February 28 Bulletin

Claremont United Church of Christ Sunday, February 28, 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 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Wood INTROIT Just a Closer Walk With Thee WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP One: We come to worship not because we believe we are healthy and well, All: but because we believe we will find health and wellness in the embrace and care of community. One: We come to worship not because we believe we lived perfectly this week, All: but because we have paid attention to our shortcomings and seek a better way. One: We come to worship not because we have all the answers, All: but because we believe it is faithful to keep asking questions. One: We come to worship not out of fear or guilt, All: but because we believe God’s love never gives up on anyone. OPENING HYMN Will You Come and Follow Me KELVINGROVE Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same? Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known, will you let my life be grown in you and you in me? Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name? Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same? Will you risk the hostile stare, should your life attract or scare? Will you let me answer prayer in you, and you in me? Will you love the you you hide if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around, through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me? Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name. Let me turn and follow you and never be the same. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of All, You created us for each other. You set in us a yearning for companionship and an empathy that binds us together, protecting each other and delighting in one another. Yet too often we have broken down our relationships instead of building them up. We have been set against one another with the lie of scarcity. We have built systems and economies that widen the gap of resources rather than ensuring the well-being of all. We cannot fathom the proportions of loss and so we look away, sometimes even from the need in our own community. Help us, Healer. Show us our empathy. Forgive our complacence. Move us to move one step at a time toward greater care for one another. Amen. Sung: Vessels, holy and whole Broken, needing the One Open, body and soul Healer, come. WORDS OF ASSURANCE One: …Breathe out with 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 O Lord Whose Mercies Numberless Handel Abi Levis, mezzo-soprano DEDICATION A CONTEMPORARY WORD SCRIPTURE Matthew 9:9-13

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” SERMON Holy Fragments: Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland A Lenten Season of Recovery ANTHEM The Call Stroope 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 Laudamus te from C Minor Mass Mozart Abi Levis, mezzo-soprano 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 Toccata on the Doxology Smith

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]