March 14 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, March 14, 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 A Whiter Shade of Pale arr. Ayres INTROIT Just a Closer Walk With Thee WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: Our God is faithful: All: We have been promised Christ will be with us forever. One: Our God is merciful: All: We have been promised that we are forgiven for our transgressions and mistakes. One: Our God is present: All: We have been promised that when we gather together, Christ is with us. OPENING HYMN Lord Jesus, Who Through Forty Days ST. FLAVIAN Lord Jesus, who through forty days for us did fast and pray, Teach us with you to mourn our sins, and close by you to stay. As you with Satan did contend, and did the victory win, O give us strength to persevere, in you to conquer sin. And through these days of penitence, and through this Passion-tide, Yes, evermore, in life and death, O Christ, with us abide. Abide with us, till when this life of suffering shall be past, An Easter of unending joy we may attain at last. PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of All Possibilities, Made in your image, you have tasked us as co- creators of a better world. You have gifted us with imagination and the ability to learn and change and progress. But we are tired. Our energy and enthusiasm wanes. The call for ideas, solutions, and adaptations has been non-stop for us all these past 12 months–whether we have been finding ways to keep children engaged and healthy, or figuring out how to maintain a passion for our work in the midst of trying times, or working to undo systems of oppression that have distorted our society for too long. Many times, we have wanted to give up, declare it all too hard and fall dormant, waiting for better days to arrive. Help us, Healer. Reveal to us our energy reserves. Forgive our cynicism and weariness. Amen. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Christ answers when we call, when we reach out for help. Amen. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. PASSING OF THE PEACE One: May the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. SERMON ON THE STEPS OFFERING/MUSIC Come thou Fount arr. Sigala Tony Sigala, guitar DEDICATION A CONTEMPORARY WORD

SCRIPTURE Matthew 8:5-13 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” 8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and the servant does it.” 10 When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour. SERMON Holy Fragments: A Lenten Season of Recovery Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland ANTHEM Like as the Hart Howells PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER One: …We pray… 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. GUEST ARTIST Cumbe Traditional Tony Sigala, guitar RITUAL ACTION & BENEDICTION THRESHOLD INTO THE WORLD Vessels, Holy and Whole Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. POSTLUDE Prelude, Op. 29 Pierne

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] Minister of Children, Youth, & Families Director of the Early Childhood Rev. DJ Severin Center [email protected], x227 Ms. Kristy Knight [email protected], x226 Children, Youth, & Families Assistant Ms. Elizabeth Zehm [email protected]