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!”
June 23, 2024
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull: Music Director
Joe McSwain, Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Jan Young, Scripture Reader
Joe McSwain, Candle Lighter
Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-up
Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
Naomi Hanvey, Message
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 still speaking ...all the time! All the time... God is still speaking!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Next Sunday is “Ask the Pastor” Sunday
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 Sunday Mornings before Worship
Community giving this month: Birthday Kits
In honor of all the Work Parties and Marches over the last 10 years
If I had a Hammer led by Jan Young
If I had a hammer,I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening, All over this land.
I’d hammer out danger,I’d hammer out a warning,
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land
If I had a bell, I’d ring it in the morning
I’d ring it in the evening, All over this land.
I’d ring out danger,I’d ring out a warning,
I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land
If I had a song, I’d sing it in the morning
I’d sing it in the evening, All over this land.
I’d sing out danger, I’d sing out a warning,
I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land
Well, I got a hammer and I got a bell
And I got a song to sing all over this land.
It’s the hammer of justice.
It’s the bell of freedom.
It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land
It’s the hammer of justice.
It’s the bell of freedom.
It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,
All over this land
Naming those who have been a hammer, bell, and song
Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” 4(NCH)
1. Joyful, joyful, we adore you, God of glory, God of love;Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above.Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the storms of doubt away;Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
2. All your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays, stars and angels sing around you, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, teach us what our praise should be.
3. You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Loving Spirit, Father, Mother, all who love belong to you. Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew.
4. Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began; Boundless love is reigning o’er us, reconciling race and clan. Ever singing, move we forward, faithful in the midst of strife. Joyful music leads us onward In the triumph song of life.
Community Prayer
In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.
Prayers of Gratitude
Prayers of Concern
Prayers in Silence
Lord’s Prayer
Response: Sing Amen
(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God
(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God
(Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,
we praise your name, O, God
From the Choir: Chariots a Comin’
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Dedication Hymn: Ding-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings and Congregation
Love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves us all.
Dedication Prayer Still speaking God, you Spirit is among us moving us give of our time, talent, and treasure to fulfill your vision for our lives and world. We thank you with humble hearts. May the revelation of your love and justice shine bright form our community. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen
Listening for God
Matthew 5:33-47 ““Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same?
Matthew 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Message: You have heard it said
Meditation in Music from the choir
“Sanctuary”
Announcement Reminder
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
Hymn: Hymn: “We Sing the Mighty Power of God” 12 (NCH)
(note: an older version uses “we” where our hymnal uses “I”)
1 We sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies. We sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
2 We sing the goodness of our God that filled the earth with food; God formed the creatures with the word and then pronounced them good. Oh, how your wonders are displayed, where'er we turn our eyes, if we survey the ground we tread or gaze upon the skies.
3 On Earth there’s not a plant or flower but makes your glories known. The clouds arise and spread their showers by order from your throne; All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care: Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there.
Benediction
Communal Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion
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