November 7 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, November 7, 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 Communion Purvis INTROIT Communication is the Answer Oliver Holden/Secretary Michael WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We have entered the season of harvest, All: A season of gratitude for God’s abundance. One: Let us recall Her divine bounty of grace and blessing, All: And let us worship with hearts full of awe and appreciation for all She freely gives us. OPENING HYMN #347 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ LINSTEAD PRAYER OF CONFESSION Loving Mother God, forgive our moments of ingratitude and selfishness. Forgive our spiritual blindness, which prevents us from appreciating the wonder that is Your world, the endless cycle of nature, of life and death and rebirth. Forgive us for taking without giving and reaping without sowing. Open our eyes to see Your handiwork, open our lips to praise Your steadfast love and presence, and open our hands to share our gifts with one another. May our feet tread lightly on Your fragile earth, and maybe our footsteps be worthy of our children’s following, as we strive to walk ever closer to You. Amen. ASSURANCE One: … our God offers us mercy for our missteps and grace to continue onward with renewed commitment to her teachings. All: Let us live as redeemed people. Amen. GUEST ARTIST Ave Maria J.S. Bach/Charles Gounod Matthew Cook, baritone 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 Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/ANTHEM The 23rd Psalm Bobby McFerrin (Dedicated to My Mother) 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 Genesis 1:27 “Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them.” Hosea 11:3-4 “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I who took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.” Hosea 13:8 “Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and tear them asunder…” Deuteronomy 32:11-12 “Like the eagle that stirs up its nest, and hovers over its young, God spreads wings to catch you, and carries you on pinions.” Deuteronomy 32:18 “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you birth.”

Isaiah 66:13 God: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 49:15 God: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 42:14 God: “For a long time I have held my peace, I have kept myself still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor, I will gasp and pant.” Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34 Jesus: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Luke 15:8-10 Jesus: “Or what woman having ten silver coins, is she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland You Ask, We Preach: Your Biggest, Burning Questions “How might we benefit from exploring the feminine side of God?” HYMN Loaves Were Broken, Words Were Spoken BEACH SPRING Loaves were broken, word were spoken by the Galilean shore. Jesus, Bread of Life from heaven, was their food forevermore. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life out-poured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord. Loaves were broken, words were spoken in a quiet room one night. In the bread and wine you gave them, Christ, you came as Light from Light. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life out-poured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord. Loaves are broken, words are spoken, as in faith we gather here. Jesus speaks across the ages: “I am with you; do not fear!” By your body broken for us, by your wine of life out-poured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord. By the loaves you break and give us, send us in your name to share

Bread for which the millions hunger, words that tell your love and care. By your body broken for us, by your wine of life out-poured, Jesus, feed again your people. Be our Host, our Life, our Lord. COMMUNION One: God be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts! All: We lift them up to God. One: Let us give thanks to God. All: It is right to give God our thanks and praise. One: …But with deep faith that this story doesn't end with sorrow, but with resurrection and new life, we proclaim: All: Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again! 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 in the name of Jesus, who teaches us to pray together: All: Heavenly Mother, heavenly Father, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river through us, From each one to each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days, Come swiftly Mother, Father, come! For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy - Forever your name is All in One. (Parker Palmer) GUEST MUSIC The Holy City Stephen Adams Matthew Cook, baritone BENEDICTION

CLOSING RESPONSE Now Thank We All Our God NUN DANKET POSTLUDE Toccata for Organ Mannikendam

ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Man Dy and dedicated to those who are questioning. If you are feeling curious or seeking answers, may you find comfort in the knowledge of God. GUEST ARTIST Matthew Cook is a student at the University of Southern California where he is pursuing a Master of Music in Vocal Arts and studying with Rod Gilfry. Originally from the DC area, Matthew performs music from a wide variety of genres, from musical theatre to art song and opera. This summer, Matthew sang the title role in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera Steamboat in Colorado. No stranger to Claremont, Matthew graduated from Pomona College in 2020 and has been singing with the CUCC choir regularly since 2018. CLAREMONT UCC PRAYER TEAM Our apologies— this week’s bulletin did not allow space to print the full Prayer List. If you wish to view this week’s updated list, it is available in the Friday email newsletter. The Prayer Team invites you to join them in praying for those listed at their “Virtual Prayer Circle”, Sundays at 11:30 am via Zoom. (Link available in the Friday email newsletter) Would you like to get involved with the Prayer Team? Please contact Judi Bayer at (215) 350-3397 or email [email protected].

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. Jennifer Stephenson Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada Moderator (Council President) [email protected] Ms. Rita Dixon [email protected] Director of the ECC Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226