Palm/Passion Sunday
10:00 AM Service April 2, 2023
GATHERING
The service begins at the Youth/Activity Building for those who are able. Palm branches are distributed before the service begins.
GATHERING
P: The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
ACCLAMATION
A: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. C: Hosanna in the highest!
PROCESSIONAL GOSPEL:
P: The holy gospel according to Matthew 21:1-11. C: Glory to you, O Lord.
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 vil-lage 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, say-ing, 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.”
P: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ.
BLESSING OF PALMS
P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
We praise you, O God, for redeeming the world through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today he entered the holy city in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and King by those who spread garments and branches along his way. Bless these branches and those who carry them. Grant us grace to follow our Lord in the way of the cross, so that, joined to his death and resurrection, we enter into life with you; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
PROCESSION
A: Let us go forth in peace, C: in the name of Christ. Amen.
The procession walks to the sanctuary with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
HYMN # 344 “All Glory Laud and Honor”
As the procession enters the church the singing begins. The bell choir plays. All process down the center aisle to the front and down the side aisles to take their places.
All Glory, Laud, and Honor
Refrain
All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
1 You are the king of Israel and David's royal Son,
now in the Lord's name coming, our King and Blessed One. Refrain
2 The company of angels are praising you on high;
creation and all mortals in chorus make reply. Refrain
3 The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present. Refrain
4 To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise.
To you, now high exalted, our melody we raise. Refrain
5 Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness, O good and gracious King. Refrain
P: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
C: Hosanna in the highest!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING OF THE BELL
APOSTOLIC GREETING
L: The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: Let us pray:
Sovereign God, you have established your rule in the human heart through the servanthood of Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, keep us in the joyful procession of those who with their tongues confess Jesus as Lord and with their lives praise him as Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Please be seated
INTRODUCTION (as readers gather)
Readers: Julie Champion, Ed Zastawny, Judy Hillegeist, Don Gillett, Michelle Johnson, Jim Johnson
THE PASSION READING
Matthew 26: 14—36a Jesus and his disciples at the meal…
Go to dark Gethsemane,
all who feel the tempter's pow'r;
your Redeemer's conflict see.
Watch with him one bitter hour;
turn not from his griefs away;
Matthew 26:36b-57
Jesus in the garden…
Follow to the judgment hall,
view the Lord of life arraigned;
oh, the wormwood and the gall!
Oh, the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suff'ring, shame, or loss;
learn from him to bear the cross.
Matthew 26:58-27:31
Jesus before the authorities…
Calv'ry's mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete.
"It is finished!" hear him cry;
learn from Jesus Christ to die.
Matthew 27:32-27:66
Jesus at Calvary…
Early hasten to the tomb,
where clay;
all is solitude and gloom.
Who has taken him away?
Christ is ris'n! He meets our eyes.
Savior, teach us so to rise.
REFLECTION Rev. Judith Miller
HYMN OF THE DAY # 349 “Ah, Holy Jesus”
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each petition concludes with: Hear us O, God, The congregation responds: Your mercy is great.
PEACE
A: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
A: Please share Christ’s peace with one another.
OFFERING AND OFFERTORY Hymn #338 “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”
Please stand on the last verse.
OFFERTORY PRAYER
A: Merciful God, receive the sacrifice of our praise and thanksgiving and the offering of our lives, that following in the way of the cross, we may know the joy of the resurrection; through Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
MEAL
P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ, whose suffering and death gave salvation to all. You gather your people around the tree of the cross, transforming death into life.
We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Return to God with all your heart. Receive bread for the journey, drink for the desert.
Please be seated
Lamb of God...
COMMUNION HYMNS # 481 “Come to the Table”
# 483 “Here Is Bread”
Please stand
COMMUNION BLESSING
P: The body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in true faith unto eternal life. Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
P: As we now enter into the contemplation of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and meditate on the salvation of the world through his sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection, let us pray.
C: O God of mercy and might, in the mystery of the passion of your Son you offer your infinite life to the world. As you have gathered us around this table, gather us around the cross of Christ, and preserve us until the resurrection, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN
BENEDICTION
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and grant you his peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Hymn #346 “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty”
DISMISSAL
A: Go in peace C: The Lord is with us. We go to remember his passion and to serve
others in his name.
POSTLUDE
Our thanks to those who serve as our worship leaders today:
Our Liturgist—Claire Roberts
Organist—Ed Workmon
Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann
Guest Preacher—The Rev. Judith Miller