Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 4 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!”

May 4, 2025

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator 

Naomi Hanvey,Scripture reader

_________, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve 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 knows us truly ...all the time!  All the time...God knows us truly!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Good Shepherd

Bible and Book Study Monday at 7pm

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

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

 Community giving: Coats for Kids

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Jesus Calls Us” 172 (NCH)

1. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea;  day by day that voice still calls us, saying, "Christian, follow me!" 2. As of old, /Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean Lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus' sake. 3. Jesus calls us from the worship of the treasures we adore, from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more!" 4. In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Jesus calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these!" 5. Jesus calls us! By your mercies, Savior, may we hear your call, give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love thee best of all. 

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” RB 227

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow dim in the light of his glory and grace.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow dim in the light of his glory and grace.

Prayers of Concern 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow dim in the light of his glory and grace.

Prayers in Silence 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow dim in the light of his glory and grace.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response: Glory to the Creator 759(NCH)

Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit, three in one; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: “We Give You But Your Own” 785 (NCH)

We give you but your own, whatever the gift may be; all that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully.

Dedication Prayer : With thankful hearts, we offer our time, talent, and treasure to your Spirit’s work through us. May we be a light to our world and you are the light of our lives. 

  Amen

Listening for God

John 21:1-19 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Message:  Peter Forgiven

Silence

Meditation in Music 

Sharing Holy Communion

Those at home have a little something to drink and eat. 

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 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: Come, Holy Spirit come.  Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Help us to remember that you have dwelt among us. Help us to dwell in the world today as living temples of your presence. Bless us to remember your teachings, commandments, and example. May we be renewed in this sharing.  Amen.

Silence

Prayer of Thanksgiving


All: We thank you, God, for your presence as we remember the Living Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are among us still, in each of us, and in all of your creation. Bless us to more fully live as your people. Amen.

Announcement Reminders

Our Light Goes Into the World

Hymn: “Because He Lives” RB 20

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because I know he holds the future and life is worth the living just because he lives.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Apr 27, 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!”

April 27, 2025

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Gregg Glissen, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator and Scripture reader

Heidi Fowler, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

______, Fellowship Set-Up

_______, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve 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 answers ...all the time!  All the time...God answers!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Peter Forgiven

Bible and Book Study Monday at 7pm

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

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

 Community giving: Coats for Kids

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Spirit of Gentleness” 286 (NCH)

Refrain: Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness, calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing;
“Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” Refrain:

You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand and you goaded your people with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded with idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain:

You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still;
and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain:

You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain:

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Change My Heart” RB 50

Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you. You are the potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me; This is what I pray. Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.

Prayers of Concern 

Refrain

Prayers in Silence 

Refrain

 Lord’s Prayer

Response: Alleluia 765(NCH)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: “Give Thanks”

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 Loving God, receive this offering of time, talent, and treasure. May these help our witness in this time and place. May you be known in our actions and our words.  Amen

Listening for God

John 20:19-31 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Message:  Honest Thomas

Silence

Meditation in Music 

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. 

I’d stay in the garden with him, the night around me is falling; but he bids me go through the voice of woe, his voice to be is calling. 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. 

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Easter Sunday Bulletin, Apr 20 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!”

April 20, 2025 • 10:30 a.m.

Easter

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

Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Joe McSwain, Usher and Candle Lighter

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

______Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Gen 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 lives among us . . . all the time!

All the time . . . God lives among us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Honest Thomas

Lenten Book Study: Chapters from 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: Coats for Kids

Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ

We sing and flower the cross. You are invited to share the blessing of peace with those around you as you place flowers on the cross.

Hymn: “Christ the Lord, is Risen Today” 233 (NCH)

1. Christ the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia! Mortal tongues and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, glad heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

2. Let the Victor’s people sing, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia! Dying once, Christ lives to save, Alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!

3. Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Christ rise, Alleluia! God has opened paradise, Alleluia!

4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Christ, like Christ we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Change My Heart” RB 50

Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you. You are the potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me; This is what I pray. Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Change my heart, O God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, O God. May I be like you.

Prayers of Concern 

Refrain

Prayers in Silence 

Refrain

The Lord’s Prayer (brought to us from Louise)

A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer BookEternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

Response: Holy, Holy, Holy  277(NCH)

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty! All your works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty. God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: “Give Thanks”

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:

Renewer of Life, bless these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. May we live as your people overcoming hardship and rejoicing in new beginnings.  With trust in your Spirit, we pray. Amen

Listening for God


Message with Young Hearts

What is your favorite part of Easter?

Acts 10:34-43 NRSVUE Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced:  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.  All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

John 20:1-18 NRSVUE Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look[a] into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir,[b] if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,[c] “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Message:  No Partiality

Silence

Announcement Reminders

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: “The Day of Resurrection” 245(NCH)

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad; The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God. From death to life eternal, from earth unto the sky, our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright the Christ who reigns eternal in resurrection light. We listen for the teachings once heard so calm and plain, for we, too, want to follow and raise the victor strain.

Now let the heav’ns be joyful! Let earth the song begin! The whole world keep high triumph, and all that is therein! Let all things seen and unseen their notes in gladness blend, for Christ again has risen, our joy that hath no end.

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.