Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 25 2025

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!”

Memorial Day Weekend

May 25, 2025• 10:30 a.m. 

____________________________________________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

String-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings: Musicians

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Diane Smith, Scripture reader

Cherall-Anne St. James, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor (away this week)

________, Fellowship Set-Up

_________, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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.

Community Affirmation 

God dwells with us… all the time!

All the time…God dwells with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities

Next Sunday, One in Christ 

No Bible Study Monday as it’s Memorial Day

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

Wednesday: String-A-Lings 5:30 and Worship Team 6:30pm

 Community giving Next Month: Birthday Cake Kits

Opening Hymn “Gather us In”

Here in this place 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, our spirits inflame. 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.

Here we receive new life in the waters.  Here we receive the bread of new birth. Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the Earth.Give us to drink the wine of compassion. Give us to eat the bread that is you. Nourish us well and teach us to fashion. Lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

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, 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.

Community Prayer

105 (Sing Book)

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

Prayers of Gratitude 

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers in Silence

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Amen, amen, amen

Memorial Brick Dedication

Lighting memorial candles

Pastor: The Lord is with you.

All: And also with you.

Pastor: Let us pray. 

Loving God, on this Memorial Weekend, we honor all those who have passed through this life to the next. We are especially mindful of the many who lost their lives while protecting our democracy. We pause in silence and respect. (silence)

Today, we ask for a blessing as we dedicate these bricks which commemorate those connected to this community who have died from this life to be born into the next. We remember Ron Jenson, Al Komarek, Polly Komarek, Walter B Wilson, Leita Hayward, Stephanie Pepper, Kim Pignatiello, Sherrie Weissenfels, Verlene Weissenfels, Jim Weissenfels, Mike Slater, and Scott Dunn.

We thank you, Jesus, for all that these people have meant to those that loved them. May we continue to follow the way of Jesus. On that day we join them in the life beyond this one, may Jesus say to each of us “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen 

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty. All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Dedication prayer: Beloved God, may our offerings of time, talent, and treasure be blessed and multiplied. May this little embassy of Jesus’ compassion be found by all those who seek your healing love.

Amen

Listening for God


Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 And in the spirit, he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.  But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

John 14:23-29 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

“I have said these things to you while I am still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe.

Message: A River Flowing From God

Silence

Announcement Reminders

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: “Let it be Said of Us”

Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion, that with gladness we bore every cross we were given; That we fought the good fight, and we finished the course; Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord.

Chorus: Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song! By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong. Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song! Till the likeness of Jesus be through us made known.Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song.

Let it be said of us, we were marked by forgiveness; We were known by our love and delighted in meekness; We were ruled by His peace, heeding unity’s call, Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all. (Chorus)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 18 2025

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!”

Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day

May 18, 2025• 10:30 a.m. 

____________________________________________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

String-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings: Musicians

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Gregg Glisson, Usher 

Joe McSwain, Scripture reader

Stephanie Wallis, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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.

Community Affirmation 

God’s vision is with us… all the time!

All the time…God’s vision is with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities

Next Sunday, Guiding Force

Bible Study Monday at 7pm

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

Wednesday: String-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings 6:00pm

 Community giving: Blessing Box and Coats for Kids

Opening Hymn “Blowing in the Wind”

1.   How many roads must others walk down before we will call them human? How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned.

Refrain: The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

2.    Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist before it is washed to the sea? Yes, and how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can we turn our heads pretending we just don’t see? Refrain

3.   Yes, and how many times must we look up before we can see the sky? Yes, and how many ears must each person have before we can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died? Refrain

Community Prayer

105 (Sing Book)

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

Prayers of Gratitude 

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers in Silence

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Amen, amen, amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty. All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Dedication prayer: Holy One, we offer our time, talent, and treasure to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. May all that we have and all that we are be dedicated to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you.

Amen

Listening for God


Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home[ of God is among mortals.He will dwell with them;they will be his peoples,and God himself will be with them and be their God;4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.Death will be no more;mourning and crying and pain will be no more,for the first things have passed away.”

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

 John 13:31-35

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,  God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: “Be God’s”

Where the world is merciless be God’s Mercy. Where the world is hopeless, be God’s hope. Where there is injustice, be God’s justice. Where there is sadness, be God’s joy. Where the world is doubting, be God’s faith. Where there is ingratitude, be God’s grace. Where there is confusion, be God’s truth. Where there is weakness, be God’s strength.

Refrain: Let your life change the world one person at a time. Let your life be the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we become his body, we can be the living sign, with God’s love, change the world with your life.

Where the world is wounded, be God’s healing. Where the world is weeping, be God’s song.Where there is despairing, be God’s beauty. Where the world is crumbing, be God’s rock.Where there’s no tenderness, be God’s child. Where there is loneliness, be God’s smile.Where there is dying, be God’s life. Where there is darkness, be God’s light. (refrain)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 11 2025

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!”

Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day

May 11, 2025• 10:30 a.m. 

____________________________________________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Strin-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings: Musicians

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator 

Stephany Wallis, Scripture reader

_________, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Welcoming the Light of Christ 

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.

Community Affirmation 

God guides us… all the time!

All the time…God guides us!

Opening Hymn “Part of the Family”

CHORUS: Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 

You know the reason why you came, yet no reason can explain; so share in the laughter and cry in the pain, for we are a part of the family. God is with us in this place, like a mother's warm embrace. We're all forgiven by God's grace, for we are a part of the family: CHORUS 

Children and elders, middlers and teens, singles and doubles and in-betweens, strong 85ers and street wise 16s, for we are a part of the family. Greeters and shoppers, longtime and new, nobody here has a claim on a pew, and whether we’re many or whether we’re few, we are a part of the family: CHORUS 

Community Prayer

105 (Sing Book)

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

Prayers of Gratitude 

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers in Silence

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Amen, amen, amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty. All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!

Dedication prayer: Good Shepherd, you lead us on the path of peace, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings. May they bring the fulfillment of your vision of a just peace within our lives and our communities. Amen

Listening for God


Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     God makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters; 3     God restores my soul. God leads me in right paths    for God’s name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 

    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 10:22-30 At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, 26 but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: Pass it On

It only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it, you spread God’s love to everyone; you want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding; the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. That's how it is with God's love; once you've experienced it, you want to sing, it’s fresh like spring. You want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found. You can depend on Christ, it matters not where you're bound. I'll shout it from the mountain top. I want the world to know. The Lord of love has come to me. I want to pass it on.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion