August 14 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, August 14, 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 Chorale Prelude on “All Glory Be to God” J.S. Bach Dr. Carey Robertson, organ INTROIT Octavia’s Parable CHANGE CALL TO WORSHIP One: We come to worship and hear stories that inspire us. All: We come to worship to hear stories that teach us. One: We come to worship to hear stories that will guide our lives. All: We come to worship the Ultimate Storyteller, who is co-authoring our lives with us. OPENING HYMN Christ Taught Us Of a Farmer AURELIA/GILLETTE Christ taught us of a farmer who went out sowing seeds. A few had trouble growing among the rocks and weeds. But others grew till harvest in soil that was so good. O God, you sow the gospel: The seed is your own word. You sowed your word of love here so many years ago. Your message found a welcome; your word began to grow. By grace, this church was built here by saints who followed you. The seed took root and flourished: we hear and follow, too. We thank you for each member who lives in loving ways, For those who seek to serve you without expecting praise. For hearts and songs uplifted, for work and sacrifice. The seed you planted grows here: we grow in Jesus Christ. In times of joy we praise you, in struggling times we search, And always we are learning to be your faithful church. Your Spirit gives us vision, and hearts and lives made new. Your harvest is for sharing: sent out, we work for you. WELCOME CONFESSING OUR SINS Liberator of All, we confess that although you have nourished us many times in the past, we return to you again, hungry and thirsty for peace,

justice, and mercy. We are forgetful creatures, and we need to hear your teachings again and again and again. We know that despite our endless need, you will endlessly provide for us. For the grace you show us time after time, we give thanks. Amen. RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE One: …Let us open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and be filled with grace. All: In Christ’s mercy, we are made new once again. 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 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 Bare khu Salamone Rossi 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 Matthew 13:1-9 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no

depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 If you have ears, hear!” SERMON Parables: Jesus the Storyteller Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland The Parable of the Sower MUSICAL REFLECTION Izraslo durvo visoko Bulgarian folk song arr. Dora Hristova 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 these things using the words you teach us, saying 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. MUSICAL REFLECTION Petit Poucet (from Ma mère l'Oye) Maurice Ravel BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Wonderful Words of Life WORDS OF LIFE

POSTLUDE Carillon Louis Vierne Dr. Carey Robertson, organ Special thanks to our Media Ministry Volunteer, David Moore. ALTAR FLOWERS Today's flowers are sponsored by Man Dy in celebration of the great diversity of our congregation. Know that no matter who you are or what God’s plan is for you, we are so happy to have you hear with us this morning! INTROIT 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 Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an American science fiction author and a multiple recipient of the Hugo and Nebula awards. During the 1990s, Butler worked on the novels that solidified her fame as a writer: Parable of the Sower (1993) and Parable of the Talents (1998). In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. Her papers are held in the research collection of the Huntington Library.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF CLAREMONT UCC! You can donate by texting an amount to (909) 343-590 or scanning the QR code: 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 Zina Grishenko, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Danielle McLain Amsbury & Family, friend of Leventhal Family, friends of Francesco Barbera Clarisse Nakahama Linda Hodson & Family, CUCC member Jennifer Araujo, friend of Carolyn Barbera Kyle King & Children, friends of Sochi Romero Katrina Armienti, friend of Carolyn Barbera Corey Laponis, former CUCC sexton Francesco Barbera & Family, CUCC member Embert Paul Madison, Jr., son of Marsha Madison The Barnum Family, CUCC attenders Randi McKee & Family, friend of Blair Aldworth Casey & Sarah Boatman, Tatum & Everett, Margaret Merhoff, CUCC member Family of Sandy Wittwer & Galen Kenoyer Tim O’Clock, friend of Blair Aldworth Elaine Bumiller, CUCC member Priscilla Otto & her daughter, Perla Valenzeula, Jill Carol, CUCC member CUCC attenders Joe Carrero & Shane Jukes, friends of Maria Andrade Valeria Pizzetti, friend of Dona Turk Amy Campbell, friend of Blair Aldworth Christy Powell, friend of Ali Perreault Irma Castaneda, CUCC attender Mike Quinn, CUCC member Maria Chave, friend of Silvia Young Mario Ramos, Adelanto detainee Cynthia Chertos, CUCC member Sandra Spiker, friends of Tim & Peggy Constantine, The DiMitri Family, family of the Barbera’s Denise Spooner, & Joe Marino Joey & Callie Duran, friends of Dona Turk 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 Phebi Foli, niece of Kerry Martin Roger & Jeane, friends of Ruth Sandberg Charles Folks, family of Marsha Madison FOR HEALTH AND HEALING: Caitlin Antrim, friend of Jean Marston Cristina Bergfalk, mother of Benjamin & family of Robert Apodaca, friend of Lydia de los Rios Virginia Bergfalk Jenny Appleford, friend of Jane Droubay Stephanie Bertleson, Betty Frank’s niece Tony Araunz-Martinez, friend of Maureen Moorman Shirlee Bromley, CUCC member Kim Bach Laura Burt, CUCC member Stacey Ballard Tracy Buss, friend of Blair Aldworth

Carlene Cable, friend of Sherry McCauley Bob Moore, friend of Ruth Abel Alice Chin, CUCC attender Rick Moore, friend of Maria Andrade Danielle Cooke, friend of Carolyn Barbera Jeffrey Mulder, son of Sheri Mulder Linda Cummings, CUCC member Cynthia Munos, daughter of Juan Munoz Lorena D’Anda, daughter-in-law of Marta D’Anda Toni de los Rios, cousin of Lydia de los Rios Linda Murray, CUCC member MaryAnn Delgadillo, mother of Christopher Steve & Rene Murray, extended family of Judith Bayer Myles Nielson, grandson of Bea Gallegos Delgadillo Barbara Patch, friend of Ruth Abel Ryan & Tammy Denny, friends of Missy McCormick Greg Pavlik, friend of Marsha Madison Margaret Duffy, extended family of Dali Podenski Jessie Colby Pryce, friend of Linda & Craig Cummings Jesse Emmert, friend of Denise Spooner Ricardo Pulido, friend of Linda Corbin Erica & Haley Enos, CUCC member & sister Lucy Quinn, CUCC member Matthew Enriquez, friend of Scott Bohlender Whitney Relf, CUCC member Levi Entereso, CUCC member Rosa Reyes, friend of Carol Wiese Meredith Flinn, daughter of Marsha Madison’s friend Jenna Robinson, friend of Rita Dixon Sandy French, friend of Marsha Madison Xochitl Romero, neighbor of Judith Bayer Nina Fursova, grandmother of Alex Grabarchuk Margo Rouette, CUCC member Bea Gallegos, CUCC member Lawrence Randall Rutt, father of Christopher Rutt The Gannon Family, extended family of Sandy Gabel Denis Salazar, father of Carolyn Barbera’s friend Laurie Giesenhagen, CUCC member Bernadette Sarver, cousin of Judith Bayer Daniel Graham, friend of Gayle Sharp Jay Sharp, CUCC member Jennifer Grande, CUCC member Cheryl Sims, friend of Marsha Madison David Grant, CUCC Sexton Bo & Wayne Sims, brother and sister in-law of Marsha Kimberly Griffin, CUCC attender Iris Harleman, friend of Shirley Jones Madison Ja’Ron Henderson, friend of Linda Corbin RaeAnn Sines, friend of Linda Corbin Judy Hilgert, CUCC member Todd Songer, friend of Diana Miller Susan Huie & Family, friend of Mary Beth & Rick Joyce Sorrento, family of the Barbera’s Larry Starkweather, friend of Sandra Wittwer Rogers Kathy Starr, friend of Sherry McCauley Joan Hunter, Granny of Zoe Estrada Martha Stephenson, CUCC member David Jamieson, CUCC member Julius M. Steubing, CUCC member Sarah Jones, mother of Carolyn Barbera Lorraine Telles, friend of Marta D’Anda Terri King, CUCC member Michael Toomay, son of Bea Gallegos Michal Kohout, husband of Anne Bennett Jocelyn Tuchon, daughter of Merritt Verrill Courtney Koverman, daughter of Briggs Gamblin Jenny Tyniec, CUCC attender Logan Kowalski, grandson of Guy Nakahama’s friend Dakota Van Fossen, friend of Peggy Kelly Diana Krumme, friend of Dali Podenski Sandi Walter, CUCC member Olivia Lakner, family friend of Carolyn Barbera Shirley Washington, CUCC member Rodney Lehman, CUCC member Chris Weldon, friend of Christopher Fairchild Kathleen Leo, CUCC member Kathy Widmer, friend of Cynthia Moreno Trevor Luebbers, son of Sean Luebbers Donna Williams, extended family of Shirley Jones Nola Lewallen, mother of John Lewallen Rev. Maria Wilson, CUCC attender Marlene Lobb, friend of Anne Stromberg Catherine Yamasaki, friend of Sandy Fasano Rosalie Logan, friend of Blair Aldworth Troy Zeleny, nephew of Anne Stromberg Frank & Barbara Malone, friends of Judith Bayer Ava & her father, Mike, friend of Ruth Abel Judy Manley, CUCC member Benjamin, grandson of Virginia Bergfalk Sherry McCauley, CUCC member Brian, friend of Tina Kambarian Bobbie McKoy, CUCC member Chad, friend of Christopher Fairchild Leslie McLoughlin, extended family of Diana Miller Elias, brother of Maria Andrade John McWhirter, brother of Shirley Jones Esperanza & Hector, extended family of Silvia Angela Mendoza, friend of Lydia de los Rios Josephine Miller, mother of Deborah Castillero Giordano Debbie Mitchell, CUCC member Michele, daughter-in-law of Judi Bayer’s neighbor Patricia Molina, aunt of Beatriz Roman Castellanos Ruthie, friend of Valerie Carrick Mila Moncayo, friend of Francesco Barbera Simolena, grandmother of Sherry McCauley’s nurse Vilma, sister of Maria Andrade

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. Jennifer Stephenson 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