January 2 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, January 2, 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 As With Rosy Steps the Morn, from Theodora G.F. Handel Abi Levis, mezzo-soprano WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: In the beginning, there was breath. All: God breathes new life into our hearts. One: In our beginning, there is breath. All: We breathe in hope. We exhale love. OPENING HYMN #417 This Is a Day of New Beginnings BEGINNINGS (verses 1-3, alt. 4) PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of new beginnings, We confess that we are in need of your grace. We have not loved our enemies, we have turned away from our neighbors, and we have neglected your creation. Forgive us all that we have done and all that we have left undone. Fill us with the courage to be transformed by your spirit, and renew our longing for justice and peace. By your grace, may we be made new. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: …Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. All: God makes all things new! Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. OFFERING/ANTHEM Gott ist unser Sonn und Schild! J.S. Bach Abi Levis, mezzo-soprano

DOXOLOGY 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 Genesis 1:1-5 (CEB) Brandon Park 1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth— 2 the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— 3 God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. 4 God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God named the light Day and the darkness Night. There was evening and there was morning: the first day. SERMON New Year, New You: Aspirations Rev. Laurel Capesius HYMN #495 Called as Partners in Christ’s Service BEECHER 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. BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE We Three Kings 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 Noel Toccata arr. Young Based on the French Carol ‘Noel Nouvelet’ HYMN COMMENTARY This Is a Day of New Beginnings Brian A. Wren (b.1936) wrote this text for a New Year Day service at his church in Oxford, England. Carlton R. Young (b.1926) composed this tune. Young, a music educator, has taught at various seminaries in the U.S. and in Europe. He has served as director of music for local churches in Massachusetts, Ohio, Texas and Georgia. GUEST ARTIST Abi Levis is an internationally celebrated performer. Originally from Portland, Maine, she was trained at the Eastman School of Music, University of Houston, and Bard College. She has performed extensively in the US, Canada, and in Europe and is known for her \"luminous\" singing and \"fearless\" stage presence. She has happily lived in Claremont, CA with her husband since 2015, while also traveling the world and performing frequently with acclaimed recital group, the Mirror Visions Ensemble. In her spare time she enjoys wandering aimlessly, cooking (and eating), and knitting.

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, Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Jill Carol, CUCC member Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Gary Roswell, friend of Sandy Fasano Ellen Feyk, CUCC member Jennifer Stephenson, CUCC staff Victoria Findlay & Allison Thomkins, Lucy, Claire, & John Stover, friends of Linda Tajima 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 FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Stacey Ballard Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of David Jamieson, CUCC member Terri King, CUCC member Virginia Bergfalk Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Charles Blickenstaff, brother of Judith Bayer’s Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski neighbor Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Elaine & Ed Larson, friends of Dona Turk Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Alice Chin, CUCC attender Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Barbara Coates, CUCC member Jim Marino, brother of Joe Marino Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Corbin Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Linda Cummings, CUCC member Joseph Mikesell, nephew of Sandy Gabel Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Delgadillo Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Levi Entereso, CUCC member Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel James Golubic, brother of Judith Bayer

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