April 18 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, April 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 Hornpipe Dinda Jimmy Boyle, organ As part of an organ outreach program, this morning’s service features Jimmy Boyle as organist. He is a junior at CHS and a student of Carey Robertson. INTROIT Easter Fanfare Fetler WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: The One who teaches us how to love more deeply is alive! All: He has risen from the dead! One: The One who proclaims that our pain and suffering do not define us has overcome death! All: The tomb is empty! One: The One who advocates for the poor and the marginalized walks among us! All: Christ is Still Speaking today! OPENING HYMN Canticle of the Turning STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great, And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait. You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn? My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be. Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for your yearn, You will show your might, put the strong to flight,

for the world is about to turn. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast: God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp. This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound, ‘Til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn! EASTERTIDE PRAYER Creator who is changing the world as we speak, despite our panic and anxiety, despite our fears and hesitations, despite our mistakes and misunderstandings, you keep showing up. You show up and help us breathe the breath of peace. You show up and help us embrace our faith in the midst of our doubts, You show up and ignite the fire of courage within us. You show up and remind us of our greater purpose here on earth. You show up and make space for us to forgive ourselves and forgive others. You show up and give us the words to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Thank you, Risen Christ, for showing up in our lives, again and again. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. SERMON ON THE STEPS OFFERING/MUSIC Little Light Amos Sarah Garcia, guitar & vocals DEDICATION

SCRIPTURE Numbers 27:1-11 27 Then the daughters of Zelophehad came forward. Zelophehad was son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph, a member of the Manassite clans. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and they said, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness; he was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin; and he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father’s brothers.” 5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 7 The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying; you shall indeed let them possess an inheritance among their father’s brothers and pass the inheritance of their father on to them. 8 You shall also say to the Israelites, “If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall pass his inheritance on to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. It shall be for the Israelites a statute and ordinance, as the Lord commanded Moses.” SERMON Be the Change Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz ANTHEM The Final Harvest Campbell Charlotte Van Ryswyk & Wendy Waggener, violins PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER Today’s prayer was compiled by our church’s Prayer Team and reflects the contents of our own hearts. One: …We pray… All: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen. (By Jim Cotter, from the New Zealand Anglican Prayer Book) GUEST ARTIST Julie O Matthew Keating, cello Matthew recorded this almost exactly one year ago. It’s an excellent bookmark to the valiant effort made by our musicians to create a musical, live-streamed bridge over the troubled waters of Covid. Thank you Matt! BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Festival Postlude Zipoli Jimmy Boyle, organ WAYS TO DONATE TO THE CHURCH: 1. Mail in your donation (233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont, CA 91711) 2. Contribute on our website: claremontucc.org 3. Text an amount to (909) 343-5901 4. Set up automatic giving through your bank Reflection Questions About Today's Worship * What was the most meaningful moment of worship for you today? * What is one new question or idea today's worship service inspired for you?

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 Junior High Youth Director Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz Ms. Zoe Estrada [email protected], x230 [email protected] Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland [email protected], x 228 Director of Music & Fine Arts Dr. Jonathan Campbell Finance & Payroll Administrator [email protected], x242 Ms. Jocelyn Bocking [email protected], x225 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Office Manager [email protected] Ms. Jasmine Tomita [email protected], Moderator (Council President) x222 Mr. Tad Creasey [email protected] Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Director of the Early Childhood Ms. Elizabeth Zehm Center [email protected] Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226