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 6, 2024
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader
John Carroll, Usher
Joe McSwain, Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
_________, Scripture Reader
___________, Candle lighter
________, 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 dwells within us ...all the time! All the time...God dwells within us!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Next Sunday: Don and Jan bring a message
Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am
Community giving: Animal Shelter Supplies
Welcoming the Light of Christ
Hymn: “As the Deer”
CCLI license #11038266
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
You’re my Friend and You are my Brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver
And the apple of my eye
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
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
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: Amen, amen, amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Dedication Hymn
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
All your 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
God of All, you dwell with us now and always, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless our offerings of time, talent, and treasure. May our love and life reflect your presence in this world. Amen
Listening for God
Philippians 2:1-13 NRSVUE
If, then, there is any comfort in Christ, any consolation from love, any partnership in the Spirit, any tender affection and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6
who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
7
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness.And being found in appearance as a human,
8
he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
9
Therefore God exalted him even more highly and gave him the name that is above every other name,
10
so that at the name given to Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Message from Wayne
Sharing Holy Communion
Hand sanitizer passed around.
Wayne: 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,
Blessing of the Animals
While we are still sharing our communion tables, we share in this blessing)
Beloved Creator, you have made all creatures beautiful in your sight. Brother Francis recognized every animal as our true siblings. We thank you with humble hearts. By the power of your love, help each of these pets to live as companions and friends. Help us who love them to show your kindness and compassion to them all the days of their lives. We pray in the the power of your Spirit. Amen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Wayne: Let us pray. We thank you, God, for this loving community. As we share this meal and these blessings, we are humbled. You are beyond our understanding and within everyone and everything everywhere and in all creation. Bless us now to more fully live as your people in respect and love for all your creation through Jesus Christ whose way we follow. Amen.
Meditation in Music
Announcement Reminder
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
Closing Hymn: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” 31 (NCH)
Public Domain
Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: Our dear God made them all.
1. Each little flow’r that opens, Each little bird that sings, God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings. Refrain
2.The purple-headed mountains, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky. Refrain
3.The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, God made them every one. Refrain
Benediction
Communal Blessing
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion
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