Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 7 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!”

May 7, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV, Usher, Candle Lighter

Jerry Brines, Usher

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins

God makes room for us. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God makes room for us!

*Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn “Lord Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary “ (Words on Screen)

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

105 (Sing)

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

Pause for our gratitudes

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

Pause for concerns

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

Pause for that 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.

The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or the one on the screen.

Response 812 (NCH)

Amen, amen, amen.

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Spokane Valley Partner offering and Church offering

Dedication Hymn: What Does the Lord Require

CCLI license #11038266

1. What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you? 2. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

3. To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Dedication prayer:

Holy One, bless these offerings and make them holy. Pour out your Spirit and help us to follow you toward the vision where it is on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

Tell us about a pet you adopted or want to adopt some day.

1 Peter 2:2-10

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture:

“See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

This honor, then, is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

John 14: 1- 14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

Message: My Name

Sharing Holy Communion

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 everywhere. We seek your presence and celebrate your love. 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

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 moves into the World God Loves

*Hymn “How Firm a Foundation” Older words (Melody 407 NCH)

1 How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2 "Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed; for I am your God, and will still give you aid; I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 "When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

4 "When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

5 "The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

Benediction and Silent Reflection with Postlude

Sunday Worship Bulletin, April 30, 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!”

April 30, 2023

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Maureen Carroll, Scripture Reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle Lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

God shepherds us ...all the time! All the time...God shepherds us!

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

105 (Sing)

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

Pause for our gratitudes

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

Pause for concerns

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

Pause for that 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.

The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you. There are three choices of translations on page 9 of the New Century Hymnal.

Response 812 (NCH)

Amen, amen, amen.

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: What Does the Lord Require

CCLI license #11038266

1. What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?2. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

3. To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

Dedication Prayer

Good Shepherd, you lead us on the path of justice that brings lasting peace. We thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings for our church and for Hope House. May they bring the fulfillment of your vision of a just peace within our lives and our communities. Amen

Message With Young Hearts

Message with Young Hearts

If you were the King/Queen/ Ruler of the World, what would be different?

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Message: When Questions Trouble the Soul

Silence

Announcements

*Hymn Ask, Seek, Knock

1.Sometimes it’s hard to believe in someone my eyes can’t see. Sometimes I question and doubt the way Thomas did. But God’s not the kind who says don’t use your mind, so when questions trouble my soul, I trust in the promise that Jesus made to us all…

Chorus: When we ask, seek knock we will receive from God! When we ask, seek knock, surely we’ll find! When we ask, seek knock, doors will swing open wide! So let us, ask, seek knock, all of our lives!

2. Sometimes when I’m feeling strong I promise things I can’t keep. Sometimes I let Jesus down the way Peter did. But God gives me grace to learn from my mistakes, and pick up the pieces again, and trust that the Savior is working good through it all! Chorus:

Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude

Sunday Worship Bulletin, April 23, 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!”

April 23, 2023

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

John Carroll, Scripture Reader

Sue Ferrozzo, Candle Lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

God journeys with us ...all the time! All the time...God journeys with us!

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

Prayers of Gratitude

Prayers of Concern

Silent prayer

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: What Does the Lord Require

CCLI license #11038266

1. What does the Lord require of you? What does the Lord require of you?2. Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

3. To seek justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.

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.

Message With Young Hearts

Think of someone you know and love very much. Now, without looking at that person, tell me how I could recognize them.

1Peter 1:17-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

If you invoke as Father the one who judges impartially according to each person’s work, live in fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile conduct inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your trust and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual affection, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

Luke 24:13-35. The Message version

That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”

Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Message: Jesus in Disguise

Silence

Announcements

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