Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 26 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 26, 2024

Trinity Sunday and Memorial Day Weekend

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Gregg Glisson, 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 is One. . . all the time!  All the time . . . God is One!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

No Bible Study Monday

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

Lighting of Memorial Candles during the hymn.

(Many of us cannot get to the graves of our loved ones. This is an opportunity to honor our ancestors by lighting a candle and speaking/thinking their names)

Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 277 (NCH) 

Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! Saints adore you truly, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim bow before you only, From the beginning God eternally.

Holy, holy, holy! Though we know but dimly, though the eye of human kind your glory may not see, you alone are holy holy; you alone are worthy, perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! All your works shall praise your name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!

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, as you are one in justice, love, and mercy, make us one. Bless these gifts and make them pleasing in your site. May the day soon come when sharing by all will mean scarcity to none. Amen.

Listening for God

Isaiah 6:1-8 NRSVUE

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said, “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

John 3:1-17 NRSVUE

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Message: The Wind Blows Where It Chooses

Silence

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “Shall We Gather At the River” 597 (NCH

Shall we gather by the river where bright angel’s feet have trod with its crystal tide foreverflowing by the throne of God?Refrain: Yes, we’ll gather by the river the beautiful, the beautiful river, gather with the saints by the river that flows by the throne of God.

On the margins of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. (Refrain)

As we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down, grace our spirits, and provide a robе and crown. (Refrain)

Soon we’ll reach the shining river. Soon our pilgrimage will cease. Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. (Refrain)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Pentecost Sunday Bulletin, May 19 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 19, 2024

Pentecost

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Maureen Carroll James, Scripture Reader

__________, Candle lighter

Gregg Glisson, 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 breathes life...all the time!  All the time...God breathes life!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study Monday at 7pm at Maureen and John’s 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: “Spirit Come” by Bryan Sirchio used with his permission

Spirit come,… fall on us anew,…open up our hearts,,, as we worship you (repeat from beginning)

 God of Love, everyday your mercy falls like rain. We give thanks for your ever flowing streams of grace

Spirit come,… fall on us anew,…open up our hearts… as we worship you… as we worship you… as we worship you, as we worship you, as we worship you.

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

Blessed Spirit, fill us with your light and life that we may be the body of Christ in the world today. Bless all our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. With your blessing, we will fulfill your vision for our lives, our world, and this your church. We pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen

Listening for God

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you and will cause flesh to come upon you and cover you with skin and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

So I prophesied as I had been commanded, and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath,[d] and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.

Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’  Therefore prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from your graves, O my people, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord when I open your graves and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”  All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,  

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,    

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,    

in those days I will pour out my Spirit,        

and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above    

and signs on the earth below,        

blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness    

and the moon to blood,        

before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Message: I Will Put My Spirit within You

Silence

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: Come, O Spirit  267 (NCH)

1. Come, O Spirit, dwell among us, come with Pentecostal power. Give the church a stronger vision; help us face each crucial hour. Built upon a firm foundation, Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone. Still the church is called to mission that God's love shall be made known.

2 We would raise our alleluias for the grace of former years. For tomorrow's unknown pathway, Hear, O God, our humble prayers. In the church's pilgrim journey, you have led us all the way. Still in presence, move before us, fire by night and cloud by day.

3 Come, O Spirit, dwell among us; give us words of fire and flame. Help our struggling voices praise You, glorify Your holy name. Good Creator, Savior, Spirit,  three in One: what mystery! We would sing our loud hosannas now and through eternity.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

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