Sunday Worship Bulletin Aug 27, 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!”

August 27, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.

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10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Teresa Brown, Candle Lighter

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 loves... all the time!

All the time . . . God loves!

*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

105 (Sing Book)

Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Gratitude

Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of which no words can express

Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: 812 (NCH)

Amen. Amen. Amen.

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

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

Radiant God, bless us and our offerings that this little community may be found pleasing in your sight. Pour out your Spirit and strengthen us as we practice the loving and just way of Jesus. Amen

Listening for God

Message with Youth Hearts

Do you have a story of someone acting with kindness toward you?

Romans 12:9-21 (NRSVUE) Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 5:43-48 (NRSVUE) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Message: Love is Greater

Silent Reflection

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Hymn: “Lead us from Death to Life” 581 NCH

Refrain: Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace; Let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.

Still all the angry cries, still all the angry guns, still now your people die, Earth’s sons and daughters. Let justice roll, let mercy pour down. Come and teach us your way of compassion. (Refrain)

So many lonely hearts, so many broken lives, longing for love to break into their darkness. Come, teach us love, come, teach us peace. Come and teach us your way of compassion. (Refrain)

Let justice ever roll, let mercy fill the earth. Let us begin to grow into your people. We can be love, we can bring peace. We can still be your way of compassion. (Refrain)

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Bulletin Aug 20, 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!”

August 20, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Diane Smith, Scripture Reader

Mya Hauck, Candle lighter,

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen 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 good. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God is good!

Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light Christ

(Candles lit)

*Hymn: “Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary” v. 1, 187 (Sing!)

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,

pure and holy, tried and true;

with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

sanctuary for you. (Sung 3 times)

Community Prayer

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers of Gratitude

One: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers of Concern

One: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers in Silence

One: A---men.

All: A---men.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Sing Amen Led by Diane Smith

(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

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Amen, amen, amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

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

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

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

Do you know the Story of John Henry?

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.

Message: “Forever a Priest in the Order of Melchizedek’”

Silent Reflection

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Hymn: “Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer” 18 (NCH)

1 Guide me, O my great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but you are mighty;hold me with your powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,feed me ‘til I want no more,feed me ‘til I want no more.

2 Open now the crystal fountain, where the healing waters flow.Let the fire and cloudy pillarlead me all my journey through.Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,ever be my strength and shield,ever be my strength and shield.

3 When I reach the River Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside.Death of death, and hell's destruction,land me safe on Canaan's side.Songs of praises, songs of praisesI will ever sing to you,I will ever sing to you.

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 13 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!”

August 13, 2023

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Kelly Cuilla Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter,

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen 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 creating...all the time! All the time... God is creating!

*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 led by Jan Young

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers of Gratitude

One: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers of Concern

One: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: Hear, oh hear our prayer.

All: More than we can ask. More than we can ask or imagine.

Prayers in Silence

One: A---men.

All: A---men.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Sing Amen Led by Diane Smith

(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: “They will Know We Are Christians by our Love” v. 4

All praise to Creator from whom all things come and all praise to Christ Jesus the only Son; and all praise to the Spirit who makes us one. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will know we are Christians by our love.

Dedication Prayer: Great Mystery, Eternal One, Creator of all that is, was, and will be, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless the offerings of our time, talent, and treasure that these may multiply the light of this church to a community and world in need of your compassion made know to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Listening for God

Message with Young Hearts: Let’s play telephone.

Genesis1:20-27. 20 And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21 So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good.22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind and the cattle of every kind and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good.

26 Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

27 So God created humansin his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:4b-9 and 18-27. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no vegetation of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground, 6 but a stream would rise from the earth and water the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground[c] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

(And)

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19 So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all cattle and to the birds of the air and to every animal of the field, but for the man[d] there was not found a helper as his partner. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.”

24 Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Isaiah 34:8-17. For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of vindication by Zion’s cause. 9 And the streams of Edom shall be turned into pitch, and her soil into sulphur; her land shall become burning pitch. 10 Night and day it shall not be quenched; its smoke shall go up for ever. From generation to generation it shall lie waste; no one shall pass through it for ever and ever. 11 But the hawk and the hedgehog shall possess it; the owl and the raven shall live in it. He shall stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plummet of chaos over its nobles. 12 They shall name it No Kingdom There, and all its princes shall be nothing. 13 Thorns shall grow over its strongholds, nettles and thistles in its fortresses. It shall be the haunt of jackals, an abode for ostriches. 14 Wildcats shall meet with hyenas, goat-demons shall call to each other; there too Lilith shall repose, and find a place to rest. 15 There shall the owl nest and lay and hatch and brood in its shadow; there too the buzzards shall gather, each one with its mate. 16 Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without its mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and his spirit has gathered them. 17 He has cast the lot for them, his hand has portioned it out to them with the line; they shall possess it forever, from generation to generation they shall live in it.

Message: First Wife of Adam?

Silence

Announcements

Our light Goes into the World

*Hymn: “Go Make a Difference” 199 (Sing)

Refrain: Go make a diff’rence. We can make a diff’rence. Go make a diff’rence in the world. (repeat)

We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God in you and me. We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen.Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain

We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.We are the spirit of hope; we are the voice of peace. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain

So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see. Go make a diff’rence in the world. And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go. Go make a diff’rence in the world. Refrain

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.

Prayer for Maui Rev. David Popham, the Conference Minister of the Hawaii Conference, shared this prayer with the members of the Council of Conference Ministers.

It came so fast God, relentlessly driven by winds and we were so vulnerable. Escaping with the clothes on our backs. Lives in tatters. Homes gone. Businesses gone. Jobs gone. Lives lost. Where do we go to even raise our prayers when our hale pule became a burnt victim to the ravages of the fire? There is so much loss, so much that one day was there and is now ashes. Comfort us in our tears and carry our heavy hearts in our time of sorrow. Eventually Ke Akua, our energy will turn to rebuilding our homes, our businesses, our jobs, our lives. Walk with us during the long recovery that lies ahead. We will become frustrated by bureaucratic red tape and supply chain delays and price gouging. We will fume and shake our fists and we will cry even more tears. Yet, the journey will not be as overwhelming with you by our side. Bless O God, those fighting these wildfires and those fires yet to come during this dry season. Grant wisdom and insights to our government officials—county and state—as they navigate how best to administer the government response. Lift up on wings our pastoral leaders as they give spiritual nurture to those depleted by these fires. May we root ourselves in you God, knowing your Spirit groans with ours. Grant us succor in this time and in the days ahead. ‘Amene. *Hawaiian terms: Hale Pule - house of prayer Ke Akua - God ‘Amene - amen