October 31 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, October 31, 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 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Hans Zimmer Susan Achuff, organ Chris Rutt, percussion INTROIT Halloween Surprise… WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: The road of faith has been paved for us by many saints! All: May we follow in their footsteps, feeding the poor in body or spirit, and comforting the grieving. One: May we continue their work of encouraging those in crisis, affirming those who work for peace and justice, and supporting those in recovery. All: May we join them in worshiping our loving, still-speaking God. OPENING HYMN #295 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God GRAND ISLE PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of eternal faithfulness, we confess our messiness. We are a mix of beauty and brokenness, blessing and burden, trust and doubt, love and fear. We ask that You take our fragmented lives and shape us into disciples of devotion, service, and love. Amen. ASSURANCE One: Friends, in Christ, we are renewed and redeemed. All: Let us receive God’s mercy and live full of abundant joy! Amen. GUEST ARTIST A Million Souls Meredith Andrews Leah Ashton, voice 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 Witness Spiritual, arr. Victor C. Johnson 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 Hebrews 12:1-3 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. SERMON Ghost Stories: The Spookiest Scriptures Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz The Saints Among Us HYMN #299 For All the Saints (verses 1-4) SINE NOMINE REMEMBERING OUR SAINTS 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 prayers using the words Jesus teaches 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 MUSIC Almost Home Matt Papa & Matt Boswell Leah Ashton, voice BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE A Mighty Fortress is Our God EIN’ FESTE BURG A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing, Our present help amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe With craft and power great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth without an equal. And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God has willed the truth to triumph through us. The powers of evil grim, we tremble not for them; Their rage we can endure, for lo, their doom is sure: One little word shall fell them. POSTLUDE Interstellar: No Time for Caution Hans Zimmer Susan Achuff, piano Carey Robertson, organ Chris Rutt, percussion

ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Pastors Jen and Jacob in honor of our heavenly saints and in celebration of the saints to come. GUEST ARTIST Leah Ashton is an LA based singer/songwriter/performer with Midwestern roots. Influenced by the likes of Carole King, Sara Bareilles, Lauryn Hill, and Lake Street Dive, her music infuses vintage singer-songwriter vibes with lots of soul and the occasional sprinkle of jazz and blues. Leah has been part of the music industry in Los Angeles for the past decade, working as a studio session vocalist, performing on stages such as the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford Amphitheater, the Troubadour, and the Dolby Theater, and making the occasional TV appearance on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, House of Lies, and Good Day LA. IG & FB: @leahashtonmusic, website: www.leahashton.com 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 Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Richard Blair, nephew of Virginia Bergfalk 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 Children, Family, & Friends of Irene Santibanez, Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender friend of Merritt Verrill 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 Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Virginia Bergfalk Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Madeline Patene, CUCC member Sedra Canjo, daughter of Nadr Canjo Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Alice Chin, CUCC attender Whitney Relf Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Cassie Richardson, stepsister of Sandy Gabel Barbara Coates, CUCC member Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Jean Rosewall, CUCC member Corbin Margo Rouette, CUCC member Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Linda Cummings, CUCC member Jay Sharp, CUCC member Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Delgadillo Madison Tom Dixon, brother of Jerry Dixon 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 Mickey & Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Levi Entereso, CUCC member Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Pam & Rev. Frank Hamilton, friends of Charles & Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Merritt Verrill Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Dixie Hegg, mother of Wendy Anson Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Sandi Walter, CUCC member David Jamieson, CUCC member Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Terri King, CUCC member Rev. Anita White, UCC Pastor, friend of Jane Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Gibbons Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Elaine & Ed Larson, friends of Dona Turk Bill & Carol Wiese, CUCC members Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Bob Lominska, brother of Susan Lominska Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Frank Malone, friend 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 Siliva 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 Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse

Honoring Our Saints Sonja Barsch Linda Kay Hook Bob Bongiorno Byron Light Rick Brown Marianne Gatto McCann Bill Cadwallader Elsie Maldonado Dolores Clem Nicholas Manjarrez Vinny DaMico Aunt Marilyn Malcolm Davis Christopher Kettie Roseberry Dodge Chuck McGilvray Dorothy Bishop Dodge Lola Padan Richard Bishop Dodge William Roseberry Dodge Sr. James “Jim” Penn Juanita Quezada Ray Duran Barbara Fenneman Helen Rae JoAnn Renning John Frank Polly Gates Bea Rose Frank Glavan Tony Sciarrotta Janet Harter Deann Sherlock Matthew Ryan Hatfield Paul Max Stephenson Morris Lee Hegg Dennis Sullivan Sean Christopher Heidman Sarah Grace Trafton Divina Himaya Scott Verrill John Ward Louie Wies

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 [email protected], x226