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!”
February 25, 2024 • 10:30 a.m.
___________________________
10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Tom Cuilla,Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Tom Cuilla, Scripture reader
Diane Smith, Candle lighter
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Sue Ferrozzo, 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
God loves me. . . all the time!
All the time . . . God loves me!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
We bring forward rocks that symbolize the barriers and burdens that keep us from embracing God’s steadfast love.
*Hymn: Blessed Assurance 473 NCH
1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in Christ's blood.
Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.
2 Perfect submission, perfect delight! Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
3 Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blessed; Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with God's goodness, lost in Christ's love. [Refrain]
Call to Confession
One: Gracious God, oil the hinges of our hearts’ doors that they may swing gently and easily to welcome your forgiving and healing Spirit. Amen
(alt 816 NCH)
Let us open our hearts to God.
Prayer of Confession
All: Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, always willing to give more that we either desire or deserve; pour upon us the abundance of your mercy; forgiving those things of which our conscience is afraid and releasing us to new life. Return us to journey in the way of Jesus. Amen alt. 834 (NCH)
Silent Confessions with God
Assurance of Pardon
One: There is no valley too dark nor mountain too high for the healing love of God. We are forgiving. Return to the journey with Christ!
All: Thanks be to God. Amen!
Community Prayer
Taize chant: Where love and caring are there is God. Where love and caring are there is God.
Prayers of Gratitude
Chant
Prayers of Concern
Chant
Silent Prayer
Chant
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
An Offering from our American Black History by Scotty Patton
*Offering Acclamation: Hymn: “Grace Alone” v1
Ev’ry promise we can make, ev’ry prayer and step pf faith, ev’ry difference we can make is only by God’s grace. Ev’ry mountain we will climb, ev’ry ray of hope we shine, ev’ry blessing left behind is only by God’s grace.
Grace alone which God supplies strength unknown God will provide; Christ in us, our Cornerstone, we will go forth in grace alone.
Dedication prayer: Holy One, pour out your Spirit upon our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Bless our gifts for Rosa Parks. May the families of the MLK Center feel the love and hope we send. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen
Ask the Pastor
Rite of Membership
Invitation
Sentences
Questions of the Candidate
Pastor: Do you desire to affirm your baptism into the faith and family of Jesus Christ?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you accept Christ Jesus as your Redeemer, ultimate guide, teacher, and perfect example of the direct, selfless, and loving path to God?
Candidate: I do.
Pastor: Do you promise, by the grace given you, to grow in Christian faith
and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating
Christ’s presence and furthering Christ1s mission in all the world?
Candidate: I promise with the help of God.
Statement of Faith
Pastor: Those who are able will please rise for our Statement of Faith
ALL: We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,
and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being,
create persons in your own image,
and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will
declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,
you have come to us
and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death
and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be your servants in the service of others,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world
and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you
forgiveness of sin and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
your presence in trial and rejoicing,
and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
Address
Pastor: By your baptism, you were made one with us in the body of
Christ, the church. Today, we rejoice that your journey of faith has
brought you to be with us in this time and place. We give thanks for every
community of faith that has been your spiritual home and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith.
Question about Participation
Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world.
Candidate: I promise, with the help of God.
Welcome and Reception
Moderator: Let us, the members of the Veradale United Church of Christ,
express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ.
All: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We
promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and
labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit
may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior.
Greeting of Christian Love
Prayer
All: O God, we praise you for calling us to faith and for gathering us
into this church, the body of Christ. We thank you for your people
gathered in this Veradale United Church of Christ and rejoice that you have increased our community of faith. Together may we live in the Spirit, building one another up in love, sharing in the life and worship of the church, and serving the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*Hymn: Have Thine One Way Lord
Listening for God
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NRSUE
Jabez was honored more than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.
Message: The Prayer of Jabez by Wayne Shull
Meditation in Music
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
Closing Hymn: When Peace Like a River (It is Well with My Soul) 438 (NCH)
1 When peace like a river, uphold me each day,when sorrows like sea billows roll,whatever my lot, you have taught me to say,"It is well, it is well with my soul."
Refrain: It is well with my soul; it is well, it is well with my soul.
2 Though evil should tempt me, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has paid life and blood for my soul: [Refrain]
3 My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought - my sin - not in part, but the whole -Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! [Refrain]
4 O God, speed the day that is filled with your light, when clouds are rolled back as a scroll; The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall appear,"even so" - it is well with my soul. [Refrain]
Benediction and Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.