December 27 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, December 27, 2020 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 In dulci jubilo Held INTROIT What Cheer? Good Cheer! Warlock WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We gather wondering, ‘where can we find the Christ child born in Bethlehem?’ All: We will find Christ in the laughter of children and the wisdom of seniors. One: We gather asking, 'where will we find the God of Christmas?' All: We will find Christ where the oppressed are offered liberation and the captive are set free. One: We gather wanting to know, 'where will we find the Light of the World?' All: We will find Christ’s Light wherever fear is transformed by grace, where hatred is transformed by love, and where all people are transformed by joy. OPENING HYMN Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming ES IST EIN ROS Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse's lineage coming As men of old have sung. It came, a flower bright, Amid the cold of winter When half-gone was the night. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind: With Mary we behold it, The virgin mother kind. To show God's love aright She bore to men a Savior When half-gone was the night. This Flower, whose fragrance tender With sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness everywhere.

True man, yet very God, From sin and death He saves us And lightens every load CHRISTMASTIDE PRAYER Everlasting God, this is the season for light entering into the darkness, and so today we ask for your light to shine all the brighter where it is most needed. Where there is sorrow, we pray for your grace to light the darkness. Where is despair, we pray for your hope to light the darkness. Where there is hatred, we pray for your forgiveness to light the darkness. Where there is war, we pray for your love to light the darkness. Where there is frustration, we pray for your joy to light the darkness. Where there is injustice, we pray for your courage to light the darkness. Where there is fear, we pray for your peace to light the darkness. In all of our shadowy corners, both within and without, we invite your Holy light to shine. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. SERMON ON THE STEPS OFFERING/MUSIC ‘Prelude’ from Well-Tempered Clavier J.S. Bach Ramon Cardenas DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1-12 2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. SERMON Epiphany: More Than a Bright Idea Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz “Epiphania” ANTHEM Winter Creeps, Nature Sleeps Campbell PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …We pray, 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. GUEST ARTIST ‘Fugue’ from Well-Tempered Clavier J.S. Bach Ramon Cardenas BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Good Christian Friends, Rejoice IN DULCI JUBILO Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all to gain the everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save! POSTLUDE Fantasia on ‘In dulci jubilo’ Bach

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]