February 21 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, February 21, 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 Lenten Medley L. Smith INTROIT Just a Closer Walk With Thee WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We look around and see that the world is a place of pain and hardship. All: And yet we also find beauty and kindness around every corner. One: We look around and see that our lives have been fractured. All: And yet we trust that God will put the pieces of our hearts back together. One: We look around and see that things are not as they ought to be, All: And yet we believe that the Spirit is ushering in a new day when all will be made right. OPENING HYMN Just As I Am WOODWORTH Just as I am, without one plea but that your blood was shed for me, and that you called inviting me, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! Just as I am, your love unknown has broken every barrier down; now to be yours, and yours alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! PRAYER OF CONFESSION Creator God, We exist in bodies fashioned by Your hand in Your own image, shapes and colors of diverse and immense beauty. And yet too often we have ignored the sacredness of our physicality. These Holy Vessels you have fashioned are tired and suffering, fragmented by months of disrupted rhythms and illness. Our fragility is undeniable and we are fearful. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss in the world right now, and so we look away. Help us, Healer. Show us our strength. Help us to take one step at a time toward greater care of one another and ourselves. We sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole

Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Let this truth fill you…and breathe out with the relief of assurance. All: 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 Jesu Meine Freude arr. Keveren Matthew Keating, cello Jessica Beauchamp, piano DEDICATION A CONTEMPORARY WORD SCRIPTURE Mark 14:3-9 3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” SERMON Holy Fragments: Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz A Lenten Season of Recovery ANTHEM Drop, Drop, Slow Tears Gibbons PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

One: …By your grace, you console. Make us holy, make us whole. All: Our Creator, 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. 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 It Is Well With My Soul arr. Keveren Matthew Keating, cello Jessica Beauchamp, piano BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE Vessels, Holy and Whole Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. POSTLUDE Psalm XIX Marcello 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]