Sunday Worship Bulletin, Oct 26 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!”

October 26, 2025

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10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher Candle Lighter

Jerry Brines, Usher

Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, Candle Lighter

Stephanie Wallis, Fellowship Set-up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

10:30am    Welcoming the Light of Christ_and 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 loves us ...all the time!  All the time...God loves us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities

Next Sunday: All Saints/Powerful Nonviolence

Ephesians 1:11-23, Luke 6:20-31

Bible Study, Monday, 7pm

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

String-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 5:30pm 

Sing-A-Lings practice Wednesday, 6:30pm

FRIDAY, Halloween treats. Set up 5:30pm, close when too cold.

Saturday, Nov 1 at 1pm Celebration of Deb Bradshaw’s Life

Next Month Community giving: Salish School

Opening Hymn: I Sing A Song of the Saints of God 295 (NCH)

1. I sing a song of the saints of God, faithful their whole lives through, who bravely labored, lived, and died for the God they loved and knew. 
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green: they were saints of God if you know what I mean. God help me to be one, too. 

2. They loved their God and they lived that love. It was loving that made them strong; They did what was right, for Jesus’ sake, lived justly their whole lives long. And one was a prophet, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast; there is no earthly reason, none in the least, why I shouldn't be one, too.

3. They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still. The world is filled with living saints who choose to do God’s will.  You can meet them in school, on the road or at sea, in church, in a train, in a shop, or at tea; for the saints are folk like you and like me, and I mean to be one, too.

Community Prayer

NCH 769 Hear our prayer, O God, hear our prayer, O God: incline your ear to us, and grant us your peace.

Prayers of Gratitude

song

Prayers of Concern

song

Silent Prayer

song

 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: “Surely the Presence” RB 285

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace. I can hear the brush of angel wings. I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share 

Dedication Hymn: “We Bring The Sacrifice of Praise” RB 235

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. 

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving.

And we offer up to you the sacrifices of joy!

Dedication prayer: Giver of all Life, we give thanks in the offering of our time, talent, and treasure to the ministry of this Way of Jesus. May the abundance of your love be known in us. Amen

Listening for God

 2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, 

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. ⁸ From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Luke 18:9-14 

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.

Message: God Our Witness

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: “Thou Art Worthy” 208 RB

Thou art worthy. Thou art worthy.Thou art worthy, O Lord. To receive glory, glory and honor, Glory and honor and pow’r. For Thou hast created, hast all things created, Thou art worthy, O Lord. (Repeat)

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion