May 14 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, May 14, 2023 10:00 am Welcome home! Regardless of your age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, abilities, or faith background, we are glad you’re worshiping with us today. You belong here.

A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PRELUDE Arabesque No. 1 Claude Debussy Amanda Māra Rizzotto, harp INTROIT Come Sing, O Church, in Joy! DARWALL’S CALL TO WORSHIP One: Whether we are rooted in this community or have just planted new seeds of faith, All: God loves us and knows us by name. One: Whether we are lifelong church goers or new attenders, All: God loves us and knows us by name. One: Whether we have carefully studied the teachings of Jesus or are just dipping our toes into the water of his Gospel, All: God loves us and knows us by name. OPENING HYMN The Clefted Rock ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR/Byers In the clefted Rock I hide, Savior, let me here abide; Sheltered from each stormy gale, All secure within the vale. Refrain: Blessed Rock, on Thee I build, Ever be my sun and shield; Help me labor, watch, and pray, Ready for the crowning day. When the surging billows roll, There’s a calm within my soul; While my trust in Thee is stayed, I shall never be afraid. [Refrain] Rock of safety—blest abode, Hid away with Christ in God; Nothing can I want beside, For my soul is satisfied. [Refrain] WELCOME

CONFESSING OUR SHORTCOMINGS Loving Mother God, we confess that we have not accepted your invitation to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. We feel our knees buckle under the weight of so much injustice and violence all around us. We cannot imagine that small acts of compassion and reconciliation truly matter in a world as broken as ours. We have forgotten that in your call to us, you have promised to provide the hospitality, the bread, and the clothing. We are only asked to show up and be your hands and feet. Forgive our small mindedness and our lack of imagination. Amen. RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE One: …It thoroughly washes away our sins and shortcomings and leaves us cleansed and ready to meet the world’s needs. All: Let us receive this grace and share it with others. 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 worshiping throng. Water, God’s Word, bread and cup, prayer and song: This is where children belong. SERMON ON THE STEPS Celeste Irwin OFFERING/MUSIC Irish traditional melody arr. John Rutter The King of Love My Shepherd Is Amanda Māra Rizzotto, harp 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

SCRIPTURE Matthew 16:13-20 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland A.K.A.: Nicknames & Name Changes in the Bible MUSIC Blessed Be Your Name Matt Redman Lacey Jo Benter, guitar & vocals 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: …Those who are in hospital beds or in recovery centers, those who are struggling to face another week of stress, those who are hanging on by a thread. All: Be near us, O God. One: …Angry at the government, angry at their neighbors, angry at the state of our society, angry at the world, angry at themselves. All: Be near us, O God. One: …Anxious about what is next for them and where your Spirit is leading them. All: Be near us, O God. One: …For those who are in a sweet chapter of life, and for those who are finally enjoying the fruits of thy labor. All: Be near us, O God. One: In all of these things, we pray using the words you teach us, saying together, 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 MUSICIAN Ave Maria Charles Gounod/J.S. Bach Amanda Māra Rizzotto, harp & voice BENEDICTION CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE VRUECHTEN Because You Live, O Christ POSTLUDE Prelude in Classic Style Gordon Young Dr. Carey Robertson, organ

ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s flowers are given by Peggy Kelly and dedicated to all who will be travelling this coming summer season. May your trips be safe and filled with fun! GUEST MUSICIAN Latvian Brazilian soprano Dr. Amanda Māra Rizzotto received a doctorate from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas under Dr. Kimberly James, and a Master of Music from North Park University under Dr. Annie Picard. She started singing at age of 5, and playing the harp at age of 12. Her recent roles include Gasparina from La canterina by Joseph Haydn, Juno from Orpheus in the Underworld by Jacques Offenbach at the Judy Baily Theater in Las Vegas; and Cendrillon from Cendrillon by Jules Massenet, Gertrud from Hänsel und Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, and Sandolfon from Masque of Angels by Dominick Argento with North Park University. Rizzotto currently resides in Orange County working as a performer and music teacher. https://www.facebook.com/amandamararizzotto https://www.youtube.com/@dr.amandamararizzotto



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], x201 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Dr. David Rentz [email protected], x202 [email protected] Finance & Payroll Administrator Principal Organist Ms. Jocelyn Bocking Dr. Carey Robertson [email protected], x110 [email protected] Office Manager Building Manager Ms. Jasmine Tomita Mr. Adam Thomas [email protected], [email protected], x101 x109 Minister of Children, Youth, & Technology Director Families Mr. Jon Van Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected], x120 [email protected], x210 ASL Interpreters Children, Youth, & Families Ms. Jennifer Stephenson Assistant Ms. Rebecca McAllister Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected] Moderator (Council President) Ms. Linda Yao Junior High Youth Director [email protected] Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected] Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Homer “Butch” Henderson Director of the ECC Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x114