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.

—————————————————-

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

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Dec 18, 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 18, 2022 • 10:30 a.m.

__________________________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Scripture Reader

Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV

Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Diane Smith, Candle Lighter

Charlie Salt and Wayne Shull, Advent Candle Message

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

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

Welcoming the Light of Hope, Peace, and Joy

Carol: ”The First Nowell” 139 (NCH) vs 1, 2, and 4

The first Nowell, the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in

fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, on a

cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Refrain: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born in a manger, Emmanuel.

They looked above and saw a star shining in the east beyond them

far, and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued with day

and night. (Refrain)

This star shone bright in the northwest, o’er Bethlehem it seemed to

rest, and there it did both stop and stay right over the place where

Jesus lay. (Refrain)

Lighting of the Candle of Love

And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of

these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Message about love from Charlie Salt and Wayne Shull

Prayer at the lighting of the Love:

All: Loving God, help us to welcome your love in our lives. Cleanse all

guilt, shame, and resentment from our lives that your love may heal

us. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen

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

An invitation to share

Response:” Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” 345 (NCH)verse 4

At Christ’s feet the six-winged seraphs, cherubim with sleepless eye, veil

their faces to the presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,

Alleluia,alleluia, alleluia, God most high!

Dedication prayer

God, our hope, peace, joy, and love bless these offerings. May the

love you have for us be known in all that we are and all that we give.

We ask following the way of Jesus. Amen

Listening for God in Word and Music

Message with Young Hearts

What Lullaby would you Sing to the Baby Jesus?

Choir: “Little Lamb”

Gospel of John 1:1-5

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 overcome it.

Choir: In the Presence of Jehovah

Gospel of Matthew 1:18- 25

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother

Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was

found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a

righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to

divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of

the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do

not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is

from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus,

for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what

had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,”

which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as

the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no

marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named

him Jesus.

Carol: “What Child is This” page 30 booklet

1 What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom

angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

Chorus:

This, this is Christ, the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

2 Why lies he in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding? Good

Christian, fear: for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.[Chorus]

3 So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, come, peasant, king to own him.

The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone him.[Chorus]

Gospel of Luke 1:39-45

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill

country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry,

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to

me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my

womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be

a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Choir: My Soul Cries out

Gospel of Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world

should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while

Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be

registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to

Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended

from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to

whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were

there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her

firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger,

because there was no place in the inn.

Carol: "I Wonder as I Wander”

Public Domain

1. I wonder as I wander out under the sky that Jesus my Savior did

come for to die. For poor or’nary people like you and like I. I wonder

as I wander out under the sky.

2. When Mary birthed Jesus, all in a cow's stall, came wise men and

farmers and shepherds and all,

And high from the heavens a star's light did fall; The promise of the

ages it then did recall.

Gospel of John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his

glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Message: Wondering While Wandering

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” carol booklet 12

Public Domain

I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play and mild

and sweet their songs repeat of peace on Earth, good will to all.

I thought how as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had

rolled along h’unbroken song of peace on Earth, good will to all.

And in despair I bowed my head "There is no peace on Earth, " I said for

hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on Earth, good will to all.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor doth He

sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on Earth, good will

to all.

Till, ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day, a

voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on Earth, good will to all.

Benediction with Sing Halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah.Sing halleluiah. Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Postlude

Sunday Bulletin Dec 4, 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 4, 2022 • 10:30 a.m.

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV

Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor and Scripture Reader

Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Marvin Wilson, Advent Candle Message

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am Worship begins:

God brings peace. . . all the time! All the time . . . God brings peace!

* The Light of Hope Returns Scott Robertson

*Hymn: “When Peace Like a River” 438 (NCH) verses 1, 2, and 4

Public Domain

Written by Horatio Spafford after the death of his four daughters in the sinking of the SS Ville du Harvre

When peace, like a river, upholds me each day, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Refrain: It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul). It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though evil should tempt me, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has paid life and blood for my soul (refrain)

O God, speed the day that is filled with your light, when clouds are rolled back as a scroll. The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall appear even so it is well with my soul. (refrain)

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle: Peace

“They shall not hurt or destroy on all God’s holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 11:1

Message about Peace from Marvin Wilson

Prayer at the lighting of the peace candle

ALL: Holy One, we light this candle asking that all may be filled with the knowledge of you. May all seek to live justly with one another. Only then, will peace prevail. Amen.

Our Community in Prayer

Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration

All: Dona nobis pacem

(Pronounced: DoeNah NoBeas PaChem)

Sharing Prayers of Concern

All: Dona nobis pacem

(Pronounced: DoeNah NoBeas PaChem)

Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence

All: Dona nobis pacem

The Lord’s Prayer

In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to use the words most familiar to you.

Response: “Four-fold Amen” 813 (NCH)

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

*Dedication Hymn

Hymn 132 (NCH)vs 3

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

*Dedication prayer

Just God, bless the offerings we place before you. May these be multiplied to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. Amen.

Listening for God

Listening for God

Message to Young Hearts

Isaiah 11:1-10 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

read by Naomi Hanvey

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

He shall not judge by what his eyes see

or decide by what his ears hear,

4 but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor

and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;

he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist

and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

6 The wolf shall live with the lamb;

the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

the calf and the lion will feed[b] 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.

Romans 15:4-13 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

read by Naomi Hanvey

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6 so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the ancestors 9 and that the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles

and sing praises to your name”;

10 and again he says,

“Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”;

11 and again,

“Praise the Lord, all you gentiles,

and let all the peoples praise him”;

12 and again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse shall come,

the one who rises to rule the gentiles;

in him the gentiles shall hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Message: Vision of Peace

Sharing of Holy Communion

Pastor: We gather at this table mindful of the many who have gathered here before us and those yet to come. We are grateful that we have this day together. We remember that Jesus walked among our ancestors and the Holy Spirit dwells within us today. We remember that Jesus asked for us to remember him when we eat bread and drink of a cup.

When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; ... 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 here. We offer ourselves 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 known to us in the sharing of this meal and in the sharing of this community. We remember that 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.

Silent Reflection

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter” 128 (NCH)

Public Domain Poem by Christina Rossetti and Music by Gustav Holst

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow. In the bleak midwinter, long ago

Our God transcends all heaven, earth, and its domain; heaven and earth shall flee away when Christ comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place suffice the sovereign God almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and Arc Angels may have gathered there, Cherubim and Seraphim thronged the midnight air. But his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I offer, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb. If I were a wise one, I would do my part. But what I can offer: all my heart.

*Benediction with Sing Halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Sing halleluiah.Sing halleluiah. Sing halleluiah to the Lord

Postlude