Ash Wednesday Bulletin

Ash Wednesday Claremont United Church of Christ Wednesday, March 2, 2022 7:00 pm 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 GATHERING MUSIC ‘My heart is filled with longing’ J.S. Bach (Passion Chorale) WELCOME SONG Good Enough Marcia McFee, Marsha Moors-Charles, Chuck Bell (Sung by soloist, then repeated by ALL) OPENING PRAYER Living Word, make yourself known to us. Be present with us in this challenging journey of life. Create in us hearts that are open to transformation. Give us the patience of practice in this Lent season–ordering our days with time enough for you. Amen. OPENING HYMN #188 Give Me a Clean Heart DOUROUX PRAYER OF CONFESSION Honest Jesus, you used the term “hypocrites” to describe those who put on public displays to make others believe that they were holy and perfect. You taught us that their hearts were not focused on their faith, but instead on

the fleeting reward of public approval. We confess that this type of masquerade is tempting, especially when the hardships of life take away our hopes of a shiny, perfect life. We are tempted to cover up our broken hearts, our disappointing diagnoses, our lost opportunities, and our missed moments. We silently confess now the places in our lives where we need to abandon the goal of perfection. (Silent Reflection) WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: … God is offering us freedom from the bonds of perfectionism, inviting us to break the yoke of what “should be” so that we might discover what “might be” when we honor the small steps that are actually possible, in this moment, for this one day. All: 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 MUSICAL OFFERING Come as You Are Gary & Lenora Rand Sean Gabel SCRIPTURE Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 6 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 16 “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” MEDITATION Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland IMPOSITION OF ASHES MUSIC Holy, Holy, Holy John B. Dykes Sean Gabel CLOSING HYMN Sing Out! We’re Made of Common Dust CANONBURY (see insert) A BLESSING BEFORE A FAST Dieterich Buxtehude BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Chorale Prelude on the Passion Chorale

Sing Out! We’re Made of Common Dust Sing out! We’re made of common dust; One day, to dust we shall return! Yet, God, you’ve placed your mark on us And so for you our spirits yearn. This gift of ashes we receive Reminds us we belong to you. You call us to repent, believe, and seek your Way in all we do. The dust and dirt of children’s play, of youthful times, of working years Are part of life— and life’s decay; We wash the dust with sorrow’s tears. We sing, O God, of what you give: This ash reminds us we are yours. In life we’re claimed, in death we live! In Christ our life, your love endures.

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 GUEST ARTIST Sean Gabel is a classically trained vocalist from Los Angeles. He holds both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. With both solo and ensemble skills, Sean has performed around the world, from Germany to South Korea, and at venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Microsoft Theater, Dorothy Chandler, Dolby Theatre, Carnegie Hall, Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney Resort. Coming up next, you can catch Sean singing with Pacific Chorale, where he is a staff singer, at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for Pacific Symphony's upcoming performances of Verdi's Othello and Mozart's Requiem. He desires to inspire and bring joy to all who listen to his music.