Welcome to Worship
We gather to worship, we go out to serve.
GATHERING AROUND THE WORD
* Please rise in body or spirit
Tolling of the Bell
Lenten Journey of Diminishing Lights
Welcome and Announcements
Visitors, fill out the connection card in the pew so we can send you a note
Opening Prayer Terry Bryant
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Unison) Terry Bryant
Awake to the day of triumph for our Savior! Give thanks for this day that leads to the cross! Come with your branches, hosannas, and songs! Fill the air with welcome to the Lord! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
*Hymn All Glory, Laud and Honor #196
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Terry Bryant
I rise, O God, awakened by your Word, to live another day. Lead me in your path. Show me the steps to take toward greater faith. Hold me in your care as I move through this Holy Week where the shadows deepen even in the daylight. Hosanna! Save me now, dear God! Amen.
*Passing of the Peace (Responsive)
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
HEARING THE WORD
Prayer for Illumination Terry Bryant
Let your Word, O God, break open our hearts this day through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may enter into the coming Holy Week with the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Gospel Reading Matthew 21:1-11 Terry Bryant
Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Word in Music Christopher Bunch
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
*Hymn Jesu, Jesu Fill Us With Your Love #203
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) Confession of 1967 (edited)
The reconciliation of humanity through Jesus Christ makes it plain that enslaving poverty in a world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God’s good creation. Because Jesus identified himself with the needy and exploited, the cause of the world’s poor is the cause of his disciples. The church cannot condone poverty, whether it is the product of unjust social structures, exploitation of the defenseless, lack of national resources, absence of technological understanding, or rapid expansion of populations. The church calls every person to use their abilities, their possessions, and the fruits of technology as gifts entrusted to them by God for the maintenance of God’s family and the advancement of the common welfare.
Prayers of Intercession / Lord’s Prayer (Responsive)
Our Savior comes to us humbly, riding a donkey and proclaiming a message of peace.
Let us pray for the church, for Earth and all its creatures, and for all people in need, saying, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That Christians hear and share the word of God as true disciples,
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That all ends of the earth receive the words of the king of peace.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That all leaders, of church and of state, prefer humble service to empty power. God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That all people live with gratitude for the gifts of nourishment, friendship, family, trust, patience, and hope with the courage and wisdom to change whatever fails to be life-giving.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That those who see the cross starkly revealed in their lives draw strength from the name that is above every other name.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
That we might live with gratitude for our ancestors whose faith and witness have nourished our own, that all who mourn today will be comforted, and that we, who hope to greet Jesus when he comes again, will be ready and filled with joy.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
God our creator, you show your sons and daughters the way to freedom through the gentle obedience of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray the prayer he taught us:
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, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
*Doxology #606
*Prayer of Dedication
WE GO OUT TO SERVE
*Hymn What Wondrous Love Is This #215
*Leaving into the Passion of Holy Week Psalm 31:9-16
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
*Blessing
Go in peace, assured of God’s presence with you, with the
mind of Christ Jesus as your path and guide, and the constant
companionship of the Holy Spirit.
Postlude Christopher Bunch