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!”
Third Sunday of Advent, December 15, 2024 • 10:30 a.m.
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10:20 Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Gregg Glisson, Usher
Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator
Heidi Fowler, Scripture reader
Diane Smith, Candle lighter
_____, Fellowship Set-Up
_______, Fellowship Clean-up
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins
Entrance of Light
We welcome the light of Hope and Peace.
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.
Community Affirmation
God is our joy . . . all the time! All the time . . . God is our joy!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Next Sunday: Advent 4 Love, Music Sunday
Bible Study, Monday at 7pm
Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am
String-A-Lings, Wednesday, 5:30pm;
Sing-A-Lings Wednesday, 6:30pm
Bling-A-Lings, and Ding-A-Lings
Community giving this month: Birthday Kits
Opening Hymn
*Hymn “Come O long Expected Jesus” 122 (NCH)t
1. Come, O long expected Jesus, born to set all people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find true liberty.
2. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth impart; dear desire of every nation, enter every longing heart.
3. Born all people to deliver, born a child, you come to reign! Born to rule on earth forever, come be known to us again.
4.By your own eternal Spirit, come to claim us as your own; by your own sufficient merit, let us share your cross and crown.
Lighting of the Candle of Joy
Teresa Brown: “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Message from Teresa Brown
Prayer at the lighting of the candle of Joy:
All: Joyful God, hoping in you brings us joy even when the nights seem very dark. As we light this candle, light within each of us a joy that the world cannot understand – the joy of life with you. Amen
Community Prayer
“In our Prayers” 125 (Sing) In our prayers, in our hearts, in our prayers, in our hearts, God in your grace, hear our prayers, God in your grace, O God, hear our prayers.
Prayers of Gratitude
“In our Prayers”
Prayers of Concern
“In our Prayers”
Silent Prayer
“In our Prayers”
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: 161 (NCH) refrain only
A-men. A-men. A-men. A-men.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
Offering Acclamation Hymn # 132 (NCH)v. 3
Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of God’s righteousness and wonders of God’s love, and wonders of God’s love, and wonders, wonders of God’s love.
Dedication prayer:
Joyful God, let your hope, peace, and joy bless all who gather here as we offer our time, talent, and treasure to the sharing of the Gospel. May our witness be in our acts of compassion and our prayers of hope that peace may prevail in our hearts. Amen
Listening for God
Scripture: Psalm 30 read by Heidi Fowler
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and did not let my foes rejoice over me.2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.3 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you God’s faithful ones, and give thanks to God’s holy name.5 For God’s anger is but for a moment; God’s favor is for a lifetime.Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”7 By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain;you hid your face; I was dismayed.
8 To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit?Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?10 Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Hymn: “My Heart Sings Out with a Joyful Praise “106 (NCH) vs 1
My heart sings out with joyful praise to God who raises me, who came to me when I was low and changed by destiny. The Holy One, the Living God, is always full of grace to those who seek their Maker’s will in every time and place.
Mary, Nazareth Girl
by Ann Weems read by Maureen Carroll
Hymn: “My Soul Gives Glory to My God” 119 (NCH)
verses 1 and 2
My soul gives glory to my God. My heart pours out its praise. God lifted up my lowliness in many marvelous ways.
My God has done great things for me; yes, holy is God’s name. All people will declare me blessed, and blessings they shall claim.
A Hymn Christmas Day
by Christina Rossetti Circa 1887 read by Sue Ferrozzo
Hymn: “Away in a manager” 124 (NCH) verse 1
Away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Getting to the Front of the Stable
by Ann Weems read by Wayne Shull
Hymn: “Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear” 105 (NCH)
“Gentle Joseph, Joesph dear, stay with me, for the baby’s near; God will surely your goodness hear, as you will love the new born child” says Mary.
“Gladly Mary, Mary mine, I will cradle the child divine; Here will Heaven and Earth combine, for you will bear God’s child, O dearest Mary”
In Search of Our Kneeling Places
by Ann Weems read by Scotty Patton
Hymn: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Carol Booklet)
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” page 21 Carol Booklet
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see you lie! Above your deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in your dark streets shines forth the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in you tonightFor Christ is born of Mary and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together proclaim the Holy birth! And praises sing and voices ring with peace to all on Earth.
Refugees
by Ann Weems read by Charlie Salt
Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night” 134 NCH verses 1 and 2
1. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
Not celebrate?
by Ann Weems read by John Carroll
Hymn: “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come” Carol Booklet p 18
Joy to the World! The Lord is come; let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Message: He is Born to You this Day
Meditation in Music
Reminder about Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
* Hymn: “Go Tell it on the Mountain” 154 (NCH)
Refrain: Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching over silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light. (Refrain)
The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earthrang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. (Refrain)
Down in a lowly manger our humble Christ was born,and God sent us salvation, that blessed Christmas morn. (Refrain)
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Benediction and Silent Meditation with Postlude
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.
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