December 26 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, December 26, 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 Go Tell It On the Mountain Frank Kaman Susan Achuff, organ CALL TO WORSHIP One: God’s Word became flesh and walked among us! All: It is a Word of grace, a Word of hope and life. One: It is a Word full of grace and truth. All: This Word, like no other word, came to us and continues to dwell among us. OPENING HYMN #133 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS (verses 1-2) WELCOME PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of light and life, Our prayer this week is anything but simple: let us see the good in one another, let us live as if peace is possible, let us choose joy even in moments of hardship, and let us trust the power of love. This is our hope, a hope that we receive from You once again. Amen. ASSURANCE One: A Savior has been born unto us, to heal us and teach us how to love God, one another, and ourselves. Our sins are forgiven. All: The God who promised never to leave us has come to us in as a child full of promises. Our hope is renewed! Thanks be to God. 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 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day Johnny Marks Devon Guthrie, soprano RESPONSE What Child Is This GREENSLEEVES Bring gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh; come join in jubilation; The Holy Child, though meek and mild, has come with God’s salvation. This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering; Haste, haste your praise to bring the babe, the child of Mary! DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1, 9-11 2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland & Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz HYMN #131 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear CAROL (verses 1-2, 4) 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 things using the words you teach 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 ARTIST Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Ralph Blane & Devon Guthrie, soprano Hugh Martin BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE We Three Kings (refrain) KINGS OF ORIENT O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light POSTLUDE O Come, All Ye Faithful Lloyd Larson Susan Achuff, organ

GUEST ARTIST A Claremont native, Devon Guthrie is a Grammy-nominated singer specializing in opera, musical theater, and American folk music. Educated at Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School, Ms. Guthrie has been enjoying an international career spanning repertoire from the early baroque era to world premier works with living composers. Ms. Guthrie is also a graduate of the CUCC preschool. (Class of 1991!) For more information, teaching availability, and upcoming performance announcements, please visit: www.devonguthrie.com | Instagram: @Devon_Guthrie HYMN COMMENTARY “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming\" #127 This hymn was in use at least by the time of Martin Luther. The earliest printed source is a manuscript from St. Albans Carthusian Monastery, and dates from between 1582-1588. The Latin hymn told of the events recorded in Luke 1 and 2 and Matthew 2. Theodore Baker (1851-1914) was the author of this English translation. This hymn tune was taken from the carol in German.

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]. OUR NEWEST SAINT: Patricia Pascal, CUCC member THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Mary Alexander, twin of Martha Stephenson friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Jill Carol, CUCC member Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s 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 Carol & Linda, friends of Kay Brand Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Levi Entereso, CUCC member Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Stacey Ballard Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera James Golubic, brother of Judith Bayer Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Virginia Bergfalk Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Charles Blickenstaff, brother of Judith Bayer’s Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson neighbor Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer David Jamieson, CUCC member Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Terri King, CUCC member Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Alice Chin, CUCC attender Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Barbara Coates, CUCC member Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Elaine & Ed Larson, friends of Dona Turk Corbin Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Linda Cummings, CUCC member Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Jim Marino, brother of Joe Marino Delgadillo Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller

Joseph Mikesell, nephew of Sandy Gabel Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Jennalee Thurston, mother of Wayne Thurston Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Madeline Patane, CUCC member Sandi Walter, CUCC member Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Shirley Washington, CUCC member Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Whitney Relf Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Xochitl Romero, neighbor of Judith Bayer Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Margo Rouette, CUCC member Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Jay Sharp, CUCC member Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Siliva Madison Nancy Skidmore, cousin of Judith Bayer Giordano Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Scarlet, granddaughter of Judith Bayer Mickey & Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino

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