Christmas Eve 2021 Online Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Friday, December 24, 2021 5:00 pm 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 Noel Toccata Young CARILLON PEAL arr. Frances L. Callahan INTROIT Gloria (Angels We Have Heard on High) Choral Bells CALL TO WORSHIP One: We have waited patiently, and now the time has come! All: On this holy night, we gather to tell our ancient, beloved story. One: On this silent night, we gather in wonder with the shepherds. All: On this candlelit night, we gather to join our voices with the choirs of angels. One: On this hopeful night, we gather to dream with Mary and Joseph. All: On this holy Christmas Eve, we gather to celebrate light that came to overpower the darkness. One: This is God’s story. All: This is our story. PROCESSIONAL HYMN Once in Royal David’s City IRBY Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for a bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. Jesus came to earth from heaven, who is God and Head of all, Sheltered in a rustic stable, cradled in a common stall; With the poor and meek and lowly lived on earth our Savior holy. We at last shall meet our Savior, fount of God’s redeeming grace, For that Child so dear and gentle reigns within a glorious place; Leading all God’s children on to the heaven where saints have gone. WELCOME ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING The Talbott Family HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELES 2

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant; O come ye; O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold him, born the King of angels! Refrain: O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him; O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! [Refrain] Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be all glory given; Word of our God, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain] PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. LITURGICAL SONG Away in a Manger AWAY IN A MANGER Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with you there. SERMON ON THE STEPS Rev. Laurel Capesius RESPONSE Good Christian Friends Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now give heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today; Ox and ass before him bow, asleep within the manger now. Christ is born today, Christ is born today! OFFERING/ANTHEM Who is This Boy Fahad Siadat RESPONSE What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES Bring gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh; come join in jubilation; The Holy Child, though meek and mild, has come with God’s salvation. This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering; Haste, haste your praise to bring the babe, the child of Mary! 3

DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Luke 2:1-5 1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. HYMN It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold; “Peace on the earth, good will to all, great news of joy we bring.” The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. SCRIPTURE Luke 2:6-9 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. HYMN In the Bleak Midwinter CRANHAM Choir: In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. ALL: Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the midnight air; But his mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I offer, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. 4

If I were a wise one, I would do my part; But what can I offer: all my heart. SCRIPTURE Luke 2:10-14 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” HYMN Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the Christ-child bring; Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled!” Joyful, all you saints arise, join the triumph of the skies; With the angel host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the Christ-child bring!” Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time the Savior comes, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh, the God-head see; hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased on earth with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the Christ-child bring!” Hail the Bearer of God’s peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness, Light and life our Savior brings, risen with radiant, healing wings. Mildly laying glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us all from earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the Christ-child bring!” SCRIPTURE Luke 2:15-20 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 5

HYMN Do You Hear What I Hear? Gloria Shayne SERMON Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz MUSICAL OFFERING O Holy Night Adolphe Adam Devon Guthrie, soprano SHARING OF THE LIGHT HYMN Silent Night, Holy Night STILLE NACHT Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night, Child of God, love’s pure light, Radiant beams from your holy face bring the dawn of redeeming grace; Jesus Christ at your birth, Jesus Christ at your birth. SCRIPTURE John 1:1-5 6

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. HYMN Joy to the World! (verse 1) ANTIOCH Joy to the world! The Lord is come: let earth its praises bring; Let every heart prepare Christ room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. BENEDICTION HYMN Joy to the World! (verses 2 & 3) ANTIOCH Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. Christ rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove The glories of God’s righteousness and wonders of God’s love, and wonders of God’s love, and wonders, wonders of God’s love. POSTLUDE Symphonie V: Toccata Widor, arr. Proulx Carey Robertson, organ Christine Moore, trumpet Dirk Silva, trumpet Christopher Rutt, French horn Gene Boutilier, tuba CARILLON PEAL 7

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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 Pastor Emeritus [email protected], x226 Rev. Dr. Homer “Butch” Henderson 9