Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 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!”

February 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

Charlie Salt, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, 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 is merciful . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God is merciful!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Communion and Transfiguration 

 Mardi-Bras Friday, February 28, Pueblo Mexican at 1600 E Sprague Ave

Bible Study this Monday, 7pm

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

String-A-Lings, Wednesday, 5:30pm; 

Sing-A-Lings Wednesday, 6:30pm

 Community giving Next month: VOA Women’s Shelters

Opening Hymn

You are Salt for the Earth 181 (NCH)

You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God; Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the City of God!

Refrain: Bring forth the reign of mercy, bring forth the reign of peace. Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God.

You are light on a hill, O people: light for the city of God! Shine so holy and bright, O people: shine for the City of God! (Refrain)

You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God! (Refrain)

We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the City of God! Love our journey and love our homeland: love is the City of God. (Refrain)

Community Prayer

Holy Ground (Red Book 148)

We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

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

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

A Moment from American History 

Dr. Charles Richard Drew Park presented by Marvin Wilson

Dedication “Lord, Be Glorified” Red Book 176

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

In your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In your church, be glorified today.

Dedication Prayer:  God made known to us in Jesus, bless and multiply our time, talent, and treasure that the day will soon come when all people live with justice that brings peace. Amen

Listening for God

Luke 6: 27- 38 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Message: New Neighbors

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: What a Friend We have in Jesus 506(NCH)

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carryeverything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged,take it to Our God in prayer! Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to our God in prayer.Are we weak and heavy-laden, burdened with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge--take it to our God in prayer; Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to our God in prayer!Jesus’ arms will take and shield you, you will find a solace there.

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 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!”

February 16, 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

Heidi Fowler, Scripture reader

Regie Cotton, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-Up

________, Fellowship Server

Naomi Hanvey, 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 sighs for us . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God sighs for us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Love Enemies

No Bible Study this Monday 

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

String-A-Lings, Wednesday, 5:30pm; 

Sing-A-Lings Wednesday, 6:30pm

 Community giving this month: MLK Community Center

Opening Hymn

Over My Head 514 (NCH)

Over my head I hear music in the air,  (2x more)

There must be a God somewhere.

Over my head I hear singing in the air,  (2x more)

There must be a God somewhere.

Over my head I see trouble in the air,  (2x more)

There must be a God somewhere.

Over my head I see Jesus in the air,  (2x more)

There must be a God somewhere.

Community Prayer

Holy Ground (Red Book 148)

We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers of Concern

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers in Silence

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

 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: 769 (NCH)

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

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

A Fowler Duet Heidi and her daughter

A Moment from American History Howard Thurman presented by Jan Young and Ida B Wells presented by Don Young

Dedication “Lord, Be Glorified” Red Book 176

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

In your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In your church, be glorified today.

Dedication Prayer:  Generous God, bless and multiply our time, talent, and treasure. Help us to live sharing kindness and creativity in a world that has become hostile and demands uniformity. We ask as we follow Jesus. Amen

Listening for God

Luke 6:17-26  He came down with them and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.  And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,    for yours is the kingdom of God. 

“Blessed are you who are hungry now,    for you will be filled.“Blessed are you who weep now,    for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich,    for you have received your consolation.

 “Woe to you who are full now,    for you will be hungry.“Woe to you who are laughing now,    for you will mourn and weep.

 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Message: Joys and Sighs

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: Lord, Make Me More Holy 75(NCH)

Lord, make me more holy. Lord, make me more holy.

Lord, make me more holy, until we meet again.

Holy, holy, holy until we meet again.

Lord, make me more faithful…Faithful… until we meet again.

Lord, make me more humble…Humble… until we meet again.

Lord, make me more prayerful…Prayerful… until we meet again.

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 9 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!”

February 9, 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

Louise Tajuddin, Usher 

Diane Smith, Scripture reader

Heidi Fowler, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

________, Fellowship Server

Naomi Hanvey, 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 loves everyone . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God loves everyone !

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Luke’s Sermon on the Plain

Bible Study, Monday at 7pm

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

String-A-Lings, Wednesday, 5:30pm; 

Sing-A-Lings Wednesday, 6:30pm

 Community giving this month: MLK Community Center

Opening Hymn

You who have Come to the Lakeshore 173 (NCH)

You have come down to the lakeshore seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy but only asking for me to follow.

Refrain: Jesus, you have looked into my eyes, kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name. On the sand I’ve abandoned my small boat; Now with you, I will seek other seas.

You know full well my possessions, neither treasure nor weapons for conquest, just these fishnets and a will for working. Refrain

You need my hands, my exhaustion, working love for the rest of the weary – a love that’s willing to go on loving. Refrain

You who have fished other waters; you, the longing of souls that are yearning; As loving Friend, you have come to call me. Refrain

Community Prayer

Holy Ground (Red Book 148)

We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers of Concern

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Prayers in Silence

Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

 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: 769 (NCH)

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

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

A Moment from American History

Belle Da Costa Greene

Presented by Cherall-Anne St. James

Dedication “Lord, Be Glorified” Red Book 176

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

In your church Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In your church, be glorified today.

Dedication Prayer: 

Compassionate God, you know us as we are and love us with a power great enough to set us free. We thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings of our time, talent and treasure. May these small tokens of our gratitude be a light of your presence in our world.  Amen

Listening for God

Paul has been calling the Corinthians to a way greater than all their petty hierarchy of gifts. He has told them that way that is greatest is Agape love, to love others as God has loved us, to have compassion. He further calls them to live the way of Jesus. They have received this good news — no doubt. But receiving is not the end. It is the beginning of doing.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Now I want you to understand, brothers and sisters, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain.

3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures 4 and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you believed.

The writer of Luke has taken us to the edge of a cliff last Sunday and this Sunday we meet Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret/ Sea of Galilee. Notice, he will call his disciples from their everyday work.

Luke 5:1-1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the Lake of Gennesaret and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to burst. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’s knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astounded at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Message: Gathering All People, No Exceptions

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: Precious Lord, Take My Hand 472 (NCH)

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.  Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near. When my life is almost gone. Hear my cry, hear my call. Hold my hand lest I fall:

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the shadows appear and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone, at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand:

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.