April 25 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, April 25, 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 Final from The Organ Symphony Op. 78 (excerpts) Saint-Saens arr. Robertson INTROIT Kokiriko-Kuroda Samba Terry Nguyen, shamisen Wes Hayashi, taiko WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We gather to see what new thing God is doing in our midst. All: We gather to hear about what new thing God is doing in other parts of the world. One: We gather to witness the power of God’s grace in our own lives. All: We gather to celebrate the fruits of God’s transforming love in our community. 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 God who is making all things new, we lift our hearts to you this day and ask you to continue inviting us into a bigger life, one that is shaped by your love of justice and your call to kindness. Soften our hard edges. Fill us with so much grace that it spills over onto others. Heal our wounds so that we may be healers to one another. Remind us that we belong to You and to one another always. Amen. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. OFFERING/MUSIC 月夜の剣士 (The Moonlight Warrior) Minoru Miki Rachel Rudich, shakuhachi DEDICATION SCRIPTURE Luke 10:25-37 25 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” MUSICAL OFFERING クレッセン (Crescent) Katsuhiko Yoshizaki Kozue Matsumoto (松元香壽恵), koto SERMON Be the Change Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland ANTHEM With a Voice of Singing Shaw 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. 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… 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. GUEST ARTIST 壹越 (Ichikotsu) Hozan Yamamoto Hana Hibiki Duo by Rachel Rudich & Kozue Matsumoto BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE #82 Go, My Children, with My Blessing AR HYD Y NOS

Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone; Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own; In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever, Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own. Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me; Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free. Here my Spirit’s power filled you, here with tender comfort stilled you; God, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free. POSTLUDE Prelude Op. 29 Pierné HYMN COMMENTARY: Keep your eye out for the return of our weekly hymn commentaries, starting next week! 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 jacob@claremontucc.org, x230 zoe@claremontucc.org Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland jen@claremontucc.org, x 228 Director of Music & Fine Arts Dr. Jonathan Campbell Finance & Payroll Administrator jonathan@claremontucc.org, x242 Ms. Jocelyn Bocking finance@claremontucc.org, x225 Principal Organist Dr. Carey Robertson Office Manager carey@claremontucc.org Ms. Jasmine Tomita officemanager@claremontucc.org, Moderator (Council President) x222 Mr. Tad Creasey moderator@claremontucc.org Minister of Children, Youth, & Families Director of the Early Childhood Ms. Laurel Capesius Center laurel@claremontucc.org Ms. Kristy Knight krislizecc@hotmail.com, x226 Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm elizabeth@claremontucc.org