Feb 20 Bulletin & Stewardship Spotlight

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, February 20, 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 I’ll Fly Away Albert Brumley Orion Walsh INTROIT My Lord! What a Morning Spiritual CALL TO WORSHIP One: God gathers us here: All: where the hungry are fed, where the thirsty drink living water. One: Christ gathers us here: All: where the oppressed find justice, where the broken are cradled in God's love. One: The Holy Spirit gathers us here: where the naked are clothed in robes of hope; where the stranger is embraced. OPENING HYMN #306 The Church of Christ, in Every Age WAREHAM WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION God Who Offers Us Grace, Some days we are full of energy and joy, while other days we are tired, hopeless, and bitter. On those days, we feel like we have depleted our supply of imagination and peace. Forgive us, Creator, when we forget that You are the source of all energy, life, and abundance. Remind us once again that You are making all things new, including us. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: … As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us. We are forgiven. All: Let us accept God’s gift of grace and be renewed! Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

CHILDREN’S WELCOME SONG This Little Light THIS JOY This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. SERMON ON THE STEPS Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland OFFERING/ANTHEM There is a Balm in Gilead Spiritual arr. William L. Dawson 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 James 5:13-16 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Matthew 25:34-40 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or

naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ SERMON Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Havin’ Church: Old Time Religion for Today’s Church Caring for the Sick HYMN #533 Children of God (verses 1-3) WELWYN 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… 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 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Spiritual Orion Walsh BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Lord, Make Me More Holy Spiritual

POSTLUDE Every Time I Feel the Spirit Spiritual, arr. Richard Elliott Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer: David Moore ALTAR FLOWERS Today's flowers are given by Man Dy and dedicated to his mother, Hearty Dy, in celebration of her birthday on February 14. May the Lord our God bless her with more years to her life and more life to her years! HYMN COMMENTARY The Church of Christ, in Every Age Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) wrote this text at the request of the committee compiling \"Hymns and Songs,\" a British Methodist collection. Green, the leader of the twentieth century \"hymn explosion\" in England, enjoyed many opportunities to contribute hymns for special occasions. William Knapp (1698-1768) composed this tune. It is the only one of his compositions to endure. GUEST ARTIST After a decade of putting out albums and touring, Nebraskan singer-songwriter Orion Walsh has released “So Many Places to See” with folk/roots label Sower Records. Brimming with vivid storytelling, this is truly a mature step forward for this well-traveled troubadour. Walsh has previously released seven albums with independent labels Sower Records & Indie Vision Music, including “The Hitchhiker’s Son” produced by AJ Mogis (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk). Walsh has been touring for over a decade and has performed over 1,000 concerts all over the United States as well as multiple tours to Europe both as a solo artist and

with his band. Several of his songs have been used on television and independent films in the past, including “Skins” (UK), “Pawn Stars”, “NY Ink” (TLC), “What Not to Wear”, & “America’s Next Top Model” of international fame. Expect to see more from this free-spirited traveler and songwriter in the years to come. 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: Donna Thurston, step-mother of Wayne Thurston THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Clarisse Nakahama Corey Laponis, former CUCC sexton Jennifer Araujo, friend of Carolyn Barbera Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Francesco Barbera & Family, CUCC member 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 Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima CUCC member & her daughter Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Blair Aldworth, CUCC member Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Charles Blickenstaff, brother of Judith Bayer’s Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios neighbor Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Mara Archambault, CUCC member Laura Burt, CUCC member Stacey Ballard Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Alice Chin, CUCC attender Virginia Bergfalk Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano

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

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

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98: 4-6 The Joyful Noise We worship every Sunday with music as Christians have done from the very beginning. Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testa- ment have many references to singing, music and dance, and music is an integral part of almost every worship experience. Jesus and the apostles sing at the last supper in both Matthew and Mark, and Paul instructs us in Colossians 3 as follows: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (…), as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” It was a stroke of luck that brought Music Directors Alexandra Grabarchuk and David Rentz to us last fall after former Director Jonathan Campbell left for Minnesota. Alex had been a section leader in the Chancel Choir under Jonathan. Although she and David had, and contin- ue to have, many other professional responsibilities, they threw their hats in the ring as pro- spective Co-Directors during the search for Jonathan’s successor. They took on their posi- tions in October. Alexandra and David both have amazing ranges of experience as musicians and educators. Alex, who was born in Simferopol, in Crimea in Ukraine, studied linguistics and music histo- ry at UCLA and earned a Ph.D. in musicology at UCLA in 2015. She is an experienced con- ductor, performer and scholar of music from early periods to contemporary and has held teaching positions at UCLA, Chapman University, and Earlham College. She is now Assistant Professor of Music at Whittier College. You’ll want to check out her article on “Progressive Rock in the Soviet 1970s” in the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Progressive Rock.

David, originally from Beloit, Wisconsin, studied music at Washington University in St. Lou- is and earned advanced degrees in choral conducting at the University of Wisconsin and Yale. He has taught at Scripps and Pomona Colleges and has conducted for a wide variety of choral, orchestral and chamber groups in California and elsewhere. He is currently Professor of Music at Chaffey College, where he runs the choral program, and Adjunct Professor of Music at Claremont Graduate University, where he supervises the choral, orchestral and band conducting students. Alex and David’s vision for music at Claremont UCC is to maintain a program of the highest quality while continuing to bring us the great variety of musical ex- pression that reflects the mosaic of social, intellectual and spiritual experience we en- counter in life. The music program each Sunday is carefully coordinated with the messages Pastors Jennifer and Jacob bring us in their sermons and prayers. More gen- erally, the program is designed to complement the seasons of the year. Their program also creates opportunities for members of the congregation to participate in worship through music. The Chancel Choir is a mainstay of the worship service, of course, and is joined on occasion by the Choral Bells, who also perform in other locations around Southern California. Beyond these two “traditional” ensembles, Alex and David are expand- ing opportunities for congregation members to perform as guest artists: pianist-composers, singer-guitarists, brass ensembles, bands, Scout combos and much more. They also hope to produce larger one-off events in collaboration with the Children’s Ministry, including an Easter Pageant in collaboration with Pastor Laurel and the Children’s Ministry. The presence of these joyful sounds depends on the financial support we provide by pledging and giving to the church. We get so much in return.