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 8, 2022 • 10:30 a.m.
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV
Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins
God is our guide . . . all the time! All the time . . . God is our guide!
Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ
(What do you know about sheep?)
Hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”
CCLI license #11038266
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord and we pray that our unity will one day be restored. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side. We will work with each other, we will work side by side and we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one’s pride. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love.
Community Prayer
105 (Sing)
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Pause for gratitude
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Pause for concerns
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Pause for that which no words can express
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
The Lord’s Prayer use the translation which is meaningful to you. There are three choices of translations on page 9 of the New Century Hymnal.
Response 812 (NCH)
Amen, amen, amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Dedication Hymn: “Holy Ground”
CCLI license #11038266
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.
Dedication Prayer
Good Shepherd, you lead us on the path of justice that brings lasting 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
Message to Young Hearts
What do you know about sheep?
Psalm 23 (see scene)
John 10:22-30 The Message
22-24 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon’s Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you’re the Messiah, tell us straight out.”
25-30 Jesus answered, “I told you, but you don’t believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don’t believe because you’re not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind.”
“Actions Speak Louder than Words”
Silence
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn “God Made from One Blood”
CCLI license #11038266
God made from one blood all the families of Earth. The circles of nurture that raised us from birth. Companions who join us to walk through each stage, of childhood and youth, 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 partner and roommate and friend.
We learn through our families how closeness and trust, increase when our actions are loving and just. Yet, families have also distorted their roles, mistreating their members and bruising their souls.
So, give, Lord, each family in conflict and storm, a sense of Your wisdom and grace that transform. Sharp anger to insight which strengthens the heart and makes clear the place where rebuilding can start.
Then, widen that wisdom and grace to include, the races and viewpoints our families exclude. ‘Til peace in each home bears and nurtures the bud, of peace shared by all you have made from one blood.
*Benediction and Hallelujah 236 (NCH)
Postlude