Sunday Worship Bulletin, Feb 4 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 4, 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

Naomi Hanvey.Scripture reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

__________, 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 our strength. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God is our strength!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

*Hymn: Hymn: “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning” 369 (NCH)

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning (repeat 2x more) for this work is almost done. Sisters, don’t grow weary. Brothers, don’t grow weary. Children, don’t grow weary, for this work is almost done.

It’s our faith makes us happy (repeat 2x more) for this work’s almost done. 

Sisters, don’t grow weary. Brothers, don’t grow weary. Children, don’t grow weary, for this work is almost done.

We are Climbing Jacob’s ladder (repeat 2x more) for this work is almost done. Sisters, don’t grow weary. Brothers, don’t grow weary. Children, don’t grow weary, for this work is almost done.

Every round goes higher, higher (repeat 2x more) for this work’s almost done. Sisters, don’t grow weary. Brothers, don’t grow weary. Children, don’t grow weary, for this work is almost done.

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

*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 make these offerings with grateful hearts. Bless all we are, all we have, and all we do. Bless these gifts for Rosa Parks. Let her know that her memory is alive with us and helping the MLK Center in our region.  May your realm will be made real in our lives.  Amen.

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

When do you feel like doing a Happy Dance?

Isaiah 40:21-31

Have you not known? Have you not heard?    Has it not been told you from the beginning?    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,who stretches out the heavens like a curtain    and spreads them like a tent to live in,23 who brings princes to naught    and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,when he blows upon them, and they wither,    and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

25 To whom, then, will you compare me,    or who is my equal? says the Holy One.26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:    Who created these?He who brings out their host and numbers them,    calling them all by name;because he is great in strength,    mighty in power,    not one is missing.

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,    and assert, O Israel,“My way is hidden from the Lord,    and my right is disregarded by my God”?28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,    the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary;    his understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the faint    and strengthens the powerless.30 Even youths will faint and be weary,    and the young will fall exhausted,31 but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;    they shall walk and not faint.

Mark 1:29-39

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons, and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38 He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also, for that is what I came out to do.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Message: Renew our Strength

 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.

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: “You Are Salt for the Earth, O People” 181  (NCH)    

You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God; Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the City of God! 

Refrain: Bring forth the reign of mercy, bring forth the reign of peace. Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God.

You are light on the hill, O people: light for the City of God! Shine so holy and bright. O People: shine for the City of God! (Refrain)

You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God! (Refrain)

We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the City of God! Love our journey and love our homeland: love is the City of God. (Refrain)

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Jan 28 2024

Veradale United Church of Christ

An Open & Affirming Congregation

Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”

January 28, 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

Stephany Wallis, 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 is One. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God is One!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

*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]

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

*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: Just and Compassionate God, pour out your blessing upon all the time, talent, and treasure that we offer. May the abundance of your loving kindness be known through our witness in this time and place. Amen

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

For those who are kids and all those who were once kids: When you were little, what did you sense about God?

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge, but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists” and that “there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols?  So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister for whom Christ died is destroyed.  But when you thus sin against brothers and sisters and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never again eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Mark 1:21-28 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.  They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.  Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!”  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Message: One God

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing Hymn: “*Hymn: “God Reigns o’er All the Earth” 21 (NCH)

God reigns o’er all the earth! Green hills and valley’s low, the farms and towns in golds and browns God’s grace and beauty show.  God reigns o’er all the earth! Stone banks and spreading plains, in rainbow hues - reds, yellows, blues - of stream and country lanes.

God reigns o’er human life! Through youth and aging years, in death, in birth, in grief in mirth, in all our hopes and fears. God reigns o’er human life! Our inspiration still. Through all our schemes, in all our dreams, we see God’s reigning will.

God reigns o’er time and space! In history’s bygone days, Christ’s faithful folk in reverence spoke to bring God earnest praise. God reigns o’er time and space! O’er galaxy and sun, through timeless years the cosmos hears the heavenly music run.

God reigns! Emmanuel! God with us every day, in all our past and to the last, our comfort and our stay. God reigns! Emmanuel! Let praise to Christ be sung! God’s presence here makes all things dear. Let joyful bells be rung!

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Jan 21 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!”

January 21, 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 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 is patient . . . all the time!

All the time . . . God is patient!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

formerly known as Announcements

*Welcoming the Light of Christ 

*Hymn: “Be Now My Vision” 451(NCH)

Be now my vision, O God of my heart; nothing surpasses the love you impart - you my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, your presence my light. 

Be now my wisdom, and be my true word; ever within me, my soul is assured; Mother and Father, you are both to me, now and forever, your child I will be. 

Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise, you, my inheritance, now and always. You and you only are first in my heart, great God, my treasure, may we never part. 

Sovereign of Heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of All.

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

*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: 

Beloved God, we thank you for the gift of your loving presence in our lives. Bless these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. May they may hasten the day when all creation lives in peace with You and with one another. Amen.

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

How do you use a compass?

Jonah 3:1-10 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.”  So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.  Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. Humans and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.”

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.

Mark 1:14-20 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.” 

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Message: Turn Around

Silence

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Closing 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.

Benediction and Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.