December 20 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, December 20, 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 Willie, Take Your Little Drum Biery INTROIT I Believe in the Sun Miller WELCOME ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING Chapman-Lape Family CALL TO WORSHIP One: People of God, let us not look to weapons and walls for safety. All: Instead, let us find peace in the newborn Christ child. One: Let us not seek freedom at the expense of your neighbors. All: Instead, let us love the strangers we encounter. One: Let us not place our trust in politicians. All: Instead, let us open our hearts to the prophets. One: Let us not look to the empire for hope. All: Instead, let us journey to the stable. OPENING HYMN Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA Angels we have heard on high, singing sweetly through the night, And the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight. Glo-ria in excelsis Deo, Glo-ria in excelsis Deo. Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing. Come, adore on blended knee Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Glo-ria in excelsis Deo, Glo-ria in excelsis Deo. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. OFFERING/ANTHEM Go Tell It On the Mountain arr. Harbold

DEDICATION JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM PAGEANT Intro: Characters An Angel Appears to Mary Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem SONG: O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth An Angel Appears to the Shepherds The Shepherds Travel to Bethlehem SONG: Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hark the herald angels sing \"Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled” Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: \"Christ is born in Bethlehem”

Hark! The herald angels sing \"Glory to the newborn King!” The Three Wise People Follow a Star They Present Gifts to Jesus SONG: Silent Night 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 hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia! Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born! HYMN Joy to the World ANTIOCH Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive its king; let ev’ry heart prepare him room, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n 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, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,

and wonders, wonders of his love. SERMON Home for the Holidays: Family Stories Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz 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. CHORAL BELLS O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS 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 Noel Toccata 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]