September 4 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, September 4, 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 Le Banquet Céleste (The Celestial Banquet) Olivier Messiaen Dr. Carey Robertson, organ INTROIT Octavia’s Parable CHANGE CALL TO WORSHIP One: In our worship, we learn to take risks. All: In this way, we remain open to the Divine. One: In our worship, we learn to subvert corrupt systems. All: In this way, we disrupt that which harms God’s good creation and invest in that which strengthens it. One: In our worship, we learn to be our truest selves. All: In this way, we live out God’s image which is present in each of us. Together, let us worship our Still-Speaking God. OPENING HYMN #330 Let Us Break Bread Together LET US BREAK BREAD WELCOME MOMENT FOR MISSION Martha Mensendiek CONFESSING OUR SINS Author of Mercy, Set us free from the illusion of trying to be perfect so that we might be more fully human. Help us to stop chasing after an imaginary life, and to find satisfaction in our real lives. Turn us away from our self-rejection so that we might see Your arms open in welcome. Amen. RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE One: …Rest assured that she hears your confession and offers you abundant grace. All: In God’s love, 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. SERMON ON THE STEPS Rev. Laurel Capesius OFFERING/ANTHEM Ubi caritas Maurice Duruflé 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 Luke 15:11-32 11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us

eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ” SERMON Parables: Jesus the Storyteller Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” HYMN I Know you Can’t Believe EVENTIDE I know you can’t believe I love you so. I know you fear you never will be fine. I know you think you don’t deserve a thing, but I’m telling you, beloved, you are mine. I want to give you all my hope and joy. I want to bless your life in every part. I want to show you how you shine and shine, and I’m telling you, beloved, you’re my heart. I know you say this Meal is not for you. I know too often it has been a test. I know you think that you might never pass, but I’m telling you, beloved, you can rest. You are the one this bread is waiting for. You are the one for whom the wine pours free. You are the one whose place I’ve saved and set, and I welcome you, beloved, taste and see. (Text by J. Mary Luti)

COMMUNION One: Friends, this is the joyful feast of unity. Christ has gathered his people around the earth to commune at this table. All: Across political lines and economic lines, in places of powerfully protected affluence, and among the poorest of the poor, we share a meal, remembering and celebrating the One who showed us how to live peacefully and compassionately. One: God is with you. All: God is with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to God. One: Together, we give thanks to God. All: It is right to give God thanks and praise. One: …We speak aloud the beautiful mystery of our faith: All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. COMMUNION MUSIC Prodigal Son's Prayer Dierks Bentley Lacey Benter, guitar & vocals The Prodigal Song Cory Ashbury David Rentz, piano & vocals Old Adam Dan Messé & Bob Hoffnar Lacey Benter, guitar & vocals 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: 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 Wonderful Words of Life WORDS OF LIFE POSTLUDE Toccata in Seven John Rutter Dr. Carey Robertson, organ Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer, David Moore. COMPOSER COMMENTARY I wrote Octavia’s Parable as an introit to be performed at Claremont United Church of Christ, to coincide with the new parable-themed sermon series in August 2022. This brief piece sets renowned African-American author Octavia Butler’s words from Parable of the Sower, a 1993 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel focusing on climate change and social inequality. Echoing the Earthseed movement’s belief that “God is Change,” the introit is modular, meaning it can be performed by anywhere from 2 to 22 singers. It is also aleatoric, specifying pitches and words, but asking performers to make individual decisions about pacing and entrances. Therefore, each instantiation of this introit will sound different based on the number of singers, and their choices within each performance. --Alexandra Grabarchuk

HYMN COMMENTARY \"Let Us Break Bread Together\" This African American spiritual developed its communion emphasis after the Civil War. Other traditional stanzas begin \"Let us all pray together\" and \"Let us all face the cross together.\" This melody is by an unknown composer. David Hurd (b. 1950) prepared this harmonization for the Protestant Episcopal Church. Hurd was an organist and composer. WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Molly Jacobsen: Molly is a military brat and moved so much growing up that she attended 13 different schools. She has been married for 28 years, lived in Claremont for 20 years, and has 2 grown daughters. She has been looking for a community with friends and faith. Jordan Torres: Jordan studied philosophy and history in college and is considering going back for a degree in religious studies. He is constantly reading and is always up for learning about different religions. As a hobby, he likes to collect watches. He married his spouse Oliver less than a year ago. 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. Rebecca McAllister 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