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!”
January 7, 2024 • 10:30 a.m.
______________________________
10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Joe McSwain, Scripture reader
Cherall Anne St. James, 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 is good . . . all the time!
All the time . . . God is good!
Announcements
Welcoming the Light Christ
Hymn: “We Three Kings” from Carol Booklet
(Gifts for the baby enter with our “Wise Ones”)
1. We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star:
(Refrain): O Star of wonder, star of night star with royal beauty bright westward leading, still proceeding guide us to thy Perfect Light
2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain. Gold, I bring to crown Him again. King forever, ceasing never over us all to rein: (Refrain)
3. Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh; pray'r and praising, all men raising worship Him, God most high: (Refrain)
4. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes of life of gathering gloom. Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying sealed in the stone-cold tomb: (Refrain)
5. Glorious now behold Him arise. King and God and Sacrifice. “Alleluia, Alleluia,” Earth to heav'n replies: (Refrain):
Blessing of the gifts
Loving God, bless these gifts of our Wise Ones. Let them bring hope and comfort. Empower us to see the Christ Child in all children especially those who are in need. Amen
Community Prayer
Response “Now Bless the God of Israel” v.2 110 (NCH)
Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear, that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year; and you my child shall go before to preach and prophesy, that all may know the tender love and grace of God most high.
Prayers of Gratitude
110 (NCH) verse 2
Prayers of Concern
110 (NCH) verse 2
Silent Prayer
110 (NCH) verse 2
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
Dedication: “God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen”
122 (Pilgrim Hymnal) v. 4 Public Domain
Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace. This holy tide of Christmas doth bring redeeming grace. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. O tidings of comfort and joy.
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Holy One, shine your light upon our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. Continue to pour out a special blessing on the baby things that we have brought. May they bring warmth and comfort to the families they reach. In this small act, may we fulfill your vision for our lives, our world, and this your church. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Listening for God
Message to Young Hearts
“What do babies need?”
Isaiah 60:1-6 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.For darkness shall cover the earth and thick darkness the peoples,but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together; they come to you;your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried in their nurses’ arms.Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice,because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you.A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come.They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Matthew 2:1-12 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 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.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet:
‘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.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the magi and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 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. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Message: Followers of Light
Silence
Sharing Holy Communion
Hand sanitizer passed around.
Pastor: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables mindful of the presence of God’s Spirit that is here with us. We seek to honor the request of Jesus given in the scripture. Of all the teachings Jesus gave to our ancestors, this he asked them and us to do for him to remember him.
When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; giving God thanks and praise, he broke the bread. He gave it to his friends saying, “Take this all of you and eat of it. This is my body that is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
After the meal had ended, Jesus poured out the cup and again he gave God thanks and praise. He gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink from it. This is the cup of the new covenant. Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me.”
Let us pray.
All: Loving God, you are with us in the easy times and through the difficult experiences. We thank you with humble hearts. Let your presence be felt among us. Come, Holy Spirit come. Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Refresh us and renew us as Christ’s body in the world today. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Silence as all who want to receive come forward. We will break bread and share a common cup or you can receive the packaged bread and drink,
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: We thank you, God, for your presence at all our tables where we remember and experience the presence of Christ. Help us to live more fully the way of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Meditation in Music
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn: “I am the Light of the World” 584 ( NCH)
Chorus: I am the Light of the World You people come and follow me. If you follow and love, You'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be.1. When the song of the angels is stilled. When the star in the sky is gone. When the sages and the shepherds have found their way home, the work of Christmas is begun! Chorus: 2. To find the lost and lonely one, to heal that broken soul with love, to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food, to feel the earth below the sky above! Chorus: 3. To free the prisoner from his chains, to make the powerful care, to rebuild the nations with strength of goodwill, see all God’s children everywhere! Chorus: 4. To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby's new birth, to make music in an old person’s heart, and sing to the colors of the earth! Chorus:
Benediction and Community Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.