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!”
March 20, 2022 • 10:30am
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV
Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
Ryan Stollar, Guest
10:30am Worship begins
God hopes in us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God hopes in us!
Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ
(What is the best part of school?)
Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 277 (NCH) Public Domain
1 Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!
2 Holy, holy, holy! Saints adore you truly, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim bow before you only, From the beginning God eternally.
3 Holy, holy, holy! Though we know but dimly, though the eye of human kind your glory may not see, you alone are holy holy; you alone are worthy, perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4 Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! All your works shall praise your name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!
Call to Confession
One: Seek God; call upon God; God is here. Trusting in the compassion and mercy of God, we pray:
Prayer of Confession
(From the Presbyterian Church USA)
Forgive us, God, for the many ways that we fail to trust your promise.
Too often we count the trespasses of others, as though we were the ones to judge. Too often we fail to believe that your gifts are freely given. Too often we spend our money for that which is not bread, and our labor for that which does not satisfy. Help us, loving God. Forgive us when we operate out of scarcity and fear rather than out of your abundant, good gifts. Help us to live as your trusting, sharing, reconciling people.
Silent Confessions with God
Bring forward rocks
Assurance of Pardon
(from 2 Corinthians 5) One: Beloved in Christ: God was in Christ reconciling the world, not counting our wrongs against us, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, anyone in Christ is a new creation! The past is gone; everything has become fresh and new. Hear and believe the good news of the Gospel: All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen.
Community Prayer Silent Prayer (writing of prayers that will be placed in the cross)
Spoken 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
Offerings of the People (Special Offering ‘One Great Hour of Sharing’)
Dedication Hymn:“Holy Ground”
CCLI license #11038266
We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.
Dedication Prayer Holy One, bless these offerings for our church and all the world. May the love and hope included in these offerings lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from dispair to hope, from war to peace. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Message to Young Hearts
(What is the best part of school?)
Scripture Readings
Ezekiel 20:18-19 NIV
18 I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Message from Ryan Stollar
Silent Reflection
Announcements
Closing Hymn: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” 286 (NCH)
Used with permission from Jim Manley
Refrain: Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free, Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; and over the eons you called to each thing; “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” Refrain:
You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand and you goaded your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain:
You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; and down in the city you called once again, when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain:
You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes. From the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams; our women see visions, our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain:
Benediction with Hallelujah
Postlude