Welcome to worship! Did you know that even Jesus had to deal with cultural bias? No matter who you are, you are invited to worship because the Realm of God is always expanding beyond our human boundaries. For example, some people ask how can any church be open and affirming of our LGBTQIA siblings? And how can any church support the Black Lives Matter Movement? As a church that follows Jesus, we believe the question should be reversed. The real question is: How can any church *not* be open and affirming? How can any church *not* proclaim that Black Lives Matter? In our scripture lesson today from Matthew 15:21-28, we will yet again discover that Jesus always includes those who have been marginalized and excluded. That is the way of the Gospel. So no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here at Clackamas United Church of Christ.
Prelude – The Cloud’s Veil – played by Jean Herrera
Adam: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen
Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Adam
Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
Amira: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle.
All: We pray for peace
in our hearts,
in our homes,
in our communities,
in our nations,
and in our worlds.
Scripture Readings
Matthew 15:21-28
*Call to Worship – Amira
Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…
Amira: We come from many different places to gather today.
All: For wide is God’s welcome, and you are welcome here.
Amira: No matter your age, you are welcome here.
All: No matter the shade of your skin, you are welcome here.
Amira: If you are married, never married, divorced, or widowed, you are welcome here.
All: If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer, you are welcome here.
Amira: If you are happy or sad, healthy or ailing, you are welcome here.
All: If you believe in God some of the time, none of the time, or all of the time, you are welcome here. So come, let us worship our welcoming God!*
Children’s Moment
*Passing of the Peace – Amira
Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.
Amira: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.
Song: Leaning In: A Prayer of Intention – Sung by Lori Prouty
Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen
Prayers of the People – Adam
(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)
Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer – Amira
Our God,
Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom 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.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Sermon – Even Jesus Had to Deal with Bias
*Unison Benediction – Amira Stanley
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
This day and forever more. Amen
-Numbers 6:24-26
*Based on the Call to Worship from Smyrna United Church of Christ