Sunday Bulletin Nov 27, 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, November 27, 2022 • 10:30 a.m. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Wayne Shull, Music Director Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor and Acolyte Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor and Advent Candle Message Joe McSwain, Scripture Reader Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor 10:30am Worship begins God is our light. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is our light! Welcoming the Peace of Christ Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” 345 (NCH) Public Domain 1 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand. Ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descending comes, our homage to demand. 2 Monarch great, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth Christ stood, Lord of all in human vesture — in the body and the blood — Christ will give to all the faithful bread of life for heav’nly food. 3 Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of light descending from the realms of endless day, that pow’rs of hell may vanish, as the shadows clear away. 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!” First Sunday of Advent : The Candle of Hope "Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 read by Scotty Patton Message about hope from Scotty Patton Naomi Hanvey lights our first Advent candle as we all pray: Hope of our lives, we light this candle to declare your hope for all creation. Bless this light to shine out into the darkness with the promise you are with us. Amen. Our Community in Prayer Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration All: Dona nobis pacem (Pronounced: DoeNah NoBeece PahChem) Sharing Prayers of Concern All: Dona nobis pacem (Pronounced: DoeNah NoBeece PahChem) 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) Public Domain A Time of Offering An invitation to share 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: God, our Hope, bless us and all our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Help us live as the light of Jesus’s way in our world so that hope may be felt among us. Amen. Listening for God Message with Young Hearts Scripture Reader Joe McSwain Isaiah 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! Matthew 24:36-44 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Message: The Day of the Lord Silent Reflection Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Hymn “Come, O Long-Expected Jesus” 122 (NCH) Public Domain 1. Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find true liberty. 2. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth impart; dear desire of every nation, enter every longing heart. 3. Born all people to deliver, born a child, you come to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come be known to us again. 4.By your own eternal Spirit, come to claim us as your own; by your own sufficient merit, let us share your cross and crown. *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, Nov 20, 2022

Welcome Back Pastor Gen!

Bulletin 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!” November 20, 2022 • 10:30 a.m. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Wayne Shull, Music Director Charlie Salt and Joe McSwain, AV Jerry Brines, Usher Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor Diane Smith, Acolyte Mavin Wilson, Scripture Reader Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor 10:30am Worship begins: God is with us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us! *Passing of Peace and Welcoming the Light of Christ *Hymn: “Dance Into Joy” 205 (Sing!) CCLI license #11038266 (refrain) So, dance into joy with hands upraised. Greet each new day as the holiest of days, and to your God sing great songs of praise. To your God sing praise! Share from your path some strand of light. Bring all the shades both dark & light.Weaving together makes us all one. Stories of hope have just begun. (refrain) Reds from your passion and from your fear. Rainbows shine through ev’ry tear.Tender green shoots that bloom ev’ry Spring, growing in love with each song we bring. (refrain) Through the deep blues now are revealed old hidden wounds soon to be healed.On bold purples of dawn serene float the myst’ries yet unseen. (refrain) Weave now each one this web of light surrounding our world both day and night with healing love and inner peace. Joining together, joy will increase. (refrain) Passing of the Baton Don Young: Almost four months ago Pastor Gen passed the baton of leadership to Wayne. It was then passed on to Pastor Roger, who then passed it back Wayne. And now we are ready to bring it all full circle. The past few months have been filled with new experiences, and new opportunities for learning and growth, for both our congregation and for Pastor Gen, with the promise of more which is still to come. Wayne Shull: Pastor Gen, on behalf of the whole congregation I stand here this morning ready to return to you the baton of leadership. Welcome home! When you left we used words like “rest” and “renewal.” In truth, as we received your weekly updates, it didn’t sound like there was much “rest” going on, but we trust that the “renewal” you experienced more than made up for it. We know you have much to share with us, and we also have much to share with you. The weeks, and month, and years ahead are full of promise, and we look forward to exploring this new landscape with you. Therefore, I am now prepared to return this baton of leadership into your capable care. Together, may our faithful adventure continue. Congregation: Over the past few months, with God’s help and the mutual support of the many gifted leaders among us, we have explored new possibilities for our life together. We are grateful for our time with Pastor Roger, and we are excited to be reunited with Pastor Gen. Together may we step boldly into the future to which God is calling us. Pastor Gen: Because of the blessings of this congregation’s faith, love, and support along with the award of the Lilly Pastoral Renewal Grant and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I return to you renewed and ready to serve. Along the journey, I experienced a tiny glimmer of what the Apostle Paul might have felt for the Philippian church. He wrote to them “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philipians 1: 3-6. It is in the Spirit of our partnership in the work of the Gospel that I joyfully receive this baton. May we work together to keep the Spirit’s energy moving us to minister with one another and our wider community. The Community at Prayer Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration ALL: I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet; and anytime that I don’t know what to do, I will cast my cares upon you. Sharing Prayers of Concern All: I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet; and anytime that I don’t know what to do, I will cast my cares upon you. Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence All: I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all my burdens down at your feet; and anytime that I don’t know what to do, I will cast my cares upon you. (Repeat) I will cast my cares upon you. CCLI license #11038266 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) Public Domain Collecting of Pledge Cards Blessing of Pledges Holy One, bless our lives with health and wholeness that we may meet the pledges we make this day. Strengthen us in practicing the way of Jesus.Help our small and mighty church be a beacon of your love, justice, and compassion. Bring forth the day when it truly will be on Earth as it is in Heaven. We pray with reverence and hope. Amen A Time of Offering An Invitation to Share Offerings of Gratitude for the Ministry of Mark and Julie Boyd Sharing stories of Mark and Julie *Dedication Hymn: “A Doxology” CCLI license #11038266 Praise God who gives us life to live. Praise God who calls us all to give. Praise God whose image we all bear. Praise God whose love we now can share. Amen. *Dedication prayer: Giver of all that is, we lift up these gifts of our time, talent, and treasure. Bless us that we may shine your light of compassion and justice into a world that seems plagued by trouble. Amen. Listening for God Message with Young Hearts: Charlie Salt reads “The Secret of Saying Thanks” Lectionary passages for Thanksgiving read by Marvin Wilson Philippians 4:4-9 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you. John 6:25-35 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us, then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which[a] comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Message: All Good Gifts Around Us Rev. Gen Heywood Silence Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Hymn “ “Wherever We Go” 213 (Sing!) CCLI license #11038266 Wherever we go, God is with us. Wherever we go, God is there. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are in God’s care. Wherever we go, God goes before us. Wherever we go, God calls us on. Wherever we go, whatever we do, God will lead us on. *Benediction and “ Rejoice in the Lord ” Public Domain Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice! Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice! Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say, Rejoice! Postlude

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Nov 13, 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!”

November 13, 2022 • 10:30am

10:20am Gathering & Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director • Charlie Salt, AV • Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor • Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Diane Smith, Acolyte • John Carroll, Scripture Reader

10:30am Worship begins

God leads us on to new vistas we cannot yet even imagine. . . all the time!

All the time . . . God leads us on to new vistas we cannot yet even imagine!

Passing the Peace and Welcoming the Light Christ

Hymn: “Gather Us In”

CCLI license #11038266

Here in this place the new light is streaming, shadows of doubt are vanished away. See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day. Gather us in, the lost and forsaken. Gather us in, the blind and the lame. Call to us now and we shall awaken. We shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young, our lives are a mystery. We are the old who yearn for your face. We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race. Gather us in, the rich and the haughty. Gather us in, the proud and the strong. Give us a heart so meek and so lowly. Give us the courage to enter the song.

Not just in buildings, small and confining. Not in some heaven light years away. Here in this place the new light is shining. Now is God present, and now is the day. Gather us in and hold us forever. Gather us in and make us your own. Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bones.

The Community at Prayer

Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration

All: Gathered here in the mystery of this hour. Gathered here in one strong body.

Gathered here in the struggle and the power. Spirit draw near.

742 (NCH) CCLI license #11038266

Sharing Prayers of Concern

All: Gathered here in the mystery of this hour. Gathered here in one strong body.

Gathered here in the struggle and the power. Spirit draw near.

742 (NCH) CCLI license #11038266

Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence

All: Gathered here in the mystery of this hour. Gathered here in one strong body.

Gathered here in the struggle and the power. Spirit draw near.

742 (NCH) CCLI license #11038266

The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic

(transliteration)

Abwoon d’bwashmaya nethqadash shmakh

teytey malkuthakh nehwey sebyanach aykanna d’bwashmaya aph b’arha.

Habwlan lachma d’sunqanan yaomana. Washboqlan khaubayn (wakhtahayn)

aykana daph khnan shbwoqan l’khayyabayn.

Wela tahlan l’nesyuna ela patzan min bisha.

Metol dilakhie malkutha wahayla wateshbukhta l’ahlam almin.

Ameyn.

The Lord’s Prayer

(translation from the Aramaic by Neil Douglas-Klotz)

O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, you create all that moves in light.

Focus your light within us – make it useful:as the rays of a beacon show the way.

Create your reign of unity now – through our fiery hearts and willing hands.

Your one desire then acts with ours, as in all light so in all forms.

Grant what we need each day in bread & insight:subsistence for the call of growing life.

Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others’ guilt.

Don’t let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back.

From you is born all ruling will, the power & the life to do,

the song that beautifies all, from age to age it renews.

Truly – power to these statements –may they be the source from which all my actions grow. Amen.

Response: “Four-fold Amen”

813 (NCH) CCLI license #11038266

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: “A Doxology”

CCLI license #11038266

Praise God who fills the world with Light! Praise Spirit who expands our Sight!

Praise Sacred Presence in all things! Praise All that through us shouts and sings! Amen.

Dedication Prayer

All: You have blessed us, O God, so that we might be a blessing to the world.

May the gifts which we offer, both now and in the future,

become powerful tools for healing and transformation

within this congregation, within this community, & to the uttermost ends of the earth. Amen.

Listening for God

Scripture

Matthew 28: 16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Pastoral Reflection: Looking Back – Moving Ahead

Silence for Reflection

Announcements

Passing the Baton of Leadership

The relay continues, and for Team Veradale it is still important to remember that no one person does all of the running. Everyone contributes to the success of the whole team. Sometimes we are running, and sometimes we are resting, but always we are contributing. And now it is time for the baton of leadership to change hands once again.

Wayne: Pastor Roger, three months ago you stepped into a position of leadership among us, and you have faithfully shared your gifts with us in a variety of ways. On behalf of the whole congregation I offer you our deep gratitude for your service with us, and I stand ready to receive back from you the baton of leadership. Next week I will pass it back to Pastor Gen. For now I invite you to “stand down” and go in peace.

Congregation: We are grateful for Pastor Roger’s time among us. These past three months have been fruitful, and will continue to nourish us as we welcome back Pastor Gen to re-engage with us in the ongoing adventure of being the Church God is calling us to be. We wish him well as he steps back into retirement.

Pastor Roger: I continue to be grateful for this opportunity to be with you these past three months. The time has flown by, and in many ways was not nearly long enough. And yet, it has been a time of discovery and exploration, as we opened ourselves in new ways to fresh possibilities for being the Church which God calls us to become. I remain confident that your future is unfolding in exciting and powerful ways, because I know that God has been and continues to be actively present in the midst of you, and you have been and continue to be willing to show up and be the Church together. So it is that I now return this baton of leadership into your capable care. May your faithful adventure continue.

We Carry God’s Light Into the World God Loves

Hymn: “Draw the Circle Wide”

123 (Sing!) CCLI license #11038266

(refrain) Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. Let this be our song: no one stands alone. Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.

God the still-point of the circle, ’round whom all creation turns. Nothing lost but held forever in God’s gracious arms. (refrain)

Let our hearts touch far horizons, so encompass great and small. Let our loving know no borders, faithful to God’s call. (refrain)

Let the dreams we dream be larger than we’ve ever dreamed before. Let the dream of Christ be in us. Open every door! (refrain)

Blessing for Departing

Closing Song: “May the Blessing of God”

CCLI license #11038266

May the blessing of God go before you. May her grace and peace abound.

May the Spirit live within you. May her love wrap you ’round.

May her blessing remain with you always. May you walk on holy ground.

Postlude

You are invited to spend a few minutes in quiet reflection& allow the music to wash over you.