Clackamas United Church of Christ

Sometimes people ask how a church can welcome all these people. After all, doesn't religion cause you to exclude people who "don't belong?” In our passage from Matthew 22 at worship today, Jesus says the most important commandment is to love. He makes no exceptions. Neither do we. God loves you. And so do we.

Prelude – Be Thou My Vision, played by Jean Herrera

 

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

 

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

 

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Rev. Charlie Hinkle and Adam

Adam: 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. Charlie will lead us in the liturgy as Brayden lights the candle…

Charlie: 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 – Brayden Ericksen

Leviticus 19:15-18

Matthew 22:34-46

 

*Call to Worship – Charlie

Charlie: Please join us in the call to worship…

Charlie: In a world that wants us to live in fear…

All: We will listen to Jesus, who says, “Do not be afraid!”

Charlie: In a world that wants us to hate the other and seek revenge…

All: We will listen to Jesus, who calls us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Charlie: In a world that increasingly radicalizes people…

All: We will also be radical. Radical with our hospitality. Radical with our hope. Radical with our desire for justice. Radical with our love.

Charlie: Then come to this place, ready to be who we are called to be.

All: Let us gather together for worship. Amen

 

Children’s Moment

 

*Passing of the Peace – Charlie

Charlie: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

 

Song – This Is My Song

 

Invitation to the Offering – Adam Ericksen

 

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

 

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Charlie

Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by 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 Politics of a Christian Nation Are to Love Your Neighbor

 

*Unison Benediction – Charlie

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 Politics of a Christian Nation Are to Love Your Neighbor appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

Rev. Charlie Hinkle discusses Pope Francis’s recent comments in support of same-sex unions. Charlie is a retired lawyer. He was the lead lawyer for the ACLU here in Portland, Oregon. Charlie is a long-time member of Clackamas UCC and he happens to be a gay Christian. Charlie reflects on the recent comments from Pope Francis in support of same-sex unions and the history of the movement toward same-sex unions and marriage. We are so grateful for Charlie’s lifelong work to make Portland and the world a more just and loving place.

The post Rev. Charlie Hinkle Discusses Pope Francis and Same Sex Unions appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

Jesus tells a parable about a king who throws a party. But there's a problem. Nobody comes! And what does the king do in response? He burns down the whole town. Ouch. Throughout the centuries, many Christians have interpreted this parable as a story of divine judgment. If you reject God's party, God will act like the king and reject you. But is that really what Jesus is saying in this parable? If so, I personally would rather be an atheist than believe in such a vindictive God. In light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, I think there is a better way to understand this parable. I look forward to exploring it today. It's also National Coming Out Day! Today we will proclaim the belovedness of our LGBTQIA siblings. Thank God for those of us who are LGBTQIA!

Prelude

Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Larry Kirk and Adam Adam: 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. Larry will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle… Larry: 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

*Call to Worship – Larry Larry: Please join us in the call to worship… Larry: In the midst of fear and anger; in the midst of mayhem and destruction, God calls us into another way. All: But who is this God? Larry: This is the God of love who invites everyone to the feast of joy. All: But what if we are too busy and distracted by other things? Will God reject us? Larry: No. God never rejects us. We may reject one another and God, but God always comes to us with the invitation of love. All: May we receive God’s love and share it with everyone. Amen.

Children’s Moment

*Passing of the Peace – Larry Larry: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another. Larry: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Song: Sweet Hour of Prayer, sung by Rhonda, Debbie, Jeff, and Dave

Prayers of the People – Adam (After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Larry Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by 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 Case for Christian Atheism on National Coming Out Day

*Unison Benediction – Larry Kirk 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 forevermore. Amen -Numbers 6:24-26

The post The Case for Christian Atheism on National Coming Out Day appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

We are celebrating the installation of our Conference Minister (like a Bishop) here in the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ! The Rev. Tyler Connoley will be officially installed today! He is a wonderful leader who happens to be an openly gay man. That’s right! In the United Church of Christ an opely LGBTQIA person can attain the highest leadership roles in our denomination. Thanks be to God!

The post Confirmation of The Rev. Tyler Connoley! appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

One of the big problems with American Christianity is that we have overly spiritualized Jesus. From his teachings about the Kingdom of God to his parables to his miracles, American Christianity has trained us to believe Jesus was talking about a place you go after you die.

Today is Just Peace Sunday throughout the United Church of Christ. Today we will explore a parable that Jesus told in Matthew 20:1-16. It's primarily about economics and politics and justice.

Prelude

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jeff Pratt and Adam

Adam: 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. Jeff will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…

Jeff: 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 – Matthew 20:1-16

*Call to Worship – Jeff

Jeff: Please join us in the call to worship…

Jeff: Call all the laborers.

All: To the laborers came early.

Jeff: To the laborers who came late.

All: To the laborers who feel overlooked.

Jeff: To the laborers who can’t feed their children with this wage.

All: To the laborers who share their wage so that all people can eat.

Jeff: God calls us to labor for a more just world.

All: Let us roll up our sleeves and do the work. Amen.

Children’s Moment

*Passing of the Peace – Jeff

Jeff: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Special Music – Smoke Blanket Fire Sky – Annie Vergnetti

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Jeff

Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by 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 – Justice and Generosity

*Unison Benediction – Jeff Pratt

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

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These times are tough. But together, we are tougher. Fires, pandemics, racism, corrupt politicians. Many are asking, "Is this the Apocalypse?" Maybe. But hope rises.

"Because it's Portland everyone is stepping up." - Erika Beseda, Clackamas UCC member

Prelude

Adam: God be with you.

 All: And also with you.

 Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

 

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Alison Gary and Adam

Adam: 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. Alison will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…

 

Alison: 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

Matthew 18:21-35

 

*Call to Worship – Alison

 Alison: Please join us in the call to worship…

Alison: Peter asked Jesus, “How often should I forgive?”

All: Jesus said 77 times.

Alison: Does that mean we should count and then stop forgiving at 78?

All: No. We will keep going.

Alison: But why?

All: Because God has forgiven us. May we forgive, too. Amen.

 

Special Music – Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Emily Elizabeth Schott

 

Children’s Moment

 

*Passing of the Peace – Alison

Alison: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

 

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

 

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

 

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Alison

Our God,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed by 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 – How to Survive the Apocalypse

 

*Unison Benediction – Alison Gary

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

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Today we will hear Jesus’ teachings on nonviolent conflict resolution. Could you use a little conflict resolution these days?

We will also celebrate Communion, so we invite you to get a piece of bread and juice (or whatever you’d like). Everyone is welcome to participate in Communion. For example, if you are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Straight, Atheist, Agnostic, Pagan, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Black, Brown, White, etc – you are welcome to join in Communion. Why do we have an open table? Because God loves you. So come, just as you are, to worship this morning.

Prelude

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam

Adam: 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. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…

Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peacein our hearts,in our homes,in our communities,in our nations,and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings

Matthew 18:15-20

*Call to Worship – Amira

Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…

Amira: Jesus says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

All: May we be bound with love.

Amira: There are so many competing demands that seek to bind us in knots: aging parents and partners, work, school, and church. Racism, economic instability, and political turmoil.

All: May we be bound with love.

Amira: Sometimes we need to take a step back and loosen ourselves from the things that bind us up so that we can be bound by something greater.

All: May we be bound with love. Amen.

Children’s Moment

*Passing of the Peace – Amira

Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

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

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Amira

Our God,Who art in Heaven,Hallowed by 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 – Jesus and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution – Amira and Adam

Communion – Amira and Adam

*Unison Benediction – Amira Stanley

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 and Nonviolent Conflict Resolution appeared first on Clackamas United Church of Christ.

Welcome to Worship! We invite you to prepare your hearts and minds for worship with this prelude music.

Prelude

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Ellery and David Palanuk

Ellery: 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. David will lead us in the liturgy as Willow (?) lights the candle…

David: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peacein our hearts,in our homes,in our communities,in our nations,and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings

Matthew 16:21-28

*Call to Worship – David and Ellery

David: Please join us in the call to worship…

Ellery: Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem.

All: There will be opposition and misunderstanding on the way.

David: Jesus invites us to follow him on the journey.

All: We will also face opposition and misunderstanding on the way.

Ellery: Jesus invites us to respond to opposition and misunderstand not with hate, but with love and a commitment to a more just world.

All: May the Spirit of Love embolden us as we journey together for a more just and loving world. Amen.

Children’s Moment

Song – What Does the Lord Require of You – by Donna Converse and the choir at Eureka United Church of Christ

*Passing of the Peace – Ellery and David

Ellery: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – David and Ellery

Our God,Who art in Heaven,Hallowed by 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 Gospel and the End of White Christian Power

*Unison Benediction – Ellery and David

Ellery: We invite you to join us in the Unison Benediction

David: 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

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In our passage today from Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus gives Peter a new name – the Rock. But Peter is a strange person to name the Rock. Peter is not solid. He repeatedly fails. The Rock has cracks. But maybe that’s the point of Christian spirituality. Like Peter, we all have cracks. And maybe that’s the only way the light of God can shine through us. God loves you. Cracks and all.

 

Prelude - On Eagle’s Wings, Jean Herrera

Adam: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

 

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

 

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Jeff Pratt and Adam

Adam: 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. Jeff will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…

Jeff: 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

Matthew 16:13-20

 

*Call to Worship – Jeff

Jeff: Please join us in the call to worship…

Jeff: They went to Jesus, and he asked them

Lita: Who do you say that I am?

Jeff: They answered,

Adam: You are the hypostatic union of differences and the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma of which we find meaning in our interpersonal relationships.

Jeff: And Jesus said,

Lita: What?

Adam: Isn’t that what they taught us in seminary?

Jeff: Faith doesn’t have to be that hard. Life doesn’t have to be that difficult.

Adam: Sometimes we just have to share God’s love.

Lita: And so here we are, simply to sing, to celebrate, to be together, and to worship God. Amen.*

 

Adam: The call to worship

 

Children’s Moment

 

*Passing of the Peace – Jeff

Jeff: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.

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

All: And also with you.

 

Song: The Times Are A-Changin’ – Preston Shipp (For more on Preston, check out Pastor Adam’s interview with him titled: From Prosecutor to Criminal Justice Reform Advocate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J02MWFK0of0)

 

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

 

Prayers of the People – Adam

(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)

 

Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Jeff

Our Father,

Who art in Heaven,

Hallowed by 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 – Peter is the Rock. The Rock Has Cracks.

 

*Unison Benediction – Lita

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

 

*From Richard Bott at Sharing Liturgy.

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Welcome to worship! Did you know that even Jesus had to deal with cultural bias? No matter who you are, you are invited to worship because the Realm of God is always expanding beyond our human boundaries. For example, some people ask how can any church be open and affirming of our LGBTQIA siblings? And how can any church support the Black Lives Matter Movement? As a church that follows Jesus, we believe the question should be reversed. The real question is: How can any church *not* be open and affirming? How can any church *not* proclaim that Black Lives Matter? In our scripture lesson today from Matthew 15:21-28, we will yet again discover that Jesus always includes those who have been marginalized and excluded. That is the way of the Gospel. So no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Clackamas United Church of Christ.

Prelude – The Cloud’s Veil – played by Jean Herrera

Adam: God be with you.All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and AdamAdam: 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. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…

Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle. All: We pray for peacein our hearts,in our homes,in our communities,in our nations,and in our worlds.

Scripture ReadingsMatthew 15:21-28

*Call to Worship – AmiraAmira: Please join us in the call to worship…Amira: We come from many different places to gather today.All: For wide is God’s welcome, and you are welcome here.Amira: No matter your age, you are welcome here.All: No matter the shade of your skin, you are welcome here.Amira: If you are married, never married, divorced, or widowed, you are welcome here.All: If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, you are welcome here.Amira: 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. So come, let us worship our welcoming God!*

Children’s Moment

*Passing of the Peace – AmiraAmira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.All: And also with you.

Song: Leaning In: A Prayer of Intention – Sung by Lori Prouty

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Prayers of the People – Adam(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – AmiraOur God,Who art in Heaven,Hallowed by 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 Had to Deal with Bias

*Unison Benediction – Amira StanleyMay 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

*Based on the Call to Worship from Smyrna United Church of Christ

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