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!”
December 29, 2024
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Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, Av and Usher
Jerry Brines, Usher
Tom Cuilla, Usher Coordinator
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Entrance of the Christ Light
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 with us . . . all the time! All the time . . . God is with us!
Service and Fellowship Opportunities
Bible Study Monday 7pm
Silent Prayer, Tuesday 9:00 to 9:30am
No String-A-Lings, Sing-A-Lings, Bling-A-Lings, or Ding-A-Lings
Community giving this month: Birthday Kits
*Opening Hymn
*Hymn: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice 129(NCH)
1 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now give heed to what we say: Jesus Christ was born today. Ox and ass before him bow, asleep within the manger now. Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
2 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now you know of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! God has opened heaven's door, and you are blest forevermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
3 Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; now you need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
Community Prayer
“The First Noel” 139(NCH) verse 4
This star shone bright to the northwest, over Bethlehem it seemed to rest, and there it did both stop and stay, right over the place where Jesus lay. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Prayers of Gratitude
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Prayers of Concern
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
Silent Prayer
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born in a manger, Emmanuel.
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: 812 (NCH)
Amen. Amen. Amen.
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:
Beloved Jesus, bless these offerings to the work of this congregation and the needs of our communities. May your light shine through us and may these gifts be multiplied to fulfill your vision of a just and peaceful world. Amen
Listening for God
Story of a Christmas Camel “Naomi with the big sad eyes”
Luke 2:41-52 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Ask the Pastor
Meditation in Music
Our Light Goes Out to the world
Closing Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High 125 (NCH)
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply echo back their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what my the tidings be which inspire our heavenly song? Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, God our world now entering. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
See the babe in manger laid, whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, while our hearts in love we raise. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Benediction
Community affirmation
Be Yourself.
Grow in Christ.
Live with Compassion.
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