May 2 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, May 2, 2021 10:00 am We are an Open and Affirming congregation, welcoming into our full life and ministry persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, races, socioeconomic status, faith experiences, countries of origin, and abilities. Jesus welcomes everyone and so do we!

A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PRELUDE This Joyful Eastertide Held Meditation on ‘O Food of Men Wayfaring’ Held INTROIT Come All You People WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We gather to worship God in community. All: We gather to share our stories and learn from each other. One: We gather to remind each other that we are beloved, and that we all belong. All: We gather to encounter the Divine in one another. OPENING HYMN Canticle of the Turning STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for your yearn, You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, ‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! EASTERTIDE PRAYER Incarnate Love, you give us hope even when we think we have run out. We pray for continued hope in the world you are bringing into being; the world in which all of your people live freely and joyfully as themselves. A world in which all are given respect and shown kindness. A world in which the stewardship of creation is a job taken seriously by all who inhabit the planet. When we lose sight of this vision, restore it, we pray. When we feel overwhelmed by the distance we still have yet to travel to see that reality, renew our hearts and bodies for the journey. When we question if we have what it takes to make change, remind us that we are the ones we have been waiting for. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. OFFERING/MUSIC I Could Sing a Song of Your Love Forever Yechan Song DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Acts 8:26-40 26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness

road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. SERMON Be the Change Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz ANTHEM Song of Hope arr. Hobby PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER Today’s prayer was compiled by our church’s Prayer Team in honor of Earth Month and reflects the contents of our own hearts. To honor the power of both the traditional and new versions of the Lord’s Prayer, we will alternate which version we pray each week. One: …We pray…

All: Great Giver, in whom heaven is found, holy is Your name. May your commonwealth of peace and freedom flourish on earth. Give us this day bread for our journey, and make us hungry to see the whole world nourished. Forgive us and help us forgive one another. Strengthen us for the challenges that lie ahead. Let us hear your prophets, and deliver us from our privilege. For your love is the only power, the only home, the only honor we need, in this world and in the world to come. Amen. GUEST ARTIST Give Us Clean Hands Yechan Song BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE #82 Go, My Children, with My Blessing AR HYD Y NOS Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me; Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free. Here my Spirit’s power filled you, here with tender comfort stilled you; Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free. POSTLUDE Toccata for Organ Weaver HYMN COMMENTARY: Want to learn more about the history of the hymns we sing on Sunday mornings? Check here each week to see which popular hymn we’ve selected to feature! HYMN #4 Joyful, Joyful We Adore You Henry van Dyke (1852-1933), a famous preacher and intellectual of his time, wrote this hymn during a visit to Williams College in 1907 where he was a guest preacher. Van Dyke credited the Berkshire mountains as his inspiration. Van Dyke was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and educated at Princeton University. Ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, he served churches in Rhode Island and New York. Later he spent 23 years as professor of English literature at Princeton.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1990-1827) composed this tune. It was the final chorus in his Ninth Symphony. Beethoven was totally deaf when this work was performed in Vienna in 1824. One of the soloists had to turn him around so he could see the enthusiastic response to the music he could not hear. WAYS TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH: 1. Mail in your donation (233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711) 2. Contribute on our website: claremontucc.org 3. Text an amount to (909) 343-5901 4. Set up automatic giving through your bank REFLECTION QUESTIONS ABOUT TODAY’S WORSHIP: * What was the most meaningful moment of worship for you today? * What is one new question or idea today's worship service inspired for you? CLAREMONT UCC PRAYER LIST Join us in prayer this week for the following individuals. Would you like to get involved with the Prayer Team? Please contact Amy Duncan at (951) 212-3576 or email [email protected] OUR NEWEST SAINTS: Divina Himaya, CUCC member Dennis Sullivan, CUCC member THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Richard Blair, nephew of Virginia Bergfalk Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Eric & David Sandberg, family of Ruth Sandberg Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Family of Robert Schreiber, friends of Carol Wiese Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Jolie Thompson, friend of Jennifer Clancy Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Tran Family, friends of Ruth Sandberg CUCC member & her daughter Mark Watson, family of Roxanne Watson Leventhal Family, friends of Francisco Barbera Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann,

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Matt Alford, CUCC member Danielle Marquez, family of Carolyn Barbera Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Dean McCrumb, friend of Dorothy Wheat Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Catherine McIntosh, friend of Carol Wiese Mike Barry, friend of Diana Miller Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Judith Bayer, CUCC member Wendy Mitchell, friend of Carol Wiese Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Virginia Bergfalk Mila Moncayo, friend of Francisco Barbera Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Nate Neumeyer, friend of Blair Aldworth Sylvia Brougham, grandmother of Tasha Ferrell Diaz Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Stan Burwell, friend of Carol Wiese Grace Newkirk, friend of Carol Wiese Tracy Buss, friend of Blair Aldworth Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Sedra Canjo, daughter of Nadr Canjo Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Alice Chin, CUCC attender Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Dolores Clem, mother of Lisa Delgadillo Margo Rouette, CUCC member Jason Clinge, friend of Linda Corbin Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Linda Cummings, CUCC member Eileen Schmalle, friend of Anne Forburger Chelsea Davis, extended family of Elizabeth Hinkle Griffen Schreiber, friend of Francisco Barbera Frank & Phylis DeLeo, friends of Carol Wiese Diane Schulman, friend of Maria Andrade MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Jay Sharp, CUCC member Delgadillo Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Dustin & Cristina Dickerson, family of Roxanne Wayne E. Sims, R.N., brother of Marsha Madison Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Watson Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Tom Esposito, family of Evy Morales Esposito Family, cousin/family of Evy Morales Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Trace Thompson, friend of Jennifer Clancy Max & Kelsey Ferrell, Johnathan Diaz, Ana Alicia, Keri Tohgia, family of Dona Turk Jose, Elias, & Ana Villaseñor, family of Tasha Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Ferrell David Tortes, brother of Rebecca Tortes Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Scott Verrill, brother of Charles Verrill John George, son of Brenda Keith Brad & Karen Visser, son & daughter in-law of Jim Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Visser Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Dwight Vogel, friend of Jean Rosewall Brenda & Michael Henry, CUCC member Sandi Walter, CUCC member Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild David Jamieson, CUCC member Charlie Kalb, friend of Margaret Merhoff Rev. Anita White, UCC Pastor, friend of Jane Chuck Kelcher, friend of Carol Wiese Gibbons Pat Kelly, friend of Ruth Abel Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Faith King, daughter of Jeanne King Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Terri King, CUCC member Kimarie Wood, CUCC attender Jim & Janet Kolzow, family of Kristen Kolzow Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Elaine Larson, friend of Dona Turk Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Carrie, daughter of Virginia Bergfalk Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Diane, friend of Kay Brand Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Jennifer, daughter of Laura Burt Bob Lominska, brother of Susan Lominska Marilyn, friend of Ruth Sandberg Gina Low, friend of Ruth Abel Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Frank Malone, friend of Judith Bayer

PLEASE BE IN TOUCH Claremont United Church of Christ 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 (909) 626-1201 | claremontucc.org @uccclaremont Claremont United Church of Christ Senior Pastors Junior High Youth Director Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected], x230 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Director of Music & Fine Arts Dr. Jonathan Campbell Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected], x242 Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Office Manager [email protected] Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], Moderator (Council President) x222 Mr. Tad Creasey [email protected] Minister of Children, Youth, & Families Director of the Early Childhood Ms. Laurel Capesius Center [email protected] Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226 Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected]