Claremont United Church of Christ

When Paul was establishing churches throughout the Mediterranean he quickly discovered that when people gather together, disagreements are inevitably. Unfortunately, modern psychologists confirm what Paul knew 2,000 years ago: humans are bad at having disagreements and apologizing to each other. Join Pastor Jacob as he explores how to take responsibility for our behavior in the midst of disagreement.

Pastor Jen prepares us for the new year by examining one of the most common new year’s resolutions: “to live life to the fullest.” Join her for a reflection on time synesthesia, acknowledging the various seasons of life, and learning to be present each day.

The story of The Real Housewives of Bethlehem comes to its dramatic conclusion.

Scripture says the people were amazed when Zechariah announced his son’s name…even though Elizabeth had already announced it. Pastor Jen asks us to consider why society had trouble (and still has trouble) hearing the voice of women, and how we might use the remaining days of Advent to make space for unexpected voices to speak truth in our world.

Teenage Mary was living a quiet, typical life when a visit from the angel Gabriel changed everything. In that moment, she made the choice to say yes to a wildly unknown future and become a God-bearer. What about you? Will you have the courage to say yes the next time unexpected, life-changing news is delivered to you? Will you have the strength to bring God into this world?

We start our journey through the first chapter of Luke and delve into the lives of the Real Housewives of Bethlehem. At the end of our Scripture reading today, Elizabeth decides to go off into seclusion for five months, but the text doesn't tell us why. Join Pastor Jacob as he invites us to use this Advent season as a time to truly find ourselves.

The story of the 10 healed lepers asks us to consider the transformative aspects of gratitude. Join Pastor Jen as she pairs it with the famous hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and the concept of headwind/tailwind asymmetry. How might we practice gratitude this Thanksgiving and every day?

What would it look like to live out the vision of the hymn "All Creatures of Our God and King," in which we are one with all creation? How might a story about St. Francis taming a violent wolf teach us to respect animals…and one another? Join Pastor Jen for this special sermon on Animal Blessing Sunday.