Palm Sunday | April 5, 2020

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

Service of the Lord's Day | March 29, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

Our only comfort in life and in death is that we are not our own, but we belong— body and soul—to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us worship the one to whom we belong.

The voice of God in Isaiah 43 calls us to worship today. Use the audio file to have Allan Smillie read the passage or read it aloud yourself.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
    and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
    and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “How Firm a Foundation.”

Please sing along. The words are posted below the video.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

Prayer of Confession

If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.

Awaken us, O Lord, to your presence in the world. In times of trial, we sometimes misplace our trust. We excuse fearful decisions in the name of self-interest. We look for easy solutions and shortcuts. However, you offer us faith, even as we struggle to accept that faith is sufficent. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

We pray this in the name of the one who says again and again, “Fear not for I am with you.” We pray with confidence because of the good news of Jesus Christ: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Michael read these scripture passages, read along with the audio files, or read the passages aloud yourself.

Throughout Lent we have been studying prayer together. We set out to study each request for of the Lord’s Prayer each week in worship. Today we return to the final prayer request in the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:13

The last petition of the Lord’s Prayer.

And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

One does not live by bread alone,
     but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
     and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
     and serve only him.’”

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Matthew 26:36-41

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

SOLO

Lara Moon sings “How Great His Love.” Use this time to sense where God may be leading you.

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today comes from the Iona Abbey in Scotland.Feel free to recite the affirmation with First Presbyterian Church using the recording.

Out of death came life,
and God defeated evil:
an empty cross and an empty tomb,
a nail mark shown and a presence known.
Out of sorrow came joy,
and God sent the Spirit:
coming like fire to all people and ages,
coming to birth in the water of life.
Out of difference came unity,
and God's people were called:
called to receive Christ in bread and wine,
called to be free in the power of love.
For when the Holy Spirit comes upon us,
we will be filled with power,
and be witnesses for Christ to the ends of the earth.

Prayers of the People

Michael will lead our prayers of the people today. Add your own prayers by naming them aloud in the moments of silence. If someone in your household would like to offer the prayer instead, then here is the prayer used by our congregation today.

Holy God, help us pray for what you want—to hunger for your glory—to seek your face. Fill us with a knowledge of you—to cast out fear with love—to keep us attentive to your will in the world. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us—so that we can witness your redeeming love—so that the hope you give can bless the world.

We pray for…those who are ill…those who are lonely…those torn between grief and hope…healthcare workers…those in positions of public trust…the Church of Jesus Christ…our friends, families, and ourselves…

Let us pray together: 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, forever. Amen.

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.

Benediction

And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And hear the voice of God say, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Amen.

Passing of the Peace

Call or e-mail someone offering them the peace of Jesus Christ.

Postlude

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord's Day | March 22, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP

We praise God because we are marvelously and wonderfully made.

Read Psalm 139:1-14 aloud or have Emily Sams read it for you using the audio file below.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?
    Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
    if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
    and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is as bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

OPENING HYMN

Our opening hymn today is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Please sing along to video posted below.

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Prayer of Confession

If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.

Make us still, O Lord. There is so much we do not know, and it makes us uneasy. Help us accept the things we cannot change. We worry and stress that we are not enough. This can harden our hearts, and we can misuse your gifts of reason and intellect.

Make us still, O Lord.

We pray in this name of the one who says, “Peace. Be still.” We pray with confidence because of the good news of Jesus Christ: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.

THE WORD

You are invited to close your eyes and listen to Michael read these scripture passages. Alternatively, read it aloud yourself. If someone is with you, you may want to invite them to close their eyes.

Psalm 46:1-3,10a

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God!”

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Romans 8:24-27

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

SOLO

Tara Downie sings “It Is Well with My Soul.” Use this time to be still.

Affirmation of Faith

Our affirmation of faith today is form the Reformed Church of Australia. Feel free to recite the affirmation with First Presbyterian Church using the recording.

We believe in God, who made the world and reaches out to it with a love that is fierce and passionate, tender and kind.

We believe in Jesus the Christ; God revealed in a human life. Jesus touched the untouchable and pardoned the unforgivable. Raised by God, Jesus is parting the sea of evil and despair and leading us across into the land of freedom and promise.

We believe in the Holy Spirit; whose breathing gives life; whose fire purges and renews; whose wisdom awakens courage and hope. Gathered by the Spirit, we have been baptized into a common life: overflowing with love and mercy; richer than mind can measure; but appearing foolish to the world. And we trust that the foolishness of God will prove wiser than the wisdom of the world, and that the suffering of God will heal the earth and fulfill our hopes of justice and peace.

Prayers of the people

Michael will lead our prayers of the people today. Please add your own prayers by naming them aloud in the moments of silence.

SENDING

Lisa sends us from this service with a story for the whole family.

Benediction

And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. And hear the voice of God say, “Be still and know that I am God.” Amen.

Postlude

CCLI License #768739

Service of the Lord’s Day | March 15, 2020

Call to Worship: Psalm 100

Read this loud enough so that your neighbor can hear it.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come into his presence with singing.

Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he that made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Opening Hymn

Our opening hymn today is Our God, Our Help, in Ages Past.

Please sing along:

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Prayer of Confession

If you are able, sit up straight. Place your hand palms up on your lap and offer this prayer.

Gracious Lord, help us focus on your kindness, compassion, and mercy.

Take three deep breaths.

With your mighty love cast out our fear, worry, loneliness, and despair.

Take three deep breaths.

We know that your perfect love casts out fear. And we know that in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

The Word

Read these passages of scripture slowly and tenderly.

1 Corinthians 12: 26-27 | "If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

Genesis 2:18 | “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.”

Matthew 6:11-13 | “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.”

Affirmation of faith

This affirmation faith is from the United Church of Canada. After reading it, come back to a phrase that you found meaningful and reflect on it. Call someone from Church later today and share your reflection. Reflect together on the ways that we are not alone. (If you are “visiting” with us today or don’t have contact information for someone else, e-mail our pastor and he will call you this week. His e-mail is michael@fpcmiddletown.com.)

If you would like to recite it along with First Presbyterian Church, use this audio file.

We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Our prayers are led today by Sandy Fisher.

SENDING

Lisa is sending us from this service with a story for the whole family.

Benediction

And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. You are not alone. Amen.

Postlude

CCLI License #768739