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!”
December 11, 2022 • 10:30 a.m.
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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
Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter
Lillian Ray: Scripture Reader
Cherall Anne St. James, Advent Candle Message
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins:
God is our joy. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is our joy!
* The Lights of Hope and Peace Return Scott Robertson
*Hymn: “Hymn “Angels We have Heard on High”
Public Domain
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!
Shepherd, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say
what may the tidings be, which inspire your 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 the babe in 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!
Candle of Joy
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There
is no law against such things.” Galatians 5:22-23
Message about joy from Cherall Anne St. James
Prayer at the lighting of the candle of Joy:
All: Joyful God, hoping in you brings us joy even when the nights
seem very dark. As we light this candle, light within each of us a joy
that the world cannot understand – the joy of life with you. Amen
Our Community in Prayer
Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
first stanza
Sharing Prayers of Concern
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
The Lord’s Prayer
In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to
use the words most familiar to you.
Response: All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
*Dedication
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
Joyful God, you created all things and pronounced them good. Bless
the offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. May these be used to
fulfill your vision of a hope filled, peacefully, and joyous life on Earth.
Amen.
Listening for God
Message to Young Hearts
Luke 1:46 – 55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Message: It’s Happening Now
Silent Reflection
Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn “Joy to the World” 132 (NCH) Public Domain
Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let Earth it’s praises bring; Let every
heart prepare Christ room; And Heaven and nature sing; And Heaven and
nature sing; And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the Earth! the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; While fields
and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the
sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
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.
*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
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