Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 12 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!”

May 12, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Cherall-Anne St. James, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, 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’s joy is with us ...all the time!  All the time...God’s joy is with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study Monday at 7pm at ___________ home

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm

 Community giving this month: Blessing Box and Coats for Kids

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” 4 (NCH)

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Op’ning to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!

All you works with joy surround you, Earth and heav’n reflect your rays, Stars and angels sing around you, Center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, singing bird and flowing fountain. Tell us what our praise should be.

You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest! Loving Spirit, Father, Mother, all who love belong to you; Teach us how to love each other, By that love our joy renew.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, Which the morning stars began; Boundless love is reigning o’er us, reconciling race and clan. Ever singing, move we forward, faithful in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us onward, In the triumph song of life.

Community Prayer

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 

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 Concern

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 in Silence

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.

 Lord’s Prayer

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 Hymn

Love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. 

Love your neighbor as yourself for God loves us all.

Dedication Prayer

Holy One, we make this offering of our time, talent, and treasure to the work of this your church. May our worship, fellowship, and service be filled with your joy. Amen

Listening for God

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Brothers and sisters, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus, for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”

“So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to the eleven apostles.

John 17:6-19 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost,[b] so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Message: My Joy Complete

Silence

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy 

1. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Down in my heart! Down in my heart! (repeat) Down in my heart to stay.

chorus: And I'm so happy so very happy. I've got the love of Jesus in my heart. (repeat)

 2. I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart. Down in my heart! Down in my heart! (repeat) Down in my heart to stay. Chorus

3. I’ve got the love of Jesus , love of Jesus, down in my heart, Down in my heart! Down in my heart! (repeat) Down in my heart to stay. chorus

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 5 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!”

May 5, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Diane Smith, Scripture Reader

Naomi Hanvey, Candle lighter

Sue Ferrozzo, 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 includes all of us ...all the time!  All the time...God includes all of us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study Monday at 7pm at ___________ home

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm

 Community giving this month: Blessing Box and Coats for Kids

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: God Made from One Blood 427 (NCH)

God Made from One Blood all the families of earth,

the circles of nurture that raise us from birth;

Companions who join us to work through each stage

of childhood and youth and adulthood and age.

We turn to you, God, with our thanks and our tears

for all of the families we’ve known through the years;

The intimate networks on whom we depend

of parents and partners and children and friends.

Through families we’ve tasted the value of trust

and felt what it means to be loving and just;

Yet families have also betrayed their best goals,

mistreating their members and bruising their souls.

Help families in all of their various forms

to face with integrity struggles and storms;

Grant peace to our homes that will nurture the bud

of peace for the families you made from one blood.

Community Prayer

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 

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 Concern

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 in Silence

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.

 Lord’s Prayer

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 Hymn

Love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. Love your neighbor as yourself for God loves us all.

Dedication Prayer

Loving God, we give these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure as tokens of our gratitude.  Fill our lives with your Spirit that we may bring your presence into our relationships. Amen

Listening for God

Acts 10:44-48 NRSV

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”  So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

John 15:9-17 NRSV

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I do not call you servants[a] any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Message: Love One Another 

Silence

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: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant” 539 (NCH)

Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road; we are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you in the shadow of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow 'til we've seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.

Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, April 28 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!”

April 28, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

___________, Scripture Reader and Zoom Monitor

___________, Candle lighter

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-up

____________, Fellowship Clean-up

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

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study Monday at 7pm at ___________ home

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm

 Community giving this month: Coats for Kids

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: De colores (Sing of Colors) 402 (NCH)

Sing of colors, sing of colors, that over the hills in profusion are springing. Sing of colors, sing of colors, of the birds that fly outside my window their cantiles singing. Sing of colors, in the rainbow’s bright colors God’s promise of hope we recall. Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all. Sing of colors that make up the earth and give thanks to the God who created us all.

Sing rejoicing! Every creature that breathes raise a song to the God of creation. Sing rejoicing! Sing to God who so earnestly cares, who has offered salvation. Sing the good news! Sing the love of the Savior reflecting the colors of all. Many colors that shine from God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall. Many colors that shine from God’s face, many colors that tell us God’s love to recall.

De colores, de colores se visten los campos en la primavera. De colores, de colores son los pajaritos que vienen de afuera. De colores, de colores es el, arco iris que vemos lucir. Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí. Y por eso los grandes amores de muchos colores me gustan a mí

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 

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 Concern

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

Prayers in Silence

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

 Lord’s Prayer

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 Hymn: What Does the Lord Require

1. What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?2. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

3. To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Dedication Prayer

  Source of All That Is, we give thanks and praise.  Fill these offerings of our time talent and treasure and these Coats for Kids with blessings. May we, your servants, may bring justice, peace, and kindness to the world. Amen

Listening for God

Acts 8:26-40 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) So, he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” So, Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,    and like a lamb silent before its shearer,        so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him.    Who can describe his generation?        For his life is taken away from the earth.”

The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip began to speak and starting with this scripture he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

 John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Message: Jesus Di-Vine, We Di-Branches.

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “You Are Salt for the Earth, O People” 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 the 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