Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Andrew Koehler – Piano
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
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Palm Sunday Service
April 2, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11
Sermon: “Who is this?” Rev Ed Sunday-Winters
*Hymn: #213 (New Century Hymnal) Hosana, Loud Hosana
*Hymn: #215 (New Century Hymnal) Ride On! Ride On in Majesty
*Hymn: #216 (New Century Hymnal) All Glory, Laud and Honor
Prelude: “Take Up Your Cross” by Lloyd Larson, Hal, voice and piano
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Right Side: Open the gates, for on this side of Jerusalem, a grand parade of Rome brings the pomp and circumstance of power and prestige to the streets for the Passover Feast.
Left Side: Open the gates, for on the other side of Jerusalem, a humble procession enters the city among the lives of the Jewish poor and marginalized.
Right Side: (Facing left & stomping together) Entering through the gates, we ride in on horses with the powerful armor of Rome, bind the festal procession with power. Let the feast begin!
Left Side: (Facing right and waving palms) Entering through the gates, Jesus comes riding on a donkey and the crowd binds the festal procession by laying down palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!”
All: (Waving branches) Open to us the gates of God and together we will proclaim, “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”
Opening Prayer
*Gloria Patri #36
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. (Please bring your palms to the alter while singing the first hymn)
*Hymn: #213 (New Century Hymnal) Hosana, Loud Hosana
Prayer of Confession
O God, we know that our lives have missed the mark and fallen short of your call to love you and neighbor with our whole lives. At times we can enter into the circumstances of our lives with power over others, arrogance, or a lack of awareness of the needs of our neighbor. Forgive us for being more interested in our own achievements or our obsessed with seeking the approval of others. Come and save us now. Transform us into a people of humility and righteousness, we pray.
Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11
Anthem “In Remembrance of Me” by Courtney and Red, Hal, voice and piano
Sermon: “Who is this?” Rev Ed Sunday-Winters
A Time of Silence
Offertory
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One.
Amen.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
O God of Welcome and Waving Palms, as the crowd offered to you their praise and the palms on the road, so we share these gifts out of the abundance you have provided. May they be for the healing salvation and work of justice you are bringing about in the world through your unending love. Amen and Amen.
Communion
Invitation to the table
The Great Thanksgiving
One: God be with you.
All: And also with you!
One: Lift up your hearts
All: We lift them to God
One: Let us give thanks to God Most High.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Holy God,
We praise and bless you for creation and the gift of life and for your abiding love which brings us close to you. . .. . .In the strength Christ gives us, we offer ourselves to you, eternal God, and give thanks that you have called us to serve you.
All: Amen.
Blessing of Bread and Cup
Prayer after receiving
All: We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have known the presence of Christ and have received all Christ’s gifts. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
*Hymn: #215 (New Century Hymnal) Ride On! Ride On in Majesty
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (using “debts:” turn to the bottom of page #271 in the green hymnal)
*Hymn: #216 (New Century Hymnal) All Glory, Laud and Honor
*Benediction Rev Ed Sunday-Winters
*Musical Benediction
“We are Building a New World” (tune of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”, #500 NCH),
“We are building up a new world, We are building up a new world, We are building up a new world, Builders must be strong!”“Rise, shine and give God glory, Rise, shine and give God glory, Rise, shine and give God glory, Children of the Light.”
Postlude: Organ solo, Hal