Sunday Worship Bulletin, May 18 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 18, 2025• 10:30 a.m. 

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

String-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings: Musicians

Wayne Shull, Music Director (vacationing)

Charlie Salt, AV (vacationing)

Joe McSwain, AV and Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Gregg Glisson, Usher 

Joe McSwain, Scripture reader

Stephanie Wallis, 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’s vision is with us… all the time!

All the time…God’s vision is with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities

Next Sunday, Guiding Force

Bible Study Monday at 7pm

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

Wednesday: String-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings 6:00pm

 Community giving: Blessing Box and Coats for Kids

Opening Hymn “Blowing in the Wind”

1.   How many roads must others walk down before we will call them human? How many seas must a white dove sail before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly before they’re forever banned.

Refrain: The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.

2.    Yes, and how many years can a mountain exist before it is washed to the sea? Yes, and how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can we turn our heads pretending we just don’t see? Refrain

3.   Yes, and how many times must we look up before we can see the sky? Yes, and how many ears must each person have before we can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths will it take till we know that too many people have died? 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 

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: Holy One, we offer our time, talent, and treasure to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. May all that we have and all that we are be dedicated to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you.

Amen

Listening for God


Revelation 21:1-6

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home[ of God is among mortals.He will dwell with them;they will be his peoples,and God himself will be with them and be their God;4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.Death will be no more;mourning and crying and pain will be no more,for the first things have passed away.”

5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.

 John 13:31-35

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,  God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Silence

Announcements

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 grace. 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