PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
The story of Palm Sunday tells of how people removed their cloaks and spread them out in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. The cloak we wear every day to face the world is both the persona we wish to present, and our defense against the elements.
As we come to worship may we be willing to lay down our defenses and disguises, at the feet of the One who sees us we really are. And then, set free for worship,
may we offer our praises with open hearts and lives.
Friends in Christ: For the five weeks of Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of our Lord's suffering and death. Today, together with the whole church, we begin this holy week by welcoming our Messiah.
So, like the people of long ago, let us welcome Jesus and follow him to the cross.
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, as we remember how Christ the King entered Jerusalem to the sound of joyful shouts, increase our faith and listen to our prayers, so that we may praise you every day, by living always in him. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN Hosannah, Loud Hosannah
Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the lovely 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!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
SCRIPTURE Mark 11:1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
This is the Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God!
HYMN Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children stood round his knee, and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.
Into the city I'd follow the children's band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
SERMON
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Lenten Creed
We believe that our lives are held within the encircling love of God,
who knows our names and recognizes our deepest needs.
We believe that Christ is the divine Child of the living God,
and that his grace is like living waters that can never be exhausted.
We believe in the birthing, renewing, enabling Spirit of God
who yearns over our welfare as a mother yearns for her child.
We believe that God is in the arid desert as well as in green pastures,
and that hard times and disciplines are also loving gifts.
We believe that our journey has a purpose and a destination,
and that our path leads to a human glory we cannot yet imagine.
We believe that in the church we are fellow pilgrims on the road,
and that we are called to love one another as God loves us.
This is our faith and we are humbled to profess in Jesus the Christ. Amen
CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS
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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
HYMN OF PRAYER All Glory, Laud and Honor
All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David's royal Son,
To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As you received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
for you delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN OF PROMISE Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Rejoice, ye pure in heart; rejoice, give thanks and sing;
your glorious banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Your clear hosannas raise, and alleluias loud;
whilst answering echoes upward float, like wreaths of incense cloud.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore,
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
BLESSING
POSTLUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP
The story of Palm Sunday tells of how people removed their cloaks and spread them out in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. The cloak we wear every day to face the world is both the persona we wish to present, and our defense against the elements.
As we come to worship may we be willing to lay down our defenses and disguises, at the feet of the One who sees us we really are. And then, set free for worship,
may we offer our praises with open hearts and lives.
Friends in Christ: For the five weeks of Lent we have been preparing for the celebration of our Lord's suffering and death. Today, together with the whole church, we begin this holy week by welcoming our Messiah.
So, like the people of long ago, let us welcome Jesus and follow him to the cross.
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, as we remember how Christ the King entered Jerusalem to the sound of joyful shouts, increase our faith and listen to our prayers, so that we may praise you every day, by living always in him. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
HYMN Hosannah, Loud Hosannah
Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the lovely 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!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
SCRIPTURE Mark 11:1-11
When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
This is the Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God!
HYMN Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear; things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea, stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
First let me hear how the children stood round his knee, and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace, all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.
Into the city I'd follow the children's band, waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
SERMON
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Lenten Creed
We believe that our lives are held within the encircling love of God,
who knows our names and recognizes our deepest needs.
We believe that Christ is the divine Child of the living God,
and that his grace is like living waters that can never be exhausted.
We believe in the birthing, renewing, enabling Spirit of God
who yearns over our welfare as a mother yearns for her child.
We believe that God is in the arid desert as well as in green pastures,
and that hard times and disciplines are also loving gifts.
We believe that our journey has a purpose and a destination,
and that our path leads to a human glory we cannot yet imagine.
We believe that in the church we are fellow pilgrims on the road,
and that we are called to love one another as God loves us.
This is our faith and we are humbled to profess in Jesus the Christ. Amen
CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS
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.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
HYMN OF PRAYER All Glory, Laud and Honor
All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the King of Israel and David's royal Son,
To you before your passion they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
As you received their praises, accept the prayers we bring,
for you delight in goodness, O good and gracious King!
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN OF PROMISE Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Rejoice, ye pure in heart; rejoice, give thanks and sing;
your glorious banner wave on high, the cross of Christ your King.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Your clear hosannas raise, and alleluias loud;
whilst answering echoes upward float, like wreaths of incense cloud.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore,
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore.
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.
BLESSING
POSTLUDE