January 17 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, January 17, 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 Recit de Nazard Clerambault INTROIT The Family of God WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: When we weep for the wounds of God’s beloved children, All: God weeps with us. One: When we cry out for justice, All: God cries out with us. One: When we work to build a beloved community, All: God builds with us. One: When we strive for peace, All: God strives with us. Let us join together in worshiping our ever-present God. OPENING HYMN Lift Every Voice and Sing LIFT EVERY VOICE Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty; let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the harsh past has brought us, sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, God who has brought us thus far on the way; God, who by your might, let us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where you met you. Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, forget you; Shadowed beneath your hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Justice, we condemn racial injustice with our mouths but cling to the privileges of social inequity. We condemn systemic racism, but are blind

to the ways in which we remain complicit in systems of power. In these ways, we participate in our own oppression. Give us the courage to acknowledge and name our sins and the strength to claim responsibility for our actions and inactions. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …By confessing ur sings, we are already opening our hearts to God’s healing grace. 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 I Dream of a World Mark A. Miller Maritri Garrett, voice & piano DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Genesis 4:2-12 2 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen; your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground! 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it will no longer yield to you its strength; you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” SERMON Didn’t See That Coming: Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Embracing the Unexpected

ANTHEM Elijah Harley, arr. Amidon 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 Maritri Garrett BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE O Morning Star, WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET How Fair and Bright! O Morning Star, how fair and bright! You shine with God’s own truth and light, aglow with grace and mercy! Of Jacob’s line, King David’s son, our Lord and Savior, you have won our hearts to serve you only! Lowly, holy! Great and glorious, all victorious, rich in blessing! Rule and might o’er all possessing! POSTLUDE Toccata 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 Junior High Youth Director Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected], x230 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Director of Music & Fine Arts Dr. Jonathan Campbell Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected], x242 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]