October 17 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, October 17, 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 Scherzetto Vierne INTROIT And Let Thy Holy Spirit Doc Blanchard WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: From ghouls and ghosts and things that go bump in the night: All: Good Lord, deliver us! One: From our own vanity, ignorance, and selfishness: All: Good Lord, deliver us! One: From that which might cause us to harm our neighbors or ourselves: All: Good Lord, deliver us! OPENING HYMN #547 Amazing Grace (verses 1-3, 5) AMAZING GRACE PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, open our eyes so that we might see how we can better serve You, open our hearts so that we might love more deeply, open our minds so that we might learn more about You, open our ears to better hear Your word, and open our mouths so that we might more freely speak Your Good News to others. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: … God forgives us before we even ask, and invites us to open up. All: Let us receive God’s love and grace. Amen. GUEST MUSIC You Know My Name Alexandra Taylor PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. LITURGICAL SONG Where Children Belong 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 Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/ANTHEM No Time arr. Brumfield Chancel Choir 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 Daniel 3:13-30 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. 17 If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was so filled with rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face was distorted. He ordered the furnace heated up seven times more than was customary, 20 and ordered some of the strongest guards in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 So the men were bound, still wearing their tunics, their trousers, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. 22 Because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace

was so overheated, the raging flames killed the men who lifted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 But the three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O king.” 25 He replied, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men; the hair of their heads was not singed, their tunics were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that utters blasphemy against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins; for there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. SERMON Ghost Stories: The Spookiest Scriptures Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Faith Through The Fire HYMN #423 Great is Your Faithfulness (verses 1 & 3) FAITHFULNESS 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: …All this we pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray these words together: All: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen. (A version of The Lord’s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayer Book) GUEST MUSIC You Are Good Alexandra Taylor BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE A Mighty Fortress is Our God EIN’ FESTE BURG A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing, Our present help amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe With craft and power great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth without an equal. And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God has willed the truth to triumph through us. The powers of evil grim, we tremble not for them; Their rage we can endure, for lo, their doom is sure: One little word shall fell them. POSTLUDE Fantasy in G Minor, BWV 542 Bach

ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Diana Miller and Catherine Curtis, in honor of Barbara Hinshaw. HYMN COMMENTARY Amazing Grace John Newton (1725-1807) wrote this autobiographical hymn. Newton, along with William Cowper, published \"Olney Hymns\" in 1779. It became an important source among Evangelicals within the Anglican Church. Edwin O. Excel (1851-1921) arranged the tune in its present form. Excel moved to Chicago in 1883 to begin his gospel-song publishing business. 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]. OUR NEWEST SAINT: Char Craft, friend of Sandy Fasano THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, friend of Martha Stephenson Hurricane Ida, CUCC member Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, Richard Blair, nephew of Virginia Bergfalk friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Richie Padilla & Will Doose, friends of Linda Corbin Carolyn Boone & Nora Miller, friends of Linda Corbin Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Jill Carol, CUCC member Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Children, Family, & Friends of Irene Santibanez, The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s friend of Merritt Verrill Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima CUCC member & her daughter Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Victor Williams Family, friends of Linda Corbin Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Susan Lominska, responders, & victims of

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Virginia Bergfalk Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel 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 Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Cassie Richardson, stepsister of Sandy Gabel Alice Chin, CUCC attender Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Jean Rosewall, CUCC member Barbara Coates, CUCC member Margo Rouette, CUCC member Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Corbin Jay Sharp, CUCC member Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Linda Cummings, CUCC member Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Madison MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Delgadillo Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Mickey & Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Levi Entereso, CUCC member Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Pam & Rev. Frank Hamilton, friends of Charles & Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Merritt Verrill Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Dixie Hegg, mother of Wendy Anson Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Sandi Walter, CUCC member David Jamieson, CUCC member Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Terri King, CUCC member Rev. Anita White, UCC Pastor, friend of Jane Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Gibbons Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Bill & Carol Wiese, CUCC members Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Bob Lominska, brother of Susan Lominska Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Frank Malone, friend of Judith Bayer Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Joseph Mikesell, nephew of Sandy Gabel Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse

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 Director of Music & Fine Arts Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Dr. Jonathan Campbell [email protected], x230 [email protected], x242 Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected] Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Director of the Early Childhood Center Office Manager Ms. Kristy Knight Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], x226 [email protected], x222 Building Manager Mr. Adam Thomas Minister of Children, Youth, & [email protected], Families x240 Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected] Technology Director Mr. Jon Van Children, Youth, & Families [email protected] Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm Technology Assistant [email protected] Mr. Josh Ngo [email protected] Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada ASL Interpreter [email protected] Ms. Jennifer Stephenson Moderator (Council President) Ms. Rita Dixon [email protected]