March 21 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, March 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 The Lone Wild Bird Held INTROIT Two Lenten Meditations Choral Bells WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: Hear your invitation: All: If you are broken or bruised, joyful or hopeful, faithful or doubtful, disheartened or disillusioned, One: You are welcome to this space. All: Know that you have been called here by the Holy Spirit, and your whole self is invited. OPENING HYMN O God, How We Have Wandered PASSON CHORALE O God, how we have wandered and hidden from your face; In foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace. But how, in exile dwelling, we turn with fear and shame, As distant but compelling, you call us each by name. O God of all the living, both banished and restored, Compassionate, forgiving, our peace and hope assured. Grant now that our transgressing, our faithlessness may cease. Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon, and In peace. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Life-giving God, In the beginning, you created this universe with a phrase, “Let it be…” and the waters and dry land, the sky and the creatures were formed. You set humanity among these wonders and invited us to care and honor all things. We have not successfully answered that call. Seeing the abundance as a feast that would never end, we have gorged ourselves, taking more than we could replenish at a rate that could not be sustained. We are beginning to comprehend the magnitude, beginning to see that things cannot just keep going “as usual” and without consequences.

We are frightened, which is partly why we have been slow to accept it. But we now are witnesses to signs of a planet under duress: floods, winds, fires, droughts, and earthquakes beg us to pay attention and to make real change. Too often we think there is nothing we can do–that the change required is too great. Help us, Healer. Show us our ability to chart a different course. Forgive our inaction. We sense and acknowledge our yearning for wholeness. Amen. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …The calm of Christ in the storm is available. For you, for me, for all. 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 O Traum der Jugend, o goldner Stern F.M. Hensel Genevieve Lee, piano DEDICATION A CONTEMPORARY WORD SCRIPTURE Luke 9:49-50 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

SERMON Holy Fragments: A Lenten Season of Recovery Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz ANTHEM Sorrow and Sadness Shall Flee Away Campbell (Today's anthem was written by our Director of Music to honor all those affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.) 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 Solo de Guaguanco Caleb Connor, conga drums 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 Partita on ‘Christ, My Life’ Pachelbel

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]