February 14 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, February 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 I Want Jesus to Walk With Me Taylor INTROIT Alleluia Hughes WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We come to worship famished; All: The Bread of Life meets us here to fulfill our hunger for justice. One: We come to worship parched and dry; All: The Living Water meets us here to quench our thirst for righteousness. Let us worship our God, the Eternal Source of our soul’s nourishment. OPENING HYMN This is My Song FINLANDIA This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine; this is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine: but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine; but other lands have sunlight too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine: O hear my song, thou God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of unending love and compassion for us, You created for us a world of abundance and diversity, yet we have been consumed guided by greed and selfishness.n We confess that we have harmed your creation and poisoned our environment through our obsessive consumerism. In Christ, you made us siblings with all humanity and intended for us to be united, yet we have built walls to separate us from those who are different from us.

You gave us wisdom and creativity, but we have tried to solve our problems with weapons and lies. You taught us to live in peace, but we have made war. You told us to love the poor and vulnerable, but we have worshiped the rich and powerful. For not living according to your will, forgive us, Holy Spirit. Amen. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: … live out the teachings of Christ with great reverence and humility. 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 さくらさくら Sawai, Tadao (Sakura, Sakura: Cherry blossoms, a variation of Japanese folk song) Kozue Motsumoto, koto DEDICATION SERMON Faith Around the World Guest Pastor: Rev. Kyoko Kamiuchi-Cledera, Kobe Jesus Band Church, UCCJ-Hyogo Guest Pastor: Rev. Gregory Kivanguli, Kenya ANTHEM Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather Traditional Japanese arr. Sedio/Campbell PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER (These are prayers compiled by our church’s Prayer Team each week and reflect the contents of our own hearts.) One: …We pray these things, joining the voices that are praying right now across the world, All: Our Father/Mother/Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom/kin-dom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us

from evil. For thine is the kingdom/kin-dom, the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. GUEST ARTIST 千鳥の曲 (Chidori no Kyoku: Song of plovers) Yoshizawa Kozue Motsumoto, koto BENEDICTION CLOSING RESPONSE God of the Ages NATIONAL HYMN God of the ages, who with sure command brought forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before your throne arise. POSTLUDE What a Friend We Have in Jesus Ore 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]