothes and wait table for me until I’ve finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper’? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what’s expected of him? It’s the same with you. When you’ve done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’”

Message: Trust in the Lord and do good

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 in questioning and learning.  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,

Blessing of the Animals

While we are still sharing our communion tables, we share in this blessing)

Beloved Creator, you have made all creatures beautiful in your sight. Brother Francis recognized every animal as our true siblings. We thank you with humble hearts. By the power of your love, help each of these pets to live as companions and friends. Help us who love them to show your kindness and compassion to them all the days of their lives. We pray in the power of your Spirit. Amen

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Pastor: Let us pray. We thank you, God, for this loving community. As we share this meal and these blessings, we are humbled. You are beyond our understanding and within everyone and everything everywhere and in all creation. Bless us now to more fully live as your people in respect and love for all your creation through Jesus Christ whose way we follow.  Amen.

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “God Reigns o’er all the Earth” 21 (NCH) vs. 1 and 4

God reigns o’er all the earth! Green hills and valley’s low, the farms and towns in golds and browns God’s grace and beauty show.  God reigns o’er all the earth! Stone banks and spreading plains, in rainbow hues - reds, yellows, blues - of stream and country lanes.

God reigns! Emmanuel! God with us every day, in all our past and to the last, our comfort and our stay. God reigns! Emmanuel! Let praise to Christ be sung! God’s presence here makes all things dear. Let joyful bells be rung!

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion