March 7 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, March 7, 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 Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley Wood INTROIT Just a Closer Walk With Thee WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: You are invited— All: Into this hour of song, Scripture, and seeking. One: You are invited— All: Into this hour of reflection, renewal, and prayer. One: You are invited— All: Into this hour of community, connection, and hope. OPENING HYMN Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound AMAZING GRACE Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! My God has promised good to me, whose word my hope secures; God will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Centering and Calming God, You gifted us with amazing minds, capable of so many things. You gave us the ability to think and feel, equipping us with discernment of thought and emotion. Like our physical bodies, sometimes this aspect of our selves is worn down and depleted. We struggle under the strain of disappointment, despair, and disillusion.

Too often we hide this, afraid of what others might think of our difficulties in managing or moving forward, even in the face of devastating circumstances. Too often we perpetuate the stigma of a less-than-perfect state of mind by shaming ourselves and others. We feel alone in our inner thoughts, full of self-contempt and self- judgement. Help us, Healer. Show us our capacity for compassion, especially for ourselves. Amen. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …and breathe out the relief of assurance. 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 Be Still My Soul Sibelius/Schram/Schlegel Sage Tomita, guitar Jasmine Tomita, voice & piano DEDICATION A CONTEMPORARY WORD SCRIPTURE Luke 19:1-10 19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in

stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” SERMON Holy Fragments: A Lenten Season of Recovery Rev. Dr. Jacob Buchholz “Old Things Made New” ANTHEM O Taste and See arr. Vaughan Williams COMMUNION One: God be with you. All: And also with you. One: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to God. One: Let us give thanks to God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. One: …we proclaim the great mystery of faith: All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 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 You Have Me Gungor Sage Tomita, guitar Jasmine Tomita, voice & piano 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 Ancient Galleries Janzer 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]