GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETING
PRELUDE Kathy Nash
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Grace and peace from God our Father.
All: And from our Lord Jesus Christ!
Leader: Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
All: Come let us worship Him!
* HYMN “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” UMH #213
LITANY: Palm Sunday
Leader: Holy God, Mighty and Merciful, we are in awe of a love so great; You came to Earth as a baby, to teach, to heal, to forgive and ultimately ride triumphantly in to Jerusalem to give Your life for us.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: Strengthen and sustain Your children who proclaim the Good News of the gospel in the face of persecution. Soften the hardened hearts of those who are unwilling to hear Your Word that they might be born to a new life in You.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: Encourage the outcast, the marginalized and the invisible people in our communities; open our eyes not only to see them, but bring them out of the shadows, and work for change to end poverty and indifference.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: Comfort the grieving, those who cope with chronic illness—physical or mental, and those who feel hopeless. Let them be assured of your abiding presence even in the darkest times.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: We offer all the prayers of our hearts, singing hosanna as we worship the one who rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey.
People: O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever! Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
TIME WITH YOUTH Janet Keffer
*HYMN “Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart” UMH #161
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON PSALM 31:9-16
PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Holy God, as we witness again the triumphant entry of Your Son into Jerusalem, we have to ask ourselves on which side of the parade we stand. Do we follow Jesus for the whole journey, even when it leads to the cross, a symbol of suffering and death? As long ago they laid cloaks on Jesus’ path, so we place our gifts on Your altar to help make a way for Jesus to enter hearts. Help us remember that some who shouted “Hosanna” were later among those who stood with the crowds who shouted, “crucify him!” when that was the safe place to stand. Grant us the courage to stand with Christ when the road is hard and the way is risky. We pray it the name of the Messiah and King! Amen. (Luke 19:28-40)
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
*PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
*DOXOLOGY UMH #95
JOYS AND CONCERNS-PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Janet Keffer THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 21:1-12
THE MESSAGE “The Victory That Ended in Defeat” Michael Keffer
*HYMN “The Palms” See Insert
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Surely the Presence” UMH #328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel His mighty power and His grace. I can hear the brush of angel’s wings; I see glory on each face. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING
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*Stand as you are able. The quiet room is available in the back of the sanctuary if needed.