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!”
Second Sunday of Advent, December 10, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Kelly Cuilla, Scripture reader
Kelly Cuilla, Candle lighter
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
________, Fellowship Set-Up
________, Fellowship Clean-up
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am 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.
Worship begins
The peace of God is here . . . all the time! All the time . . . the peace of God is here!
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: “Comfort, Comfort, O My People” 101 ( NCH)
Comfort, comfort, O my people, tell of peace,” thus, says our God. Comfort those whose hearts are shrouded, mourning under sorrow’s load. Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near, bidding us to make repentance since the realm of God is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now, prepare for God a way; let the valley’s rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, for Messiah’s holy reign. For God’s glory evermore shall be known o’er all the world; and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
Lighting of the Candle of Peace
Kelly Cuilla: “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 from Kelly Cuilla
Prayer at the lighting of the candle of Peace:
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 that peace may prevail. Amen
Community Prayer
124 (NCH) verse 3: Be near me Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care and fit us for heaven to live with you there.
Prayers of Gratitude
124 (NCH) verse 3
Prayers of Concern
124 (NCH) verse 3
Silent Prayer
124 (NCH) verse 3
The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you or
Our Father (Creator) who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Response: 812 (NCH)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Offering Acclamation Hymn # 132 (NCH)v. 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:
Holy One, come to us in the cold nights of this season. As we give these offerings, pour out the healing of hope and peace that we may be your light in the world today. Amen.
Amen.
Listening for God
Time with Young Hearts and Pastor Gen
Why is there a donkey in the nativity sets?
Isaiah 40:1-11 read by Kelly Cuilla
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to herthat she has served her term, that her penalty is paid,that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?”All flesh is grass; their constancy is like the flower of the field.7 The grass withers; the flower fades, [[when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass.8 The grass withers; the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good newslift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, do not fear;say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him;his reward is with him and his recompense before him.11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his armsand carry them in his bosom and gently lead the mother sheep.
Message: “The Art of Peace”
Jennifer Compau
Silence
Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
* Hymn: “Angels We have Heard on High” 125( NCH)
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!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be, Which inspire our heavenly song? Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.