May 8 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, May 8, 2022 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 Rubrics for Organ: “Silence may be kept.” Dan Locklair “The Peace may be exchanged.” INTROIT Listen to Your Savior Call ORIENTIS PARTIBUS CALL TO WORSHIP One: When we are certain of our path, All: Break in, O Christ. One: When we spread harm to your creation, All: Break in, O Creator. One: When we are in need of a new way, All: Break in, O Spirit. OPENING HYMN I, the Lord of Sea and Sky HERE I AM I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain) I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain) WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Surprising God, we confess that we do not always welcome you when you cross our paths. We struggle to practice what we preach, and we find ourselves still holding onto power and wealth, even when you show us a better way. Forgive us, O Christ. Transform our spirits, so that we may go out into all the world, blessed to be a blessing. In the holy name of love, we pray. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …God calls us beloved, and we are forgiven. All: We are filled with Spirit and made new in God’s peace! Amen. CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST COVENANT In response to God’s creating, redeeming, and sustaining love, we unite for the worship of God and the service of all. We seek to know the will of God and to walk in God’s ways made known in Jesus Christ; to love one another; to proclaim the Gospel to all the world; to work and pray for peace and justice; and to live in harmony with all creation. We trust the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing and the promise of eternal life both now and for evermore. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. LITURGICAL SONG Where Children Belong James Ritchie This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshipping throng. Water, God’s Word, bread and cup, prayer and song: This is where children belong. SERMON ON THE STEPS Elizabeth Zehm OFFERING/MUSIC Bilder aus Osten (Pictures from the East) Robert Schumann IV. Nicht schnell Alexandra Grabarchuk & David Rentz, piano DOXOLOGY LASST UNS ERFREUEN Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ the word in flesh born low, Alleluia! Alleluia!

Praise Holy Spirit evermore, One God, Triune, whom we adore, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! DEDICATION CHORAL SCRIPTURE (Acts 8:1-4, 7; 9:1-4) Saul Egil Hovland Michael Lamkin, narrator Narrator: And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, devout men, buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste to the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. Saul, breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Choir: Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Narrator: He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus. So that if any be found belonging to the WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound in chains back to Jerusalem. Choir: Bring them bound in chains, bound in chains back to Jerusalem. Narrator: Now as he journeyed, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him… Choir: Saul, why do you persecute me? SERMON Acting Up: When We Change Course Rev. Laurel Capesius HYMN I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (refrain only) HERE I AM Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 these things using the words you teach us, saying together, All: God of all Who made the heavens and the earth Your name is perfect and complete Help us to be trustworthy with your creation Help us to trust - in this life and in the life after Empower us to attain our physical and psychological needs, and free us from the wants of our privilege Forgive our failure to understand others and their needs And grant us the ability to forgive when we are misunderstood Free us from that which separates us from You But, help us to seek Your still speaking voice Because You are our community, our resilience, and our future - in all ways and at all times Let it be - Sean Luebbers BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Come, Christians, Join to Sing MADRID POSTLUDE Rubrics for Organ: “The people respond - Amen!” Dan Locklair

While the Pastors are away on Parental Leave, please feel free to contact Rev. Laurel Capesius with any pastoral concerns: [email protected] | (909) 766-0703 Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer: David Moore ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Man Dy in celebration of baby Clementine. May your life be full of blessings! 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 Judi Bayer at (215) 350-3397 or email [email protected]. THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Clarisse Nakahama Kyle King & Children, friends of Sochi Romero Jennifer Araujo, friend of Carolyn Barbera Corey Laponis, former CUCC sexton Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Embert Paul Madison, Jr., son of Marsha Madison Francesco Barbera & Family, CUCC member Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth The Barnum Family, CUCC attenders Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Sheila Brumleve Moses, friend of Sandy Fasano Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Priscilla Otto & her daughter, Perla Valenzeula, Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member CUCC attenders Jill Carol, CUCC member Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Joe Carrero & Shane Jukes, friends of Maria Andrade Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Amy Campbell, friend of Blair Aldworth Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, Maria Chave, friend of Silvia Young Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Cheri Strawsburg & Family, friends of Sandy Fasano Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne CUCC member & her daughter Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Zina Grishenko, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Jenny Appleford, friend of Jane Droubay Rick Moore, friend of Maria Andrade Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Stacey Ballard Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Linda Murray, CUCC member Virginia Bergfalk Steve & Rene Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Charles Blickenstaff, brother of Judith Bayer’s Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel neighbor Madeline Patane, CUCC member Laura Burt, CUCC member Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Tracy Buss, friend of Blair Aldworth Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Whitney Relf, CUCC member Alice Chin, CUCC attender Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Linda Cummings, CUCC member Xochitl Romero, neighbor of Judith Bayer Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Margo Rouette, CUCC member MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Delgadillo Bernadette Sarver, cousin of Judith Bayer Ryan & Tammy Denny, friends of Missy McCormick Jay Sharp, CUCC member Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Jesse Emmert, friend of Denise Spooner Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Madison Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender RaeAnn Sines, friend of Linda Corbin Levi Entereso, CUCC member Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Meredith Flinn, daughter of Marsha Madison’s friend Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Nina Fursova, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Bea Gallegos, CUCC member Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Daniel Graham, friend of Gayle Sharp Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Judy Hilgert, CUCC member Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Sandi Walter, CUCC member David Jamieson, CUCC member Felicia Warner, family of Denise & Kenneth Johnson Sarah Jones, mother of Carolyn Barbera Shirley Washington, CUCC member Terri King, CUCC member Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Rosalie Logan, friend of Blair Aldworth Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Jan Marshall, CUCC member Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Silvia Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Giordano Leslie McLoughlin, extended family of Diana Miller Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member

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 Directors of Music & Fine Arts Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Dr. Alexandra Grabarchuk [email protected], x230 [email protected], x242 Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Dr. David Rentz [email protected], x228 [email protected], x242 Finance & Payroll Administrator Principal Organist Ms. Jocelyn Bocking Dr. Carey Robertson [email protected], x225 [email protected] Office Manager Building Manager Ms. Jasmine Tomita Mr. Adam Thomas [email protected], [email protected], x222 x240 Minister of Children, Youth, & Technology Director Families Mr. Jon Van Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected] [email protected] Technology Assistant Children, Youth, & Families Mr. Josh Ngo Assistant [email protected] Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected] ASL Interpreter Ms. Rebecca McAllister Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada Moderator (Council President) [email protected] Ms. Rita Dixon [email protected] Director of the ECC Ms. Kristy Knight Pastor Emeritus [email protected], x226 Rev. Dr. Homer “Butch” Henderson