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!” Last Sunday of the Christian Year, November 26, 2023 • 10:30 a.m. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Wayne Shull, Music Director Charlie Salt, AV Joe McSwain, AV and Usher Jerry Brines, Usher Tom Cuilla, Scripture reader Diane Smith, Candle lighter Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Set-Up Samantha Mumford, Fellowship Clean-up Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor 10:30am 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. Worship begins God is with us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us! Welcoming the Light of Christ *Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Out God” 439 (NCH) 1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our present help amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe; with craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth without an equal. 2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, but there is one who takes our side, the One of God's own choosing. You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus sets us free! With mighty power to save, victorious o’er the grave. Christ will prevail triumphant. 3 And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed the truth to triumph through us. The power of evil grim, we tremble not for them; their rage we can endure, for lo! their doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. 4 That Word beyond all earthly powers forever is abiding. The Spirit and the gifts are ours, for Christ is with us siding. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth shall triumph still; God’s reign endures forever! Community Prayer Refrain: “Great is Your Faithfulness” refrain only 423 (NCH) Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed your hand has provided. Great is your faithfulness, God, unto me. Prayers of Gratitude Refrain Prayers of Concern Refrain Silent Prayer 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: 812 (NCH) Amen. Amen. Amen. A Time of Offering Dedication 780 (NCH) Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen Dedication Prayer Beloved God, we offer these gifts of our time, talent, and treasure as small tokens of our deep gratitude. Bless especially our gifts for the Spokane Salish School. May each student know that their ancestral language and culture are needed in this world. Amen. Listening for God Message with Young Hearts Think of a celebration that you like. It could be something like Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents, anniversaries gifts, birthday parties, and such. Describe, if you can, the feelings of waiting for the party, experiencing the party, and the end of the party. Ephesians 1:15-23 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Matthew 25:31-45 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ Message: The Eyes of Your Heart Silence Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Closing Hymn: “In the Bulb there is a Flower” 433(NCH) 1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 2. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, in our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude Be Yourself. Grow in Christ. Live with Compassion.