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 27, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.
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10:20am Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Naomi Hanvey, Scripture Reader
Teresa Brown, Candle Lighter
Fellowship Set-Up
Fellowship Clean-up
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Land Acknowledgement
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.
Worship Begins
God loves... all the time!
All the time . . . God loves!
*Welcoming the Light of Christ
* Hymn ““Be Now My Vision” 451(NCH)
Be now my vision, O God of my heart; nothing surpasses the love you impart - you my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, your presence my light.
Be now my wisdom, and be my true word; ever within me, my soul is assured; Mother and Father, you are both to me, now and forever, your child I will be.
Riches I need not, nor life’s empty praise, you, my inheritance, now and always. You and you only are first in my heart, great God, my treasure, may we never part.
Sovereign of Heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of All.
Community Prayer
105 (Sing Book)
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Prayers of Gratitude
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Prayers of Concern
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Prayers of which no words can express
Ferry our prayers across the water, kindle our hopes a lighthouse flame. Amazing grace is most amazing, praying for those we cannot name.
Lord’s Prayer
Response: 812 (NCH)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Dedication 780 (NCH)
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen
*Dedication Prayer
Radiant God, bless us and our offerings that this little community may be found pleasing in your sight. Pour out your Spirit and strengthen us as we practice the loving and just way of Jesus. Amen
Listening for God
Message with Youth Hearts
Do you have a story of someone acting with kindness toward you?
Romans 12:9-21 (NRSVUE) Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:43-48 (NRSVUE) “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? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Message: Love is Greater
Silent Reflection
Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
*Hymn: “Lead us from Death to Life” 581 NCH
Refrain: Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,
from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace; Let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.
Still all the angry cries, still all the angry guns, still now your people die, Earth’s sons and daughters. Let justice roll, let mercy pour down. Come and teach us your way of compassion. (Refrain)
So many lonely hearts, so many broken lives, longing for love to break into their darkness. Come, teach us love, come, teach us peace. Come and teach us your way of compassion. (Refrain)
Let justice ever roll, let mercy fill the earth. Let us begin to grow into your people. We can be love, we can bring peace. We can still be your way of compassion. (Refrain)
Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.
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