January 16 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, January 16, 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 Three Little Birds Bob Marley Alexandra Taylor, soprano CALL TO WORSHIP One: God of love, when we feel like the mountains of life are too high to climb, All: Lift us up. One: God of peace, when we feel like the valleys of life are too low to descend, All: Walk with us. One: God of truth, when we struggle to perceive your presence in our lives, All: Speak to us. CHORAL WELCOME Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New CALKIN WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Strength, we confess that we are quick to lose faith when life’s challenges present themselves to us. We lose heart. We lose our vision. We give up on our dreams. Send your Holy Spirit once more to infuse us with courage and fortitude to meet the hardships we face with grace and perseverance. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: …For our failures, we are forgiven. Let the Spirit guide us forward. All: Alleluia! 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 Mayi-a gaye Trad. Haiti arr. Boukman Eksperyans 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 Matthew 6:25-34 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. SERMON Wisdom From Around the World: Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland “Beyond the Mountains, More Mountains”—A Haitian Proverb HYMN The Mountain Song CARSON Chancel Choir Section Leaders

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 using the words Jesus teaches us, saying… 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 Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas Andrew Dorsey Alexandra Taylor, soprano BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You: Peter C. Lutkin Farewell Anthem with Sevenfold Amen Chancel Choir Section Leaders POSTLUDE Gigue Fugue J.S. Bach ALTAR FLOWERS Today's altar flowers are given by Man Dy in celebration and thanksgiving of God's wisdom, gifted to the world.

MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Tina Wright-Ervin and Oliva Wright: Tina and Oliva are joined at church by the matriarch of their family, Rosalie Wright (Tina’s mom and Olivia’s grandmother), along with Tina’s husband, Daniel Ervin. The family loves animals and has 2 cats, 2 dogs, 2 goats, and 1 pig. They love the arts and music and can often be found taking in a concert or a play. Audrey Thomas Mcnabb: Audrey feels blessed beyond belief to have five great children who share her values. She has ridden the mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and stood on the Great Wall of China and had a satisfying professional life as LA County Librarian. She believes she has had a great life beyond her wildest dreams. The Park Family: Suk and Eleanor Park are the proud parents of three boys and they have lived in Rancho Cucamonga for the past 20 years. Suk is a family physician and medical director of Kaiser Hesperia Medical Center. He is also an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 699 and loves camping and hiking. He and their oldest son completed the 80-mile Philmont backpacking trip this past summer and they look forward to taking the entire family to the trek in 2023. Ellie is a retired scientist and she enjoys yoga, hiking, reading all kinds of fiction books and science and technology articles, and walking her 2 rescue dogs. She is really happy to have found a very compassionate, creative, inclusive church home in CUCC that embodies the spirit of Christ’s inclusivity and love for humanity. She willingly accepts delicious chocolate food bribes.

Luke Park is a sophomore at Damien high school, who enjoys youth group at CUCC, debate, tennis, jogging around his neighborhood, and anything related to camping and the outdoors. Maddox Park is the older twin in the household, who enjoys his guitar, playing tennis, and recently completed his Eagle Project in our boy scout troop. He cooks a mean steak and is the talented self-taught chef of the family. Brandon Park is the younger twin, who enjoys basketball, tennis, and staying active. He recently completed his Eagle Project and looks forward to finishing up his last year of junior high. Brandon is so talented with his engineering skills, he can literally fix things around the house just by taking them apart and then back together again. Both twins have enjoyed CUCC’s youth group experience and thank Zoe and Pastor Laurel and for making them feel welcome. 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]. THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Clarisse Nakahama Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member 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 Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano Jill Carol, CUCC member Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand CUCC member & her daughter Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Stacey Ballard Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera 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 Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Whitney Relf Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Alice Chin, CUCC attender Xochitl Romero, neighbor of Judith Bayer Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Margo Rouette, CUCC member Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Corbin Bernadette Sarver, cousin of Judith Bayer Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Jay Sharp, CUCC member Linda Cummings, CUCC member Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Madison Delgadillo Nancy Skidmore, cousin of Judith Bayer Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Levi Entereso, CUCC member Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Jennalee Thurston, mother of Wayne Thurston Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger David Jamieson, CUCC member Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Sarah Jones, mother of Carolyn Barbera Sandi Walter, CUCC member Terri King, CUCC member Shirley Washington, CUCC member Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Jim Marino, brother of Joe Marino Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Silvia Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Giordano Joseph Mikesell, nephew of Sandy Gabel Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Scarlet, granddaughter of Judith Bayer Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member 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