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!”
May 5, 2024
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Tom Cuilla, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Diane Smith, Scripture Reader
Naomi Hanvey, 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 includes all of us ...all the time! All the time...God includes all of us!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Bible Study Monday at 7pm at ___________ home
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 this month: Blessing Box and Coats for Kids
Welcoming the Light of Christ
*Hymn: God Made from One Blood 427 (NCH)
God Made from One Blood all the families of earth,
the circles of nurture that raise us from birth;
Companions who join us to work through each stage
of childhood and youth and adulthood and age.
We turn to you, God, with our thanks and our tears
for all of the families we’ve known through the years;
The intimate networks on whom we depend
of parents and partners and children and friends.
Through families we’ve tasted the value of trust
and felt what it means to be loving and just;
Yet families have also betrayed their best goals,
mistreating their members and bruising their souls.
Help families in all of their various forms
to face with integrity struggles and storms;
Grant peace to our homes that will nurture the bud
of peace for the families you made from one blood.
Community Prayer
We are standing on holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.
Prayers of Gratitude
We are standing on holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.
Prayers of Concern
We are standing on holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.
Prayers in Silence
We are standing on holy ground and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.
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
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Dedication Hymn
Love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. Love your neighbor as yourself for God loves us all.
Dedication Prayer
Loving God, we give these offerings of our time, talent, and treasure as tokens of our gratitude. Fill our lives with your Spirit that we may bring your presence into our relationships. Amen
Listening for God
Acts 10:44-48 NRSV
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
John 15:9-17 NRSV
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants[a] any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
Message: Love One Another
Silence
Sharing Holy Communion
Hand sanitizer passed around.
Pastor: Friends in Christ, we gather at our many tables mindful of the presence of God’s Spirit that is here with us. We seek to honor the request of Jesus given in the scripture. Of all the teachings Jesus gave to our ancestors, this he asked them and us to do for him to remember him.
When Jesus and his friends sat together at a Passover meal, Jesus took bread; giving God thanks and praise, he broke the bread. He gave it to his friends saying, “Take this all of you and eat of it. This is my body that is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
After the meal had ended, Jesus poured out the cup and again he gave God thanks and praise. He gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink from it. This is the cup of the new covenant. Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me.”
Let us pray.
All: Loving God, you are with us in questioning and learning. We thank you with humble hearts. Let your presence be felt among us. Come, Holy Spirit come. Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Refresh us and renew us as Christ’s body in the world today. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Silence as all who want to receive come forward. We will break bread and share a common cup or you can receive the packaged bread and drink,
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: We thank you, God, for your presence at all our tables where we remember and experience the presence of Christ. Help us to live more fully the way of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Meditation in Music
Announcement Reminder
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
Closing Hymn: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant” 539 (NCH)
Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road; we are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you in the shadow of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow 'til we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony, born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.
Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too.
Benediction
Communal Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion