Clackamas United Church of Christ

Today we welcome guest preacher, Jessica Gonzalez, who will reveal to us God’s always present love is like the best love parents have for their children. Just remember – God is love and God loves you!

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Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Michael Garcia

Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peace in our hearts,

in our homes, in our communities,

in our nations, and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings - Adam

Isaiah 46:3-4

Luke 12:32

Call to Worship – Heather Heath and Larry Kirk

Children’s Moment - Jessica Gonzalez

Passing of the Peace - Jean Herrera

One: Friends, we come to the moment where we pass the peace. I invite you to type peace in the chat section as we pass the peace to one another.

One: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Debbie, Rhonda, Dave, and Jeff

Invitation to the Offering - Adam

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Melanie Horbert and Jeff Pratt

Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom 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.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon – Home Is Where God Is - Jessica Gonzalez

Unison Benediction – Judy Boncaro

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Home is Where God Is appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

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He is risen! Have you ever noticed that in the west, most depictions of the resurrection just have Jesus rising up alone? Well, in the east, they depicted the resurrection not just with Jesus, but with others, too. That’s because the resurrection isn’t just about Jesus. It’s about Jesus and you and me and all of humanity rising up to eternal life right now. Because nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God. This is Resurrection. This is Easter.

Our in-person service today included an Easter Pageant! Click here to view. Jesus – David Palanuk | Mary Magdalene – Erika Beseda | Peter – Larry Kirk | Judas – Joel Eckdahl | Thomas – Jim Robinson | Mary of Nazareth – Denise Andersen. He is risen!

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jessica Gonzalez and Melanie Horbert

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Song: Christ the Lord

Scripture Readings – John 20

Call to Worship

Melanie: We are here today because Mary of Magdala once said,

Jessica/All: “I have seen the Lord!”

Melanie: We are here because Jesus still comes into our locked spaces and says:

Jessica/All: “Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Melanie/One: We are here today like doubting Thomas who finally cried out:

Jessica/All: “My Lord and my God.”

Melanie/One: We are here like Peter, tempted to forget the call of Jesus:

Jessica/All: “I’m going fishing.”

Melanie/One: We are here as a congregation only because many have listened to Jesus’ words:

Jessica/All: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell, ‘Jesus has been raised.’” Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace

Song: Coronation

Offering

Prayers

Sermon – Let Go of Jesus

Benediction

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Today is Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week. Today we celebrate Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He is hailed as King. But what kind of King is he? And as King, is he sovereign? Many of us have had to deconstruct the image of a “sovereign” God because the teaching of God’s power and sovereignty has been weaponized against us. Jesus deconstructs this toxic idea of divine “sovereignty” and replaces it with something far greater: the power of love.

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Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Lynn Galiano and Raleen Hungate

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings

Call to Worship

Lynn: Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a humble donkey, seeking to transform the people.

All: People gathered from everywhere to wave palm branches and praise him as royalty.

Raleen: Jesus enters our lives humbly, seeking to transform our hearts and lives.

All: Let us follow Jesus Christ together, and receive him in our presence. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace

Song: Let the Rocks

Offering

Prayers

Sermon – Deconstructing the "Sovereignty" of God

Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Deconstructing the “Sovereignty” of God – Palm Sunday appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

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Today we will talk about feeling broken. Are you feeling broken right now? You are not alone. There’s a lot that is breaking many of us: -Family dynamics -Economic insecurity -Grief over a lost relationship -Political turmoil -Religious bigotry -Unemployment -Stagnant wages -Wars and rumors of war. If you are feeling broken, please remember this quote from @trentshelton:

Broken crayons.Still color.

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Melanie Horbert

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Isaiah 43:16-21, John 12:1-8 - Melanie Horbert & Jeff Pratt

Call to Worship - Melanie & Jeff

One: We gather together today as who we are, and we bring what we have.

All: Let us encounter the new thing God is doing among us.

One: We bring joy and sorrow, hope and despair, resources and needs, certainty and doubt.

All: Let us engage the new thing God is doing among us.

One: In this space, we meet the One who parts seas, creates paths, and changes circumstances.

All: May we participate in the new thing God is doing among us. Amen.

Children’s Moment - Pastor Adam

Passing of the Peace

Song: Now Is the Time

Offering

Prayers

Sermon – Finding a New Way - Pastor Adam

Communion

Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Finding a New Way appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

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Throughout the Gospel of Luke, God is shown to be kind and loving, often beyond our expectations. Today we explore God’s kindness through Luke 15 and the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Amber Kearney

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Luke 15

Call to Worship

One: Please join us in the call to worship…

One: Happy are those who experience the grace of God.

All: Who find forgiveness from the Holy One.

One: Happy are those who experience the steadfast love of God.

All: Who find peace even in times of trial.

One: Happy are those who share the grace, forgiveness, steadfast love, and peace of God with others.

All: May we share those things with one another and the world. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace

Song: Amazing Grace

Offering

Prayers

Sermon – Deconstructing Toxic Christianity with the Prodigal Son

Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Deconstructing Toxic Christianity with the Prodigal Son appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

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Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jessica Gonzales

All: We pray for peace in our hearts,

in our homes, in our communities,

in our nations, and in our worlds.

Call to Worship – Ellery and David Palanuk

Children’s Moment - Erika Beseda

Passing of the Peace – Jean Herrera

One: Friends, we come to the moment where we pass the peace. I invite you to type peace in the chat section as we pass the peace to one another.

One: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

Song: Down to the River

Invitation to the Offering

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Amy Brinkley and Larry Kirk

Our God,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom 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.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon – Even Jesus Needed To Rest - Erika Beseda

Unison Benediction – Judy Boncaro

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Even Jesus Needed to Rest appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

When Jesus uses metaphors from the animal kingdom, what animal does he use to describe himself? You might think a lion. After all, religions have a long history of associating divinity with the powerful lion. But Jesus compares himself not with a powerful lion who devours his enemies, but with a hen who loves her chicks. Join is for more about Jesus’ transformation of our understanding of God today as we gather for worship!

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Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Pastor Adam

Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Michael Garcia and Raleen Hungate

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings –

Call to Worship

One: God desires to gather us.

All: She gathers us together.

One: Her wings spread out before us.

All: Her presence is all around us.

One: To nurture is her nature.

All: To mother is her gift.

One: In her we find our justice.

All: In her we find our peace. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace

Song: She Is, by Raleen Hungate

Offering

Prayers

Sermon - God: Our Divine Mother

Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post God: Our Divine Mother appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

It’s the first Sunday of Lent! Lent begins with the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. Which brings up all kinds of questions. Like, why did Jesus need to be tested? Who is the devil? What does this temptation story mean for us?

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Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Melanie and Jessica

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Luke 4:1-12

Call to Worship

One: We might be entering the season of Lent feeling arid and dried out from anxiety, pain, and injustice.

All: And yet, God is hydrating our spirits.

One: We might be wandering, feeling lost, like we have no direction.

All: And yet, God is guiding us in the wilderness.

One: We might be fearful, wondering what comes next.

All: And yet, God is surrounding us with peace.

Jessica/One: We might be feeling arid, aimless, and anxious.

Melanie/All: But the Spirit of Strength will never leave our side. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Passing of the Peace

Song: Simple Gifts

Offering

Prayers

Sermon - Jesus, Satan, and Power

Communion

Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post Jesus, Satan and Power appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

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What is your image of God? Most of us grew up with an image of God who was kind to believers and wrathful against the wicked. But Jesus says God is kind to everyone, including the ungrateful and the wicked. God is kind. You are loved.

Prelude – Jean Herrera

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jessica

Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Luke 6:27-38

Call to Worship – Amy Brinkley and Larry Kirk

*One: Please join us in the call to worship…

One: We come from many different places to worship today.

All: For wide is God’s welcome and you are welcome here.

One: If you are young, old, or in the middle, you are welcome here.

All: If you are black, brown, Asian, or white, you are welcome here.

One: If you are single, married, never married, divorced, or widowed, you are welcome here.

All: If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or straight, you are welcome here.

One: If you are happy or sad, healthy or ailing, you are welcome here.

All: If you believe in God some of the time, none of the time, or all of the time, you are welcome here.

One: So come, let us worship our welcoming God.

Children’s Moment -

Passing of the Peace – Erika Beseda

One: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

Song: Lead Me Lord – Debbie Meyer, Rhonda and Dave Frick-Wright, and Jeff Pratt

Invitation to the Offering

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Our God,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom 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.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon – The Most Godlike Thing You Can Do

Unison Benediction - Charlie Hinkle

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

The post The Most Godlike Thing You Can Do appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

Quick nongraded multiple choice quiz: In his first teachings to the disciples in Luke 6, Jesus says certain people are blessed. Which of the following does Jesus say are blessed in Luke 6:

A. Those who believe in him.B. Those who believe the Bible is the Word of God.C. Those who are rich because wealth is a sign of God’s favor.D. The poor.

The answer is D. This answer was scandalous in Jesus’ day and it is scandalous in our day. God loves everyone, but as liberation theologian Gustavo Gutierrez says, “God has a preferential love for the poor.” This message is a scandal to many Christians, especially those of us growing up in a capitalistic society. We will explore more of the scandalous message of Jesus during worship today!

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Prelude – Jean Herrera

Welcome – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle - Melanie and Jeff

All: We pray for peace

in our hearts,

in our homes,

in our communities,

in our nations,

and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Luke 6:17-26

*Call to Worship

One: Please join us in the call to worship…

One: Blessed are we

All: When our treasures cannot be quantified.

One: Blessed are we

All: When our knowledge is tempered by mystery.

One: Blessed are we

All: When our pain is held in the balm of love.

One: Blessed are we

All: When our delight comes from beyond ourselves. Amen.

Children’s Moment - Adam

Passing of the Peace -

One: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.

All: And also with you.

Song: They Will Know

Offering

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Sermon – The Scandalous Message of Jesus

Unison Benediction

May God bless you and keep you.

May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.

This day and forever more. Amen

-Numbers 6:24-26

*Written by Katherine Hawker at liturgyoutside.net

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