July 31 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, July 31, 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 Nos. 1 & 2 from Three Liturgical Preludes George Oldroyd Susan Achuff, organ INTROIT Weather of the Soul FEELINGS CALL TO WORSHIP One: Our Loving Creator meets us here this morning, All: Filling our minds with holy wisdom and our hearts with a yearning for justice. One: Let us worship God with our whole selves. OPENING HYMN #325 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise STUTTGART WELCOME THE BAPTISM OF TAJ ROYAL EDSON COWAN One: In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he reminds us that we are all God’s beloved children through our faith. All: In baptism, we clothe ourselves with Christ. One: In baptism, we wash away the labels and categories that divide us. All: We are not defined by our ethnicity, status, or gender. Our identity lies in being the children of God. We are all one in Christ Jesus. CONFESSING OUR SINS Author of mercy, we confess that we often feel doubts arise in our minds. We wonder if our small acts of compassion make a dent in the world’s pain. We wonder if our single acts of kindness can really make a difference in the face of systemic oppression. We wonder if forgiving one person who has angered us can change our deeply divided society. We wonder if feeding one hungry person or helping one unsheltered individual matters when so many are in need of food and homes. Forgive us for forgetting that you are present in each of these holy moments, transforming us and transforming the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE One: … Now let us believe and renew our faith. All: 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 Asperges me Josef Gruber 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 1:27-31 (Inclusive Bible Translation) 27 Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them. 28 God blessed them, and God said, “Bear fruit, increase your numbers, and fill the earth—and be responsible for it! Watch over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things on earth! 29 God then told them, “ Look! I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the earth, and every tree whose fruit carries its seed in itself: they will be your food; 30 and to all the animals of the earth and the birds of the air and things that crawl on the ground—everything that has a living soul in it—I give all the green plants for food.” So it was. 31 God looked at all of this creation, and proclaimed that this was good—very good. Evening came, and morning followed—the sixth day.

Hebrews 13:16 (Inclusive Bible Translation) 16 Keep doing good works and sharing your resources. These are the sacrifices that please God. Luke 3:21-22 (Inclusive Bible Translation) 21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus also came to be baptized. And while Jesus was praying, the skies opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on the Anointed One in visible form, like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my Own, my Beloved. With you I am well pleased.” SERMON Today God is Feeling…Pleased Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland MUSIC Lullaby The Chicks Lacey Benter, soprano 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: Our Father/Mother/Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom/kin-dom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom/kin-dom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. MUSICAL REFLECTION Down to the River to Pray Traditional song BENEDICTION arr. Sheldon Curry CLOSING RESPONSE Sent Forth by God’s Blessing THE ASH GROVE

POSTLUDE Toccata giocosa Hans-Andre Stamm Susan Achuff, organ Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer, David Moore. ALTAR FLOWERS Today's flowers are sponsored by Gayle Sharp in celebration of those that serve as daughters and in honor of Elizabeth Zehm’s birthday. HYMN COMMENTARY \"Child of Blessing, Child of Promise\" Ronald Stephen Cole-Turner (b. 1948) used this text for the baptism of his daughter. It first appeared in the hymn supplement published by Pilgrim Press in 1980. Cole-Turner has been a professor of theology at Memphis Theological Seminary and at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Christian Witt (1660-1716) is believed to have composed this tune. GUEST ARTIST American opera singer Lacey Jo Benter has been lauded by the New York Times as having a \"rich, warm tone\" while bringing a \"broad emotional palette\" to the stage. Native to Cedar Rapids, Iowa she completed a two year residency at LA Opera with the Domingo-Colburn Stein Young Artist Program in 2016 where she debuted in the Grammy award winning production of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles. Also at LA Opera she sang “Clotilde” in Norma, “Kate Pinkerton” in Madame Butterfly, “Persephone” in Morganelli's Hercules vs Vampires and the Alto soloist in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. She received her Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance with a theater minor from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI before attending The Juilliard School where she received a Master's of Music in 2011 followed by an Artist Diploma of Opera Studies in 2014. While in school she performed such operatic roles as \"Madame de Croissy\"

from Poulenc's Les Dialogues des Carmélites, \"Ma Moss\" from Copland's The Tender Land, \"Zita\" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and \"Le Prince Charmant\" from Massenet's Cendrillon as well as musical theater pieces including \"Fraülein Schneider\" in Cabaret, \"Princess Puffer\" in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and multiple roles in Working the Musical. She has appeared with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, returning for several roles in Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland, which she reprised for her Barbican Hall debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has been conducted by musical master John Adams with the LA Phil in the multimedia performance of his Nixon in China and returned to the LA Phil in 2020 appearing in their exciting Weimar Nightfall production, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. She has performed regionally with Opera Omaha and Opera Columbus and in 2018 self- produced and performed The Wagner Project, a reworking of pieces by Wagner, fused together with icons of modern day music including Beyoncé and David Bowie. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF CLAREMONT UCC! You can donate by texting an amount to (909) 343-590 or scanning the QR code:

WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Daniel and Taryn Wellman: Dan and Taryn were recently married this past May! Taryn grew up in Texas and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and works for “Here Comes the Guide,” a wedding venue website. Dan works in the chemistry department at Pomona College. They are excited to be a part of UCC and the inclusive church community here. Sadie Otte: Sadie went to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and received her doctorate at the University of Minnesota. She now teaches chemistry at the Claremont Colleges. She has a four-year-old son named Ash and they love to read and watch movies together. Jenny Tyniec: Jenny is a native New Yorker and moved to Claremont just over 4 years ago after 8 years in rural New Hampshire. She has fallen in love with her job, the town, and this congregation, and feels like she has found her spiritual home here. She has 3 furkids, loves reading, kitting, hiking, the beach, and this glorious SoCal weather. She does NOT miss snow! Jennifer Culbert (not pictured): Jen is a 37-year-old mom of two boys who she loves with all her heart. She has worked as a registered nurse for the past 15 years and has been happily married for the last four.

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. Linda Yao [email protected] Director of the ECC Ms. Kristy Knight Pastor Emeritus [email protected], x226 Rev. Dr. Homer “Butch” Henderson