March 27 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, March 27, 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 Serenade for Organ Derek Bourgeois INTROIT Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN CALL TO WORSHIP One: Before time began, and after all time ends, All: Our God is present. One: In this time and place, with one another, All: Let us bring our whole selves to worship God. OPENING HYMN You Are My Refuge Faithful God MORNING SONG verses 1-3, 5 (see insert) WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION Perfect God, we confess that in our quest for perfection, we often miss the beauty of who we already are. We forget that you love us and created us in your image, and instead focus on what we are not and who we wish we were. Help us to shift our perspective away from this endless cycle of seeking, and instead turn inward for a deeper, more meaningful spiritual transformation. May we continue our Lenten journey to draw closer and closer to you. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: … The past is in the past, and we are forgiven for our sins and shortcomings. All: In Christ, we are a new creation. Amen. CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST COVENANT In response to God’s creating, redeeming, and sustaining love, we unite for the worship of God and the service of all. We seek to know the will of God and to walk in God’s ways made known in Jesus Christ; to love one another; to proclaim the Gospel to all the world; to work and pray for peace and justice; and to live in harmony with all creation. We trust the presence of

the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing and the promise of eternal life both now and for evermore. 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 Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/ANTHEM Walking ‘cross the Sea Pepper Choplin MUSICAL RESPONSE In Our God, We’ll Be Ever Thankful Taizé DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Matthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland (un)faithful: When Even Disciples Miss the Mark “He’s Already Walking Toward Us” HYMN Give to the Wind Thy Fears (see insert) FESTAL SONG verses 1-2, 4 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 Prayer for Ukraine Mykola Leontovich Chancel Choir BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Wait for the Lord (1x Choir, 2x ALL) Taizé

POSTLUDE Gothic Suite: Toccata Leon Boellmann Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer: David Moore ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s flowers on the altar are sponsored by Elaine Bumiller in memory of her mother, father, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 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]. THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of Zina Grishenko, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Clarisse Nakahama Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Kelly Anthe, friend of Sandy Fasano Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Jennifer Araujo, friend of Carolyn Barbera Corey Laponis, former CUCC sexton Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Embert Paul Madison, Jr., son of Marsha Madison Francesco Barbera & Family, CUCC member Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth The Barnum Family, CUCC attenders Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Priscilla Otto & her daughter, Perla Valenzeula, Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer CUCC attenders Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Jill Carol, CUCC member Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Amy Campbell, friend of Blair Aldworth Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, Maria Chave, friend of Silvia Young Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand CUCC member & her daughter Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg

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 Jenny Appleford, friend of Jane Droubay Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Mara Archambault, CUCC member Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Stacey Ballard Linda Murray, CUCC member Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Virginia Bergfalk Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel Charles Blickenstaff, brother of Judith Bayer’s Madeline Patane, CUCC member neighbor Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Laura Burt, CUCC member Whitney Relf Tracy Buss, friend of Blair Aldworth Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Xochitl Romero, neighbor of Judith Bayer Alice Chin, CUCC attender Margo Rouette, CUCC member Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Linda Cummings, CUCC member Bernadette Sarver, cousin of Judith Bayer Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Jay Sharp, CUCC member MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Delgadillo Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Ryan & Tammy Denny, friends of Missy McCormick Madison Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski RaeAnn Sines, friend of Linda Corbin Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Levi Entereso, CUCC member Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Meredith Flinn, daughter of Marsha Madison’s friend Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Nina Fursova, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Bea Gallegos, CUCC member Jason Tarshis, friend of Sandy Fasano Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Judy Hilgert, CUCC member Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson Sandi Walter, CUCC member Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Felicia Warner, family of Denise & Kenneth Johnson David Jamieson, CUCC member Shirley Washington, CUCC member Sarah Jones, mother of Carolyn Barbera Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Terri King, CUCC member Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Rosalie Logan, friend of Blair Aldworth Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Silvia Jan Marshall, CUCC member Giordano Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Leslie McLoughlin, extended family of Diana Miller Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero



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