January 10 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, January 10, 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 Earth and All Stars Burkhardt INTROIT What Cheer? Good Cheer! Warlock WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We worship a God who is steadfast and steady, All: And yet our God continues to surprise us. One: We worship a God who is eternal and ever-present, All: And yet our God is dynamic and still-speaking. With reverence for God’s holy dualities, let us gather to praise and worship. OPENING HYMN Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound AMAZING GRACE Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God Who is With Us, You offer us all we need, yet we still feel unsatisfied and unsettled. You offer us your Word to guide and teach us, yet we ignore and forget it. You offer us your very presence, yet we prefer the company of our devices and talking heads. If you will offer us your mercy, Holy One, we will accept it once again and recommit to receiving your grace-filled gifts every day. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Once again, we are forgiven and invited into renewal. All: 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 Ala Nanita Patti Amelotte & Brenda Hunter, hammered dulcimer DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Genesis 33:1-12 33 Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids. 2 He put the maids with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. 3 He himself went on ahead of them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. 5 When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” 6 Then the maids drew near, they and their children, and bowed down; 7 Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down; and finally Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down. 8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor with my lord.” 9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please; if I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God—since you have received me with such favor. 11 Please accept my gift that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have everything I want.” So he urged him, and he took it. 12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go alongside you.” SERMON Didn’t See That Coming: Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Embracing the Unexpected ANTHEM God Send You a Happy New Year arr. Waxman PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 Come Thou Fount of Patti Amelotte & Brenda Hunter, Every Blessing hammered dulcimer BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE This Little Light of Mine THIS JOY This little light of mine, I’m goin’a let it shine; This little light of mine, I’m goin’a let it shine; This little light of mine, I’m goin’a let it shine; Let is shine, let it shine, let it shine. Everywhere I go, I’m goin’a let it shine; Everywhere I go, I’m goin’a let it shine; Everywhere I go, I’m goin’a let it shine; Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. POSTLUDE Toccata on ‘Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Burkhardt 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]