Claremont United Church of Christ

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abilities, or faith background, we are glad you’re worshiping with us today.

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In J is for Jepthah's Daughter, we take on another text of terror that shows the worst parts of humanity. Pastor Jacob guides us through the terrible decisions by Jephthah to make and keep a vow that takes his own daughter's life and reminds us that our faith does not ask us to worship our religion or its rules, but instead our faith asks us to commit ourselves to living out the unconditional love of God.

Sermon from Claremont United Church of Christ

It's hard to define the concept of "faith" in just one sermon! In fact, Pastor Jacob shares that his understanding of faith changes over time, if not daily. Listen in for Pastor Jacob's current musings of faith influenced by his experiences at Vacation Bible School over the last week.

This Sunday, June 22 was our annual Open & Affirming Celebration! We're celebrating 31 years of being a welcoming and inclusive congregation for all people. One of the most beautiful services of the year will be full of gorgeous music, powerful testimonies, and tasty treats as always.

Genesis 34 is known as a text of terror for its violent themes and storyline. This chapter is the only story we have about Dinah, one of Jacob's daughters, but she doesn't even get a voice in this passage. Pastor Jacob explores her story and tragedy of the cycles of violence it contains. While there may not be much hope in this passage, might there be hope in the rest of Scripture? And while there seems to be little hope to be found in the current mass deportations targeting women and children, might there be hope that the tides are turning in how we embrace immigrants in our country?

B is for....Boanerges. You voted and chose to learn more about the Sons of Thunder. James and John were unusual picks to be Jesus' disciples, but was there something about their fiery, passionate, personalities that attracted Jesus, or was all of their bluster too toxic?

Rev. Belva Brown Jordan, ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) after teaching special education on the elementary school level, served over 35 years in ministry for the denominational and in theological higher education. Rev. Jordan retired in the fall of 2023 after serving as interim president for Disciple Seminary Foundation. Before her three years at DSF she was on the faculty of Claremont School of Theology and served as an associate dean in academics. She presently lives in Upland, California with her daughter and grandson.

This summer we are traveling through the alphabet as we explore stories, themes, and characters in the Bible that YOU voted for! Stay tuned to see which subjects came out on top from our poll earlier this year!

We conclude our Stewardship Season by asking what it means to be "Truth-Tellers." How do we know that we proclaim as Christians is the truth?