Bulletin – Sunday, April 5, 2020

Sunday, April 5, 2020
Sixth Sunday in Lent / Palm Sunday

Approach

Welcome, and lighting the Christ candle

Lighting the Lenten Candle

Response

One:

Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
Stumbling though our steps may be,
One with you in joy and sorrow,
We the river, you the sea.
We the river, you the sea.

All:

Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joy inherit
If we bear the cross with you,
If we bear the cross with you.

Call to Worship

We join with the crowd that eagerly awaited the coming of Jesus
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

Fulfilling prophecy, Jesus entered the city riding humbly on a donkey.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

Jesus’ followers were excited, filled with anticipation. Yet, within a few short days, they were scattered, disillusioned, and frightened, unwilling to follow as far as Christ would have them go.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

Yet this Palm Sunday, we receive palm branches, a reminder of the welcome offered to Jesus as he travelled toward the cross.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

Like the crowd in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, we take our palm branches and greet Jesus, shouting:
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God! Hosanna in the highest!

Opening Hymn – VU #122 – “All Glory, Laud and Honour”

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Gracious God, as we stand at the gates of the city, give us grace to recognize the King we proclaim, and courage to be a part of your kingdom – even when it goes against our ways and the ways of the world, even when it leads us where we do not want to go.

You call us to follow, you have called us to edges of life to find you there, to see you in those places that might be so unfamiliar to us. Grant us the courage that we might continue to follow you into those dusty streets, not just saying the words, but believing them in our soul.

Empower us to free ourselves from the tempting alternatives of power and wealth and status, and embolden us to live lives of thanksgiving and praise.

It has always been so easy for us to get distracted by the power and greed of this world, turning away from you when things become challenging. Help us to remember that the cross that we are moving towards is truly a symbol of your love and mercy. We ask this in the name of the one who rides, Jesus your son. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hymn – MV #123 – “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 118:1-2; 19-29
Matthew 21:1-11

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “On the Edge of Glory”

Solo – “Messiah”

The Response

Prayers of the People

One: Lord, hear our prayer,
All: and in your love, answer.

Closing Hymn – VU #703 – “In the Bulb There is a Flower:

Commissioning / Benediction Response

May the grace of Christ attend us,
And the love of God surround us,
And the holy Spirit keep us,
Now and ever, always.
Amen, Amen, forever and ever,
Amen.