Sunday Worship Bulletin March 16, 2025

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!”

March 16, 2025 • 10:30 a.m. 

------------------------Please, silence cellphones-----------------------

10:20am Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Heidi Fowler, Guest Musician

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Stephany Wallis, Scripture reader

Diane Smith, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Sue Ferrozzo, Fellowship Set-Up

__________, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Entrance of the Light of Christ

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.

Community Affirmation

   God gathers us . . . all the time! 

All the time . . . God gathers us !

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday, Lent 3: From the Candle of Joy

Lenten Book Study: Speaking Christian Monday at 7pm

Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am

Wednesday: String-A-Lings 5:30 and Sing-A-Lings 6:30

Ding-A-Lings after Worship

 Community giving this month: VOA Women’s Shelters

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!

Opening Hymn

We bring forward rocks that symbolize the barriers and burdens that keep us from embracing God’s steadfast love.

Hymn: “As the Deer” Red Book 28 (Three verses)

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul length after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee. 

Refrain: You alone are my strength, my shield; to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship Thee.

You're my friend and you are my brother even though you are the One. I love you more than any other, so much more than anything. (Refrain)

I want you more than gold or silver. Only you can satisfy. You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye. (Refrain)

Community Prayer

Hymn: Spirit of the Living God” RB 277

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Refrain: Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.

Prayers of Concern (Refrain)

Prayers in Silence (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: Doxology  780 (NCH) Newer words

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God, all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.  Amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication “My Peace” 

Community Prayer

(p.53, Green Book)

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

Dedication Prayer: Holy One, you show us how the way of life is through compassion, justice, and a heart open to your presence in our midst. We thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings for the ministry of this congregation that it might be on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Amen

Listening for God

Readings from the Candle of Peace (read by Don and Jan Young)

Luke 13:31-35 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

Message: Jesus the Hen

Meditation in Music

Our Light moves into the World God Loves  

Hymn: “Called As Partners In Christ's Service” 495 (NCH)

Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace. We respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace. May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend, equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.

Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth. Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth. Men and women, richer, poorer,all God’s people, young and old, blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.

Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, in a small or global sense. Help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.  Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care, bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues, free and fair.

So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life that surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife. Make us partners in our living,our compassion to increase, messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace. 

Benediction 

Go forth into the world in peace. Be of good courage. Hold fast to that

which is good. Render to no one evil for evil. Strengthen the

fainthearted. Support the weak. Help the afflicted. Honor all people.

Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. The

Grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the

Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen.

Community Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion.