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

Sunday Worship Bulletin Aug 6, 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 8, 2023

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

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

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: ”Jesus Calls Us, o’er the Tumult” 172 (NCH)

1 Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea; day by day that voice still calls us, saying "Christian, follow me."

2 As of old, St. Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake, turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

3 Jesus calls us from the worship of the treasure we adore from each idol that would keep us, saying "Christian, love me more."

4 In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, Jesus calls us, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these.”

5 Jesus calls us! By your mercies, Savior, may we hear your call, give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Amazing Grace” 547 (NCH)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

Prayers of Gratitude

T’was grace that taught my heart to fear and grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

Prayers of Concern

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come ‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.

Silent prayer

My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

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

Message with Young Hearts

How do you read the Bible?

Judges 5 The Message Translation

That day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 When they let down their hair in Israel, they let it blow wild in the wind. The people volunteered with abandon, bless God!

3 Hear O kings! Listen O princes! To God, yes to God, I’ll sing, Make music to God, to the God of Israel.

4-5 God, when you left Seir, marched across the fields of Edom, Earth quaked, yes, the skies poured rain, oh, the clouds made rivers. Mountains leapt before God, the Sinai God, before God, the God of Israel.

6-8 In the time of Shamgar son of Anath, and in the time of Jael, Public roads were abandoned, travelers went by backroads. Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up; you got up, a mother in Israel. God chose new leaders, who then fought at the gates. And not a shield or spear to be seen among the forty companies of Israel.

9 Lift your hearts high, O Israel, with abandon, volunteering yourselves with the people—bless God!

10-11 You who ride on prize donkeys comfortably mounted on blankets And you who walk down the roads, ponder, attend! Gather at the town well and listen to them sing, Chanting the tale of God’s victories, his victories accomplished in Israel.

Then the people of God went down to the city gates.

12 Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, sing a song! On your feet, Barak! Take your prisoners, son of Abinoam!

13-18 Then the remnant went down to greet the brave ones. The people of God joined the mighty ones. The captains from Ephraim came to the valley, behind you, Benjamin, with your troops. Captains marched down from Makir, from Zebulun high-ranking leaders came down. Issachar’s princes rallied to Deborah, Issachar stood fast with Barak, backing him up on the field of battle. But in Reuben’s divisions there was much second-guessing. Why all those campfire discussions? Diverted and distracted, Reuben’s divisions couldn’t make up their minds. Gilead played it safe across the Jordan, and Dan, why did he go off sailing? Asher kept his distance on the seacoast, safe and secure in his harbors. But Zebulun risked life and limb, defied death, as did Naphtali on the battle heights.

19-23 The kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach they fought, at Megiddo’s brook, but they took no silver, no plunder. The stars in the sky joined the fight, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The torrent Kishon swept them away, the torrent attacked them, the torrent Kishon. Oh, you’ll stomp on the necks of the strong! Then the hoofs of the horses pounded, charging, stampeding stallions. “Curse Meroz,” says God’s angel. “Curse, double curse, its people, Because they didn’t come when God needed them, didn’t rally to God’s side with valiant fighters.”

24-27 Most blessed of all women is Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of homemaking women. He asked for water, she brought milk; In a handsome bowl, she offered cream. She grabbed a tent peg in her left hand, with her right hand she seized a hammer. She hammered Sisera, she smashed his head, she drove a hole through his temple. He slumped at her feet. He fell. He sprawled. He slumped at her feet. He fell. Slumped. Fallen. Dead.

28-30 Sisera’s mother waited at the window, a weary, anxious watch. “What’s keeping his chariot? What delays his chariot’s rumble?” The wisest of her ladies-in-waiting answers with calm, reassuring words, “Don’t you think they’re busy at plunder, dividing up the loot? A girl, maybe two girls, for each man, And for Sisera a bright silk shirt, a prize, fancy silk shirt! And a colorful scarf—make it two scarves— to grace the neck of the plunderer.”

31 Thus may all God’s enemies perish, while his lovers be like the unclouded sun.

The land was quiet for forty years.

Message: She did what!

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

*Hymn: “We are Often Tossed and Driven” 444(NCH) Public Domain

1 We are often tossed and driv’n on the restless sea of time, somber skies and howling tempest oft succeed a bright sunshine; in that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, we will understand it better by and by.

Refrain:

By and by, when the morning comes, when the saints of God are gathered home, we’ll tell the story, how we’ve overcome, for we’ll understand it better by and by.

2 We are often destitute of the things that life demands, want of food and want of shelter, thirsty hills and barren lands; In our God our trust’s assured, and according to the Word we will understand it better by and by.

[Refrain]

3 Trials harsh on every hand and we cannot understand All the ways that God would lead us to the blessed promised land; We are guided by God’s eye, and we’ll follow till we die for we’ll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

4. Temptations, hidden snares, often take us unawares, and our hearts are made to bleed for any thoughtless word or deed; and we wonder why the test when we try to do our best, but we’ll understand it better by and by. [Refrain]

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.