Sunday Worship Bulletin, Oct 6 2024

Veradale United Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

October 6, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader

John Carroll, Usher

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

_________, Scripture Reader

___________, Candle lighter

________, Fellowship Set-up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am    Worship begins

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

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

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Don and Jan bring a message

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

 Community giving: Animal Shelter Supplies

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: “As the Deer”

CCLI license #11038266

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after Thee

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my Strength, my Shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee.

You’re my Friend and You are my Brother

Even though You are a King

I love You more than any other

So much more than anything

You alone are my Strength, my Shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee.

I want You more than gold or silver

Only You can satisfy

You alone are the real joy-giver

And the apple of my eye

You alone are my Strength, my Shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart’s desire

And I long to worship Thee.

Community Prayer

NCH 769

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

Prayers of Gratitude

Refrain

Prayers of Concern

Refrain

Silent Prayer

Refrain

The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Amen, amen, amen.

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn

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!

Dedication Prayer

God of All, you dwell with us now and always, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. May our love and life reflect your presence in this world. Amen

Listening for God

Philippians 2:1-13 NRSVUE

 If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

6 

who, though he existed in the form of God,    did not regard equality with God    as something to be grasped,

7 

but emptied himself,    taking the form of a slave,    assuming human likeness.And being found in appearance as a human,

8 

    he humbled himself    and became obedient to the point of death—    even death on a cross.

9 

Therefore God exalted him even more highly    and gave him the name    that is above every other name,

10 

so that at the name given to Jesus    every knee should bend,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 

and every tongue should confess    that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Message from Wayne

Sharing Holy Communion

Hand sanitizer passed around.

Wayne: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables mindful of the presence of God’s Spirit that is here with us.  We seek to honor the request of Jesus given in the scripture.  Of all the teachings Jesus gave to our ancestors, this he asked them and us to do for him to remember him. 

When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; giving God thanks and praise, he broke the bread.  He gave it to his friends saying, “Take this all of you and eat of it.  This is my body that is broken for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”

After the meal had ended, Jesus poured out the cup and again he gave God thanks and praise.  He gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink from it.  This is the cup of the new covenant.  Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me.”

Let us pray.

All: Loving God, you are with us in questioning and learning.  We thank you with humble hearts. Let your presence be felt among us.  Come, Holy Spirit come.  Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit.  Refresh us and renew us as Christ’s body in the world today.  In the name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen.

Silence as all who want to receive come forward. We will break bread and share a common cup or you can receive the packaged bread and drink,

Blessing of the Animals

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

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

Prayer of Thanksgiving

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

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

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

Public Domain

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

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

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

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

Benediction

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin Sep 29, 2024

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 29, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

God loves us ...all the time!  All the time...God loves us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday Wayne leads St. Francis Sunday

Bible Study tomorrow 7pm

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

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

 Community giving next month: N-Sid-Sen

Welcoming the Light of Christ

 Hymn: “You Have Come Down 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: O, 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 my fishnets and 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; O loving friend, you have come to call me. (Refrain)

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Grace Alone” v1

Ev’ry promise we can make, ev’ry prayer and step pf faith, ev’ry difference we can make is only by God’s grace. Ev’ry mountain we will climb, ev’ry ray of hope we shine, ev’ry blessing left behind is only by God’s grace.

Refrain: Grace alone which God supplies strength unknown God will provide; Christ in us, our Cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone. 

Prayers of Gratitude

Refrain

Prayers of Concern

Refrain

Silent Prayer

Refrain

 The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Sing Amen(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God (Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God (Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, we praise your name, O, God

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication: Come into His Presence

CCLI license #11038266

Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give him praise and give him praise. Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart, your voices raise, your voices raise. Give glory and honor and power unto him, Jesus, the name above all names!

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

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  

Message: Ask the Pastor

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “You are the 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)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Sep 15 2024

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 15, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Heidi Fowler, Scripture Reader

_________, Candle lighter

________, Fellowship Set-up

__________, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins

We worship on the unceded traditional territory of the Spokane, Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Coeur d’Alene, and other tribes. We acknowledge the history of indigenous genocide, removal, and erasure that continues to this day.  We recognize the role that Christian communities played in these injustices, and we recommit ourselves to seeking more peaceful, just, and neighborly ways of sharing this land with all who call it home.

Community Affirmation

God loves us ...all the time!  All the time...God loves us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday Naomi brings a message on Mark 9:30-37

Bible Study and Sue and Rocky’s home 7pm

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

No String-A-Lings practice 

 Community giving next month: N-Sid-Sen

Welcoming the Light of Christ

 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: 

Refrain: 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:

Refrain

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:

Refrain

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Grace Alone” v1

Ev’ry promise we can make, ev’ry prayer and step pf faith, ev’ry difference we can make is only by God’s grace. Ev’ry mountain we will climb, ev’ry ray of hope we shine, ev’ry blessing left behind is only by God’s grace.

Refrain: Grace alone which God supplies strength unknown God will provide; Christ in us, our Cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone. 

Prayers of Gratitude

Refrain

Prayers of Concern

Refrain

Silent Prayer

Refrain

 The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or

 Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

Response: Sing Amen(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God (Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God (Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, we praise your name, O, God

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication: Come into His Presence

CCLI license #11038266

Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give him praise and give him praise. Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart, your voices raise, your voices raise. Give glory and honor and power unto him, Jesus, the name above all names!

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. They are small tokens of our gratitude for this community where you compassion is practiced.  Amen

Listening for God

Mark 8:27-38  Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again.  He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

He called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.  For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?  Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my wordsin this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Message: Even Jesus Suffers

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” 315 (NCH)

 I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
I’ll be there in case you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.



When you found the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living God, I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living God, to whom you now belong. Should you find someone to share your time, and you join your hearts as one, I’ll be there to make your verse rhyme from dusk till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I've begun. When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise.



I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion