November 28 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, November 28, 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 Wake, Awake, A Voice is Calling Bach INTROIT Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates TRURO WELCOME ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING The Girshin Family CALL TO WORSHIP One: Christ is both our sovereign and our servant! All: Christ is bringing us a just and compassionate domain! One: Under Christ’s reign, the needs of the vulnerable and the powerful hang in righteous balance. All: Under Christ’s reign, our tears will cease and our joy will be abundant. Let us worship Jesus, the one who will deliver all of creation! OPENING HYMN #102 O How Shall I Receive You ST. THEODULPH PRAYER OF CONFESSION Jesus who is coming to be with us once again, If we are honest, we confess that we often have our own plans and agendas. We want to be rulers of our world. We worship the kings of our human society, the royalty of celebrity. Turn our hearts back to you, Ruler of the Universe. Help us to know how to live as your people in our time. In contrast to the leader in this world who terrorize, over-tax, humiliate, exploit, and abuse those they lead, help us to spread the good news of the different kind of King you are. Amen. ASSURANCE One: We are forgiven; All: help us to forgive others. One: We are loved; All: help us to love others. One: We are blessed; All: help us to bless others. Amen.

GUEST ARTIST Deposuit potentes from Magnificat in D J.S. Bach Bill Ketchum, tenor 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 Soon and Very Soon Andraé Crouch arr. Rollo Dilworth 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 John 18:33-38 33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”

Luke 6:27-31 27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. SERMON Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland King of Kings: Jesus vs. The Great Rulers of History “Jesus vs. Nero” HYMN Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal Spirt rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne. 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 in the name of Jesus, who teaches us to pray 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. GUEST MUSIC Royalty Francesca Battistelli Lacey Jo Benter, soprano BENEDICTION

CLOSING RESPONSE #116 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL (verse 6) POSTLUDE Toccata on ‘Veni Emmanuel’ ALTAR FLOWERS Today's altar flowers are given by Elaine Ball and Family in honor and celebration of Donald Ball on the anniversary of his birthday. HYMN COMMENTARY: “O How Shall I Receive You” Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) based this hymn on Matthew 21:1-9 for the first Sunday in Advent. Gerhardt composed many hymns. He stressed the God of love rather than the wrathful God that Luter wrote about. Melchoir Teshner (1584-1635) composed this melody. Teshner studied philosophy and theology in addition to music. This training served him well in a career that included positions as cantor, teacher, and pastor. GUEST ARTISTS Tenor Bill Ketchum, section leader in our choir, has extensive experience with opera choruses and classical church music. His solo repertoire includes works of Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Puccini, Tosti, and others, in English and the original languages. He also sings with The Verdi Chorus in Santa Monica and the San Gabriel Valley Choral Company. He has studied with Anne Marie Ketchum, Jonathan Mack, Jonathan Campbell, and others. He will be the tenor soloist in

Handel’s “Messiah” at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, 4pm Dec. 5, 2021. He is a lawyer and a law librarian with a JD from University of Southern California and an MLIS from University of Alabama. American opera singer Lacey Jo Benter has been lauded by the New York Times as having a “rich, warm tone\" while bringing a \"broad emotional palette\" to the stage. Native to Cedar Rapids, Iowa she completed a two year residency at LA Opera with the Domingo-Colburn Stein Young Artist Program in 2016 where she debuted in the Grammy award winning production of John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles. She received her Bachelor's of Music in Vocal Performance with a theater minor from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI before attending The Juilliard School where she received a Master's of Music in 2011 followed by an Artist Diploma of Opera Studies in 2014. She has appeared with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, returning for several roles in Unsuk Chin’s Alice in Wonderland, which she reprised for her Barbican Hall debut with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She has been conducted by musical master John Adams with the LA Phil in the multimedia performance of his Nixon in China and returned to the LA Phil in 2020 appearing in their exciting Weimar Nightfall production, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. She has performed regionally with Opera Omaha and Opera Columbus and in 2018 self-produced and performed The Wagner Project, a reworking of pieces by Wagner, fused together with icons of modern-day music including Beyoncé and David Bowie. 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, Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth 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

FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Stacey Ballard 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 Patane, CUCC member Linda Carney, niece-in-law of Linda Corbin Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Alice Chin, CUCC attender Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Denise Christopoulos, friend of Sandy Fasano Whitney Relf Barbara Coates, CUCC member Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Hazel & Claudia Corbin, aunt and cousin of Linda Margo Rouette, CUCC member Corbin Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt Russell Corbin, cousin of Linda Corbin Jay Sharp, CUCC member Linda Cummings, CUCC member Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Madison Delgadillo Nancy Skidmore, cousin of Judith Bayer Tom Dixon, brother of Jerry Dixon Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Mickey & Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Constantine, Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Levi Entereso, CUCC member Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Martha Stephenson, CUCC member James Golubic, brother of Judith Bayer Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Jennalee Thurston, mother of Wayne Thurston Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Dixie Hegg, mother of Wendy Anson Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Bill Hodson, father of Linda Hodson Teresa Tulcan, friend of Anne Forburger Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly David Jamieson, CUCC member Sandi Walter, CUCC member Terri King, CUCC member Shirley Washington, CUCC member Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Elaine & Ed Larson, friends of Dona Turk Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Bob Lominska, brother of Susan Lominska Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Jim Marino, brother of Joe Marino Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Siliva Jan Marshall, CUCC attender Giordano Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Leslie McLouhlin, extended family of Diana Miller Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Joseph Mikesell, nephew of Sandy Gabel

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. Rebecca McAllister 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