Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 11 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!”

Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day

May 11, 2025• 10:30 a.m. 

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Strin-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings: Musicians

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator 

Stephany Wallis, Scripture reader

_________, Candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

________, Fellowship Set-Up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 

10:30am Welcoming 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 guides us… all the time!

All the time…God guides us!

Opening Hymn “Part of the Family”

CHORUS: Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family. 

You know the reason why you came, yet no reason can explain; so share in the laughter and cry in the pain, for we are a part of the family. God is with us in this place, like a mother's warm embrace. We're all forgiven by God's grace, for we are a part of the family: CHORUS 

Children and elders, middlers and teens, singles and doubles and in-betweens, strong 85ers and street wise 16s, for we are a part of the family. Greeters and shoppers, longtime and new, nobody here has a claim on a pew, and whether we’re many or whether we’re few, we are a part of the family: CHORUS 

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 

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers of Concern

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Prayers in Silence

Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.

Lord’s Prayer

Response: Amen, amen, amen

A Time of Offering

An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty. All thy 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: Good Shepherd, you lead us on the path of peace, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings. May they bring the fulfillment of your vision of a just peace within our lives and our communities. Amen

Listening for God


Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2     God makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters; 3     God restores my soul. God leads me in right paths    for God’s name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 

    I fear no evil, for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me    all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord    my whole life long. 

John 10:22-30 At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, 26 but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Silence

Announcements

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: Pass it On

It only takes a spark to get a fire going. And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it, you spread God’s love to everyone; you want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding; the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming. That's how it is with God's love; once you've experienced it, you want to sing, it’s fresh like spring. You want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found. You can depend on Christ, it matters not where you're bound. I'll shout it from the mountain top. I want the world to know. The Lord of love has come to me. I want to pass it on.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion