September 27 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, September 27, 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 Hornpipe Dixon INTROIT Thy Beauty on the Hills Blanchard WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We worship a God who exists in the margins, who crosses borders and boundaries to spread love and shine light where it is least expected. All: We worship God who calls us beyond safe places, into spaces of growth and death and change. One: We worship God who calls us to action, to vulnerability, to get our hands dirty by serving others. All: We worship a God who invites us to take risks, to use our voice to speak for the voiceless, and to dismantle oppressive systems. Let us worship our mighty, powerful, transformative God! OPENING HYMN We Love Your Realm, O God ST. THOMAS (Hymn requested by Ron Evans) We love your realm, O God, all places where you reign. We recognize, with hope and joy, the world as your domain. We love your church, O God, for Christ has given life to form communities of love that seek to heal our strife. Beyond our brokenness, we seek to know your ways of deep communion, solemn vows and hymns of love and praise. We know your truth will last. We trust your reign is sure. Equip us for those daily tasks that help your world endure. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of love, hear our confession: this week, we have given too little away, and we have expected too much of ourselves and others. We have pushed ourselves too hard and given up hope too easily. We have focused on our desires and ignored our blessings. For all these and more, we pray for your forgiveness. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …We are forgiven and well loved by our Creator.

All: Thanks be to God. 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 Night Wind Gary Schocker Linda-Rose Hembreiker, harp DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Luke 4:1-13 4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” 5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

‘God will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11 and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. SCRIPTURE Mark 1:12-13 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland When Will This End? Lessons From the Wilderness ANTHEM God Who Watches Over Me Lensch, arr. Shepherd PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER (These are prayers compiled by our church’s Prayer Team each week and reflect the contents of our own hearts.) One: …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 This Little Light of Mine Adrien Matthews, guitar/vocals Donald Mohr, electric slide guitar BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Great Is Your Faithfulness FAITHFULNESS Great is your faithfulness, O God, creator, with you no shadows of turning we see. You do not change, your compassions they fail not;

all of your goodness forever will be. Great is your faithfulness! Great is your faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed your hand has provided, great is your faithfulness, God, unto me! POSTLUDE Prelude in G Minor Brahms 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 Mr. Tad Creasey [email protected] Minister of Children, Youth, & Families Director of the Early Childhood Rev. DJ Severin Center [email protected], x227 Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226 Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected] Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected]