Bulletin Sunday, April 10 2022

Palm/Passion Sunday 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, April 10, 2022 • 10:30 a.m. ___________________________________ 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Wayne Shull, Music Director Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor 10:30am Worship begins God is with us . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us! GATHERING (We gather on Zoom, Facebook, and in person. Those in the sanctuary, we will have a palm parade from the sanctuary out to the church sign and back. For those with us at a distance, find a branch (bay leaf branch if you have a tree), scarf, or other way to remember the crowd that cheered on Jesus.) CALL TO WORSHIP Pastor: Hosanna to the Son of David, the Sovereign of the World! All: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! PROCLAMATION OF THE ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM Luke 19:28-40 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. BLESSING OF THE PALMS Pastor: God be with you. All: And also with you. Pastor: Let us give thanks to God Most High. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise. Pastor: Let us pray. All: Beloved Jesus, today we remember that you entered Jerusalem in peace and dignity, heralding a week of pain and sorrow. Be with us now as we follow. Remind us again that you have sealed the closeness of death and resurrection, of humiliation and exaltation. We thank you for these branches that become for us reflections of the past and visions of the future. Bless them and us that their use this day may announce in our time that Christ has come, Christ is here, and Christ will come again. Amen! Come, Christ Jesus! PALMS DISTRIBUTED Pastor: Let us welcome the Christ! All: Let us receive Christ with Praise! Processional Hymn: “Hosana, Loud Hosanna” 213 (NCH) Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang, to Jesus, who had blessed them,close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. From Olivet they followed mid a cheering crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The one whom angels worship rode on in lowly state, and glad to see the children slowed down the donkey’s gate. "Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song is ours, we hail the great Redeemer and sing with all our powers. “Hosanna, Christ, we praise you with heart and life and voice. Hosanna! In your presence forever we rejoice!” Silence Call to Confession One: Let us return to God. Prayer of Confession ALL: Holy One, we have travel through this season of Lent, opening up to your transforming love. We offer to you all that we have done and all that we have left undone. We return our life to your way of mercy and justice. We place before you the truth of ourselves. Set us free from our regrets. Let shame have no power over us. Help us begin anew. Help us to return to you. We ask following the way of Jesus. Amen Silent Confessions with God This is the last Sunday we bring rocks forward. Assurance One: God longs for our return and holds nothing agains us. All: We thank God with humble hearts. Rite of Membership Invitation Questions of the Candidate Pastor: Do you desire to affirm your baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ? Response: I do. Pastor Do you profess Jesus Christ as the one who governs your life, and the one who sets you free? Response: I do. Pastor Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able? Response: I promise, with the help of God. Pastor Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful participant in the community of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s vision of compassion and justice in all the world? Response: I promise, with the help of God. Address: Pastor: By your baptism, you were made one with us in the body of Christ, the church. Today, we rejoice that your journey of faith has brought you to be with us in this time and place. We give thanks for every community of faith that has been your spiritual home and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith. Question about Participation: Pastor: Do you promise to participate in the life and mission of this family of God’s people, sharing regularly in the worship of God and enlisting in the work of this local church as it serves this community and the world. Candidate/s: I promise, with the help of God. Welcome and Reception: Moderator: Let us, the members of the Veradale United Church of Christ, express our welcome and affirm our mutual ministry in Christ. All: We welcome you with joy in the common life of this church. We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the church of Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit may we continue to grow together in God’s knowledge and love and be witnesses of our risen Savior. Greeting of Christian Love: Moderator: In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the Veradale United Church of Christ, we extend to you the hand of Christian love, welcoming you into the company of this local church. Prayer: All: O God, we praise you for calling us to faith and for gathering us into this church, the body of Christ. We thank you for your people gathered in this Veradale United Church of Christ and rejoice that you have increased our community of faith. Together may we live in the Spirit, building one another up in love, sharing ion the life and worship of the church, and serving the world for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. Community Prayer Silent prayer (This is the last Sunday we bring our writting prayers forward) Spoken Prayer 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: “Give Thanks” CCLI license #11038266 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ, the son. (Repeat) And now let the weak say, “I am strong!” Let the poor say, “ I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” (repeat) Give thanks. Give thanks. Dedication prayer: ALL: Holy One, you came to be among us to show us the way of life through compassion and justice and a heart open to the divine. Bless these offerings for the ministry of this congregation. May your vision of a just and compassionate world be known in us. Amen Listening for God Message to Young Hearts Thinking about disappointments Message: “The Crowd Gets it Wrong” Pastor Gen Entering Holy Week Choir: An Upper Room Luke 22:7-23: Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.” They asked him, “Where do you want us to make preparations for it?” “Listen,” he said to them, “when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.” So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it[c] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!” Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. Ringing bowl Luke 22:31- 34: “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.” Ringing bowl Luke 22:39-53: He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Ringing bowl Luke 22:54-62: Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Ringing bowl Luke 23:26-38: As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Luke 23:44-49: It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Ringing bowl Silence Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Benediction with Hallelujah (new melody) Postlude

Bulletin for April 3, 2022

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, April 3, 2021 • 10:30 a.m. ___________________________________ 10:20 Gathering and Prelude Wayne Shull, Music Director Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor 10:30am Worship begins God is good . . all the time! All the time . . . God is good! Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ (What does it feel like to be confused? What has confused you?) Hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” CCLI license #11038266 We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord and we pray that our unity will one day be restored. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love. We will work with each other, we will work side by side. We will work with each other, we will work side by side and we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one’s pride. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love. Call to Confession One: Our Steadfast Creator, whom we have seen revealed in the way of Jesus, offers us healing love as we open our hearts in prayer Prayer of Confession All: Almighty and everlasting God, always more ready to hear than we are to pray, always willing to give more that we either desire or deserve; pour upon us the abundance of your mercy; forgiving those things of which our conscience is afraid, and releasing us to new life. Return us to journey in the way of Jesus. Amen (from the New Century Hymnal) Silent Reflection We place rocks along the chancel to represent the burdens we carry. Assurance of Pardon Pastor: There is no valley too dark nor mountain too high for the healing love of God. We are forgiving. Return to the journey with Christ! All: Thanks be to God. Amen! Community Prayer Silent Prayer: We place our prayers on paper in the cross. Spoken Prayer 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: “Give Thanks” CCLI license #11038266 Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because God’s given Jesus Christ, the son. (Repeat) And now let the weak say, “I am strong!” Let the poor say, “ I am rich because of what the Lord has done for us!” (repeat) Give thanks. Give thanks. Dedication Prayer Beloved God, Creator of all, we thank you with humble hearts. Bless these offerings that we work together and come a little closer to fulfilling your vision in our time and place. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen Listening for God Message with Young Hearts What does it feel like to be confused? What has confused you? Pastor Gen Scripture Passage John 12:1-8 New Revised Standard Version Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Message “Conflicting Values,” Cassy Benefield About Cassy from the FaVs website: “Cassandra Benefield mostly goes by Cassy (pronounced like Cassie but spelled with a 'y'). She is a wife and mommy, who married at the age of 37 and had her baby girl just shy of 39. She has moved around all her life, first as an Army brat. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer to Romania where she taught Conversational English, Modern Literature, Creative Writing, U.S. Culture, U.S. Geography, and U.S. History (the last two subjects she was so not qualified to teach!). She is a Journalism major from Cal Poly Technical University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. She finds much comfort in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and considers herself a Bible nerd who is prone to buy more theology books than she is ever able to read. Morro Bay, California, is her favorite place on earth ... with the exception of being in the center of God's will. From time to time, you will find her writing devotions on her blog underhisshadow.blogspot.com." (see more https://spokanefavs.com/supporting-our-reporters-meet-cassy-benefield/ for more information) Sharing Holy Communion Those at home have a little something to drink and eat. Those in church, expect a to-go bag. Pastor: 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 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: Come, Holy Spirit come. Bless this bread and this cup and all who have gathered in your Spirit. Help us to remember that you have dwelt among us. Help us to dwell in the world today as living temples of your presence. Bless us to remember your teachings, commandments, and example. May we be renewed in this sharing. Amen. Silence Prayer of Thanksgiving All: We thank you, God, for your presence as we remember the Living Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you are among us still, in each of us, and in all of your creation. Bless us to more fully live as your people. Amen. Silence Announcements Our Light moves into the World God Loves Hymn: “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant” 539 (NCH) CCLI license #11038266 Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road; we are here to help each other go the mile and bear the load. I will hold the Christ-light for you in the shadow of your fear; I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping; when you laugh, I'll laugh with you. I will share your joy and sorrow 'til we've seen this journey through. When we sing to God in heaven we shall find such harmony, born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony. Won't you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you? Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant, too. Benediction with Hallelujah (new melody) Postlude

Sunday Bulletin March 20, 2022

Bulletin

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!”

March 20, 2022 • 10:30am

_____________________________________________

10:20 Gathering and Prelude

Wayne Shull, Music Director

Charlie Salt, Acolyte and AV

Naomi Hanvey Facebook Monitor

Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor

Rev. Gen Heywood, Pastor

Ryan Stollar, Guest

10:30am Worship begins

God hopes in us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God hopes in us!

Passing the Peace of Christ and Welcoming the Light of Christ

(What is the best part of school?)

Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 277 (NCH) Public Domain

1 Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! Saints adore you truly, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim bow before you only, From the beginning God eternally.

3 Holy, holy, holy! Though we know but dimly, though the eye of human kind your glory may not see, you alone are holy holy; you alone are worthy, perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy! God the Almighty! All your works shall praise your name, in earth, and sky, and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessed trinity!

Call to Confession

One: Seek God; call upon God; God is here. Trusting in the compassion and mercy of God, we pray:

Prayer of Confession

(From the Presbyterian Church USA)

Forgive us, God, for the many ways that we fail to trust your promise.

Too often we count the trespasses of others, as though we were the ones to judge. Too often we fail to believe that your gifts are freely given. Too often we spend our money for that which is not bread, and our labor for that which does not satisfy. Help us, loving God. Forgive us when we operate out of scarcity and fear rather than out of your abundant, good gifts. Help us to live as your trusting, sharing, reconciling people.

Silent Confessions with God

Bring forward rocks

Assurance of Pardon

(from 2 Corinthians 5) One: Beloved in Christ: God was in Christ reconciling the world, not counting our wrongs against us, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, anyone in Christ is a new creation! The past is gone; everything has become fresh and new. Hear and believe the good news of the Gospel: All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Community Prayer Silent Prayer (writing of prayers that will be placed in the cross)

Spoken Prayer

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

Offerings of the People (Special Offering ‘One Great Hour of Sharing’)

Dedication Hymn:“Holy Ground”

CCLI license #11038266

We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are angels all around. Let us praise Jesus now. We are standing in his presence on holy ground.

Dedication Prayer Holy One, bless these offerings for our church and all the world. May the love and hope included in these offerings lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from dispair to hope, from war to peace. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Message to Young Hearts

(What is the best part of school?)

Scripture Readings

Ezekiel 20:18-19 NIV

18 I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Message from Ryan Stollar

Silent Reflection

Announcements

Closing Hymn: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” 286 (NCH)

Used with permission from Jim Manley

Refrain: Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free, Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

You moved on the waters, you called to the deep, then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep; and over the eons you called to each thing; “Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.” Refrain:

You swept through the desert, you stung with the sand and you goaded your people with a law and a land; and when they were blinded with idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain:

You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill, then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still; and down in the city you called once again, when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain:

You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes. From the bondage of sorrow all the captives dream dreams; our women see visions, our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain:

Benediction with Hallelujah

Postlude