Sunday Worship Bulletin, Dec 10, 2023

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!”

Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Kelly Cuilla, Scripture reader

Kelly Cuilla, 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

The peace of God is here . . . all the time!  All the time . . . the peace of God is here!

*Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Comfort, Comfort, O My People” 101 ( NCH)

Comfort, comfort, O my people, tell of peace,” thus, says our God. Comfort those whose hearts are shrouded, mourning under sorrow’s load. Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.

For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near, bidding us to make repentance since the realm of God is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now, prepare for God a way; let the valley’s rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting. 

Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, for Messiah’s holy reign. For God’s glory evermore shall be known o’er all the world; and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.                                                   

Lighting of the Candle of Peace

Kelly Cuilla: “They shall not hurt or destroy on all God’s holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:1

Message from Kelly Cuilla

Prayer at the lighting of the candle of Peace:

All: Holy one, we light this candle asking that all may be filled with the knowledge of you. May all seek to live justly with one another that peace may prevail.  Amen

Community Prayer

124 (NCH) verse 3: Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care and fit us for heaven to live with you there.

Prayers of Gratitude

124 (NCH) verse 3

Prayers of Concern

124 (NCH) verse 3

Silent Prayer

124 (NCH) verse 3

 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 # 132 (NCH)v. 3

Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of God’s righteousness and wonders of God’s love, and wonders of God’s love, and wonders, wonders of God’s love.

Dedication prayer:  

Holy One, come to us in the cold nights of this season. As we give these offerings, pour out the healing of hope and peace that we may be your light in the world today. Amen.

Amen.

Listening for God

Time with Young Hearts and Pastor Gen

Why is there a donkey in the nativity sets?

Isaiah 40:1-11 read by Kelly Cuilla

 Comfort, O comfort my people,    says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,    and cry to herthat she has served her term,    that her penalty is paid,that she has received from the Lord’s hand    double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries out:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be lifted up,    and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level,    and the rough places a plain.5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,    and all flesh shall see it together,    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out!”    And I said, “What shall I cry?”All flesh is grass;    their constancy is like the flower of the field.7 The grass withers; the flower fades,    [[when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;    surely the people are grass.8 The grass withers; the flower fades,     but the word of our God will stand forever.9 Get you up to a high mountain,    O Zion, herald of good newslift up your voice with strength,    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;     lift it up, do not fear;say to the cities of Judah,    “Here is your God!”10 See, the Lord God comes with might,    and his arm rules for him;his reward is with him    and his recompense before him.11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;    he will gather the lambs in his armsand carry them in his bosom    and gently lead the mother sheep.

Message: “The Art of Peace”

Jennifer Compau

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

* Hymn: “Angels We have Heard on High” 125( NCH)

  Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  

Shepherds, why this jubilee?  Why your joyous strains prolong?  What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire our heavenly song?  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise.  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!  Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Dec 3 2023

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!”

First Sunday of Advent December 3, 2023 • 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

Naomi Hanvey, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, 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 here . . . all the time! All the time . . . God is here!

*Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn “Keep Awake, Be Always Ready” 112(NCH)

Lighting of the Candle of Hope

Naomi Hanvey: "Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Message from Naomi Hanvey

Prayer at the lighting of the candle of Hope:

All: Hope of our lives, we light this candle to declare your hope for all creation. Bless this light to shine out into the darkness with the promise you are with us. Amen.

Community Prayer

124 (NCH) verse 3: Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care and fit us for heaven to live with you there.

Prayers of Gratitude

124 (NCH) verse 3

Prayers of Concern

124 (NCH) verse 3

Silent Prayer

124 (NCH) verse 3

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 # 132 (NCH)v. 3

Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of God’s righteousness and wonders of God’s love, and wonders of God’s love, and wonders, wonders of God’s love.

Dedication prayer:

God, our Hope, bless us and all that we offer to the work of this church and the care of our neighbors. May our offerings bring the light of your hope into this world you so love. Amen.

Listening for God

Time with Young Hearts.

Has anyone ever told you to “Pay Attention.” If so, why?

Isaiah 64:1-9 NRSVUE

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—

as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!

When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down; the mountains quaked at your presence.

From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.

You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed.

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

There is no one who calls on your name or attempts to take hold of you,
for you have hidden your face from us and have delivered[c] us into the hand of our iniquity.

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever.
Now consider, we are all your people.

Mark 13:24-37 NRSVUE

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,
 and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Message “Come Now, Keep Awake”

Sharing Holy Communion

Hand sanitizer passed around.

Pastor: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables ….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 through 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.

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

* Hymn: “Isaiah the Prophet has Written of Old” 108 (NCH)

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Nov 26 2023

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!” Last Sunday of the Christian Year, November 26, 2023 • 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 Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Set-Up Samantha Mumford, 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 with us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us! Welcoming the Light of Christ *Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Out God” 439 (NCH) 1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our present help amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; with craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth without an equal. 2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, but there is one who takes our side, the One of God's own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus sets us free! With mighty power to save, victorious o’er the grave. Christ will prevail triumphant. 3 And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed the truth to triumph through us. The power of evil grim, we tremble not for them; their rage we can endure, for lo! their doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. 4 That Word beyond all earthly powers forever is abiding. The Spirit and the gifts are ours, for Christ is with us siding. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth shall triumph still; God’s reign endures forever! Community Prayer Refrain: “Great is Your Faithfulness” refrain only 423 (NCH) Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed your hand has provided. Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me. Prayers of Gratitude Refrain Prayers of Concern Refrain Silent Prayer Refrain The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Response: 812 (NCH) Amen. Amen. Amen. A Time of Offering Dedication 780 (NCH) Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen Dedication Prayer Beloved God, we offer these gifts of our time, talent, and treasure as small tokens of our deep gratitude. Bless especially our gifts for the Spokane Salish School. May each student know that their ancestral language and culture are needed in this world. Amen. Listening for God
 Message with Young Hearts Think of a celebration that you like. It could be something like Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents, anniversaries gifts, birthday parties, and such. Describe, if you can, the feelings of waiting for the party, experiencing the party, and the end of the party. Ephesians 1:15-23 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Matthew 25:31-45 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Message: The Eyes of Your Heart Silence Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Closing Hymn: “In the Bulb there is a Flower” 433(NCH) 1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 2. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, in our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude Be Yourself. Grow in Christ. Live with Compassion.