FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Palm Sunday
April 13, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING today after worship service
-WORSHIP MEETING today after worship service
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER – sign-up sheet for ‘in memory of’ by Tuesday, April 15 (sheet on office counter)
-BLADE ARTICLES DUE for May/June issue on Tuesday, April 15
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
-SISTERHOOD meets at Mission Coffee House, Thurs. April 17, 11:30 AM and MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets next Thursday, April 24, 5:30 PM
-MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE/MEAL, FPC Fellowship Hall, April 17 at 5:30 PM
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest! We welcome the King!
Not in might, but in mercy He rides.
Not with force, but with love He reigns.
The crowds shout praise, yet the cross awaits.
Still, He walks the road of redemption.
Let our voices join in the song of the faithful.
All glory, laud, and honor to Christ, our King!
*OPENING HYMN #88 (blue) “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel, David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's name comest, the King and blessed One.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews With palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayers and anthems Before Thee we present.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
To Thee, before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Hosanna, Lord, save us. We cry out with the crowd, praising you with our lips, but in our hearts, we struggle to follow your way. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we welcome you in joy but turn away when your path leads to challenge. Forgive our shallow faith, our empty promises, our failure to live as your disciples. Have mercy on us, O God. Ride into our hearts once more, and make us new, not just today, but every day we walk with you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC “Palm Branches” (J. Paul Williams/Douglas Nolan) Choir
Palm branches, palm branches filling the air
Palm branches waving are seen everywhere
Hear the hosannas as loudly they ring
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King.
Palm branches, palm branches lifted on high
Palm branches waving as He passes by
Children are lining the streets as they bring
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King.
Blessed is he who comes, who comes In the name of the Lord
Joyful hosannas they sing in one accord.
Palm branches, palm branches turn in the wind
Palm branches offered as praises to Him
Jesus has come to restore and redeem
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (responsively)
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
ALL
2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them, and give thanks to the LORD.
WOMEN
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.
MEN
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.
WOMEN
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!
MEN
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
ALL
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Luke 19: 29-40
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying,
“Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden.
Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.”
35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.
36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
37 Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”
40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
SERMON Palm Sunday’s Supporting Cast
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “There’s a Man Riding in on a Donkey” (by Paul Wigmore to the tune from “Give Me Oil in My Lamp”)
There's a man riding in on a donkey,
there's a man, and they say he's king!
And the palm leaves are waving a welcome and the voices of the people sing:
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
Why a king riding in on a donkey?
Why a king wearing no fine crown?
Where the drums? Where the high-sounding cymbals if a king is riding into town?
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
Hear the voice of the King on a donkey!
Hear the joy of the news he brings!
He is Jesus, the Son of the Highest. He is Jesus and the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Roger & Marvis J, Jan J, Dan & Michele K
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #341 (blue) “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Palm Sunday
April 13, 2025
PRELUDE
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
-CE/FELLOWSHIP MEETING today after worship service
-WORSHIP MEETING today after worship service
-TUESDAY MORNING COFFEE: 9:30ish AM, Mission Coffee House
-LILIES AND SPRING FLOWERS FOR EASTER – sign-up sheet for ‘in memory of’ by Tuesday, April 15 (sheet on office counter)
-BLADE ARTICLES DUE for May/June issue on Tuesday, April 15
-THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM, center meeting room
-SISTERHOOD meets at Mission Coffee House, Thurs. April 17, 11:30 AM and MEN’S BROTHERHOOD meets next Thursday, April 24, 5:30 PM
-MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE/MEAL, FPC Fellowship Hall, April 17 at 5:30 PM
CALL TO WORSHIP
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest! We welcome the King!
Not in might, but in mercy He rides.
Not with force, but with love He reigns.
The crowds shout praise, yet the cross awaits.
Still, He walks the road of redemption.
Let our voices join in the song of the faithful.
All glory, laud, and honor to Christ, our King!
*OPENING HYMN #88 (blue) “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel, David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's name comest, the King and blessed One.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
The people of the Hebrews With palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayers and anthems Before Thee we present.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
To Thee, before Thy passion, They sang their hymns of praise;
To Thee, now high exalted, Our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou didst accept their praises; accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest, Thou good and gracious King!
All glory, laud, and honor to Thee, Redeemer, King!
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
*CALL TO CONFESSION and *PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Hosanna, Lord, save us. We cry out with the crowd, praising you with our lips, but in our hearts, we struggle to follow your way. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we welcome you in joy but turn away when your path leads to challenge. Forgive our shallow faith, our empty promises, our failure to live as your disciples. Have mercy on us, O God. Ride into our hearts once more, and make us new, not just today, but every day we walk with you. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*GLORIA PATRI (on screen)
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.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SPECIAL MUSIC “Palm Branches” (J. Paul Williams/Douglas Nolan) Choir
Palm branches, palm branches filling the air
Palm branches waving are seen everywhere
Hear the hosannas as loudly they ring
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King.
Palm branches, palm branches lifted on high
Palm branches waving as He passes by
Children are lining the streets as they bring
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King.
Blessed is he who comes, who comes In the name of the Lord
Joyful hosannas they sing in one accord.
Palm branches, palm branches turn in the wind
Palm branches offered as praises to Him
Jesus has come to restore and redeem
Palm branches, palm branches laid at the feet of the King
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION and SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 (responsively)
1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!
ALL
2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them, and give thanks to the LORD.
WOMEN
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.
MEN
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.
WOMEN
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!
MEN
26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.
28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
ALL
29 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Luke 19: 29-40
29 When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying,
“Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden.
Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They said, “The Lord needs it.”
35 Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.
36 As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
37 Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, 38 saying,
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.”
40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
SERMON Palm Sunday’s Supporting Cast
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 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.
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “There’s a Man Riding in on a Donkey” (by Paul Wigmore to the tune from “Give Me Oil in My Lamp”)
There's a man riding in on a donkey,
there's a man, and they say he's king!
And the palm leaves are waving a welcome and the voices of the people sing:
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
Why a king riding in on a donkey?
Why a king wearing no fine crown?
Where the drums? Where the high-sounding cymbals if a king is riding into town?
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
Hear the voice of the King on a donkey!
Hear the joy of the news he brings!
He is Jesus, the Son of the Highest. He is Jesus and the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King!
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concerns: Jan J, Judy Se., Pam K (Delores K’s daughter)
Our homebound or in care members: Richard & Dolores C, Bob F (Pat caregiver), Jan J, Darwin L (Jeanne caregiver), Marlys M, Bob O (Nancy caregiver), Rose P, Joyce R, Steve VB, Dee W (reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Roger & Marvis J, Jan J, Dan & Michele K
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
OFFERING OF OURSELVES AND OUR RESOURCES
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*CLOSING HYMN #341 (blue) “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE