Sunday Worship Bulletin, July 16 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!” Sunday, July 16, 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 Stephanie Wallis, Scripture reader Naomi Hanvey, Candle Lighter 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 loves us . . . all the time! All the time . . . God loves us! Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ *Hymn: “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” 295 (NCH) 1. I sing a song of the saints of God, faithful their whole lives through, who bravely labored, lived, and died for the God they loved and knew. And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green: they were saints of God if you know what I mean. God help me to be one, too. 2. They loved their God and they lived that love. It was loving that made them strong; They did what was right, for Jesus’ sake, lived justly their whole lives long. And one was a prophet, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast; there is no earthly reason, none in the least, why I shouldn't be one, too. 3. They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is filled with living saints who choose to do God’s will. You can meet them in school, on the road or at sea, in church, in a train, in a shop, or at tea; for the saints are folk like you and like me, and I mean to be one, too. Community Prayer (“In Our Prayers” Sing #125) In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers. Prayers of Gratitude In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers. Prayers of Concern In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers. Silent prayer In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers. 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 Meet Me Moment Gae Ann Moffitt Dedication Hymn: “Holy Ground” CCLI license #11038266 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. Dedication Prayer Holy Guide and Guardian of our lives, we thank you with humble hearts. We offer our time, talent, and treasure to the ministry of this little embassy of the Way of Jesus. We are grateful for the Spirit’s presence which gives more light for our spiritual paths. Amen. Listening for God Message with Young Hearts: When is someone old? How do you know? Genesis 5:25-29 When Methuselah had lived one hundred eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech. Methuselah lived after the birth of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, and he died. When Lamech had lived one hundred eighty-two years, he became the father of a son; he named him Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the toil of our hands.” 1Kings 12:6-11Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the older men who had attended his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They answered him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he disregarded the advice that the older men gave him and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and now attended him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus you should say to this people who spoke to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must lighten it for us’; thus you should say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. Now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” Acts 2:14–18 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. Message: How Old? Silence 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 Worship Bulletin July 8, 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!” July 9, 2023 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Jan Young, Music Minister Joe McSwain, AV and Usher Jerry Brines, Usher John Carroll, Scripture Reader Diane Smith, Candle Lighter Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor Prelude Songs WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord And we pray that our unity may one day be restored And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. We will work with each other, we will work side by side We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. YOU GOT TO MOVE WHEN THE SPIRIT SAYS MOVE You got to move when the Spirit says move! You got to move when the Spirit says move! 'Cause when the Spirit says move, you got to move, O Lord! You got to move when the Spirit says move. 2. Love 3. Sing 4. Pray 5. Live 6. (Add your own words!) I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD (NCH 416) I will trust in the Lord (repeat 2x more) till I die. I will trust in the Lord (repeat 2x more) till I die. I’m gonna treat everybody right (repeat 2x more) till I die. I’m gonna treat everybody right (repeat 2x more) till I die. FEAR NOT (Refrain)Fear not, for I am with you Fear not, for I am with you Fear not, for I am with you says the Lord. (Repeat) I will be with you, I have called you by name, and you are mine. When you walk through the fire, I will be there, and through the flame. You'll not (No Way!) be harmed! You'll not (No Way!) be burned! For I am with you. (Repeat Refrain) THE LOVE ROUND Love, love, love, love. Christians, this is your call: Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves us all. (Repeat) 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 love is here ...all the time! All the time... God’s love is here! Welcoming the Light of Christ *Hymn: “I Woke Up this Morning” NCH 85 Public Domain 1. I woke up this morning with my mind Stayed on Jesus, (repeat 2x more), Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah. 2. Sing and praying with my mind, stayed on Jesus. (repeat 2x more) Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah. Community Prayer Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. Prayers of Gratitude We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road; we are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load. Prayers of Concern I will hold the Christ-light for you in the shadow of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. Silent prayer I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow 'til we've seen this journey through. Lord’s Prayer Response: Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. A Time of Offering An Invitation to Share Dedication Hymn: We are the family of God. Yes! We are the family of God; And God's brought us together to be one in Christ. That we might bring light to the world. Dedication Prayer: Holy One, pour out your love and blessings on our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Please, multiply them that your will of compassion and justice may be made know through our lives. Amen. Listening for God Galatians 3:26-28 (Jesus died in 33CE. This letter written late 40’s to early 50’s CE) for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.28 There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (written around 53-54 CE) Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you but that you be knit together in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been made clear to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel—and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 12: 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. Romans 6:1-3 (written about 55 - 56 CE) What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may increase? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. Gospel of Mark Chapter 16 with add-ons to the original ending (original text written in the 60’s CE) 16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (The Intermediate Ending of Mark) And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterward Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen. (The Long Ending of Mark) 9 Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table, and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it. Message: Outward Sign of Inward Grace Announcements Our light Goes into the World Closing Hymn: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Used with permission of James K. Manley Refrain: Spirit, spirit of gentleness,blow through the wilderness, calling and free,Spirit, spirit of restlessness,stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;and over the eons you called to each thing; “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” Refrain: You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand and you goaded your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with idols and lies,then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain: You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; and down in the city you called once again,when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain: You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes.From the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams; our women see visions, our men clear their eyes.With bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain: Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude Be Yourself. Grow in Christ. Live with Compassion.

Sunday Worship Bulletin, July 2 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!”

July 2, 2023

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV and Scripture Reader

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Kelly Cuilla, Scripture Reader

Cherall Anne St. James, Scripture Reader

Joe McSwain, Candle lighter, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

God’s love shines...all the time! All the time... God’s love shines!

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Dream God's Dream"

Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio, used with permission

(Chorus)Dream God's dream, Holy Spirit, help us dream...Of a world where there is justice, and where everyone is free to build and grow and love and to simply have enough the world will change when we dream God's dream.

I'm dreaming of a world where the color of one's skin will mean less than what's within the person's heart -- a world where water's clean, and where air is safe to breathe and every child born has enough to eat. (Chorus)

I'm dreaming of the call God is offering to me how to use my energy and my best gifts to do the work of Christ -- to say, God please use my life to spread Your healing love -- and to live your Truth. (Chorus)

I'm dreaming of the way that I want my life to go. I've got hopes and I've got goals I'd like to meet. I'm reaching for the stars, but I won't forget the scars of Christ who died to show that the Dream's for all... Chorus)

Community Prayer

(“In Our Prayers” Sing #125)

In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers.

Prayers of Gratitude

In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers.

Prayers of Concern

In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers.

Silent prayer

In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers. God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers.

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: 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: Holy One, we make these offerings with grateful hearts. Bless all we are, all we have, and all we do that your realm will be made real in our lives. Amen.

Listening for God

Luke 22:15-18 (read by Cherall Anne St. James)

He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

Matthew 26: 26 (read by Naomi Hanvey)

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Mark 14:22 (read by Charlie Salt)

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”

Luke 22:19 (read by Cherall Anne St. James)

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Matthew 26:27-29 (read by Naomi Hanvey)

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:23-25 (read by Charlie Salt)

Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:20 (read by Cherall Anne St. James)

And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

John13:1-20 (read by Kelly Cuilla)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already decided that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

Message: The Sacred Moment of a Shared Meal

Silence

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.

Announcements

Our light Goes into the World

Closing Hymn: Something Beautiful for God

Words & Music By Bryan Sirchio, used with permission

Know this one thing above all else, we are loved, loved by God. Let this be how we see ourselves, as people loved, loved by God. And once we know the love of Christ, feel God's healing in our lives, loving service is how we give our love back to God.

(Chorus)Today let us do something beautiful for God. Do something small, but do it with great love. Do what we can, where we are, with what we've got. Today let us do something beautiful for God.

Everyone who we meet today, is God's child, God's own child. May our lives help them hear God say, “You are my child,” God's own child. A smile can radiate God's love. Let them see the Christ in us. Let our lives be the cheerfulness of God in this world. (Chorus)

Jesus will visit us today, in disguise, in disguise. Poor and weak, Christ will come our way. Jesus Christ, in disguise. The lonely, poor, the victimized. Love for them is love for Christ. Love is water to quench the thirst of Christ on the cross.

Today let us do something beautiful for God. Do something small, but do it with great love. Do what we can, where we are, with what we've got. Today let us do something beautiful for God.(Repeat) Today let us do something beautiful for God. Today let us do something beautiful for God.

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.