December 24 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ December 24, 2020 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 Toccata on ‘Adeste Fidelis’ Hegarty CARILLON PEAL CHRISTMAS INTROIT Joy to the World Choral Bells CALL TO WORSHIP One: We gather on this night to tell our ancient, beloved story. All: It is a story of an unwed pregnant girl and an overcrowded inn. One: It is a story of a stable turned into a birthing rom, a group of lowly fieldworkers, and a mysterious heavenly visitor. All: It is a story of light that came to overpower the darkness. One: This is God’s story. All: This is our story. With song and light and the Word, let us celebrate this holy Christmas Eve together. WELCOME ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING Bryan Frame & Ralph Samudio OPENING HYMN O Come, All Ye Faithful CUCC Members 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: O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. The highest most holy, light of light eternal, born of a virgin, a mortal he comes; Son of the Father now in flesh appearing! 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 in the highest! O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord we greet thee, born this happy morning: Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, O Come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. SERMON ON THE STEPS OFFERING/ANTHEM Carol Fantasy arr. Alexander 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 a Midnight Clear Maritri Garrett 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, from heaven’s all-gracious king.” The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled, and still their heavenly music floats o’er all the weary world. Above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing; and ever o’er its babel sounds the blessed 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 The First Nowell Sean Gabel The first noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay: in fields where they lay, keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, noel, noel, noel! Born is the King of Israel. They looked up and saw a star shining in the east beyond them far; and to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night. Noel, noel, noel ,noel! Born is the King of Israel. 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 Madeline Reynolds Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn king; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Joyful all you nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels, “Glory to the newborn king!” Hail the heav’n-born Prince of peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise each child of earth, born to give us second birth, Hark! The herald angels, “Glory to the newborn king!” 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. HYMN Away in a Manger Trio Sol de Amores Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. (in Spanish) The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. 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 Home for the Holidays: Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Hey! Unto YOU a Child is Born! MUSICAL OFFERING O Holy Night Adame Devon Guthrie, soprano SHARING OF THE LIGHT HYMN Silent Night CUCC Members & Choral Bells 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 host sing, Alleluia! Christ the savior is born! Christ the savior is born! Silent night, Holy Night! Son of God, love’s pure light radiant beams from your holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at your birth, Jesus Lord at your birth. 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.

SCRIPTURE John 1:1-5 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 Alexandra Taylor Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing! Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks hills and plains repeat the sounding joy! He rules the world, with truth and grace and makes the nation prove the glories of his righteousness and wonder of his love. BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Carol Fantasia Young WAYS TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH: 1. Mail in your donation (233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711) 2. Contribute on our website: claremontucc.org 3. Text an amount to (909) 343-5901 4. Set up automatic giving through your bank Reflection Questions About Today's Worship * What was the most meaningful moment of worship for you today? * What is one new question or idea today's worship service inspired for you?

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 Children’s Music Director Ms. Sarah Shufeldt Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected] Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Office Manager [email protected] Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], Moderator (Council President) x222 Mr. Tad Creasey [email protected] Minister of Children, Youth, & Families Director of the Early Childhood Rev. DJ Severin Center [email protected], x227 Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226 Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected] Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected]