Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 18 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 18, 2024 • 10:30 a.m. 

___________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla,Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Stephanie Wallis, Scripture reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Gregg Glisson, 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’s covenant endures. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God’s covenant endures!

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: “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” 593 (NCH)Lift ev’ry voice and sing, ‘til earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise high as the list’ning skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered. Out from the gloomy past, ‘til now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.

Call to Confession

One: We are made of stardust and to dust we shall return. Let us return our lives to God, the maker of the stars, the planets, and every living creature and know the freedom of living the way of Jesus.

Prayer of Confession

Maker of All, we are yours. Hold us in that love as you reveal to us the ways we have fallen short of our potential as your children. Heal the brokenness within us. Heal the brokenness we have caused. Grant to us hearts ready to make the change and become new through the power of forgiveness, the freedom of repentance, and the joy of transformation. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Silent Confessions with God

Assurance

One: God forgives us.

All: O Majesty, O Magnificence, O Mystery, come!

Be the hammer, and break our indifference.

Be the sun, and splinter our shadows.

Be the wind, and scatter our despair.

Yea, in the dry country of our souls, let thy grace rain;

so that we take root in thee, and grow.

Make us trees strong in all seasons, bearing fruit,

giving shade to all the weariness

and shelter to them that are lost.

So we pray to the glory of Jesus Christ

who made the cross tree green and flourishing forever.

Amen.

(Arnold Kenseth, USA)

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 Marvin Wilson

*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.  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

Genesis 9:8-17 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.  I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:  I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.  When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Psalm 25:1-10 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.2 O my God, in you I trust;    do not let me be put to shame;    do not let my enemies exult over me.3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;    teach me your paths.5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,    for you are the God of my salvation;    for you I wait all day long.

6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,    for they have been from of old.7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;    according to your steadfast love remember me,    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;    therefore God instructs sinners in the way.9 God leads the humble in what is right    and teaches the humble God’s way.10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,    for those who keep God’s covenant and decrees.

Mark 1:9-15 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.  And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him.  And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tested by Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.” 

Message: To You, O Lord

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: “In the Midst of New Dimensions” 391 (NCH) 

In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways, who will lead the pilgrim peoples wandering in their separate ways? 

[Refrain] God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more. 

Through the flood of starving people, warring factions and despair, who will lift the olive branches? Who will light the flame of care? [Refrain] 

As we stand a world divided by our own self-seeking schemes, grant that we, your global village might envision wider dreams. [Refrain] 

We are man and we are woman, all persuasions, old and young, each a gift in your creation, each a love song to be sung. [Refrain] 

Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain, may your blazing phoenix spirit, resurrect the church again. [Refrain] 

Benediction and Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Ash Wednesday Bulletin, Feb 14 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 14, 2024 • 7:00 p.m. 

___________________________________________________________

6:45pm Taize Meditation 

7:00pm 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.

Gathering Psalm adapted from Psalm 51

All: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from

my sin.

One: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right

spirit within me.

All: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from

my sin.

One: Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a

willing spirit.

All: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from

my sin.

Opening Prayer

Holy and merciful God, you know us better than we know ourselves.

And still, you love us. You recognize in us potentials that we have

denied. You hope in us. You understand that when we live in

relationship with you, more life is possible for all creation. Yet, we

are afraid. The demands of our lives keep us from trusting in you,

our neighbors, and ourselves. We seek to protect our lives and need

your mercy. For you alone are God. You alone are the Most High.

You alone have understanding and power. Help us to return, trusting

in you. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Response Taize: Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us, Let not my doubts nor my darkness speak to me. Lord Jesus Christ, your light shines within us. Let my heart always welcome your love. (sung 3 times)

Community Prayer

One: Beloved God, we come to you this night with our hearts open to

your grace and love, hear us now as we pray.

(We will pass the singing bowl to those in-person. Hold the bowl, offer a prayer in words or silence. Say aloud, “Amen” and ring the bowl.  People on Zoom bring a bell of their own or after they say Amen, someone here will ring the singing bowl.)

Lord's Prayer

Please, pray in the translation and language you know or choose from

one of those found on page 9 in the hymnal.

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

Offerings of the People 

What shall we add and/or “give up” for Lent to offer time with God

*Offering Hymn:  Taize:Where love and caring are there is God. Where love and caring are there is God.

*Dedication Prayer: Compassionate God, you know us as we are and love us completely. We offer to you our open minds, hearts, and souls. May our Lenten journey make the rough places in our souls smooth, the valleys of doubt in our minds raised up and the way of our hearts made into a highway that leads to you. Amen

Scripture Readings: Read by Diane Smith

Joel 2:1-2 

Blow the trumpet in Zion;    sound the alarm on my holy mountain!Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,    for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—2 a day of darkness and gloom,    a day of clouds and thick darkness!Like blackness spread upon the mountains,    a great and powerful army comes;their like has never been from of old,    nor will be again after them    in ages to come.

12-17

Yet even now, says the Lord,    return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;   rend your hearts and not your clothing.Return to the Lord your God,    for he is gracious and merciful,slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,    and relenting from punishment.Who knows whether he will not turn and relent    and leave a blessing behind him,a grain offering and a drink offering    for the Lord your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion;    consecrate a fast;call a solemn assembly;  gather the people.Consecrate the congregation;    assemble the aged;gather the children,    even infants at the breast.Let the bridegroom leave his room    and the bride her canopy.

 Between the vestibule and the altar,    let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,    and do not make your heritage a mockery,    a byword among the nations.Why should it be said among the peoples,    ‘Where is their God?’ ”

Matthew 6:1-6,

 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them, for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

16-21 “And whenever you fast, do not look somber, like the hypocrites, for they mark their faces to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Message: Hearts Returned

Silence

Rite of Ashes and Oil

One: We come here today to open ourselves sincerely to God. With the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, we can face the close examination of Lent and gain a new and deeper relationship with the Divine. It is in the assurance of Easter that we are able to make our

Lenten journey. To be whole is to be at peace with God, with our

neighbor, and with ourselves. The church has long recognized the

relationship between confession and wholeness. Being responsible for our choices, our actions, and our inactions is important step to becoming whole. It is something each one of us must do for ourselves. It is also something that we do together. As a community, we share each other’s brokenness and pain. The forgiveness comes from God. It is a gift.

Call to Confession

One: Sound the alarm amid the deep shadows of human conflict and sin.

Return to God with all your heart. Seek those life-changing opportunities

that God holds out to us every day of our live.

Prayer of Confession

Holy One, we open our hearts to you. See our brokenness. See how

we have not trusted in you. See our need for your direction and

healing. Show us your compassion. Heal us. Help us confront who we are and who you know we can be. Give to us the blessing of forgiveness. Give to us the freedom of repentance and transform our lives by the healing of our souls. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Silent Reflection

One: God forgives us:

All: O Majesty, O Magnificence, O Mystery, come!

Be the hammer, and break our indifference.

Be the sun, and splinter our shadows.

Be the wind, and scatter our despair.

Yea, in the dry country of our souls, let thy grace rain;

so that we take root in thee, and grow.

Make us trees strong in all seasons, bearing fruit,

giving shade to all the weariness

and shelter to them that are lost.

So we pray to the glory of Jesus Christ

who made the cross tree green and flourishing forever.

Amen.  (Arnold Kenseth, USA)

Prayer over the Ashes

One: God be with you.

All: And with you also.

One: Let us pray.

All: Gracious God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth

and stars. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our

mortality and penitence, so we may remember that only by your

gracious gift are we given life everlasting; through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Receiving of Ashs and Oil and lighting Candles at the Cross

Taize Meditation: (Recorded): Bless the Lord my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord my soul, who leads me into life.

- sung until everyone who wants to come forward has done so -

During this hymn, you are invited to come forward and as an ancient

sign of repentance, receive for yourself some of the ashes. As you

take these upon yourself you could say something like,” Forgive me,

God” or “I return to you, Loving God.” Then as a sign of forgiveness and

healing, you can receive an anointing with oil. As you are anointed,

you will hear words like, “God loves you and hopes in you. You are

forgiven.” And you might respond, “Thanks be to God.”

You are welcome to stand, sit, kneel at the cross for silent meditation.

Silent Reflection

*Benediction

Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that

which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the

fainthearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all people.

Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. The

Grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Be yourself.Grow in Christ.Live with compassion.

We leave in silence allowing those who want to stay a little longer to continue in meditation.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 11 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 11, 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

Jan Young,Scripture reader

Don Young, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

Don Young, 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 sends us teachers. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God sends us teachers!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

*Hymn: “Let it Be Said of Us”

Let it be said of us

That the Lord was our passion

That with gladness we bore

Every cross we were given

That we fought the good fight

That we finished our course

Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord

Chorus

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

By mercy made holy

By the Spirit made strong

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

'Till the likeness of Jesus

Be through us made known

Let the cross be our glory

And the Lord be our song

Let it be said of us

We were marked by forgiveness

We were known by our love

And delighted in meekness

We were ruled by his peace

Heeding unity's call

Joined as one body

That Christ would be seen by all (Chorus)

Community Prayer

Response 769 (NCH) Hear our prayer, O God! Hear our prayer O God! Incline your ear to us and grant us your peace.

Prayers of Gratitude

Response 769 

Prayers of Concern

Response 769 

Silent Prayer

Response 769

 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 of our American Black History

*Offering Acclamation: Hymn: 108 (NCH) God bring to fruition your will for the earth, that no one shall hurt or destroy, that wisdom and justice shall reign in the land and your people shall go forth in joy, in joy, your people shall go forth in joy!

Dedication prayer: Holy One, we offer of our time, talent, and treasure as we hold on to your vision of a just and peace-filled world. Bless these offerings. Multiply them to meet the needs of our church and community. Help us move the world from hate to love, from division to community, and from war to peace. Amen

Listening for God

2 Kings 2:1-12  

Readers Theater

Jan Young: Elijah

Don Young: Elisha

Scotty Patton: Narrator

Choir: The Guild

Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling bright, such as no one[a] on earth could brighten them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Message: Heavenly Forms

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: “Grace Alone”

Every promise we can make

Every prayer and step of faith

Every difference we can make

Is only by God’s grace.

Every mountain we will climb

Every ray of hope we shine

Every blessing left behind

Is only by God’s grace

Chous: Grace alone Which God supplies

Strength unknown God will provide

Christ in us, our cornerstone

We will go forth in grace alone.

Every soul we long to reach

Every heart we hope to teach

Everywhere we share God's peace

Is only by God’s grace.

Every loving word we say

Every tear we wipe away

Every sorrow turned to praise

Is only by God’s grace. (Chorus)

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.