Easter 2020 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, April 12, 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 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today Lani Smith INTROIT Brass Fanfare CALL TO WORSHIP One: People of God, let us tell our story: All: This story is about someone who lived and taught and healed, One: someone who held fast to his beliefs even though he knew they would take him to the cross. All: This story is about an unjust trial, a capital punishment, and a sorrowful sealed tomb. One: This story is about the wonder of a rolled-away rock, the mystery of empty grave-cloths, and the rising up of God over the agony of death. All: We are telling this story because those who have gone before us have told us this story, they have carried it with them like a precious treasure and passed it down to us. One: This story has changed the world; All: this story continues to change the world. One: Our presence here today attests to its power! All: It is Easter morning, let us celebrate our story! OPENING HYMN 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! Hymn of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia! Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia! Praise him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! WELCOME

EASTER PRAYER Living, risen Christ, on this Easter morning, help us to live and speak this truth: death is not the last word violence is not the last word hate is not the last word condemnation is not the last word abandonment is not the last word defeat is not the last word No, each of them are like rags left behind in a tomb, and from that tomb, you come, alive. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. OFFERING/MUSIC Truro Easter Brass DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Luke 24:1-12 24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. SERMON 3 Day Flip: Stories of Restoration Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland “Where Exactly Is Jesus?

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …This is the truth of your kingdom, a kingdom we long for, a kingdom for which we now pray using the words the living Christ teaches us: 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 Redeemer Mullen Alexandra Taylor, soprano BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Jesus Christ is Risen Today (verse 1) LLANFAIR C.M. Widor 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 Toccata from the Fifth Symphony 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