December 13 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, December 13, 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 Preclude on ‘From Heaven Above to Earth I Come’ Pachelbel INTROIT I Believe in the Sun Miller WELCOME ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING Peevers Family CALL TO WORSHIP One: In a world where it seems King Herod still rules, All: we come seeking the lowly Christ child. One: In a world where refugees like Mary and Joseph are imprisoned for seeking safety, All: we come seeking love behind an inn. One: In a world where the wisest people are often ignored, All: we come seeking a helpless baby in a manger. With vulnerable hearts and open minds, let us worship our mysterious and wonderful God. OPENING HYMN Love Has Come Love has come a light in the darkness! Love shines forth in the Bethlehem skies. See, all heaven has come to proclaim it; hear how their song of joy arises: Love! Love! Born unto you, a Savior! Love! Glory to God on high. Love is born! Come share in the wonder. Love is God now asleep in the hay. See the glow in the eyes of his mother; what is the name her heart is saying? Love! Love! Love is the name she whispers; love! Jesus, Immanuel. Love has come and never will leave us! Love is life everlasting and free. Love is Jesus within and among us. Love is the peace our hearts are seeking. Love! Love! Love is the gift of Christsmas. Love! Praise to you, God on high. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of all grace, Lead us in the paths of peace, and teach us Your way for our lives. Do not lose patience with us even though we stumble and revert to old bad habits.

Instead, continue to send your spirit to move and change and mold us as we attempt to set our fears aside and walk in Your light. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Let us live as people who know and love Christ. 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 New World Anthem Alexandra Taylor DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Mark 1:1-8 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” SERMON Home for the Holidays: Don’t Miss It Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland ANTHEM Advent Carol 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 Who Would Imagine Such Love Alexandra Taylor BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! POSTLUDE Fugue on ‘From Heaven Above to Earth I Come’ Pachelbel 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]