May 31 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, May 31, 2020 10:00 am We are an Open and Affirming congregation, welcoming into our full life and ministry persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, races, socioeconomic status, faith experiences, countries of origin, and abilities. Jesus welcomes everyone and so do we!

A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PRELUDE Every Time I Feel the Spirit A.D. Miller INTROIT For All the Faithful Women WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: As our routines and plans are put on hold, the Spirit of God is revealed in new ways. All: Let us realize we can smile with our eyes while our mouths are safely hidden behind masks. One: Let us acknowledge the power of a kind letter or email. All: Let us become aware once again of the way laughter and tears both heal. One: Let us understand the importance of knowing we belong to one another in community. All: Let us worship and encounter the gentle Spirit of God. OPENING HYMN Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness SPIRIT 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.” 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 swept through the desert, you stung with the sand, and you goaded your people with a law and a land; When they were confounded by their idols and lies, then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes. 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 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. 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 call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes, from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams; Our women see visions, our men clear their eyes. With bold new decisions your people arise. Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free, Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Forgive us, O God for the barriers we create within ourselves that resist your healing and keep us from moving toward wholeness. Forgive us, too, for the barriers we create between ourselves and you that separate us from your love and the assurance of your mercy. Send your Spirit to remove this barriers, to break down the walls in our hearts. Amen. ASSURANCE One: …For our shortcomings, we are forgiven. All: Amen. CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST COVENANT In response to God's creating, redeeming, and sustaining love, we unite for the worship of God and the service of all. We seek to know the will of God and to walk in God's ways, made known in Jesus Christ: to love one another, to proclaim the Gospel to all the world, to work and pray for peace and justice, and to live in harmony with all creation. We trust the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing and the promise of eternal life both now and for evermore. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. CHILDREN’S MESSAGE OFFERING/MUSIC Orphans of God Avalon Sean Gabel, guest artist DEDICATION

CONFIRMATION VIDEO ANTHEM When You Send Forth Your Spirit Makeever SCRIPTURE 1 John 3:11-24 11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. 16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us— and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19 And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22 and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. SERMON Saints You Should Know: Oscar Romero Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz HYMN Every Time I Feel the Spirit African-American Spiritual ALL: Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. Cantor: Upon the mountain my God spoke, out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke. Looked all around me; looked so fine; I asked my God if all were mine. ALL: Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart I will pray.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …Together, with all of our happiness and sorrow, we pray… All: Our Father/Mother/Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom/kin-dom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom/kin-dom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER VIDEO GUEST ARTIST Give Us Your Heart McDowell Sean Gabel, guest artist BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Guide My Feet (vs. 1, 2, 4) GUIDE MY FEET Guide my feet while I run this race, guide my feet while I run this race, Guide my feet while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain. Hold my hand while I run this race, hold my hand while I run this race, Hold my hand while I runt this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain. Stand by me while I run this race, stand by me while I run this race, Stand by me while I run this race, for I don’t want to run this race in vain. POSTLUDE Toccata Weaver WAYS TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH: 1. Mail in your donation (233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711) 2. Contribute on our website: claremontucc.org 3. Text an amount to (909) 343-5901 4. Set up automatic giving through your bank Reflection Questions About Today's Worship * What was the most meaningful moment of worship for you today?

* What is one new question or idea today's worship service inspired for you? PLEASE BE IN TOUCH Claremont United Church of Christ 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 (909) 626-1201 | claremontucc.org @uccclaremont Claremont United Church of Christ Senior Pastors Director of Music & Fine Arts Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Dr. Jonathan Campbell [email protected], x230 [email protected], x242 Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Children’s Music Director Ms. Sarah Shufeldt Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected] Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Office Manager [email protected] Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], Moderator (Council President) x222 Dr. Linda Corbin [email protected] Director of Children & Family Ministries Director of the Early Childhood Ms. Elizabeth Zehm Center [email protected], x227 Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226 High School Youth Director Mr. Myron Woods [email protected] Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected]