Sunday Worship Bulletin, June 23 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!”

June 23, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull: Music Director

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Jan Young, Scripture Reader

Joe McSwain, Candle Lighter

Gregg Glisson, Fellowship Set-up

Naomi Hanvey, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

Naomi Hanvey, Message

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 still speaking ...all the time!  All the time... God is still speaking!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Next Sunday is “Ask the Pastor” Sunday

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Sunday Mornings before Worship

Community giving this month: Birthday Kits

In honor of all the Work Parties and Marches over the last 10 years

If I had a Hammer led by Jan Young

If I had a hammer,I’d hammer in the morning

I’d hammer in the evening, All over this land.

I’d hammer out danger,I’d hammer out a warning,

I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

If I had a bell, I’d ring it in the morning

I’d ring it in the evening, All over this land.

I’d ring out danger,I’d ring out a warning,

I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

If I had a song, I’d sing it in the morning

I’d sing it in the evening, All over this land.

I’d sing out danger, I’d sing out a warning,

I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

Well, I got a hammer and I got a bell 

And I got a song to sing all over this land. 

It’s the hammer of justice.

It’s the bell of freedom.

It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

It’s the hammer of justice.

It’s the bell of freedom.

It’s the song about love between my brothers and my sisters,

All over this land

Naming those who have been a hammer, bell, and song

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” 4(NCH)

1.   Joyful, joyful, we adore you, God of glory, God of love;Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above.Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the storms of doubt away;Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

2.   All your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays, stars and angels sing around you, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, teach us what our praise should be.

3.   You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Loving Spirit, Father, Mother, all who love belong to you. Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew.

4.   Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began; Boundless love is reigning o’er us, reconciling race and clan. Ever singing, move we forward, faithful in the midst of strife. Joyful music leads us onward In the triumph song of life.

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 

Prayers of Concern

Prayers in Silence

 Lord’s Prayer

Response:  Sing Amen

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,

we praise your name, O, God

From the Choir: Chariots a Comin’

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn: Ding-A-Lings and Sing-A-Lings and Congregation

Love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. Love your neighbor as yourself, for God loves us all.

Dedication Prayer Still speaking God, you Spirit is among us moving us give of our time, talent, and treasure to fulfill your vision for our lives and world. We thank you with humble hearts. May the revelation of your love and justice shine bright form our community. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen

Listening for God

Matthew 5:33-47 ““Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’  But I say to you: Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 

Matthew 22:34-40 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Message: You have heard it said 

Meditation in Music from the choir

“Sanctuary”

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: Hymn: “We Sing the Mighty Power of God” 12 (NCH)

 (note: an older version uses “we” where our hymnal uses “I”)

1 We sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies. We sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey. 

2 We sing the goodness of our God that filled the earth with food; God formed the creatures with the word and then pronounced them good. Oh, how your wonders are displayed, where'er we turn our eyes, if we survey the ground we tread or gaze upon the skies. 

3 On Earth there’s not a plant or flower but makes your glories known. The clouds arise and spread their showers by order from your throne; All life is but a gift from you and ever in your care: Wherever people gather, you, O God, are present there. 

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, June 16 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!”

June 16, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull: Music Director

Joe McSwain, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Don Young, Scripture Reader

Diane Smith, Candle Lighter

_________, Fellowship Set-up

_____________, Fellowship Clean-up

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

Naomi Hanvey, Message

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 

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Sunday Mornings before Worship

Community giving this month: Birthday Kits

Welcoming the Light of Christ and Father’s Day Appreciations

*Hymn: God Made from One Blood 427 (NCH)

God Made from One Blood all the families of earth,

the circles of nurture that raise us from birth;

Companions who join us to work through each stage

of childhood and youth and adulthood and age.

We turn to you, God, with our thanks and our tears

for all of the families we’ve known through the years;

The intimate networks on whom we depend

of parents and partners and children and friends.

Through families we’ve tasted the value of trust

and felt what it means to be loving and just;

Yet families have also betrayed their best goals,

mistreating their members and bruising their souls.

Help families in all of their various forms

to face with integrity struggles and storms;

Grant peace to our homes that will nurture the bud

of peace for the families you made from one blood.

Community Prayer

(p.53, Green Book)

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

Prayers of Gratitude 

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

Prayers of Concern

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

Prayers in Silence

My peace I give unto you. It’s a peace that the world cannot give. It’s a peace that the world cannot understand. Peace to know. Peace to live. My peace I give unto you.

 Lord’s Prayer

Response:  Sing Amen

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,

we praise your name, O, God

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Special Music: Jan Young

Dedication Hymn (p.113 Red Book)

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.

Dedication Prayer

  Holy One, bless the offerings of our time, talent, and treasure. Multiply these to fulfill the vision you have for our church and our lives.  Amen

Listening for God

Gospel of John NRSUE

1:1-14 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,[a] 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. 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.[b]

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.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son,[d] full of grace and truth.

John 10:1-10 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again, Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me[a] are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue[a] to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Message: The Gospel of John

Naomi Hanvey

Meditation in Music

Announcement Reminder 

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Hymn: “Bless Be the Tie that Binds” 393 (NCH)

Bless be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The sharing of a common life is like to that above.

Before our God we come and pour our ardent prayers. Our Fears our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear, and often for each other flows a sympathizing tear.

When we are called to part it gives us inward pain, but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion

Sunday Worship Bulletin, June 9 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!”

June 9, 2024

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

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Sting-A-Lings: Musicians and Choir

Tom Cuilla, Usher

Jerry Brines, Usher

Rev. Phil Hodson, Scripture Reader

Sue Ferrozzo, candle lighter

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

 Rev. Phil Hodson, Guest and Acting PNCUCC Conference Minister

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 guides us...all the time!  All the time...God guides!

Service and Fellowship Opportunities 

Bible Study off for the Summer

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

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

Sing-A-Lings (a.k.a.Choir) practice Wednesday 6:30pm

Meet and Greet Rev. Phil Hodson, Acting Conference Minister

Community giving this month: Birthday Kits

Welcoming the Light of Christ

*Hymn: Come in, Come in and Sit Down by Jim Manley

Chorus:​ Come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family. We are lost and we are found, and we are a part of the family.

You know the reason why you came, yet no reason can explain;

so share in the laughter and cry in the pain, for we are a part of the family. 

God is with us in this place, like a mother's warm embrace. We're all forgiven by God's grace, for we are a part of the family. Chorus:​

Children and elders, middlers and teens, singles and doubles and in-betweens, strong eighty-fivers and streetwise sixteens, for we are a part of the family, Greeters and shoppers, longtime and new, nobody here has a claim on a pew, and whether we’re many or whether we’re few, we are a part of the family. Chorus:​

Community Prayer

How could anyone ever tell you, you are anything less than beautiful? How could anyone ever tell you, you are less than whole?

How could anyone fail to notice that your loving is a miracle.

How deeply you’re connected to my soul.

Prayers of Gratitude 

Prayers of Concern

Prayers in Silence

 Lord’s Prayer

Response:  Sing Amen

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, we praise your name, O, God

(Sing Amen) Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,

we praise your name, O, God

A Time of Offering

 An Invitation to Share

Dedication Hymn (p.113 Red Book)

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.

Dedication Prayer

  Holy One, bless our offerings of time, talent, and treasure that all that we have and all that we are may be a joy in your company. Amen

Listening for God

Leviticus 1:1 The Lord summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying,

Leviticus 16:1-2  The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died. 2 The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to come just at any time into the sanctuary inside the curtain before the cover that is upon the ark, or he will die, for I appear in the cloud upon the cover.

Message: Strange Fire

Rev. Phil Hodson

Meditation in Music String-A-Lings

Peace Prayer verses 1-3

Lord, make me a means of your peace. Where there’s hatred grown, let me sow your love. Where there’s injury, Lord, let forgiveness be my sword. Lord, make me a means of your peace.

Lord, make me a means of your peace. Where there’s doubt and fear, let me sow your faith. In this world’s despair, give me hope in you to share. Lord, make me a means of your peace.

Lord, make me a means of your peace.When there’s sadness here, let me sow your joy. When the darkness nears, may your light dispel our fears. Lord, make me a means of your peace.

Announcement Reminder

Our Light moves into the World God Loves

Closing Hymn: Peace Prayer verses 4-6 

Lord, grant me to seek and to share. Less to be consoled than to help console, less be understood than to understand your good. Lord, make me a means of your peace. 

Lord, grant me to seek and to share. To receive love less than to give love free, just to give in Thee, just receiving from your tree. Lord, make me a means of your peace. 

Lord, grant me to seek and to share. To forgive in Thee, you’ve forgiven me. For to die in Thee is eternal life to me. Lord, make me a means of your peace. 

Benediction 

Communal Blessing

Be Yourself.

Grow in Christ.

Live with Compassion