Sunday Worship Bulletin, September 7 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!”

September 7, 2025

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Stephanie Wallis, Scripture Reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle lighter

   _______, Fellowship Set-up

       _______, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Welcoming 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 remakes us ...all the time!  All the time...God remakes us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday Wayne brings a message about Aging with God

Bible Study starts tomorrow

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

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

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

 Community giving this month: Farm and Food

Farm and Food Show and Tell

Sue Ferrozzo

Opening Hymn

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord! 400 from Hymns for the Family of God

Community Prayer

105 (Sing Book)

Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers in Silence

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response 812 (NCH)

Amen. Amen. Amen.

A Time of Offering Gregg Glisson

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “The Steadfast Love of the Lord” RB 306 

Dedication Prayer

  Holy One, you know us as we are and as we can be. We thank you with humble hearts. Bless these gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. May they be multiplied in the work of our witness to your presence in our world. Amen

Listening for God

Jeremiah 18:1-11 NRSVUE translation

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. ⁴ The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁶ Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. ⁷ At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, ⁸ but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. ⁹ And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, ¹⁰ but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. ¹¹ Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you, from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.

Philemon 1:1-21, The Message Translation

^1-3 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!

^4-7 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

^8-9 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ’s ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn’t hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary, but I’d rather make it a personal request.

^10-14 While here in jail, I’ve fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter—Onesimus! He was useless to you before; now he’s useful to both of us. I’m sending him back to you, but it feels like I’m cutting off my right arm in doing so. I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I’m in jail for the Message. But I didn’t want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn’t willingly agreed to.

^15-16 Maybe it’s all for the best that you lost him for a while. You’re getting him back now for good—and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That’s what he was to me—he’ll be even more than that to you.

^17-20 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. This is my personal signature—Paul—and I stand behind it. (I don’t need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) Do me this big favor, friend. You’ll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

^21-22 I know you well enough to know you will. You’ll probably go far beyond what I’ve written. And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.

Message: Made and Remade

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,

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.

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Closing Hymn Christian Rise and Act Your Creed 537 (NCH)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Blessing of the Memorial Garden, September 7, 2024

Music by Jan Young and Mike Weissenfels

All sing three times: We are standing on holy ground and I know that there are angles all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Pastor: The Lord is with you.

All: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray: 

ALL: Loving God, as we gather in this Memorial Garden, we remember all those who have lived this way of Jesus. Bless us to take time in this little garden to talk with them, pray with them, and be with God. Help us to be strengthened in our relationship with you and all your creation. Bless us to live this life as Jesus did. One day, may you say to us what you have already said to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Amen 

The Story of this Garden, Don Young

Hymn: “I Come to the Garden Alone” 237 (NCH)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. 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.

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. 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.  

Prayer: Holy One, we delight in the love that has made this garden. Continue to bless this place: the plants, the soil, the bricks, and the benches. May this be a place of prayer, worship, and rest. Bless us with the comfort of your Spirit as we leave this place. May we return many times to be here in quiet meditation and know you are with us always. We pray as we follow Jesus. Amen

Music by Jan Young and Mike Weissenfels

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 31 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!”

August 31, 2025

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher 

Louise Tajuddin, Usher

Maureen Carroll, Scripture Reader

Kelly Cuilla, Candle lighter

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-up

_______, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Welcoming 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 labors ...all the time!  All the time...God labors!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday “Made and Remade” 

Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21

Bible Study starts September 8

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

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

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, September 10

 Community giving next month: Farm and Food Prep

Opening Hymn

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Lord be Glorified” RB 176

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Gratitude

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Concern 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers in Silence 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 793 (NCH)

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “Give Thanks” RB 7 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ, the son. (Repeat) And now let the weak say, “I am strong!” Let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” (repeat)

Give thanks. Give thanks.

Dedication Prayer

Bless, dear God, the labors of our life and faith. May all that we have and all we do bring the light of your truth and compassion to our world. Amen

Listening for God

Jeremiah 2:4-13 The Message translation

^4-6 Hear God’s Message, House of Jacob!    Yes, you—House of Israel!God’s Message: “What did your ancestors find fault with in me    that they drifted so far from me,Took up with Sir Windbag    and turned into windbags themselves?It never occurred to them to say, ‘Where’s God,    the God who got us out of Egypt,Who took care of us through thick and thin, those rough-and-tumble    wilderness years of parched deserts and death valleys,A land that no one who enters comes out of,    a cruel, inhospitable land?’

^7-8 “I brought you to a garden land    where you could eat lush fruit.But you barged in and polluted my land,    trashed and defiled my dear land.The priests never thought to ask, ‘Where’s God?’    The religion experts knew nothing of me.The rulers defied me.    The prophets preached god BaalAnd chased empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.

^9-11 “Because of all this, I’m bringing charges against you”        —God’s Decree—    “charging you and your children and your grandchildren.Look around. Have you ever seen anything quite like this?    Sail to the western islands and look.Travel to the Kedar wilderness and look.    Look closely. Has this ever happened before,That a nation has traded in its gods    for gods that aren’t even close to gods?But my people have traded my Glory    for empty god-dreams and silly god-schemes.

^12-13 “Stand in shock, heavens, at what you see!    Throw up your hands in disbelief—this can’t be!”        God’s Decree.“My people have committed a compound sin:    they’ve walked out on me, the fountainOf fresh flowing waters, and then dug cisterns—    cisterns that leak, cisterns that are no better than sieves.

Luke 14:1, 7-14 NRSVUE translation

14 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the Sabbath, they were watching him closely. 

(And) 

⁷ When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ⁸ “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host, ⁹ and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. ¹¹ For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

¹² He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.¹⁴ And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Message: Labor Day in the Land of Plenty

Ask the Pastor

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Closing Hymn: “Shall We Gather At the River” 597 (NCH)

Shall we gather by the river where bright angel’s feet have trod with its crystal tide foreverflowing by the throne of God?Refrain: Yes, we’ll gather by the river the beautiful, the beautiful river, gather with the saints by the river that flows by the throne of God.

On the margins of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. (Refrain)

As we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down, grace our spirits, and provide a robе and crown. (Refrain)

Soon we’ll reach the shining river. Soon our pilgrimage will cease. Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. (Refrain)

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 24, 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!”

August 24, 2025

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher 

Jerry Brines, Usher

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Heidi Fowler, 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 

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 is beautiful ...all the time!  All the time...God is beautiful!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday “Labor Day in the Land of Plenty” 

Jeremiah 2:4-13, Luke 14:1, 7-14

String-A-Lings lead the music

Bible Study starts September 8

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

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

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, September 10

 Community giving this month: Kid’s Coats and School Supplies

Opening Hymn

Arise, Your Light Is Come 164(NCH)

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Lord be Glorified” RB 176

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Gratitude

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Concern 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers in Silence 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 793 (NCH)

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “Give Thanks” RB 7 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ, the son. (Repeat) And now let the weak say, “I am strong!” Let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” (repeat)

Give thanks. Give thanks.

Dedication Prayer God known to us in Jesus, we offer portions of our time, talent, and treasure to your work through us. May this little church have all that is needed to be a witness to your way of compassion for all creation. Amen

Listening for God

Isaiah 58:6-14 The Message translation

^6-9 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:    to break the chains of injustice,    get rid of exploitation in the workplace,    free the oppressed,    cancel debts.What I’m interested in seeing you do is:    sharing your food with the hungry,    inviting the homeless poor into your homes,    putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,    being available to your own families.Do this and the lights will turn on,    and your lives will turn around at once.Your righteousness will pave your way.    The God of glory will secure your passage.Then when you pray, God will answer.    You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

^9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices,    quit blaming victims,    quit gossiping about other people’s sins,If you are generous with the hungry    and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out,Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,    your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.I will always show you where to go.    I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—    firm muscles, strong bones.You’ll be like a well-watered garden,    a gurgling spring that never runs dry.You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,    rebuild the foundations from out of your past.You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,    restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,    make the community livable again.

^13-14 “If you watch your step on the Sabbath    and don’t use my holy day for personal advantage,If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy,    God’s holy day as a celebration,If you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’    making money, running here and there—Then you’ll be free to enjoy God!    Oh, I’ll make you ride high and soar above it all.I’ll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob.”    Yes! God says so!

Jeremiah 1:4-10 The Message translation

1 ^1-4 The Message of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah of the family of priests who lived in Anathoth in the country of Benjamin. God’s Message began to come to him during the thirteenth year that Josiah son of Amon reigned over Judah. It continued to come to him during the time Jehoiakim son of Josiah reigned over Judah. And it continued to come to him clear down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah over Judah, the year that Jerusalem was taken into exile. This is what God said:

⁵ “Before I shaped you in the womb,    I knew all about you.Before you saw the light of day,    I had holy plans for you:A prophet to the nations—    that’s what I had in mind for you.”

⁶ But I said, “Hold it, Master God! Look at me.    I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!”

^7-8 God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’    I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.    Don’t be afraid of a soul.I’ll be right there, looking after you.”    God’s Decree.

^9-10 God reached out, touched my mouth, and said,    “Look! I’ve just put my words in your mouth—hand-delivered!See what I’ve done? I’ve given you a job to do    among nations and governments—a red-letter day!Your job is to pull up and tear down,    take apart and demolish,And then start over,    building and planting.”

Message: Life with Purpose

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Closing Hymn: “If My People” RB 172 (Choir/response)

Choir: If my people

All: If my people

Called by my name, Called by my name

Turn from evil, Turn from evil 

And seek my face, And seek my face

(Repeat)

I will hear, I will hear

I’ll forgive, I’ll forgive

I will heal, I will heal

And heal their land, And heal their land

(Repeat)

Choir: We, your people

All: We, your people

Called by your name, Called by your name

Turn from evil, Turn from evil 

And seek your face, And seek your face

(Repeat)

Hear our cry, Hear our cry

Lord, forgive, Lord, forgive

Come and heal, Come and heal

Come heal our land, Come heal our land

(Repeat)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion