August 28 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, August 28, 2022 10:00 am Welcome home! Regardless of your age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, abilities, or faith background, we are glad you’re worshiping with us today. You belong here.

A CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP CLAREMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PRELUDE Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 J.S. Bach Dr. Carey Robertson, organ INTROIT Octavia’s Parable CHANGE CALL TO WORSHIP One: Come, you who need to be inspired. All: The Creator meets us here. One: Come, you who need to be renewed. All: The Redeemer meets us here. One: Come, you who need a word of comfort. All: The Spirit meets us here. OPENING HYMN This Little Light THIS JOY This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine! (3x) Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! All around the neighborhood, I’m gonna let it shine! (3x) Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine! (3x) Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine! WELCOME BAPTISM OF JOE AIDEN LINCOD One Matthew’s Gospel ends with the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples in Galilee and calling them to go forth and baptize others in his name. He ends this call with his promise to “Be with us always, to the end of the age.” All: In baptism, we acknowledge God’s grace in each of our lives, a grace that is present before we are even aware of it. One: In baptism, we welcome new souls into the body of Christ. All: In baptism, we are reminded of our Creator’s ongoing presence and guidance in our lives from our first breath to our last. CONFESSING OUR SINS

God Who Shines, We confess that there are areas of our lives that need a spotlight shined on them to reveal ugly truths. We hide them away in the dark, hoping no one will notice and we can pretend that all is well even when it is not. But if we are to be your light in the world, Holy One, we first need your holy illumination to expose the pain within our own hearts. For bottling up our true feelings until they burst out in unhealthy ways, for ignoring our neighbors near and far, for manipulating others, for turning a blind eye to the ways in which we participate in systems of violence and harm, for calling ourselves peacemakers but failing to take action against those who wield weapons, for remaining silent and complicit when we have the opportunity to speak up and protect the most vulnerable, forgive us, Radiant God. For seeing your light but refusing to walk in it, forgive us, Radiant God. Amen. RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE One: … Jesus lived and died and lives again so that we might overcome everything that threatens abundant life. All: In Christ, we are a new creation. 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 worshiping throng. Water, God’s Word, bread and cup, prayer and song: This is where children belong. BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS Rev. Laurel Capesius (Litany written by Rev. Jo Nygard Owens, adapted by Rev. Laurel Capesius.) One: In the morning when I wake to ready myself for learning, All: God, be the light that guides my day. One: As I make my way to school by car, bus, bike, wheelchair, or feet, All: God, be the light that shines the way. One: At the greeting of teachers, friends, administrators, and staff, All: God, be the light they see in my eyes. One: On the playground at recess, or at the stop for the bus, All: God, shine through me like the sun so bright.

One: If I see a new face in the school building this year, All: God, help me give light and love to each new friend. One: When I feel overwhelmed, or sad, or scared, All: God, remind me that your light can never be dimmed. One: With the dawn of each new day comes the chance to start anew, All: God, help me to be fully me, in all the ways that I can be. One: When I go to sleep at night, thankful for another day of learning, All: God, give me rest beneath your stars of night, surrounded by your love, peace, and light. OFFERING/ANTHEM Light in the Hallway Pentatonix, arr. Jacob Narverud 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 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Mark 4:21-25 21 He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket or under the bed and not on the lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23 If you have ears to hear, then hear!” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and it will be added to you. 25 For to those who have, more will be given, and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”

SERMON Parables: Jesus the Storyteller Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz “The Parable of the Lamp” MUSICAL REFLECTION He Knows My Name Tommy Walker Anthony Lauro, guitar arr. Yiruma/Lauro 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: … Together, we offer our prayers to you with the words you teach us, saying together, 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. MUSICAL REFLECTION À Chloris Reynaldo Hahn Anthony Lauro, bass-baritone BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Wonderful Words of Life WORDS OF LIFE

POSTLUDE Praeludium in A Minor. BWV 543 J.S. Bach Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer, David Moore. ALTAR FLOWERS Today's flowers are dedicated to Aiden D. Lincod from Man Dy, to celebrate his new life. May he be close to God in his life's journey. May the Lord our Creator shower him with great health, blessings in both personal life and work/career, and a lighted path growing up. GUEST ARTIST Anthony Lauro is a singer and guitarist who loves making music and enjoys helping others to do the same. He is currently bass section leader at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Covina, but he is thrilled to be visiting here for the last few weeks of summer! He recently graduated from the University of Redlands School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance, and he is continuing his studies there with plans to pursue a master’s degree in vocal chamber music. He aspires to sing and travel the world with professional choirs and/or vocal chamber ensembles. When he is not doing music, Anthony enjoys cooking with his family, origami, and solving Rubik’s cubes as fast as possible. He hopes you enjoy all of today’s music! COMPOSER NOTE South Korean composer/pianist/DJ Yiruma (Lee Ru-Ma) began studying the piano at age 5 and, in 1988, at the age of 11, moved to England to study at the Purcell School for Young Musicians. He continued to study music in England through university level, completing a degree in composition at King's College London in 2000 and releasing his first album the same year. He has gone on to release six more studio albums and compose soundtracks for musicals, films and theater.

UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP EVENTS • Connect (20’s-40’s) Join Connect on Sunday, September 18 from 4:00-6:00 pm for \"The Happiest Hour\" on the outdoor patio at Casa 425 for bites, sips, and conversation. Questions? Contact Pastor Jen or Pastor Jacob. • The Gap (40’s-50’s) Join the GAP at Claremont Craft Ales on Sunday, September 11 from 3:00- 5:00 pm. (1420 N. Claremont Blvd. # 204c, Claremont) You may bring your own food in. We’ll bring a snack to share! Kids and dogs are welcome to this “warehouse -chic brewpub” with housemade beers! Please note the venue is well ventilated indoors and there is outdoor seating as well. Questions? Email Annie at [email protected]. • Voyagers (50’s-70’s) Save the date of Saturday, September 24 for our annual activity at the Jones’ residence. We've had to take a few years off due to COVID, but we're READY TO RUMBLE! More information to come... • S4 (70+) Second Sunday Senior Society will meet at Claremont Manor at 12:00 noon on Sunday, September 11 for a cheese and fruit lunch and celebration of Grandparents Day. Attendees are asked to bring their favorite cheese and fruit. Crisp bread/crackers, gelato, and beverages will be provided. We will also share Grandparent/family stories. Please RSVP to Ruby Beilby ([email protected]) or Mary Jane Merrill ([email protected]). • Another Voice (LGBTQ+ Individuals & Allies) Join Another Voice for an upcoming ice cream social! Details TBD! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF CLAREMONT UCC! You can donate by texting an amount to (909) 343-590 or scanning the QR code:

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], x104 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland Dr. David Rentz [email protected], x105 [email protected] Finance & Payroll Administrator Principal Organist Ms. Jocelyn Bocking Dr. Carey Robertson [email protected], x102 [email protected] Office Manager Building Manager Ms. Jasmine Tomita Mr. Adam Thomas [email protected], [email protected], x100 x103 Minister of Children, Youth, & Technology Director Families Mr. Jon Van Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected], x106 [email protected], x107 ASL Interpreter Children, Youth, & Families Ms. Jennifer Stephenson Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm Moderator (Council President) [email protected] Ms. Linda Yao [email protected] Junior High Youth Director Ms. Zoe Estrada Pastor Emeritus [email protected] Rev. Dr. Homer “Butch” Henderson Director of the ECC Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x101