July 19 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, July 19, 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 Prelude and Fugue in C Major (BWV 553) JS Bach INTROIT “Alleluia” from “Ist Gott für uns” Heinrich Schütz WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: Whether we are watching the sun rise in the east or set in the west, All: We know our God is with us. One: Whether we are celebrating a small victory or mourning a major loss, All: We know our God is with us. One: In every moment, in every circumstance, All: We know our God is with us. Together, let us worship our God. OPENING HYMN Lift Every Voice and Sing LIFT EVERY VOICE PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, forgive us, for we care too much about the wrong things and too little about the right things. We allow our wounded pride or our fragile ego to shape our words and actions. We are more impressed with power and control than humility and faithfulness. We forget who we are and who you have made us to be. Lead us to reconciliation with you, with one another, and with ourselves. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: Friends, God receives our confessions with grace and invites us into a new day of living out her Word. All: In Christ’s mercy, we are forgiven and renewed. 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. SERMON ON THE STEPS OFFERING/MUSIC Ganagobie: The Monastery On The Hill Bernard Andrés Linda-Rose Hembreiker, harp DEDICATION ANTHEM Sicut Cervus Palestrina SCRIPTURE Nehemiah 2:4-5, 11-18 and 3:1-4 4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.” 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. 12 Then I got up during the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the animal I rode. 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate past the Dragon’s Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool; but there was no place for the animal I was riding to continue. 15 So I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.” 18 I told them that the hand of my God had been gracious upon me, and also the words that the king had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us start building!” So they committed themselves to the common good. 3 Then the high priest Eliashib set to work with his fellow priests and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 And the men of Jericho built next to him. And next to them Zaccur son of Imri built.

3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4 Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs. SERMON The Unread Books: “Let’s Start Building” Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland HYMN When Pain of the World Surrounds Us When pain of the world surrounds us with darkness and despair, When searching just confounds us with false hope everywhere, When lives are starved for meaning and destiny is bare, We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s healing flow through us. We see with fear and trembling our aching world in need, Confessing to each other our wastefulness and greed. May we with steadfast caring the hungry children feed. We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s justice flow through us. The church is a holy vessel the living waters fill To nourish all the people, God’s purpose to fulfill. May we with humble courage be open to God’s will. We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s Spirit flow through us. We praise you for our journey and your abundant grace, Your saving word that guided a struggling human race. O God, with all creation, your future we embrace. We are called to follow Jesus and let God’s changes flow through us. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …We pray all these things using the prayer you teach us. 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. GUEST ARTIST Ganagobie: The Old River Bernard Andrés Linda-Rose Hembreiker, harp BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love CHEREPONI

Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you. Knelt at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet, Jesu, you acted as servant to them. Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you. POSTLUDE Passacaglia B. Schott 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]