Sunday Worship Bulletin, April 6 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 6, 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

Scotty Patton, Scripture reader and Zoom Monitor

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

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 dwells with us …all the time!

All the time...God dwells with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Palm/Passion Sunday

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: Coats for Kids

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: God forgives us!

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 We Gather” RB 16 sung twice

As we gather may your Spirit work within us. As we gather, may we glorify your name. Knowing well that as our hearts begin to worship, We’ll be glad because we came. We’ll be glad because we came. Repeat.

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 (from Louise)

A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer Book

Eternal 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  (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

Offering 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: Giver of light and love, pour out your Spirit on these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. Multiply our giving that this little church may be an embassy of your realm of compassion and justice. We ask as we serve the way of Jesus. Amen

Listening for God

Readings from the Advent Crist Candle time capsule (read by Naomi )

Isaiah 43:16-21 Thus says the Lord,

    who makes a way in the sea,

    a path in the mighty waters,

17 who brings out chariot and horse,

    army and warrior;

they lie down; they cannot rise;

    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

18 Do not remember the former things

    or consider the things of old.

19 I am about to do a new thing;

    now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

    and rivers in the desert.

20 The wild animals will honor me,

    the jackals and the ostriches,

for I give water in the wilderness,

    rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

21     the people whom I formed for myself

so that they might declare my praise.

 John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Message: Do You Not Perceive It?

Sharing of Holy Communion

Pastor: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables mindful of those who gathered in remembrance of Jesus before us and those yet to come. We are grateful that we have this day together. We remember that Jesus walked among our ancestors and the Holy Spirit dwells within us today. We remember that Jesus asked for us to remember him when we eat bread and drink of a cup.

 When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; ...   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.

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminders

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “Go My Children with My Blessing” 82 (NCH)

Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are my own. In my love's baptismal river, I have made you mine forever. Go, my children, with my blessing - You are my own.

Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me. Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free. Here my Spirit's power filled you; here with tender comfort stilled you.Go, my children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

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 30 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 30, 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

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, 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 welcomes us …all the time!

All the time...God welcomes us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Lent 5: From the Christ Candle

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 next month: Coats for Kids

Call to Confession

(from OGHS resource book)

One: Let us confess before God and one another the ways we seek to change.

ALL: God of Love, you created us to love you and one another. We confess that we have sometimes limited that love to words, and failed to make that love real by our actions. We have failed to recognize Christ in the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the naked, the incarcerated and the sick. Too often, we have turned away form your presence, failing to share what we have with our brothers and sisters in need. Forgive us. Turn our hearts, and guide us to follow in your ways anew. 

Silent Reflection

Assurance

One: Our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

All: God is good to all, and has compassion for all creation.

One: We are forgiven!

All: Thanks be to God!

Opening Hymn

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

Hymn: Be God’s

Where the world is merciless be God’s Mercy. Where the world is hopeless, be God’s hope. Where there is injustice, be God’s justice. Where there is sadness, be God’s joy. Where the world is doubting, be God’s faith. Where there is ingratitude, be God’s grace. Where there is confusion, be God’s truth. Where there is weakness, be God’s strength.

Refrain: Let your life change the world one person at a time. Let your life be the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we become his body, we can be the living sign, with God’s love, change the world with your life.

Where the world is wounded, be God’s healing. Where the world is weeping, be God’s song. Where there is despairing, be God’s beauty. Where the world is crumbing, be God’s rock. Where there’s no tenderness, be God’s child. Where there is loneliness, be God’s smile. Where there is dying, be God’s life. Where there is darkness, be God’s light. (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 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 (brought to us from Louise)

A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer Book

Eternal 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: 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 Advent Candle of Love time capsle (read by Sue )

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable:

11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father[d] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

Message: There was a Man with two Sons

Ask the Pastor 

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminders

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “You are the Seed” 528 (NCH)

 You are the Seed that will grow a new sprout; you’re a star that will shine through the day; You are the yeast and a small grain of salt, a beacon to glow in the night. You are the dawn that will bring a new day; you’re the wheat that will bear golden grain. You are a sting and a soft, gentle touch, my witnesses where’er you go.

Refrain: Go, my friends, go to the world proclaiming love to all, messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love. Be, my friends, a loyal witness, from the dead I arose; “Lo, I’ll be with you forever, ’til the end of the world”

You are the flame that will brighten the way, sending sparkles of hope, faith, and love; You are the shepherds to lead the whole world through valleys and pastures of peace.You are the friends that I chose for myself, the word that I want to proclaim. You are the city that’s built on a rock where justice and truth always reign. (Refrain)

You are life that will nurture the plant; you’re the waves in a turbulent sea; yesterday’s yeast is beginning to rise, a new loaf of bread it will yield. There is no place for a city to hide, nor a mountain can cover it’s might; may your good deeds show a world in despair a path that will lead all to God. (Refrain)

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 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.