Mediation 1

i just realized that in my imagination the wilderness is always somewhere else; a foreign landscape i actively have to enter in the act of being faithful. truthfully, the wilderness is always where i am right now and faith is the courage to stay with it when i'd rather pretend i am anywhere else.

Chimes

Opening Prayer 2

Let us begin with prayer: Holy One, we come before you, many of us feeling like we have climbed just a part of the mountain, and there is so much more of a climb left to even get to point to dream that we might be dazzled by what is Divine. Our loads are heavy, with worry, with regret, with fatigue, with illness, with despair for all in the world that is hurting, in danger, in bondage and more. We trudge ahead, following you, stumbling, hoping, praying... breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes, even some of us are nimble and skipping. Lead us Lord, to the top of that mountain, where we might be dazzled by your Light, lifted by what is Divine, filled by the sheer delight of what is numinous and ethereal and grounded and real. We pray this, for ourselves, for one another, and for the worlds in which we live in. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     “I Wander By the Sea”     Dale Wood    

Call to Worship 3

ONE: As darkness gives way to light and winter sleep to fresh beginnings,

ALL: We come today to be reminded of God's love for us.

ONE: Like the green shoots of renewed life, stirring beneath the soil,

ALL: We welcome an awakening of God's word in our lives.

ONE: In this time of reflection and repentance,

ALL: We affirm our identity, we claim our security, as children of God.

Hymn 250  In the Bulb There Is a Flower

Prayer of Confession 4

O God, You who are always doing a new thing, we confess that we sometimes close windows against the fresh air of new ideas, against the noise of other people's worries, against the winds of change. God of every place and time, we confess that we often draw the curtains against people who are different, against world news or community concerns. Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes, our shuttered churches, the security systems on our hearts. Open up our lives, and let your Spirit blow through. Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 5

ONE: Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Your sins are forgiven.'

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-13

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem     "As the Deer"     Martin J. Nystrom

Sermon:   "Test?"    Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 167  Forty Days and Forty Nights

Invitation to the Offering

Generous God, you hold nothing back when we call to you.  You offer us every good gift for our lives.  Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude, heartfelt commitment, and praise. We have a basket here on the table to receive your offerings now, or later this morning, and you are more than welcome to continue sending your offerings through the mail.  We want to recognize all of the offerings of time and energy and talent and money that are such an important part of being the Church. Let us receive this morning's offering.  

Offertory     “What Wondrous Love Is This”     Trad., Arr. Benjamin Harlan     

Prayer of Dedication

Let us pray: Let us dedicate these offerings to God's use, with prayer.  Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material.  Some of our offerings are promises from us to you.  Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need.  Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love.   In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.   Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving 6, 7

Friends, this is the joyful feast of unity.  Christ has gathered his people around the earth to commune at this table.  Across political lines and economic lines, in places of powerfully protected affluence, and among the poorest of the poor, we share a meal, remembering and celebrating the One who proved shalom possible. And so, come: you from the East and you from the West, from the North and from the South. Come. Come with your doubts, come with your hopes, come with your inadequacies and with your strengths.  Come, for this is a table where all are invited and all are welcome.

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER:  Let us pray.  Lord, we greet you and give our thanks that you have been at work in our world throughout all time.  You made all things and called them good.  You claimed your people Israel, freed them from the bondage of Egypt, and journeyed with them through the wilderness to the promised land.  You sent prophets to call your people back to you.  Then in the fullness of time you sent your Son Jesus.  He was one of us and lived with us, giving up all his glory for our sake to make us whole.  And yet you raised him up again to overcome the power of death and live a new life. Still we wait for the day when we too will share the fullness of life in him and with him.  And so, O God, come among us.  Show us your presence in this bread and this cup,

and make this bread we break and this cup we bless the body and blood of Christ.  By the power of your Holy Spirit, unite us with Christ and all who share this feast, just as you send us out to be his presence in and for your world.  We sing your praise and glory forever.  Amen.

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 11 Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude   "Indescribable"     Laura Story

1 Cheryl Lawrie

2 rev karla

3 Gill Le Fevre

4 Teri on the RevGalBlogPals A Place for Prayer blog

5 Cheryl Lawrie

6 2010 World Communion Day – Worship Resource – PCUSA

7 Rev. Andy James, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Whitestone, New York

Chimes

Opening Prayer 1

The words God speaks are the life and sustenance of all that exists. The life Jesus gives is the re-creation and renewed birth of all that is broken and worn. The Spirit's stirring in our souls is the inspiration for creativity, compassion, joy, and community. Life-giving, life-restoring, life-fulfilling God; may our whole lives be worship. In all things, may we seek to connect with and to reflect your love and your hope.

Welcome

Introit     “Blessed Jesus, At They Word”     Johann Ahle    

Call to Worship 2

ONE: Holy One, dwell within us.

ALL: Whisper in our ears;

ONE: Glimmer in our vision;

ALL: Write upon our hearts.

ONE: We wait

ALL: with open ears, open eyes, open hearts. Amen.

Hymn 451  Open My Eyes, That I May See

Prayer of Confession 3

O God, You who are always doing a new thing, we confess that we sometimes close windows against the fresh air of new ideas, against the noise of other people's worries, against the winds of change. God of every place and time, we confess that we often draw the curtains against people who are different, against world news or community concerns. Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes, our shuttered churches, the security systems on our hearts. Open up our lives, and let your Spirit blow through. Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 4

ONE: Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Your sins are forgiven.'

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:31-35

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem     "All Who Are Thirsty"     Brown & Roberts

Sermon:    "Lean In" Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 195  When Twilight Comes

Invitation to the Offering

Generous God, you hold nothng back when we call to you.  You offer us every good gift for our lives.  Let us gather our gifts together and offer them to God in gratitude, heartfelt commitment, and praise. We have a basket here on the table to receive your offerings now, or later this morning, and you are more than welcome to continue sending your offerings through the mail.  We want to recognize all of the offerings of time and energy and talent and money that are such an important part of being the Church. Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     “When You Prayed Beneath the Trees”     Lloyd Larson     

Prayer of Dedication

Loving God, these offerings we receive today are both material and non-material.  Some of our offerings are promises from us to you.  Take our offerings in whatever form they are, and turn them into something beautiful for someone in need.  Take our offerings and turn them into examples of your love.   In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.   Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 542     God Be with You Till We Meet Again

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude     "You Are My King (Amazing Love)"     Billy Foote

1 The Minor Keys

2 Joanna Harader

3 Teri on RevGalBlogPals

4 Cheryl Lawrie

Chimes

Opening Prayer 1

Loving God, it seems that only the hungry search for bread and only the thirsty look for water.  May our worship be a place for those who are hungry and thirsty in spirit.  We hope that those who ache for meaning will pursue it and those who yearn for a deeper life will seek it here.  May our worship be a place for those who ache and yearn for something more.  We come here today with our hunger and thirst, our unsatisfied longings, and our heart-felt yearnings, knowing that the God of life will satisfy our souls.  Amen.

Welcome

Introit     “I Owe My Lord a Morning Song”     John L. Bell    

Call to Worship 2

ONE: Holy One, dwell within us.

ALL: Whisper in our ears;

ONE: Glimmer in our vision;

ALL: Write upon our hearts.

ONE: We wait

ALL: with open ears, open eyes, open hearts. Amen.

Hymn 247  Now the Green Blade Rises

Prayer of Confession 3

O God, You who are always doing a new thing, we confess that we sometimes close windows against the fresh air of new ideas, against the noise of other people's worries, against the winds of change. God of every place and time, we confess that we often draw the curtains against people who are different, against world news or community concerns. Forgive us our insulation in our locked homes, our shuttered churches, the security systems on our hearts. Open up our lives, and let your Spirit blow through. Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 4

ONE: Scripture says that those who are in Christ are a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, the new has come! Hear then Christ's word of grace to us: 'Your sins are forgiven.'

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:1-9, Luke 13:1-9

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem     “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”     J.S. Bach

Sermon:     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 78  You Thirsty Ones, Come

Invitation to the Offering 5

Please join me in prayer.  God, you loved this world so much that you sent your own son, Jesus Christ to live and die among us, in order that we might have life. Forgive us for keeping that abundant life to ourselves, for jealously hoarding your generous gifts, for choosing self-interest over compassion and justice. Teach us what it means to live as children of the light, generously sharing your abundance with our brothers and sisters in need. We have a basket here on the table to receive your offerings now, or later this morning, and you are more than welcome to continue sending your offerings through the mail.  We want to recognize all of the offerings of time and energy and talent and money that are such an important part of being the Church. Let us receive this morning's offering.  

Offertory     "Far and Wide"     Ruth Moody     

Prayer of Dedication 6

Loving God, we know that we may not have the capacity to divert resources, or uplift communities; we may not have the voice to silence the noise of war, or the words to negotiate peace between armies; but, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something. And so, we pray that you would inspire us to use whatever we offer to commit to and act on the small difference we can make: May we bring peace through small acts of gentleness and reconciliation; May we bring wealth through small contributions and collaborations; May we bring safety through small acts of consideration and acceptance; May we bring wholeness through small acts of care and service. And in the small ways, O God, may our small difference make a big contribution to your saving work in our world. In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.   Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 479     Ho, All Who Thirst

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude     "How Can It Be"     Jeff Johnson, Jason Ingram, and Paul Mabury

1 Ann Siddall  (modified)

2 Stephen Fearing

3 posted by Teri

4 Cheryl Lawrie

5 Christine Longhurst (Canadian Foodgrains Bank website)

6 John van de Laar

Chimes

Opening Prayer 1

Eternal Lover of our wayward race, you open your arms to accept us even before we turn to meet your welcome; you invite us to forgiveness even before our hearts are softened to repentance. Hold before us the image of our humanity made new, so that we may live in Jesus Christ, your new creation. Amen.

Welcome

Introit     "Be the Centre"     Michael Frye

Call to Worship 2

ONE: Come, let us celebrate the forgiving, reconciling love of God.

ALL: For once we were lost and felt so far away; now we have been found and welcomed home.

ONE: Know that God’s love is lavished upon you forever.

ALL: We rejoice at the news of forgiveness and hope!

ONE: Come, let us celebrate and praise the God of Love.

ALL: AMEN!

Hymn 649  Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

Prayer of Confession 3

ONE: Holy One, the space between us is too great–

ALL: this agonizing expanse between you and us:

ONE: The rift we have created by demanding our share.

ALL: The distance we have put between us as we flee to a far country.

ONE: The resentment we hold when things don’t seem fair.

ALL: Our refusal to join your gracious party.

ONE: Forgive each selfish request

ALL: each step away

ONE: each bitter thought

ALL: each joyless rejection.

ONE: Forgive us

ALL: and run toward us with open arms.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 4

My friends, when we are lost, all is not lost. God is seeking us, ready to turn our lives around, gathering us in to the people of God. Let us rejoice in God’s mercy! Amen.

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, Joshua 5:9-12

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem     "Arms of Love"     Craig Musseau

Sermon:     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 418  Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling

Invitation to the Offering 5

God, Protector of the widow, the orphan and the stranger – in a world where many know despair, you raised your Son Jesus to give hope for humanity and renewal to the earth.  Help us to be part of the hope for humanity by presenting our offerings.  Amen.

Offertory     “O Bone Jesu”     Giovanni Palastrina

Prayer of Dedication 6

Loving God, we know that we may not have the capacity to divert resources, or uplift communities; We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war, or the words to negotiate peace between armies; but as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something.  And so, we pray that you would inspire us to use whatever we offer to commit to and act on the small difference we can make: May we bring peace through small acts of gentleness and reconciliation; May we bring wealth through small contributions and collaborations; May we bring safety through small acts of consideration and acceptance; May we bring wholeness through small acts of care and service. And in the small ways, O God, may our small difference make a big contribution to your saving work in our world.  In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace. Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 803     My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude     “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”     Isaac Watts, Arr. Emily Lund

1 Revised Common Lectionary Prayers 2002

2 Stephen Fearing

3 Rev. Joanna Harader LiturgyLink

4 Henrietta Stith Andrews

5 Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year

6 John van de Laar

Chimes

Opening Prayer 1

Holy God of Joy, we rejoice in the reality of who you are. We live within the joy of your love for us. Our contentment comes and goes. Our happiness ebbs and flows. Our feelings depend upon our circumstances, our physical health, our brain chemistry. But our joy is deeply rooted in our identity as your beloved children. And we give you thanks. Amen.

Welcome

Introit    "Meet With Me"     Paul Baloche

Call to Worship

Come and worship, all you who love and serve the Lord — outsiders and insiders, old-timers and new-comers, the young, old and the in-between. Come as you are, for this is God's house—a house of prayer for all people, and God welcomes each one who comes.

Hymn 399  God Welcomes All

Prayer of Confession

We confess, Anointed One, that we excuse ourselves from reaching out to those who need your care.  We take your words – that there will always be unmet needs – as a reason not to try to meet the needs we can.  Forgive us, and help us to change.  Renew our determination to live as faithful followers, faithful disciples, faithful Christians. Help us to work with you for the well-being of your creation, that the fortunes of all your peoples may be restored. Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 2

We, too, are a part of the Way-Maker's will for restoration.  We are called, through Christ Jesus, to strive for restoration, but we are not called to do this work alone.  The One who has made a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, will surely equip us for all we are asked to do in Christ's name.  God will empower us to attain all the potential God has placed within us. Thanks be to God!

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: John 12:1-8

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    "You Say"     Lauren Daigle

Sermon:     Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 201  A Prophet-Woman Broke a Jar

Invitation to the Offering 3

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to the home of Lazarus and received hospitality like no one had seen before – generous, loving, whole-hearted, and even a little bit undignified.  His disciple Judas could only see the inefficiency of the gift, not the spirit of loving-kindness with which it was offered.  We, like Judas, often want to expedite our giving without really engaging with those we are called to serve.  Let us consider the depth of our relationships with those we encounter and with the One who calls us to faith.  

Let us pray:  Extravagant God, lavishing your love on our poverty of heart: inspire us to give with generosity, to love life so that we may find it again, and thus the world will be filled with the fragrance of your love; through Jesus Christ, who offers himself for us. Amen. We have a basket here on the table to receive your offerings now or later this morning.  Let us receive this morning's offering.

Offertory     “Panis Angelicus”          Louis Lambilotte, Arr. Montani

Prayer of Dedication 4

Loving God, we know that we may not have the capacity to divert resources, or uplift communities; We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war, or the words to negotiate peace between armies; But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something. And so, we pray that you would inspire us to use whatever we offer  to commit to and act on the small difference we can make: May we bring peace through small acts of gentleness and reconciliation; May we bring wealth through small contributions and collaborations; May we bring safety through small acts of consideration and acceptance; May we bring wholeness through small acts of care and service. And in the small ways, O God, may our small difference make a big contribution to your saving work in our world.  In faith and gratitude we offer common things made miracles by your grace.   Bless what we give and bless what we keep, that all may be used for your glory.  Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Preparation of the Table

Invitation and Great Prayer of Thanksgiving 5

This is for you, but it may change you from one who is anxiously concerned about their own redemption into one who knows that Christ's body is the earth and all who walk upon it, are one in Him into knowing that we are not redeemed by our being good but by our being connected into knowing that daring to eat at the table of Jesus Christ has unimaginable consequences. So come, come to be made whole, and to participate in the work of making us one with Him and each other.

LEADER: The Lord be with you

PEOPLE: And also with you

LEADER: Lift up your hearts

PEOPLE: We lift them up to the Lord

LEADER: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

PEOPLE: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

LEADER: Wondrous God of infinite love and boundless compassion, mark our hearts with the seal of your handiwork. Create within us the joy of being in your presence. Stitch into our souls the desire to serve, the power to heal, and the capacity to love deeply and genuinely. Mold us into reservoirs of hope, that we might pour out your bountiful blessings upon all of your people. May this time we partake of the body and blood of Jesus unite us in the community of saints who know your love and proclaim your Son with fervor and grace to a broken and hurting world. May your healing hands be the salve for ending hurt and violence in this world, even as we prepare for the next. In the holy Name of Jesus. Amen. 6

Words of Institution

Sharing of the Cup and Bread

Prayer of Thanksgiving 7

Holy God, you have fed us all out of your own generous and gracious hands. From them, we have received welcome, nourishment, hope, and consolation. May these things grow in us, alongside the gift of faith, so that we may plant their seeds in the world around us. Through the Holy Spirit, guide us in the week [days] ahead to re-member our place in your great and on-going story of resurrection, redemption, and restoration through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 793     O Christ, the Healer

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude     “At the Cry of the First Bird”     William Sisson

1 Rev. Joanna Harader

2 United Church of Christ's Worship Ways Archive

3 Prayers for an Inclusive Church 2009

4 John van de Laar

5 Ann Siddall

6 Leonard Sweet

7 lutheranjulia - RevGalBlogPals

Chimes

Opening Prayer 1

We praise you, O God, for your redemption of the world through Jesus Christ.  Today he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph and was proclaimed Messiah and king by those who spread garments and branches along his way.  Let these branches be signs of his victory, and grant that we who carry them may follow him in the way of the cross, that, dying and rising with him, we may enter into your kingdom; through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.  Amen.

Welcome

Introit    “Draw Nigh to Jerusalem”         David Williams

Call to Worship 1

ONE: We come to prepare for the holiest of weeks.

ALL: We will journey through praise, with joy on our lips; we will travel through betrayal and death, cradling hope deep in our hearts.

ONE: Jesus leads us through this week, and we will follow, for he is the life we long for, he is the Word who sustains us.

ALL: We wave palm branches in anticipation, we lay our love before him, to cushion his walk.

ONE: Setting aside all power, glory, and might, he comes: modeling humility and obedience for all of us.

ALL: Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the One who brings us the kingdom of God.

Hymn 197  Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Prayer of Confession 2

ONE: We sing, we wave our branches, we shout 'Hosanna.' Then, we turn away, to go back to our old ways, our old lives, our old sins. But God is in the business of granting forgiveness and filling us with new life.  Let us confess to the One who comes to fill us with grace.

ALL: With eager hearts and open hands, Holy One, we welcome Jesus, until he refuses the power we offer him, choosing to become our servant.  We pick up the faith we had laid on the ground before him, and put it back on the shelf where it belongs.  Our pride keeps us from being able to follow him all the way to Calvary. Hosanna, Steadfast God, save us! Help us to let our fears, our doubts, our faithlessness slip from our lives to fall at your feet, so we may stand with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes in your name, in your glory, in your grace to save us.  Let us continue our confession in silence.

(silence)

ONE: Amen.

Response Hymn 434

Restore in us, O God,

the splendor of your love;

Renew your image in our hearts,

and all our sins remove.

Assurance of Pardon 2

ONE: Tell the daughters of despair, proclaim it to the sons of sadness:  

ALL:     Christ has come to save us!  Hosanna!  We will give our thanks to God, who comes to bring us grace, hope, life.  Hosanna in the highest.  Amen!

Sharing the Peace

ONE: The peace of Christ be with you.

RESPONSE:  And also with you.

Response Hymn 425

Son of God, whose heart is peace,

Son of God, most holy,

To your presence we have come;

give us now your love.

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:28-40

ONE: This is the word of the Lord.

RESPONSE:  Thanks be to God.

Anthem    “Blessed Be Your Name”    Matt & Beth Redman

Sermon:     Palm Sunday Meditation Reverend Debra McGuire

Hymn 200  A Cheering, Chanting, Dizzy Crowd

Invitation to the Offering

God's abundant grace brings us hope, this and every day. With gratitude for all of God's gifts, we are called to share what we have received with our neighbors near and far. This morning's One Great Hour of Sharing offering will help to repair the breach, bridge the gap and build longer tables, that all God's people in every place may receive nourishment, shelter and care.

Offertory     “Hosanna(Praise is Rising)”     Baloche & Brown

Prayer of Dedication

We give thanks, O God, for these gifts we lift up to you. We pray that these resources will help to alleviate suffering, offer compassionate care, and feed those who live with food insecurity. Grant that all of our gifts — our time, our talent and our treasure — may serve to strengthen and restore your creation in all places. In addition to our regular offering, we dedicate this season's One Great Hour of Sharing offering to help repair the breach, bridge the gap, and build longer tables. Grant that all we say and do with all of our gifts — and with our very lives — may be a form of prayer, responding to your grace with gratitude. Amen.

Prayers of the People

The 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, forever. Amen.

Hymn 196  All Glory, Laud, and Honor

Announcements

Blessing

Closing Charge

Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold on to what is good. Return no person evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Postlude     “O Thou Eternal Christ, Ride On”     John Yarrington

1 Thom Shuman

2 Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies blog