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!”
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 24, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Cherall Anne St. James, Scripture reader
Cherall Anne St. James, Candle lighter
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
________, Fellowship Set-Up
Naomi Hanvey, 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
Our loving God is with us . . . all the time!
All the time . . . our loving God is with us!
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” p. 20 verses 1 and 2
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him born the King of Angels:
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him, (3×) Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation. Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest: Refrain:
Lighting of the Candle of Love
Cherall Anne St. James “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Message from Cherall Anne St. James and Diane Smith
Prayer at the lighting of the Love:
All: Loving God, help us to welcome your love in our lives. Cleanse all guilt, shame, and resentment from our lives that your love may heal us. We ask in the name of Jesus. 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:
Loving God, bless these offerings that your love may be know through this your church. Our spirits rejoice in the ability to give. Now, bless and multiply these to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. Amen
Listening for God
Title: Journey of the Magi
written by Naomi Hanvey
Cast:
Old Kamila: Cherall Ann St. James
Salim: Mike Weissenfels
Jamil: Joe McSwain
Young Kamilah: Teresa Brown
Mary: Mya Houck
Jesus: Karl Young
Magi: Gregg Glisson, Tim Herman
2 Corinthians 8:9
9For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Matthew 2: 1-14 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen in the east,[ until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped,[g] they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt
Silence
Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
“Hymn “What Child is This, Who Laid to Rest” p. 30 Carol Booklet
1. What Child is this who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
Refrain: This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.
2. Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent word is pleading. Refrain:
3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh. Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him. Refrain:
Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.