April 3 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, April 3, 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 Cello Suite No. 3, in C Major, Prelude J.S. Bach Eiline Tai, cello INTROIT Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN CALL TO WORSHIP One: Let us drop the things of the past which weighed us down! All: God is about to do something new in our lives! One: Break open our hearts this morning to hear Your word, O God. All: We are here to worship, praise, pray, and listen for Your Spirit. OPENING HYMN #359 O God, Who Teaches Us to Live ST. ANNE WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION Redeeming God, we confess that we do not always understand Your ways. We are easily discouraged when life takes unexpected turns and our carefully laid plans and dreams come to nothing. We are quick to give up when things get difficult, and quick to question Your presence and Your power. We easily lose the curiosity and creativity You grant us as children. Forgive, us, and restore us once again. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …God has forgiven you and offered to you God’s healing love. All: We accept this free gift, given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 Unless You Learn Marty Haugen Chancel Choir & the children of CUCC MUSICAL RESPONSE In Our God, We’ll Be Ever Thankful Taizé DEDICATION SCRIPTURE John 4:7-11, 27-30 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?

27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you want?” or, “Why are you speaking with her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 30 They left the city and were on their way to him. Matthew 26:6-13 6 Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Luke 9:49-50 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.” Mark 10:13-16 13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz (un)faithful: When Even Disciples Miss the Mark “They’re Not One of Us” HYMN #489 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say EVAN 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: …we proclaim the mystery of our faith: 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 these things using the words you teach us, saying together, All: Great Giver, in whom heaven is found, holy is Your name. May Your commonwealth of peace and freedom flourish on earth. Give us this day bread for our journey, and make us hungry to see the whole world nourished. Forgive us and help us forgive one another. Strengthen us for the challenges that lie ahead. Let us hear Your prophets, and deliver us from our privilege. For Your love is the only power, the only home, the only honor we need, in this world and in the world to come. Amen. GUEST ARTIST Cello Suite No. 3, in C Major, Gigue J.S. Bach Eiline Tai, cello BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Wait for the Lord (1x Choir, 2x ALL) Taizé POSTLUDE Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625 J.S. Bach

GUEST ORGANIST Susan Achuff Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer: David Moore ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s flowers on the altar are given by Art and Sandy Parker in honor of the people of Ukraine who are suffering so much in so many ways. Blue and yellow are the colors of their flag and their national flower is the sunflower. GUEST ARTIST Eiline Tai was born in California and began her musical studies on cello and piano at the age of five. She currently studies with Ms. Sarah Koo at the Colburn School. She has won awards and recognition from the WorldVission Music Contest, the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, the Gustav Mahler Prize Cello Competition, the France Music Competition 2020, the Edith Knox Performance Competition, the Southern California Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, the International Classical Competition, the Los Angeles Violoncello Society, and many others. Eiline has given numerous public performances nationally and internationally, making her first appearance as a soloist with Southern California Philharmonic at the age of ten. She was selected as a finalist for NPR’s From The Top at age eleven, and also featured at the radio Laguna Beach FM at twelve. Eiline will be featured by the Southern California Philharmonic and Bellflower Symphony Orchestra in 2022 and has also been invited to attend the XI Tchaikovsky International Competition for Youth Musicians later this year.

HYMN COMMENTARY \"O God, Who Teaches Us to Live\" Thomas M. Hunter (1946-2008) created this hymn text to honor teachers, those in both Sunday School and secular schools. He was ordained as a UCC minister in 1972. William Croft (1672-1727) is believed to have written this tune. Croft was one of the outstanding organists and composers of the 18th century. He composed the earliest examples of the English psalm tune, which have endured for nearly three centuries. 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]. OUR NEWEST SAINT: Steve Arch, CUCC member THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson Zina Grishenko, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Clarisse Nakahama Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Kelly Anthe, friend of Sandy Fasano Corey Laponis, former CUCC sexton Jennifer Araujo, friend of Carolyn Barbera Embert Paul Madison, Jr., son of Marsha Madison Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Francesco Barbera & Family, CUCC member Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member The Barnum Family, CUCC attenders Priscilla Otto & her daughter, Perla Valenzeula, Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, CUCC attenders Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Jill Carol, CUCC member Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Amy Campbell, friend of Blair Aldworth Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Maria Chave, friend of Silvia Young Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg CUCC member & her daughter Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison

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 Daniel Graham, friend of Gayle Sharp Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Judy Hilgert, CUCC member 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

WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! John and Mary Ann Lape: John and Mary Ann are currently retired, but Mary Ann worked in religious education and then as a public-school reading specialist while John was an engineer. They feel that Claremont UCC and the United Church of Christ denomination try to reflect how Christianity should be lived out in our world and they want to be part of implementing that vision. Kevin and Robyn Dettmar: Kevin and Robyn have been married for 40 years and have lived in Ireland, South Carolina, and Illinois (because Robyn is willing to follow Kevin anywhere), but in 2008 they came back to California where it all started. They have four adult children, 3 of whom are distant (in Missouri, Connecticut, and New York), and their 32-year-old son, Six, lives with them. They also have four grandsons. Kevin is an English professor at Pomona College and Robyn is a PA and teaches in a PA program in Orange County. They both love hiking and travelling. Patrick and Tobey Leier: Patrick and Tobey have been married for 43 years and are the parents of two daughters and five grandchildren. Tobey moved to California from Canada and Tobey came by car with her family from Maine when she was 3 weeks old. Patrick is an educational consultant and has worked in education for the past 50 years, including as a former Superintendent of Schools and as Chief Business Official. He loves sports and travelling. Tobey was the Office Manager at Condit for the last 20 years and now does photography.

Kellie and Shannon Brown: Kellie is a mom of twin boys and works as a marriage and family therapist. She grew up on a farm in Montana in a conservative Christian home and loves the way Claremont UCC defines the love of Jesus. Shannon is a leader of an anti-sex-trafficking nonprofit and a consultant to ministries working around the world. He is simultaneously faithful and skeptical and loves conversations with people asking deep questions. He is the father of 5, stepdad to 2, in love with his wife, and profoundly grateful to have found CUCC. Yasaman Morady: Yasi has a Masters in Economics and is working now as a data analyst. She enjoys reading and watching sports in her free time. Auri Farley and Jakob Puestow: Aurianna has been singing in the Claremont UCC choir since October of '21 and has been overwhelmed by the presence of love and joy in this church. Jake and Auri just got engaged last week and are so excited to celebrate by making their membership official. Janet Stevenson: Janet is a retired teacher who enjoys gardening, knitting, and reading. She also raises and shows Arabian horses.



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