As you arrive in worship and find a place in a pew, please use the following prayer to center your thoughts and spirit. As the Prelude begins, quiet your voice and soul. With music and prayer let us move from ‘getting to church’ to ‘being the church’ as we worship together.

Prayer of Confession

Gracious and loving God: you have told us that life is gained by losing it; giving it away and letting go. We confess that these words tend to frighten us, for we give up unwillingly. Christ’s entire life was immersed in holy mystery, yet we keep mystery and things we don’t fully understand at bay. We don’t easily relinquish our control or pause to consider your Spirit’s direction. Lead us to discover your Way, and to embrace even the unknown of a future in your grace. Forgive and redirect us, for we are all in need of your grace and goodness. 

Readings

Psalter Lesson: Psalm 118: 1-2; 19-26 NRSV

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let God’s people say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Gospel Lesson: Mark 11: 1-11 NRSV

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Hymns

• No. 88 – All Glory, Laud, and Honor
• No. 89 – Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
• All Hail to God’s Anointed

Anthem performed by the Chancel Handbell Choir

Sermon

“Mission—Extremely Possible!” Rev. Scott G. Loomer

Download the Worship bulletin for Palm Sunday, April 14th