Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 25 2024

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!”

August 25, 2024

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Cherall-Anne St. James, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, 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 is with us ...all the time!  All the time...God is with us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: The Book of the Revelation to John Part 2

Bible Study Returns Soon!

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

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

 Community giving next month: N-Sid-Sen

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: Crown with Your Richest Crowns 301(NCH) verses 1, 2, & 3

Crown with your riches crowns the Lamb upon the throne; Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of Christ who died for you, and to your risen Savior bring, your thanks for life made new.

Crown Christ whose love has flowed down hands and feet and side. Look past the peak of Calvary’s road to Christ the glorified. The sun that lights the sky is pale before that sight. At prayer we glimpse then turn the eye from mysteries so bright.

Crown Christ the truth, the life who triumphed o’er the grave and rose victorious in the strife, this fallen world to save. Christ’s glories now we sing, Christ’s name we magnify, who died eternal life to bring, and life that death may die.

Community Prayer

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

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

Holy One, in the midst of struggle, let us be a witness to your presence and peace. Bless our offerings of time, talent, and treasure that this little church may thrive. Bless our giving to the community, that you love may be known. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Listening for God

Revelation 5

Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed[a] with seven seals, 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. 8 When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 They sing a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll    and to break its seals,for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God    saints from[b] every tribe and language and people and nation;10 you have made them a kingdom and priests serving[c] our God,    and they will reign[d] on earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 singing with full voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughteredto receive power and wealth and wisdom and mightand honor and glory and blessing!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, singing,

“To the one seated on the throne and to the Lambbe blessing and honor and glory and mightforever and ever!”

14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Footnotes

a.   5.1 Or written on the inside and sealed on the back

b.   5.9 Gk ransomed for God from

c.    5.10 Gk priests to

d.   5.10 Other ancient authorities read they reign

Revelation 7:9-17

9 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 singing,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdomand thanksgiving and honorand power and mightbe to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 For this reason they are before the throne of God    and worship him day and night within his temple,    and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.16 They will hunger no more and thirst no more;    the sun will not strike them,    nor any scorching heat,17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,    and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Message: Lambikins

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: For All the Saints 299 (NCH)

For all the saints who from their labors rest, who to the world their steadfast faith confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, alleluia!

You were their rock, their refuge, and their might: you, Christ, the hope that put their fears to flight; ’mid gloom and doubt, you were their one true light. Alleluia, alleluia!

Still may your people, faithful, true, and bold, live as the saints who nobly fought of old, and share with them a glorious crown of gold. Alleluia, alleluia!

Ringed by this cloud of witnesses divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet in your love our faithful lives entwine. Alleluia, alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song; then hearts are brave again and faith grows strong. Alleluia, alleluia

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 18 2024

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!”

August 18, 2024

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

String-A-Lings, Musicians

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Tom Cuilla, Scripture Reader

Mike Weissenfels, Candle lighter

________, Fellowship Set-up

________, 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 loves us ...all the time!  All the time...God loves us!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: The Book of the Revelation to John Part 1

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

 Community giving this month: Winter Gear

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: Out of the Depths, O God, We Call 554 (NCH)

Out of the depths, O God, we call to you. Wounds of the past remain, affecting all we do. Facing our lives, we need your love so much. Here in this community, heal us with your touch.

Out of the depths of fear, O God, we speak. Breaking the silences, the searing truth we seek. Safe among friends, our grief and rage we share. Here in this community, hold us in your care.

God of the loving heart, we praise your name. Dance through our lives and loves; anoint with Spirit flame. Your light illumines each familiar face. Here in this community, meet us with your grace.

Community Prayer

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

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

Creator God, we make our offerings of time, talent, and treasure asking that you multiply them to your service. May all that we are and all that we do be fill with our love for you. Amen

Listening for God

1Corinthians 7:17-24

17 However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying the commandments of God is everything. 20 Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.

21 Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of it. 22 For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave belonging to Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of humans. 24 In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

14 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many members yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect, 24 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25 that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Colossians 3:18-4:1

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.

4:1 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Ephesians 6:1- 9 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ, 6 not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. 7 Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans, 8 knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are enslaved or free.

9 And, masters, do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Lord in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.

Message: Slaves Obey?

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: Jesus, Lover of My Soul 546 (NCH)

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to your bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high; hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past; safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last! 

Other refuge have I none; in your hands my destiny; leave, O leave me not alone, still support and comfort me. All my trust on you is stayed, all my help from you I bring; cover my defenseless head with the shadow of your wing.

 Plenteous grace in you is found, grace to cover all my sin; let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within. Fount of life, your love impart; fill my cup abundantly, spring up now within my heart, rise to all eternity.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, Aug 11 2024

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!”

August 11, 2024

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director and Worship Leader

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Readers Theater, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, 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 is with everyone ...all the time!  All the time...God is with everyone! 

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday: Why “Slaves Obey” is in the Bible

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

 Community giving this month: Winter Gear

Welcoming the Light of Christ

Hymn: “Grant Us Wisdom to Perceive You” 510 (NCH)

Grant us wisdom to perceive you, hearts awakened to receive you, minds alert to thoughts that grieve you. God of mercy, hear us.

Grant us faithfulness in praying, strength to keep our souls from straying, sense to cease from disobeying. God of mercy, hear us.

Grant us diligence in doing, patience when you truth pursuing, eager to receive renewing. God of mercy hear us.

Grant us courage to proclaim you; Savior of our lives we name you! May our actions never shame you. God of Mercy hear us.

Community Prayer

In moments like these, I sing out a song. I sing out a love song to Jesus. In moments like these, I lift up my hands, I lift up may hands to the Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. Singing I love you, Lord. I love you.

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

We thank you, Generous God, for the ability to give of our time, talent, and treasure. Bless and multiply our gifts to the work of this you church. Amen

Listening for God

Genesis 4 Readers Theater

(Kelly) Narrator: Just after being run out of Edan Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, 

(Cory) Eve: “I’ve made a man, with God’s help!”

(Kelly) Narrator: Then she had another baby, Abel. Abel was a herdsman and Cain a farmer.Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get God’s approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.  God spoke to Cain:

(Naomi) God “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”

(Kelly) Narrator:  Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him. God said to Cain, 

(Naomi) God “Where is Abel your brother?”

(Charlie) Cain, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?”

(Naomi)  God “What have you done! The voice of your brother’s blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you’ll get nothing but curses from this ground; you’ll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You’ll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You’ll be a homeless wanderer on Earth.”

(Charlie) Cain, “My punishment is too much. I can’t take it! You’ve thrown me off the land and I can never again face you. I’m a homeless wanderer on Earth and whoever finds me will kill me.”

(Naomi) God “No. Anyone who kills Cain will pay for it seven times over.” 

(Kelly) Narrator:   God put a mark on Cain to protect him so that no one who met him would kill him. Cain left the presence of God and lived in No-Man’s-Land, east of Eden. Cain slept with his wife. She conceived and had Enoch. He then built a city and named it after his son, Enoch. 

Message: Mark of Cain

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: In Christ there is no East or West 394 (NCH)

In Christ there is no East or West, in Christ no South or North; but one great community of love throughout the whole wide earth. 

In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; Christ service is the golden cord, close binding humankind.

In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, and neither slave nor free; for men and women live in God and all are kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West, in Christ meet North and South; one joyous true community throughout the whole wide earth.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion