Sunday Worship Bulletin, July 7 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!”

July 7, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Reader’s Theater, 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 guides us ...all the time!  All the time...God guides us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday “Natural Relations”

Bible Study off for the Summer

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: School Supplies

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: This is my Song 591 (NCH)

This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine; this is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine: but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine; but other lands have sunlight too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine: O hear my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine.

Community Prayer

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

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: 812 (NCH)

Amen. Amen. Amen. 

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Choir: Gather Us In

Dedication Hymn 780 (NCH)

Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

Dedication Prayer

  Holy One, your hope in us never wavers. Fill our offerings of time, talent, and treasure with your blessing so that this little church may shine the light of hope and healing.Amen

Listening for God

Readers Theater

Readings from Genesis 18 and 19

Message: Another Tale of Two Cities

Choir: At This Table

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: Let us Talents and Tongues employ 347(NCH)

1.    Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy: bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Refrain: Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.Pass the Word around: loaves abound!(repeat)

2. Christ is able to make us one, at his table he set the tone, teaching people to live to bless, love in word and in deed express Refrain

3. Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt, gives us love to tell, bread to share: God, Immanuel, everywhere! Refrain

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin June 30 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!”

Sunday, June 30, 2024 • 10:30 a.m.

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Scripture reader

Diane Salt, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

_________, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor

10:30am 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 listens ...all the time!  All the time... God listens!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday is Communion

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Sunday Mornings before Worship

Community giving NEXT month: School Supplies

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn “Ask, Seek, Knock”

1.  Sometimes it’s hard to believe in someone my eyes can’t see. Sometimes I question and doubt the way Thomas did. But God’s not the kind who says don’t use your mind, so when questions trouble my soul, I trust in the promise that Jesus made to us all…

Chorus: When we ask, seek knock we will receive from God! When we ask, seek knock, surely we’ll find! When we ask, seek knock, doors will swing open wide! So let us, ask, seek knock, all of our lives!

2. Sometimes when I’m feeling strong I promise things I can’t keep. Sometimes I let Jesus down the way Peter did. But God gives me grace to learn from my mistakes, and pick up the pieces again, and trust that the Savior is working good through it all! Chorus:

Used with permission from Bryan Sirchio

Community Prayer

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

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: 812 (NCH)

Amen. Amen. Amen. 

A Time of Offering

Dedication Hymn 780 (NCH)

Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

Dedication Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life and the journey of faith. Bless our time, talent, and treasure that your compassion maybe know through us and in us. Bless also our Birthday Cake Kits given over these last 6 months. May these gifts bring hope and joy to those who receive them. Amen

Listening for God

Psalm 13

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?    

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I bear pain in my soul    

and have sorrow in my heart all day long?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!    

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;    

my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

But I trusted in your steadfast love;    

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord    

because God has dealt bountifully with me.

Matthew 7:7-8 

Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

Message: Freedom to Question

Silence

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Hymn: “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing” 76 (NCH)

Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing, the people of God from this dwelling take leave. The service is ended, O now be extended the fruits of our worship in all who believe.

The seed of the teaching, receptive hearts reaching, shall blossom in action for God and for all. God’s grace did invite us, and love shall unite us to work for God’s realm and to answer the call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living, the tasks of our everyday life we will face. Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring, embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.

With your grace you feed us, with your light now lead us, united us as one in this life that we share. Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving give honor to Christ and that name which we bear.

Benediction

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, June 23 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!”

June 23, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull: Music Director

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Jan Young, Scripture Reader

Joe McSwain, Candle Lighter

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

Naomi Hanvey, Message

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 is still speaking ...all the time!  All the time... God is still speaking!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday is “Ask the Pastor” Sunday

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Sunday Mornings before Worship

Community giving this month: Birthday Kits

In honor of all the Work Parties and Marches over the last 10 years

If I had a Hammer led by Jan Young

If I had a hammer,I’d hammer in the morning

I’d hammer in the evening, All over this land.

I’d hammer out danger,I’d hammer out a warning,

I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

If I had a bell, I’d ring it in the morning

I’d ring it in the evening, All over this land.

I’d ring out danger,I’d ring out a warning,

I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

If I had a song, I’d sing it in the morning

I’d sing it in the evening, All over this land.

I’d sing out danger, I’d sing out a warning,

I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

Well, I got a hammer and I got a bell 

And I got a song to sing all over this land. 

It’s the hammer of justice.

It’s the bell of freedom.

It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

It’s the hammer of justice.

It’s the bell of freedom.

It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

Naming those who have been a hammer, bell, and song

Welcoming the Light of Christ

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

1.   Joyful, joyful, we adore you, God of glory, God of love;Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above.Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the storms of doubt away;Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

2.   All your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays, stars and angels sing around you, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, teach us what our praise should be.

3.   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.

4.   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

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Prayers of Concern

Prayers in Silence

 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

From the Choir: Chariots a Comin’

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Ding-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings and Congregation

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

Dedication Prayer Still speaking God, you Spirit is among us moving us give of our time, talent, and treasure to fulfill your vision for our lives and world. We thank you with humble hearts. May the revelation of your love and justice shine bright form our community. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Listening for God

Matthew 5:33-47 ““Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’  But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 

Matthew 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Message: You have heard it said 

Meditation in Music from the choir

“Sanctuary”

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: Hymn: “We Sing the Mighty Power of God” 12 (NCH)

 (note: an older version uses “we” where our hymnal uses “I”)

1 We sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies. We sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey. 

2 We sing the goodness of our God that filled the earth with food; God formed the creatures with the word and then pronounced them good. Oh, how your wonders are displayed, where'er we turn our eyes, if we survey the ground we tread or gaze upon the skies. 

3 On Earth there’s not a plant or flower but makes your glories known. The clouds arise and spread their showers by order from your throne; All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care: Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there. 

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion