August 30 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, August 30, 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 Plaza Las Glorias (Hispanic Praise) Janzer INTROIT “I Believe” from Credo of Gospel Mass Robert Ray WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: The world feels like it is bathed in darkness right now, All: But we believe our God is coming with a new dawn. One: Our hearts feel heavy these days, All: But we believe Christ shares our burdens and walks with us through hardships. One: We have more questions than answers, All: But we believe the Holy Spirit gives us plenty of space to wrestle and seek. Knowing our God is present, let us join together in worship. OPENING HYMN We Shall Not Give Up the Fight ONLY STARTED We shall not give up the fight, we have only started, we have only started, we have only started. (repeat) Together we’ll have victory, hand holding hand, hand holding hand, hand holding hand. (repeat) Never, ever put to flight, we’re bound to win, we’re bound to win, we are bound to win. (repeat) We shall not give up the fight, we have only started, we have only started, we have only started. (repeat) PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Mercy, we confess today that we have allowed our egos to drive our actions. We have allowed our doubts to control our faith. We have allowed our fears to propel our anxieties. We have allowed our desire for safety to keep us far from the center of the world’s action. We pray that your Holy Spirit would empower us to live courageously, to bear responsibility and to be vulnerable despite the risk of looking and feeling foolish. Help us to become messengers of your hope and justice to all. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE

One: … For our shortcomings, we are forgiven and freed. 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 Gloria Vivaldi Claremont Quartet DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Malachi 2:17-3:3 17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” 3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. SERMON The Unread Books: Malachi Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland GUEST ARTIST Refiner’s Fire Sarah Garcia, voice & guitar 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 Partita in A Minor J.S. Bach Shahid Osuna, flute BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Jesus Christ is Risen Today LLANFAIR Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia! POSTLUDE Ricercar on “Jesus Christ Our Lord Redeemer’ Distler 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] 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]