Sunday Worship/New Years Day Bulletin, Jan 1 2023

Happy New Year! 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!”

January 1, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.

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10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Joe McSwain, AV

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Gregg Glisson, Candle Lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

God is with our light. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is our light!

*Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: One verse from three hymns and why these are favored.

Community Prayer

Spoken Gratitudes

Spoken Concerns

Silent Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer using whatever translation which is meaningful to you.

Response 110 (NCH)”Now Bless the God of Israel” v.2

Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear, that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year; and you my child shall go before to preach and prophesy, that all may know the tender love and grace of God most high.

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

*Offering Acclamation:

Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful (Carol Book) v.2

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation. O sing all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God, all glory in the highest; O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

*Dedication Prayer

Light of our lives, we offer of ourselves to the work of this community. Bless these offerings for our church and for our community. May we more fully reflect your presence now and in the time to come. Amen

Hymn: Three more favorite hymns and why they are favorites

Listening for God in Word

Matthew 2:13-23: Reader Naomi Hanvey

13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”

16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”

19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Message: Joseph Dreamed

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 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: Come, Holy Spirit come. Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Help us to remember that you have dwelt among us. Help us to dwell in the world today as living temples of your presence. Bless us to remember your teachings, commandments, and example. May we be renewed in this sharing. Amen.

Silence

Prayer of Thanksgiving All: We thank you, God, for your presence as we remember the Living Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are among us still, in each of us, and in all of your creation. Bless us to more fully live as your people. Amen.

Silence

Prayer of Thanksgiving

All: We thank you, God, for your presence at our many tables where we have known 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: Three more favorite hymns and why they are favorites

Benediction with silent reflection

Postlude

Favorite hymns in Public Domain#4 Joyful, Joyful We adore you#116. O Come, O Come Emmanuel# 124Away in a Manger #125 Angels We have heard on High#129 Good Christian Friends Rejoice#277 Holy,Holy, Holy#407 How Firm a Foundation#132 Joy to the World#471 What a Covenant (Leaning on the Everlasting Arms)#43 Love Divine all Loves Excelling#134 Silent Night#139 The First Noel#195 The Old Rugged Cross#452 Be Now My Vision#157 Amazing Grace#606 Near My God to You#743 Be Still and Know that I am GodFavorites from Praise BookAwesome God 161 Red BookBind Us Together 76 Red BookCares Chorus 115 Red BookIn Moments Like These 117 Red bookLord, I lift your name on high 199 Red BookMagisty 236 Red Bookopen our eyes Lord 215 Red BookRejoice in the Lord Always 239 Red BookSeek Ye First 243 Red BookThis is the Day 210 Red BookMore Favorites#423 Great is Your Faithfulness#595 Some Glad Morning (I'll Fly Away)# 21 God Reigns o'er All the EarthFavorites not in hymnal or song bookMorning has BrokenO Holy NightLittle Drummer BoyHere I am LordIn Christ Alone (A song we will learn in the New Year)

Sunday Worship/Christmas Day Bulletin, Dec 25 2022

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, December 25, 2022 • 10:30a.m.

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter

Cherall Anne St. James, Scripture reader

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

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

Welcoming the Light of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ

Carol: “O Come All You Faithful” page 3 in Carol Booklet verses 1 and 2

1. Oh, come, all you faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come now, oh come now to Bethlehem. Come and behold the ruler of all angels

[Chorus] Oh, come, in adoration; Oh, come in adoration; Oh, come in adoration, Christ is the Lord.

2. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all you messengers of heavenly love! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; (Chorus)

Our Community in Prayer

Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain

first stanza

Sharing Prayers of Concern

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)

first stanza

Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)

first stanza

The Lord’s Prayer

In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to

use the words most familiar to you.

Response: All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain

A Time of Offering

Invitation to share

Response: Joy to the World v 3

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

Dedication prayer

Emmanuel, God with us, bless these gifts and offerings. May all that we have and all that we are bring your presence to this time and place. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Listening for God in Word and Music

Message With Young Hearts

What is your birth story?

Favorite Carols (and why)

Isaiah 52:7-10 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices; together they shout for joy,for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth; shout together for joy, you ruins of Jerusalem,for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations,and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Gospel of John 1: 1-14. New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only so, full of grace and truth.

Favorite Carols (and why)

Reflections with Pastor Gen

Announcements

Favorite Carols (and why)

Benediction and Silent Reflection

Postlude

Christmas Eve Bulletin, Dec 24, 2022

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!”

December 24, 2022 • 7p.m.

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6:50pm Prelude and gathering

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Diane Smith, Scripture Reader

Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter and Advent Candle Message

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

7:00pm Worship begins

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of people. That light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5, Diane Smith, Reader

Welcoming the Light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

And nativity figures move to Bethlehem

*Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” verses 1 and 2

1. Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him, Born the King of angels

[Chorus] Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.

2. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, Glory in the highest; (Chorus)

Lighting of the Christ Candle

“A child has been born to us, a son given to us; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:2

Message about Christ from Scott Robertson

Prayer at the lighting of the Christ Candle:

All: Emmanuel, we give thanks and praise for your light shining in the darkness. Bless us to know and feel your presence especially when our way seems hard and no light seems to shine. Move us ever closer to your heart. Amen.

Community Prayer

Our Community in Prayer

Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain

first stanza

Sharing Prayers of Concern

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)

first stanza

Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence

All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)

first stanza

The Lord’s Prayer

In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to

use the words most familiar to you.

Response: All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain

A Time of Offering

Invitation to share

Response: Joy to the World v 3

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

Dedication prayer

Loving God, bless these gifts and offerings. Be born anew in each one of us that we may fulfill your vision for our for our lives, the world, and this community. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Listening for God in Word and Music

Message With Young Hearts

Placing the Jesus figure in the manager

A Christmas Eve Play based on Luke 2:1-20

Narrator: Naomi Hanvey

Shepherd 1: Don Young

Shepherd 2: Cherall Anne St. James

Shepherd 3: Marvin Wilson

Head Angel 1: Jan Young

Head Angel 2: Noah

Joseph: Sky Young

Mary: Ashley

Baby Jesus: Karl

Act 1 Shepherds

Act 2 Angels

All sing "Angels We have Heard on High” verse 1

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Act 3 In Bethlehem

All sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem “

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

Act 4 At the Manger

All: Silent Night verse 3

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Narrator: Joseph lovingly cradled the tiny baby in his arms. When the shepherds saw him, they saw a poor child of a poor family. He was just like them. As they left, one shepherd wondered aloud…

Isaiah 11:6-10 Diane Smith, Reader

The wolf shall live with the lamb,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them.

7 The cow and the bear shall graze,

their young shall lie down together;

and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,

and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.

9 They will not hurt or destroy

on all my holy mountain;

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord

as the waters cover the sea.

10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Message: The Earth shall be Full of the Knowledge of God

Sharing the Light of Christ

Prayer at the kindling of the Christ Light

1. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!

3. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light; Radiant beams from Thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silence

Prayer – Light sent into the world

Benediction and Silent Reflection

Postlude