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!”
July 28, 2024
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
String-A-Lings, Musicians
Joe McSwain, Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Joe McSwain Scripture Reader
Diane Smith, Candle lighter
Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-up
Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins
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.
Community Affirmation
God is with us ...all the time! All the time...God is with us!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Next Sunday “Worship Must be Orderly!?”
Bible Study off for the Summer
Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am
String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm
Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm
Community giving Next Month: Winter Gear
Welcoming the Light of Christ
* Hymn “If God is For Us”
Refrain: If God is for us, who can be against if the spirit of God has set us free. (repeat)
I know that nothing in this world can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain
Nothing can take us from God’s love, poured out in Jesus, the Lord. Refrain
And nothing present or to come can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain
I know that neither death nor life can ever take us from God’s love. Refrain
Community Prayer
105 (Sing Book)
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Prayers of Gratitude
Refrain
Prayers of Concern
Refrain
Silent Prayer
Refrain
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 Hymn: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All your works shall praise Thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty. God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Dedication Prayer:
God of Ages, our guide and guardian bless us and these offerings of school supplies. May our time, talent, and treasure help bring a day when compassion and justice become abundant in our world. Amen
Listening for God
1 Corinthians 6:9-20
9 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes,[a] men who engage in illicit sex,[b]10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers—none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ[c] and in the Spirit of our God.
12 “All things are permitted for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,”[d] and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” 17 But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Shun sexual immorality![e] Every sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person[f] sins against the body itself. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple[g] of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Footnotes
a. 6.9 Meaning of Gk uncertain
b. 6.9 Meaning of Gk uncertain
c. 6.11 Other ancient authorities lack Christ
d. 6.13 The quotation may extend to the word other
e. 6.18 Or prostitution
f. 6.18 Or the one who hires a prostitute
g. 6.19 Or sanctuary
1 Timothy 1:8-17
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately; 9 this means understanding that the law is laid down not for the righteous but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who engage in illicit sex,[c] slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me[d] with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible,[e] the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.[f] Amen.
18 This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith; 20 among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have turned over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
Footnotes
1. 1.10 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2. 1.14 Gk lacks for me
3. 1.17 Or unseen
4. 1.17 Gk to the ages of the ages
Message: Sexual Othering
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn: “Be God’s”
Where the world is merciless be God’s Mercy. Where the world is hopeless, be God’s hope. Where there is injustice, be God’s justice. Where there is sadness, be God’s joy. Where the world is doubting, be God’s faith. Where there is ingratitude, be God’s gracy. Where there is confusion, be God’s truth. Where there is weakness, be God’s strength.
Refrain: Let your life change the world one person at a time. Let your life be the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we become his body, we can be the living sign, with God’s love, change the world with your life.
Where the world is wounded, be God’s healing. Where the world is weeping, be God’s song. Where there is despairing, be God’s beauty. Where the world is crumbing, be God’s rock. Where there’s no tenderness, be God’s child. Where there is loneliness, be God’s smile. Where there is dying, be God’s life. Where there is darkness, be God’s light. (refrain)
Benediction
Communal Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion
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