August 29 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, August 29, 2021 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 Aka tonbo (The Red Dragonfly) arr. Jones INTROIT Summer Choir WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We are not perfect, but we worship a perfect God. All: We are not perfect, but God works with and through our imperfections. One: We are not perfect, but we are full of grace. All: We are not perfect, but there is perfection in God’s holy plan of redemption. OPENING HYMN #28 For the Beauty of the Earth DIX PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of the Sacred Mundane, we confess that so often we become fixated on creating perfection in our lives that we miss the blessings of the imperfect reality all around us. For dismissing relationships, projects, plans, and even our own sense of self that does not measure up to our own impossible standards, forgive us. For not seeking and finding you in the midst of our flawed but beautiful lives, forgive us. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: …In the name of Christ, we are forgiven. All: Let us go out and demonstrate the grace we have received from God today. Amen. ANTHEM I’ve Got the Joy arr. Campbell Summer Choir & CUCC Singing Kids Michael Kelly, fiddle PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you.

LITURGICAL SONG Where Children Belong Ritchie (First time: Leader; Second time: ALL) BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/MUSIC Way of Love Gabriela Padilla, vocals Lorenzo Palma, guitar 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 Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” SERMON Wabi-Sabi: Martha & Mary Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland HYMN Canticle of the Turning STAR OF COUNTY DOWN My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? REFRAIN: My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn. From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone. Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne. The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn; there are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. (REFRAIN) Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.

This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. (REFRAIN) 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: Heavenly Mother, heavenly Father, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river through us, From each one to each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days, Come swiftly Mother, Father, come! For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy - Forever your name is All in One. (Parker Palmer) GUEST ARTIST Changes Gabriela Padilla, vocals Lorenzo Palma, guitar BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens HOLY MANNA God, who stretched the spangled heavens infinite in time and place, Flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space; We, your children, in your likeness, share inventive powers with you; Great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do. POSTLUDE Make God’s Praise Glorious arr. Jones

ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Art and Sandy Parker in honor of Dr. Carey Robertson for her 30 years of dedicated service as organist here at Claremont UCC, presenting numerous musical offerings which have enhanced our worship experience. HYMN COMMENTARY \"For the Beauty of the Earth\" Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917), an English poet, was inspired to write these words by the beauty of a spring day in his native town of Bath. Pierpoint graduated from Queens College, Cambridge. He served as headmaster at Somershire College, taught classics, and wrote a number of sacred poems. Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) wrote this melody as part of a chorale. Kocher intended to become a teacher but was influenced by the music of Haydn and Mozart to become a musician. He was a church organist for nearly 40 years. He founded a sacred choral music society. 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, friend of Martha Stephenson Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Richard Blair, nephew of Virginia Bergfalk Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Eric & David Sandberg, family of Ruth Sandberg Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Family of Robert Schreiber, friends of Carol Wiese Jill Carol, CUCC member Penny Smith & Family, friend of Dona Turk Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Paul Towne, family of Howard Towne CUCC member & her daughter Tran Family, friends of Ruth Sandberg Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Mark Watson, family of Roxanne Watson Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Victor Williams Family, friends of Linda Corbin Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Matt Alford, CUCC member Danielle Marquez, family of Carolyn Barbera Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Dean McCrumb, friend of Dorothy Wheat Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Catherine McIntosh, friend of Carol Wiese Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Wendy Mitchell, friend of Carol Wiese Virginia Bergfalk Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Sylvia Brougham, grandmother of Tasha Ferrell Diaz Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Stan Burwell, friend of Carol Wiese Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Tracy Buss, friend of Blair Aldworth Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Nate Neumeyer, friend of Blair Aldworth Sedra Canjo, daughter of Nadr Canjo Grace Newkirk, friend of Carol Wiese Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Alice Chin, CUCC attender Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Char Craft, friend of Sandy Fasano Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Linda Cummings, CUCC member Joseph Robinson, brother of John Robinson Frank & Phylis DeLeo, friends of Carol Wiese Margo Rouette, CUCC member Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Eileen Schmalle, friend of Anne Forburger Delgadillo Griffen Schreiber, friend of Francesco Barbera Dustin & Cristina Dickerson, family of Roxanne Jay Sharp, CUCC member Watson Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Paula DiMitri, family of Carolyn & Francesco Barbera Wayne E. Sims, R.N., brother of Marsha Madison Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Mickey & Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Tom Esposito, family of Evy Morales Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Esposito Family, cousin/family of Evy Morales Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Max & Kelsey Ferrell, Johnathan Diaz, Ana Alicia, Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Jose, Elias, & Ana Villaseñor, family of Tasha Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Ferrell Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member David Tortes, brother of Rebecca Tortes John George, son of Brenda Keith Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender VeBrad & Karen Visser, son & daughter in-law of Jim Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Visser Brenda & Michael Henry, CUCC member Dwight Vogel, friend of Jean Rosewall Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Sandi Walter, CUCC member David Jamieson, CUCC member Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Charlie Kalb, friend of Margaret Merhoff Rev. Anita White, UCC Pastor, friend of Jane Chuck Kelcher, friend of Carol Wiese Gibbons Faith King, daughter of Jeanne King Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Terri King, CUCC member Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Richard Kuchar, friend of David Moore Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Elaine Larson, friend of Dona Turk Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Diane, friend of Kay Brand Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Jennifer, daughter of Laura Burt Frank Malone, friend of Judith Bayer Marilyn, friend of Ruth Sandberg Jan Marshall, CUCC attender 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 Principal Organist Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Dr. Carey Robertson [email protected], x230 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Director of the Early Childhood Center Finance & Payroll Administrator Ms. Kristy Knight Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x226 [email protected], x225 Building Manager Office Manager Mr. Don Doughty Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], [email protected], x240 x222 Technology Director Minister of Children, Youth, & Mr. Jon Van Families [email protected] Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected] Technology Asisstant Mr. Josh Ngo Children, Youth, & Families [email protected] Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm ASL Interpreter [email protected] Ms. Jennifer Stephenson Junior High Youth Director Moderator (Council President) Ms. Zoe Estrada Ms. Rita Dixon [email protected] [email protected] Director of Music & Fine Arts Dr. Jonathan Campbell [email protected], x242