Claremont United Church of Christ

Our first sermon in this series examines the famous story of Adam's rib. How does this second account of creation compare to the first? Despite the traditional gender roles that align with this narrative, are there any progressive theological aspects of this story? As descendants of these first humans, what does their creation story compel us to do? Join us.

In our last installment looking at the The First 100 Days after Jesus' resurrection, we turn to the development of the early church. Acts 2 seems to depict the ideal church where everyone shares their possessions with whoever has need. But did this kind of church ever exist? Should we strive for the ideal? How does the Holy Spirit meet us now? Tune-in to learn more.

On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to us like wind and flames. What did that fiery day mean for the first apostles, and what does it mean for us today?

In the Gospel of Matthew, one of Jesus' major acts during his First 100 Days post-resurrection is to deliver The Great Commission to the eleven remaining disciples. But, when the disciples encounter the risen Christ, they worship him, but some doubt. Join Pastor Jacob as he takes this passage often used to convert others, and brings out of it the welcoming, inclusive, non-judgmental Gospel of Jesus.

Just after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples to offer them peace. Thomas was mysteriously absent for that encounter and when he returned he could not believe what he heard about it! He has since been known as Doubting Thomas. Join Pastor Jen as we look at who Thomas was and why it was important for him to touch Christ’s wounds in order to believe in life after death.

In John 6, a crowd following Jesus is confused when Jesus tells them that they must eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man. What does Jesus mean by these bizarre words? Join Pastor Jacob as he explains how Jesus is asking us to expand our expectations.

Zaccheaus was a man who had become rich at the expense of his fellow citizens. He was despised by his own community. Join Pastor Jen as we discover how his encounter with Christ changed his life, causing him to break free from a system of oppression and proclaim, "I'm IN!"

What is God calling you to do? Join Pastor Jacob as he explores one of the most famous call stories in Scripture in Isaiah 6 as we learn to jump in to God's call in our lives even in the midst of confusion and feelings of inadequacy.

In our last installment on Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene is in the garden after Christ's resurrection, but she mistakes the risen Christ for the gardener. So too do two disciples fail to recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Had Jesus changed in some way? Join Pastor Jen as she uses the metaphor of the butterfly and intriguing findings in science to ponder what it means to be transformed in the resurrection.

On Good Friday, we gather with the women at the foot of Jesus' cross, and we weep. But Jesus tells us not to weep for him, but to weep for ourselves. We have much to weep for these days. Tonight, we descend into the darkness of our world in the hopes that we too might rise on Easter morning.