Sunday Worship Bulletin, August 17, 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!”

August 17, 2025

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, AV

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher and Scripture Reader

Jerry Brines, Usher

Stephanie Wallis, Candle lighter

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-up

_______, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen 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 is here ...all the time!  All the time...God is here!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday “Jeremiah and Isaiah”

Church Council Meeting after Worship

Bible Study starts September 8

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

String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Sing-A-Lings practice starts Wednesday, September 10

 Community giving this month: Kid’s Coats and School Supplies

Opening Hymn

“Nearer My God, To You” 606 (NCH)

By Sarah Flowers Adams

Community Prayer

Hymn: “Lord be Glorified” RB 176

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Gratitude

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers of Concern 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

Prayers in Silence 

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.

In my life, Lord, be glorified today.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 793 (NCH)

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “Give Thanks” RB 7 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ, the son. (Repeat) And now let the weak say, “I am strong!” Let the poor say, “I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” (repeat)

Give thanks. Give thanks.

Dedication Prayer God known to us in Jesus, we offer portions of our time, talent, and treasure to your work through us. May this little church have all that is needed to be a witness to your way of compassion for all creation. Amen

Listening for God

Jeremiah 23:23-29 The Message translation

^23-24 “Am I not a God near at hand”—God’s Decree—    “and not a God far off?Can anyone hide out in a corner    where I can’t see him?”        God’s Decree.“Am I not present everywhere,    whether seen or unseen?”        God’s Decree.

^25-27 “I know what they’re saying, all these prophets who preach lies using me as their text, saying ‘I had this dream! I had this dream!’ How long do I have to put up with this? Do these prophets give two cents about me as they preach their lies and spew out their grandiose delusions? They swap dreams with one another, feed on each other’s delusive dreams, trying to distract my people from me just as their ancestors were distracted by the no-god Baal.

^28-29 “You prophets who do nothing but dream—    go ahead and tell your silly dreams.But you prophets who have a message from me—    tell it truly and faithfully.What does straw have in common with wheat?    Nothing else is like God’s Decree.Isn’t my Message like fire?” God’s Decree.    “Isn’t it like a sledgehammer busting a rock?

Message: God is Near

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

*Closing Hymn: “As the Deer” RB 28 (Three verses)

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee. 

Refrain: You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.

You're my friend and you are my brother even though you are the One. I love you more than any other, so much more than anything. (Refrain)

I want you more than gold or silver. Only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye. (Refrain)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion