The Celebration of Christian Worship
Celebrating 175 Years of Faith & Hope
March 16, 2008 Palm Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Prayer of the Day
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.
Prelude – “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” Wolf, S.D
Trumpeters: Thomas Russet, George Gurzo
Liturgical Dance: Daniela De La Cruz, Cassandra De La Cruz, Colby White
Liturgical Dance Instructor: Melissa Haupt
OUR APPROACH TO GOD
Votum
Sentences – Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 See Insert
Salutation
*Hymn #173 – “All Glory, Laud and Honor
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, today is a day of spiritual reckoning for us. As we enter Holy Week and examine our lives by the measure of Jesus’ life, we know that we have come up short. We, like Paul, know our transgressions. Like the psalmist, our sin is ever before us. We pray that you would give us the integrity to see ourselves as others see us. From this insight, may we come to understand ourselves in a more truthful light. Then, may we repent of our sin. Forgive us, we pray, and steer us once again toward the path that leads to you. In our words and actions, make us more Christ-like. Help us “empty ourselves” and “humble ourselves” to serve you in your realm. Amen.
Words of Assurance
*Gloria Patri
Passing the Peace
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lessons: Matthew 21:1-11
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Minute
The children are invited to come forward for the children's message. After the message, children of Kindergarten age through Grade 5 will go with their teachers to Memorial Hall; younger children can be taken to the Schoolhouse Nursery by their parents. At 11:06 the teachers of school-aged children will close their lesson and walk the children to Cook Hall to meet parents. If it is necessary for parents to pick up their children at Memorial Hall, please wait in the front room until the lesson is finished. The younger children should be picked up in the nursery.
*Hymn – “Halle, Halle Hallelujah”
*Hymn #174 – “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna”
Sermon – “Storming the Gates of Apathy and Evil”
Prayer for Blessing on the Word
Reflection: Psalm 31 Green No. 131 Cantor: Melissa Haupt, Thomas Russet
OUR RESPONSE TO THE WORD
*The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering
Offertory – “I want Jesus to Walk with Me” Sojourner
Duet: Melissa Haupt, Thomas Russet
*The Doxology: (Hymn #556): Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
God of every good and perfect gift, as we offer our gifts – the gifts that symbolize our lives before you – may we also recognize that our gifts are only what you, O God, have first given us. May we learn a generosity of spirit through our reading of scripture, as we examine the holy lives you have touched. May the example of these holy ones inspire in us a life of generosity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Family Prayers & Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
*Hymn #130 (Green) – “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”
*Benediction & Threefold Amen
*Postlude - Improvising on “I want to Jesus to walk with me”
*all those who are able may stand