July 18 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, July 18, 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 Air from Suite In D “Air on the G String” J.S. Bach Susan Achuff, organ INTROIT Susan Achuff, organ WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: God’s love breaks down barriers. All: God’s love calms stormy seas. One: God’s love mends broken hearts. All: God’s love widens the circle of compassion. Let us worship our God, whose love changes everything. OPENING HYMN #28 For the Beauty of the Earth DIX PRAYER OF CONFESSION Faithful God, we confess that although we hear You calling us, we doubt our ability to answer. We focus on our flaws and obsess about our shortcomings. We fixate on our mistakes and the reasons why we are not up for the issues Your Spirit is asking us to address. Forgive us for our tendency to hang back and hope that others will fix the world’s problems. Forgive us for keeping our eyes glued to the rearview mirror of our lives instead of dreaming with You about the future. Renew in us the energy and confidence to hear our name being called by Your holy voice to step up and speak out. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON One: …Embrace God’s invitation into a better tomorrow. 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. SERMON ON THE STEPS Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/MUSIC Tsugaru Tanto Bushi Traditional

TaikoMix 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 1 Samuel 17:3-11, 38-50 3 The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 He had greaves of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron; and his shield-bearer went before him. 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “Today I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 38 Saul clothed David with his armor; he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David strapped Saul’s sword over the armor, and he tried in vain to walk, for he was not used to them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” So David removed them. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David

by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” 45 But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head; and I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army this very day to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not save by sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine drew nearer to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, striking down the Philistine and killing him; there was no sword in David’s hand. SERMON Myths & Monsters: Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland The Bible’s Summer Blockbusters— David & Goliath ANTHEM Summer Choir 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 Minyo Medley: Hokkai Bon Uta & Soran Bushi Traditional TaikoMix BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE O Christ Jesus, Sent from Heaven WESTMINSTER ABBEY O Christ Jesus, Father-Mother, Spirit, Triune Source of all, Claim our wounded, halting witness; we surrender to your thrall. Alleluia! Truth Incarnate, stir us with your servant call. POSTLUDE Prelude on “Dominus Regit Me” Gordon Young Susan Achuff, organ Join us in welcoming this morning’s Guest Artist, TaikoMix! Wesley Hayashi - taiko Terry Nguyen - Tsugaru shamisen Shih-Wei Wu - shakuhachi, shinobue ALTAR FLOWERS Today’s altar flowers are given by Man Dy and dedicated to all travelers visiting their families and loved ones. May your travels be safe and your visits be fruitful and meaningful! 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. SPECIAL THANKS Thank you to Rebecca McCallister, today’s substitute ASL interpreter. 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 Amy Duncan at (951) 212-3576 or email [email protected] OUR NEWEST SAINT: Howard Philip Kirschner, friend of Diana Miller THOSE SEEKING ENCOURAGEMENT: Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera friends of Blair & Chris Aldworth Richard Blair, nephew of Virginia Bergfalk Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Allen Renning, friend of Blair & Chris Aldworth Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Eric & David Sandberg, family of Ruth Sandberg Jill Carol, CUCC member Family of Robert Schreiber, friends of Carol Wiese 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 Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison Tran Family, friends of Ruth Sandberg Mark Watson, family of Roxanne Watson Leventhal Family, friends of Francisco Barbera Paul Marino & members of Abundant Living Family Victor Williams Family, friends of Linda Corbin Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Church in Rancho Cucamonga Tim McCann, Jasmine and Anna Gatto-McCann, Matt Alford, CUCC member FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston

Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Dean McCrumb, friend of Dorothy Wheat Lori Barbera, mother of Francesco Barbera Catherine McIntosh, friend of Carol Wiese Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Wendy Mitchell, friend of Carol Wiese Virginia Bergfalk Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Sylvia Brougham, grandmother of Tasha Ferrell Diaz Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Debbie Brown, friend of Judi Bayer Mila Moncayo, friend of Francisco Barbera Stan Burwell, friend of Carol Wiese Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Sedra Canjo, daughter of Nadr Canjo Steve Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Grace Newkirk, friend of Carol Wiese Alice Chin, CUCC attender Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Dolores Clem, mother of Lisa Delgadillo Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Jason Clinge, friend of Linda Corbin Tom Peterson, friend of Ruth Abel Linda Cummings, CUCC member Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Frank & Phylis DeLeo, friends of Carol Wiese Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Joseph Robinson, brother of John Robinson MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Margo Rouette, CUCC member Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Delgadillo Eileen Schmalle, friend of Anne Forburger Dustin & Cristina Dickerson, family of Roxanne Griffen Schreiber, friend of Francisco Barbera 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 Esposito Family, cousin/family of Evy Morales Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Max & Kelsey Ferrell, Johnathan Diaz, Ana Alicia, Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Martha Stephenson, CUCC member Jose, Elias, & Ana Villaseñor, family of Tasha Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Ferrell Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member David Tortes, brother of Rebecca Tortes Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger John George, son of Brenda Keith VeBrad & Karen Visser, son & daughter in-law of Jim Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Visser Brenda & Michael Henry, CUCC member Dwight Vogel, friend of Jean Rosewall Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada David Jamieson, CUCC member Sandi Walter, CUCC member Charlie Kalb, friend of Margaret Merhoff Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Chuck Kelcher, friend of Carol Wiese Rev. Anita White, UCC Pastor, friend of Jane Faith King, daughter of Jeanne King Terri King, CUCC member Gibbons Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Richard Kuchar, friend of David Moore Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender 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 Diane, friend of Kay Brand Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Jennifer, daughter of Laura Burt Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Marilyn, friend of Ruth Sandberg Frank Malone, friend of Judith Bayer Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Danielle Marquez, family of Carolyn Barbera

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 Director of Music & Fine Arts Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Dr. Jonathan Campbell [email protected], x230 [email protected], x242 Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected] Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Technology Specialist Mr. Josh Ngo Office Manager [email protected] Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], ASL Interpreter x222 Ms. Jennifer Stephenson Minister of Children, Youth, & Moderator (Council President) Families Ms. Rita Dixon Rev. Laurel Capesius [email protected] [email protected] Director of the Early Childhood Children, Youth, & Families Center Assistant Ms. Kristy Knight Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected], x226 [email protected] Building Manager Junior High Youth Director Mr. Don Doughty Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected], [email protected] x240