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!”
Sunday, December 25, 2022 • 10:30a.m.
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Naomi Hanvey, Facebook Monitor
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Scott Robertson, Candle Lighter
Cherall Anne St. James, Scripture reader
Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins:
God is with us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us!
Welcoming the Light of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ
Carol: “O Come All You Faithful” page 3 in Carol Booklet verses 1 and 2
1. Oh, come, all you faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come now, oh come now to Bethlehem. Come and behold the ruler of all angels
[Chorus] Oh, come, in adoration; Oh, come in adoration; Oh, come in adoration, Christ is the Lord.
2. Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all you messengers of heavenly love! Glory to God, all glory in the highest; (Chorus)
Our Community in Prayer
Sharing Prayers of Gratitude & Celebration
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
first stanza
Sharing Prayers of Concern
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
Sharing Prayers Which Take Us Beyond Words Into Silence
All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH)
first stanza
The Lord’s Prayer
In the spirit of diversity, you are invited to
use the words most familiar to you.
Response: All: “Amen, Amen” 161 (NCH) Public Domain
A Time of Offering
Invitation to share
Response: Joy to the World v 3
Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Dedication prayer
Emmanuel, God with us, bless these gifts and offerings. May all that we have and all that we are bring your presence to this time and place. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Listening for God in Word and Music
Message With Young Hearts
What is your birth story?
Favorite Carols (and why)
Isaiah 52:7-10 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices; together they shout for joy,for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth; shout together for joy, you ruins of Jerusalem,for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations,and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Gospel of John 1: 1-14. New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only so, full of grace and truth.
Favorite Carols (and why)
Reflections with Pastor Gen
Announcements
Favorite Carols (and why)
Benediction and Silent Reflection
Postlude