ORDER OF WORSHIP
Palm Sunday with Communion
April 2, 2023
PRELUDE ‘Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him,’ arr. Anna Laura Page
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, seeking to transform the people.
People gathered to lay down their cloaks, wave palm branches and praise him.
Jesus enters our lives, seeking to transform our hearts and lives.
We worship Jesus Christ together and welcome him into our presence.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
*OPENING HYMN #89 (Blue) “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang;
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed ‘mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.
"Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,
and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In unison)
God of all hopefulness, on this day when we shout hosanna and wave the palms, we know that our Lenten journey doesn’t end until we walk through this the holiest of weeks, through pain, sorrow, despair and loss, through fear, anger, hatred and finger pointing. We come to recognize that in our own lives, we often are the cause of pain in others. We look away when others suffer despair and loss, and we often act in fear, anger and hatred instead of with love. We seek your forgiveness, guidance, and your compassion. We invite you into our lives that we might return to you, that we might be transformed in you, through you, by you, and for you. May we become a new people, a gentle people, a people of love and compassion, born anew through your forgiveness and love. Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
Friends, believe this good news.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and free.
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Read Responsively)
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures for ever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD!
O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Matthew 21:1-11
1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
SERMON ‘And so it begins…’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison, from the Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
CALL TO OFFERING
SPECIAL MUSIC (Choir) “He Comes in the Name of the Lord” Beal
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
COMMUNION HYMN: #507 (Blue) “I Come with Joy”
I come with joy to meet the Lord, forgiven, loved and free,
In awe and wonder to recall, His life laid down for me,
His life laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord. His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known, we see and praise Him here,
we see and praise Him here.
Together met, together bound we’ll go our different ways,
And as His people in the world we’ll live and speak His praise,
we’ll live and speak His praise.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise.
…… we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be 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, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*CLOSING HYMN #91 (Blue) “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!”
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road,
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE will be meeting today, April 2, after worship service.
- LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER--we are accepting monetary donations for flowers to grace and beautify our sanctuary. If you prefer, you may bring your own flowers or Flowers on Main (Eileen) will deliver flowers purchased there. Names of those honored or remembered will be included as always in the Easter PowerPoint. Please sign-up (sheet on the office counter) by Monday April 3.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
-PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting.
-MISSION/FINANCE COMMITTEE will meet via zoom on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30 PM.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
-MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE WITH COMMUNION will be held in the sanctuary on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 PM.
-THE PC(USA) ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING SPECIAL OFFERING is from Feb. 22 until April 9. Please put donations in the offering plate and write ‘One Great Hour’ on the memo line or use envelopes by offering plate. Thank you for your generosity!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Anthony B (son of Teri) and Teri as caregiver
-Dale E (Lee’s brother)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim, Dianne L’s husband
-Delores K
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Nancy & Bob O, Dave & Lee P, John P
Those who mourn: We pray for the Broksieck, Canaday, Spitzenberger, Barnett, Fee, VanderWaal, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
BENEDICTION (Responsive)
Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
The One we have long awaited, the Messiah, has come.
Hosanna!
Riding into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, but on a young donkey,
Hosanna!
The Prince of Peace has come, the One who heals our wounds.
Hosanna!
The journey of the Lamb of God leads Him finally to the cross. Everything that was foretold, Christ has fulfilled.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Now we lay down our palm branches and follow Jesus on His journey to the cross. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son and through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
POSTLUDE ‘All Glory, Laud, and Honor,’ Hayes/Gaspard
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.
Palm Sunday with Communion
April 2, 2023
PRELUDE ‘Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him,’ arr. Anna Laura Page
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, seeking to transform the people.
People gathered to lay down their cloaks, wave palm branches and praise him.
Jesus enters our lives, seeking to transform our hearts and lives.
We worship Jesus Christ together and welcome him into our presence.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
All: Hosanna in the highest!
*OPENING HYMN #89 (Blue) “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang;
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed ‘mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.
"Hosanna in the highest!" That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,
and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In unison)
God of all hopefulness, on this day when we shout hosanna and wave the palms, we know that our Lenten journey doesn’t end until we walk through this the holiest of weeks, through pain, sorrow, despair and loss, through fear, anger, hatred and finger pointing. We come to recognize that in our own lives, we often are the cause of pain in others. We look away when others suffer despair and loss, and we often act in fear, anger and hatred instead of with love. We seek your forgiveness, guidance, and your compassion. We invite you into our lives that we might return to you, that we might be transformed in you, through you, by you, and for you. May we become a new people, a gentle people, a people of love and compassion, born anew through your forgiveness and love. Amen. (silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
Friends, believe this good news.
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and free.
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
*GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, Amen.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (Read Responsively)
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever!
2 Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures for ever.”
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we beseech you, O LORD!
O LORD, we beseech you, give us success!
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
up to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Matthew 21:1-11
1When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” 4This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,
5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
Look, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
6The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” 11The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”
SERMON ‘And so it begins…’ Donna Flint, CRE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison, from the Brief Statement of Faith)
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing the children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life eternal.
CALL TO OFFERING
SPECIAL MUSIC (Choir) “He Comes in the Name of the Lord” Beal
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
COMMUNION HYMN: #507 (Blue) “I Come with Joy”
I come with joy to meet the Lord, forgiven, loved and free,
In awe and wonder to recall, His life laid down for me,
His life laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord. His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known, we see and praise Him here,
we see and praise Him here.
Together met, together bound we’ll go our different ways,
And as His people in the world we’ll live and speak His praise,
we’ll live and speak His praise.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise.
…… we praise you, joining our voices with all the faithful of every time and place:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
…Together we pray as our Lord has taught us to pray,
Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be 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, Amen.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
*CLOSING HYMN #91 (Blue) “Ride On! Ride On in Majesty!”
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
Hark! All the tribes hosanna cry;
O Savior meek, pursue Thy road,
with palms and scattered garments strowed.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die;
O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin
o'er captive death and conquered sin.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
The winged squadrons of the sky
look down with sad and wondering eyes
to see the approaching sacrifice.
Ride on! Ride on in majesty!
In lowly pomp ride on to die.
Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,
then take, O God, Thy power, and reign.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
-WORSHIP COMMITTEE will be meeting today, April 2, after worship service.
- LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER--we are accepting monetary donations for flowers to grace and beautify our sanctuary. If you prefer, you may bring your own flowers or Flowers on Main (Eileen) will deliver flowers purchased there. Names of those honored or remembered will be included as always in the Easter PowerPoint. Please sign-up (sheet on the office counter) by Monday April 3.
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE GROUP meets at First Lutheran Mission Coffee House at 9:30ish.
-PIECES & PRAYERS will be meeting at the church on Tuesdays at 1:30 PM. All are welcomed to help with quilting.
-MISSION/FINANCE COMMITTEE will meet via zoom on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30 PM.
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at 9:30 AM at the church.
-MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE WITH COMMUNION will be held in the sanctuary on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 PM.
-THE PC(USA) ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING SPECIAL OFFERING is from Feb. 22 until April 9. Please put donations in the offering plate and write ‘One Great Hour’ on the memo line or use envelopes by offering plate. Thank you for your generosity!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Continued Health Requests:
-Anthony B (son of Teri) and Teri as caregiver
-Dale E (Lee’s brother)
-USS South Dakota, captain and crew
-Jim, Dianne L’s husband
-Delores K
-Paige F
-Nelda H (recovery in the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O and Nancy as caregiver
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Nancy & Bob O, Dave & Lee P, John P
Those who mourn: We pray for the Broksieck, Canaday, Spitzenberger, Barnett, Fee, VanderWaal, Goodale, McCann, and Webster families and all who have lost loved ones.
BENEDICTION (Responsive)
Hosanna!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
The One we have long awaited, the Messiah, has come.
Hosanna!
Riding into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, but on a young donkey,
Hosanna!
The Prince of Peace has come, the One who heals our wounds.
Hosanna!
The journey of the Lamb of God leads Him finally to the cross. Everything that was foretold, Christ has fulfilled.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Now we lay down our palm branches and follow Jesus on His journey to the cross. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son and through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
POSTLUDE ‘All Glory, Laud, and Honor,’ Hayes/Gaspard
Sources: Call to Worship Lectionary Aids for 2020-2021 Year A Vo.54.1 PCUSA; Copyright © 2019 David S. Bell. Reprinted with permission from www.DavidSBell.org.