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 5, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.
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10:20am Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV and Candlelighter
Naomi Hanvey, Zoom App Assistance
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Sue Ferrozzo, Candle Lighter and Scripture Reader
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins
God’s light shines... all the time!
All the time . . . God’s light shines!
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: “You are the Salt for the Earth” 181 (NCH)
You are salt for the earth, O people: salt for the reign of God; Share the flavor of life, O people: life in the City of God!
Refrain: Bring forth the reign of mercy, bring forth the reign of peace. Bring forth the reign of justice, bring forth the City of God.
You are light on a hill, O people: light for the city of God! Shine so holy and bright, O people: shine for the City of God! (Refrain)
You are a seed of the Word, O people: bring forth the reign of God! Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the City of God! (Refrain)
We are a blessed and a pilgrim people: bound for the City of God! Love our journey and love our homeland: love is the City of God. (Refrain)
About Our Sacred Conversations about Racism
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Racism (highlighted words link to definitions)
a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief : racial discrimination or prejudice
the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another
a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles
Community Prayer
Spoken Gratitude
Spoken Concerns
Silent Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Response: “Awake! Awake and Greet the New Morn”
107(NCH) v.4
Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, though cold the winter and cheerless, the rising sun shall crown you with light, be strong and loving and fearless. Love be our song and love our prayer, and love, our endless story, may God fill every day we share, and bring us at last into glory.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Sacred Conversations about Racism: Marvin Wilson
*Offering Acclamation:
Response: “Awake, Awake to Love and Work” 89 (NCH) v.2
Come, let your voice be one with theirs, shout with their shout of praise. See how the giant sun soars up, God’s gift for all your days! So, let the love of Jesus come and set your soul ablaze.
*Dedication Prayer
Just God, we offer these gifts for Spokane Valley Partners and our church with the hope that they may be found as worthy tokens of our gratitude. Bless them and strengthen us to serve you always. Amen
Listening for God
Message with Young Hearts:
What is the best part of being in the dark?
Matthew 5:13-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Message: Powerfully Small
Sharing of Holy Communion
Pastor: We gather at this table mindful of the many who have gathered here before us and those yet to come. We are grateful that we have this day together. We remember that Jesus walked among our ancestors and the Holy Spirit dwells within us today. We remember that Jesus asked for us to remember him when we eat bread and drink of a cup.
When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; ... Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me." Let us pray.
All: Come, Holy Spirit come. Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Help us to remember that you have dwelt among us. Help us to dwell in the world today as living temples of your presence. Bless us to remember your teachings, commandments, and example. May we be renewed in this sharing. Amen.
Silence
Prayer of Thanksgiving
ALL: We thank you, God, for your presence as we remember the Living Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are among us still, in each of us, and in all of your creation. Bless us to more fully live as your people. Amen.
Silent Reflection
Announcements
Signups for Sacred Conversations about Racism
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
* Hymn: “You are the Seed” 528(NCH)
You are the Seed that will grow a new sprout; you’re a star that will shine through the day; You are the yeast and a small grain of salt, a beacon to glow in the night.
You are the dawn that will bring a new day; you’re the wheat that will bear golden grain. You are a sting and a soft, gentle touch, my witnesses where’er you go.
Refrain: Go, my friends, go to the world proclaiming love to all, messengers of my forgiving peace, eternal love. Be, my friends, a loyal witness, from the dead I arose; “Lo, I’ll be with you forever, ’til the end of the world”
You are the flame that will brighten the way, sending sparkles of hope, faith, and love; You are the shepherds to lead the whole world through valleys and pastures of peace.
You are the friends that I chose for myself, the word that I want to proclaim. You are the city that’s built on a rock where justice and truth always reign. (Refrain)
You are life that will nurture the plant; you’re the waves in a turbulent sea; yesterday’s yeast is beginning to rise, a new loaf of bread it will yield.
There is no place for a city to hide, nor a mountain can cover it’s might; may your good deeds show a world in despair a path that will lead all to God. (Refrain)
*Benediction
Silent Meditation and Postlude
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