October 25 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, October 25, 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 Toccata in D Minor Bach INTROIT We Shall Not Give Up the Fight ONLY STARTED WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We, the body of Christ, welcome all who are in need of community and comfort, All: All who are grieving and exhausted, all who are lonely and anxious. One: We, the body of Christ, welcome all who have faith and all who do not, All: All who are seeking and searching, and all who approach this thing called church with suspicion and caution. One: We, the body of Christ, join together in welcoming one another into this time of worship, All: whoever and wherever we are on life’s journey. OPENING HYMN I Love to Tell the Story HANKEY (Hymn requested by Laurie Lee.) I love to tell the story of unseen things above. Of Jesus’ radiant glory, of Jesus’ endless love. I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story; and when I am in glory I’ll tell the old, old story of Jesus’ endless love. I love to tell the story; it’s pleasant to repeat what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet. I love to tell the story, for some have never heard the message of salvation from God’s own holy Word. I love to tell the story; and when I am in glory I’ll tell the old, old story of Jesus’ endless love. I love to tell the story; for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest. And when I sing in glory, I know the new, new song will be the old, old story that I have loved so long. I love to tell the story; and when I am in glory

I’ll tell the old, old story of Jesus’ endless love. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of justice, we confess that we easily lose hope. We lost hope in systems of justice, we lose hope in the existence of sustained peace in the world, and we lose hope in one another. We lose hope in our own abilities, and worst of all, we lose hope in you and your presence among us. Renew our hope, Almighty One. Ignite our hearts with the flame of your living, breathing, moving spirit. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Let us be renewed and redeemed in god’s grace. All: 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 El Shaddai Michael Card Jasmine Tomita, soloist DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Luke 15:11-32 11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields

to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” SERMON Lost and Found Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz ANTHEM I am With You Memley 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 The Garden Song Bob Bennett Jasmine Tomita, soloist Sage Tomita, guitar BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Lord, SICILIAN MARINERS Dismiss Us With Your Blessing Lord, dismiss us with your blessing: fill our hearts with joy and peace; Let us each your love possessing, triumph in redeeming grace: Oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us, traveling through this wilderness. POSTLUDE Toccata Monnikendam 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]