Sunday Worship Bulletin, March 10, 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!”

March 10, 2024 • 10:30 a.m. 

Worship Leaders

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Tom Cuilla, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Recording of the Canticle of Turning

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.

Worship Begins

God sends messengers. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God sends messengers!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study Monday at 7pm

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

Wednesday, Choir 6:30pm

Sunday. WHEN fundraiser at Center Place 5:00pm

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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

Hymn: Bless Be the Lord

Refrain: Bless be the Lord, bless be the Lord, the God of mercy, the God who saves, I shall not fear the dark of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

God will release me from the nets of all my foes. God will protect me from their wicked hands. Beneath the shadow of God’s wings I will rejoice to find a dwelling place secure. Refrain

I need not shrink before the terrors of the night, nor stand alone before the light of day. No harm shall come to me, no arrow strike me down, no evil settle in my soul. Refrain

Although a thousand have fallen at my side, I’ll not ne shaken with the Lord at hand. God’s faithful love is all the armor that I nee to wage my battle with the foe. Refrain

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!

Community Prayer

Taize chant: Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)

Prayers of Gratitude

Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)

Prayers of Concern

Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)

Silent Prayer

Where love and caring are there is God. (Repeat)

 The Lord’s Prayer 

A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer BookEternal 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: 812 (NCH) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

*Offering Acclamation: 

Taize Chant: Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us, let not my doubt nor my darkness speak to me. Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us. Let my heart always welcome your love.

Dedication prayer:  Holy One, bless these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure that we may fulfill your vision for this your church. Bless our lives and our One Great Hour of Sharing. Help us be ambassadors of your Good News to all we meet. We ask with love for Jesus. Amen

Ask the Pastor

Listening for God

Genesis 14:17-24  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer (Kee-dor-la-Omar) and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

    maker of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High,

    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything. 21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share.”

Psalm 110:1-4

The Lord says to my lord,

    “Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Lord sends out from Zion

    your mighty scepter.

    Rule in the midst of your foes.

Your people will offer themselves willingly

    on the day you lead your forces

    on the holy mountains.

From the womb of the morning,

    like dew, your youth will come to you.

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,

    “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:5-10 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

    according to the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:1-3 This “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him,” 2 and to him Abraham apportioned “one-tenth of everything.” His name, in the first place, means “king of righteousness”; next, he is also king of Salem, that is, “king of peace.” 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

John 12:20-33

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

27 “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say: ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people[a] to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Message: A High Priest Forever

Music Meditation

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: If God is For Us 

Refrain: If God is for us, who can be against if the spirit of God has set us free. (repeat)

I know that nothing in this world can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain

Nothing can take us from God’s love, poured out in Jesus, the Lord. Refrain

And nothing present or to come can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain

I know that neither death nor life can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain

Benediction and Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Let It Live by Rob Leveridge copyright 2013, all rights reservedChorusA D AI am starting to see, life is bigger than me,E AA child of the Holy, I’ve got a big family!A D AI want the kingdom to come, there’s a lot to be done,E A DA DATake the help that I give, forge hope and let it live!Verse 1A DHeard what you done when your begotten SonBm7 GGave it all (gave it all!) for us all (for us all!)A DI haven’t got many gifts, so I’d thought,Bm7 GOr much to show (much to show!), but here you go (here you go!)E GI’ve heard about all your promises,E DI want to see what you’ll do with this!ChorusVerse 2Seen how you take folks who can’t get a breakAnd make a way (make a way!), from no way (from no way!)Seen how you call out the comfortable, To share the cost (share the cost!), and bear the cross (bear the cross!)I want to join with the generousAnd go with joy where you’re sending us! Chorus

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Mar 3 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!”

March 3, 2024 • 10:30 a.m. 

___________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Tom Cuilla,Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Diane Smith, Scripture reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, 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.

Worship Begins

God is just. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God is just!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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

Hymn: When We 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

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.

Community Prayer

Taize chant: Where love and caring are there is God. Where love and caring are there is God.

Prayers of Gratitude

Chant

Prayers of Concern

Chant

Silent Prayer

Chant

 The Lord’s Prayer A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer BookEternal 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 for ever. Amen.

Response: 812 (NCH) Amen. Amen. Amen. 

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

*Offering Acclamation: 

Taize Chant: Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us, let not my doubt nor my darkness speak to me. Lord Jesus Christ your light shines within us. Let my heart always welcome your love.

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 love one another as you continue to love us. Amen

Ask the Pastor

Listening for God

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

John 2:13-22

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, with the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?”  But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Message: Foolish like Jesus 

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 the easy times and the difficult experiences.  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.

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: Breathe Deep the Breath of God (see screen)

Benediction and Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

LOVE AND JUSTICE   ©2008  K.Mazzella / Peermusic

The moon is hidden in the cloudsthe fire light is dyingin the dark slum and streetmen women children cryingno work today means no pay and no pay means we're starvingmother I'm with child againI feel like I am dyingA pen, a pen your weapon bemy fine courageous women !let's sign our names a thousand times for freedom that's hard winningno more let fear and anger rule with heavy hand of violencethe moon is shining in the sky as we break the silencechorusLove and Justice be my flagI'll live my truth what e're will beI swear that I cannot rest till there's equalityLove and justice be my flagI 'll live my truth what ever comesso many rivers to cross till our journeys doneAll who toil the weary earthsee beyond your measure!women are real gold  for all of us to treasurefor every heroine that's named there are a thousand namelesswho live to make a better day with acts of love and justice!Daughter, sister, mother, wifewhen you rise so shall othershappiness will fall upon son, father, husband, brotherin home and in the market placetown and countrysidelet our laughter spread its wealth, it's surely our birthright!Oh ! I had the strangest dreamit came one starry midnightMen and women all joined hands in peace and loving friendshipall broken hearts were mendedall broken bodies healedRiver, mountain, rocks rejoicedthe bells of freedom peeled!

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 25 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!”

February 25, 2024 • 10:30 a.m. 

___________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla,Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, 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 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.

Worship Begins

God loves me. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God loves me!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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

*Hymn: Blessed Assurance 473 NCH

1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in Christ's blood.

Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]

3 Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blessed; Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with God's goodness, lost in Christ's love. [Refrain]

Call to Confession

One:  Gracious God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your forgiving and healing Spirit. Amen

(alt 816 NCH)

Let us open our hearts to God.

Prayer of Confession

All: Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, always willing to give more that we either desire or deserve; pour upon us the abundance of your mercy; forgiving those things of which our conscience is afraid and releasing us to new life. Return us to journey in the way of Jesus. Amen alt. 834 (NCH)

Silent Confessions with God

Assurance of Pardon

One: There is no valley too dark nor mountain too high for the healing love of God. We are forgiving. Return to the journey with Christ!

All: Thanks be to God. Amen!

Community Prayer

Taize chant: Where love and caring are there is God. Where love and caring are there is God.

Prayers of Gratitude

Chant

Prayers of Concern

Chant

Silent Prayer

Chant

 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

An Offering from our American Black History by Scotty Patton

*Offering Acclamation: 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.

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

Dedication prayer: Holy One, pour out your Spirit upon our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Bless our gifts for Rosa Parks. May the families of the MLK Center feel the love and hope we send. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Ask the Pastor

Rite of Membership

Invitation

Sentences

Questions of the Candidate

Pastor:  Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the  faith and family of Jesus Christ?

Candidate: I do.

Pastor:  Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

 Candidate: I do.

Pastor: Do you accept Christ Jesus as your Redeemer, ultimate guide,  teacher, and perfect example of the direct, selfless, and loving path to God?

Candidate: I do.

Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace given you, to grow in Christian faith

and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating

Christ’s presence and furthering Christ1s mission in all the world?

Candidate:  I promise with the help of God.

Statement of Faith

 Pastor:  Those who are able will please rise for our Statement of Faith 

ALL:  We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,

and to your deeds we testify:

You call the worlds into being,

create persons in your own image,

and set before each one the ways of life and death.

You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

You judge people and nations by your righteous will

declared through prophets and apostles.

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,  

you have come to us

and shared our common lot,

conquering sin and death

and reconciling the world to yourself.

You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,

creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, 

binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

You call us into your church 

to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,   

to be your servants in the service of others, 

to proclaim the gospel to all the world 

and resist the powers of evil,

to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table,

to join him in his passion and victory.

You promise to all who trust you

forgiveness of sin and fullness of grace,

courage in the struggle for justice and peace,

 your presence in trial and rejoicing,

and eternal life in your realm which has no end.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.

Amen.

Address

Pastor:  By your baptism, you were made one with us in the body of

Christ, the church.  Today, we rejoice that your journey of faith has

brought you to be with us in this time and place.  We give thanks for every

community of faith that has been your spiritual home and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith.

Question about Participation

Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world.

 Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.

Welcome and Reception

Moderator: Let us, the members of the Veradale United Church of Christ, 

express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ. 

All: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We 

promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and 

labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit 

may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior. 

Greeting of Christian Love

Prayer 

All: O God, we praise you for calling us to faith and for gathering us 

into this church, the body of Christ. We thank you for your people 

gathered in this Veradale United Church of Christ and rejoice that you have increased our community of faith. Together may we live in the Spirit, building one another up in love, sharing in the life and worship of the church, and serving the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

*Hymn: Have Thine One Way Lord 

Listening for God

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NRSUE

Jabez was honored more than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”  Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.

Message: The Prayer of Jabez by Wayne Shull

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: When Peace Like a River (It is Well with My Soul) 438 (NCH)

1 When peace like a river, uphold me each day,when sorrows like sea billows roll,whatever my lot, you have taught me to say,"It is well, it is well with my soul."

Refrain: It is well with my soul; it is well, it is well with my soul.

2 Though evil should tempt me, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has paid life and blood for my soul: [Refrain]

3 My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought - my sin - not in part, but the whole -Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! [Refrain]

4 O God, speed the day that is filled with your light, when clouds are rolled back as a scroll; The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall appear,"even so" - it is well with my soul. [Refrain]

Benediction and Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.