CALL TO WORSHIP
Read this loud enough so that you neighbor can hear you.
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion.
Sing aloud, Daughter Jerusalem.
Look, your king will come to you.
He is righteous and victorious.
He is humble and riding on a donkey.
Palm Procession
Listen to the Sanctuary Choir sing “Hosanna to the King!” by Dan Forrest from 2019. Wave your own branch with the pictures below.
OPENING HYMN
Our opening hymn today is “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna.”
Please sing along. The words are posted below the video.
Hosanna, loud hosanna
the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple
the joyful anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them,
close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises,
the simplest and the best.
"Hosanna in the highest!"
That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer,
the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him
with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence
eternally rejoice.
Prayer of Confession
If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.
We shout “hosanna.” This means “save us.” Save us from our worst inclinations. Save us from the things we cannot change but think we can. Save us from despair. Save us from shame. Save us from evil. Save us from sin. Save us from ourselves. Place in us your love, compassion, grace, and forgiveness. We pray with confidence because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, which allows us to boldly proclaim, “We are forgiven.” Amen.
THE WORD
You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Michael read. (In the sermon Michael refers to “Matthew 23.” He meant “Matthew 2:3.”)
Matthew 21:1-11
When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus gave two disciples a task. He said to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter, you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that their master needs them.” He sent them off right away. Now this happened to fulfill what the prophet said, Say to Daughter Zion, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble and riding on a donkey, and on a colt the donkey’s offspring.” The disciples went and did just as Jesus had ordered them. They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their clothes on them. Then he sat on them.
Now a large crowd spread their clothes on the road. Others cut palm branches off the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds in front of him and behind him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. “Who is this?” they asked. The crowds answered, “It’s the prophet Jesus from Nazareth.”
Affirmation of Faith
Our affirmation of faith today comes from Philippians 2. Feel free to recite the affirmation with First Presbyterian Church using the recording.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus:
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit.
But he emptied himself
by taking the form of a slave
and by becoming like human beings.
When he found himself in the form of a human,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly honored him
and gave him a name above all names,
so that at the name of Jesus everyone
in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God. Amen.
SOLO
Brian Shephard sings “King of Glory.”
Welcome & Prayers of the People
Michael will lead our prayers of the people today. Call out your own prayers during the moments of silence.
SENDING
Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.
Benediction
The peace of God, which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and the blessing of God almighty remain with you always. Amen.
Postlude
CCLI License #768739