November 15 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, November 15, 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 On Eagle’s Wings Callahan INTROIT Come, Come, Blessed Bird Campbell WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We worship this Sunday with all the creatures we love. All: We join the Psalmists and rejoice with all living things. One: We sing with the all the birds and praise our common Creator. All: We acknowledge and bless the animals who make our lives richer because of their presence. OPENING HYMN From All That Dwell Below the Skies From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s praise arise; Alleluia, alleluia! Let the Redeemer’s name be sung Through ev’ry land and ev’ry tongue. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. You, flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for our God to hear, Alleluia, alleluia! You, fire, so masterful and bright, That givest us both warmth and light, O praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Let all things their Creator bless And worship God in humbleness, Alleluia, alleluia! Praise, praise Creator, praise the Son, And praise the Spirit, three in one, Or praise God, O praise God, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION Creator God, we give thanks for the animals you created before us, the ones who inhabited this planet long before we did. We confess that we use them for our own pleasure, often thinking of them as less important or valuable than ourselves. Forgive us for harming and neglecting them, for turning a blind eye to their abuse for our own consumption. Forgive us for destroying their homes and habitats in forests, fields, and oceans. Forgive us for thinking of some animals as companions and friends, and thinking of other animals as disposable products. Change us. Open our hearts and widen our circles of compassion to include more of your beloved creatures. Amen. WORD OF ASSURANCE: One: …You are forgiven and called upon to honor and protect all animals going forward. All: May they lead us to a deeper understanding of our place in the circle of life. 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 Love’s Farewell Tobias Hume (1569-1645) Marylin Winkle, viola da gamba DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Job 12:5-10 5 Those at ease have contempt for misfortune, but it is ready for those whose feet are unstable. 6 The households of thieves are filled with abundance,

and those who provoke God are secure, while making gods of their violent ways. 7 “But turn to the animals, and let them teach you; the birds of the air will tell you the truth; 8 listen to the plants of the earth, and learn from them; let the fish of the sea become your teachers. 9 Who among all these does not know that the hand of YHWH has done this? 10 In God’s hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every living being. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland ANTHEM Badgers and Hedgehogs Carter PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …Forgive us, we pray, and help us to be champions of all those who suffer, so that we may be channels of your goodness. All: Hear us, O Lord! One: …Make us ever aware of our stewardship of creation, and help us to be faithful in caring for all of your creatures. All: Hear us, O Lord! One: …Open our mouths to the defense of the defenseless, and above all, open our lives to your ways. All: Hear us, O Lord! One: …We remember at this time also, those animals who are lost or separated from their owners. All: Hear us, O Lord! One: …And everyone who helps us take care of our pets. All: Hear us, O Lord! 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 Butterflies and Moths Carter Devon Guthrie, soprano BENEDICTION

CLOSING RESPONSE Now Thank We All Our God NUN DANKET Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices, Who, from our parents’ arms has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today. POSTLUDE Gigue Gordon Young 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]